Global health initiatives
The School of Public Health offers international fieldwork programs, research opportunities and global engagement efforts that provide hands-on training experiences for students.
Global health initiatives are offered to students at the discretion of professors and instructors who are doing work in those areas; therefore, it is not guaranteed an international experience within a class structure will be offered every year. Be advised to check back regularly, check on bulletin boards and read emails put out by the Undergraduate or Graduate Student Resource Centers. Additionally, you can visit . Individualized global health initiatives can be organized through the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) or in some circumstances can be organized through field study experiences.
Global health initiative locations
Bangladesh
Since 2013, the School of Public Health has partnered with Duwell Medical Bangladesh to expose students to the healthcare needs of those in the Shariatpur District of Bangladesh. Past projects have explored the negative health outcomes related heavy metal and arsenic exposure in water sources, as well as projects developing infrastructure to support maternal and child health initiatives.
China
Since 2016, MPH students have participated in research projects in partnership with Nanchang University. Past students have collected data on youth risk behaviors among high school students in China in order to compare factors within the country and abroad.
Kenya
Since 2012, students have worked on various projects in geographically diverse regions throughout Kenya. Students have planned, implemented and evaluated health education initiatives in the topic areas of physical activity, nutrition, malaria prevention, HIV/AIDS prevention and reproductive health as well as water, sanitation and hygiene. Students learn about the unique needs facing Kenya, working directly with communities affected by female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage and beading practices. Partnering agencies have included the Samburu Girls Foundation, Tareto Maa, Tumaini Orphanage and Distant Relatives.
Paraguay
Since 2017, the School of Public Health has partnered with Future Kind in Paraguay on multiple projects to improve health conditions within the country. Past students have worked on community health needs assessments of both impoverished communities living near an urban landfill and of indigenous communities living in rural areas. Students have worked on projects to improve access to clean water, to improve reproductive healthcare outcomes, and to provide digital libraries and textbooks to children.
Peru
In 2018, the School of Public Health solidified its partnership with the Βι¶ΉΣ³» Building Hope Foundation to address the unique health needs in the Ayacucho Village and surrounding areas along the Amazon River. These remote communities are only accessible via boat and have extremely limited access to healthcare and basic necessities. Current projects include training and establishing a community health worker program and providing health education curriculum to residents of the region.
Rwanda
The School of Public Health established programs in Rwanda in early 2015 to directly work with communities that had been impacted by the genocide of the 1990s. Since its inception, the Rwanda program seeks to offer a cross cultural exchange among students to learn about genocide, its health and economic impacts, and the need for the establishment of empowerment and resiliency programs. As student health ambassadors, students have been able to interview genocide survivors, participate in reconciliation initiatives, and set up and evaluate resiliency projects for street youth. More recently, projects have been expanded to include skin cancer education and prevention for people living with albinism, clean water and permaculture projects for rural areas, and interventions for those living with HIV/AIDS.
South Africa
Established in Summer 2015, the Social Justice and Public Health in South Africa course allows students to have the opportunity learn about the history and health of South Africa through a social justice lens. This highly-selective scholars program allows students to focus on intercultural education projects in the areas of HIV/AIDS and maternal and child health. This program partners with the local government, community organizations and the Tygerberg Hospital to promote intercultural sharing and reflection of best practices to improve the health of populations most at risk.
Turkey
In 2014, the School of Public Health established a Turkish Health Policy class in collaboration with Kocaeli University in Izmit, Turkey. This program allows for intercultural education and learning through site visits with government programs and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Students explore the influences of culture, economics, and migration on health policy and health outcomes. Past priority areas have included women's health, refugee health, occupational health, and tobacco prevention and control.
Service-learning opportunities
PBH 461: Global Health Promotion is offered locally during Fall, Wintermester, Spring and Summer sessions. The course will introduce students to the main concepts of the public health field and the critical links between global health and social and economic development. Students will get an overview of the determinants of health and how health status is measured. Students will also review risk factors and key measures to address the burden of disease in cost-effective ways.
Although the course covers concepts and frameworks, it is very practical in orientation. The course is global in coverage, with a special focus on low- and middle-income countries and on the health of the poor. The medical, psychosocial, cultural, political, ethical and economic aspects of various global health issues will be addressed through lectures, media/film and writing assignments.
This course is designed to be a culminating service learning experience for students. Through this experience, students will work through the three core components of knowledge, action and reflection that are essential to service learning. Students partner with international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and work on real assignments and solutions that will be of benefit to communities around the world.
Affiliations
The School of Public Health is a proud affiliate of the Ozmen Institute for Global Studies. The Ozmen Institute for Global Studies is the central hub for developing, enhancing and stimulating globally-focused initiatives from across campus. The Institute supports collaborative research, public outreach and engaged scholarship that broadens the community's understanding of global issues at local, regional, national and international levels. The Institute will inspire the next generation of students by providing scholarly research and support to help solve important global issues. The Institute is an important entity to campus in diversifying a global research mission and cultivating strong community collaborations around universal concerns.