Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

Abstract #152606

Tinka Markham Piper, MPH, CSW¹, Betty J. Ruth, MSW, MPH², Sarah Sisco, MPH, MSW¹, Christina Bethke, MPH, MSW³, and Jamie Wyatt, LCSW, MSW, MPH⁴. (1) Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029, 212-822-7277, kmarkham@nyam.org, (2) School of Social Work, Boston University, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215, (3) François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University Medical School, 651 Huntington Avenue, 7th Floor, Boston, MA 02215, (4) Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center, Brigham & Women's Hospital, 640 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Public health social work (PHSW) is a multi-method, interdisciplinary, epidemiologically-oriented approach to improving human health and well-being. While not a new area of practice, increased interest seeks to promote additional social work involvement in the public health workforce. Across the United States, some 20 MSW/MPH academic programs train dual professionals and this number is growing. In May 2006, PHSW academicians and practitioners affiliated with Boston University and New York Academy of Medicine sponsored a working conference to discuss current knowledge of PHSW, and to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships. Approximately 200 community practitioners, academics, government/foundation representatives and MSW/MPH alumni convened to present research on PHSW theory, training, and practice. Major stakeholders discussed the importance of PHSW in responding to emerging global health challenges. This daylong event showcased 24 scientific presentations from academicians and practitioners and highlighted the challenges of conducting and translating practice-based PHSW research. Attendees also participated in 15 focus groups to define, discuss, and plan initiatives to broaden the scope of PHSW practice and promote innovations. Five main action–oriented themes emerged from small group deliberations, identifying the need for (i) an updated definition of PHSW; (ii) an interdisciplinary marketing and media campaign to inform colleagues and potential employers; (iii) a renewed focus on PHSW curriculum development, training, research, and dissemination; (iv) a strengthening of related advocacy and policy activities; (iv) and increased networking and professional communication tools. Results and relevance to the PHSW work force and academia will be discussed, with particular emphasis on educational implications.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop an enhanced understanding of public health social work applicability in the global health context;
• Describe specific current examples of public health social work best practices;
• Discuss collaborative efforts between both fields including an action plan derived from this recent national conference aimed at enhancing public health social work in the 21st century.

Keywords: Public Health Education and Health Promotion, Practice-Based Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.