The proposed presentation describes the development, delivery, and evaluation of a course in community-based public health for MPH students. It is important for public health workers to gain knowledge and skills in community and coalition building, particularly in a time of growing public-private collaboration to address public health issues. Accordingly, the course provides students with the appropriate theoretical, analytical, and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with communities toward public health goals. The focus of the course is on community organizing, coalition building, and teamwork for public health issues. The course uses both didactic and experiential learning techniques to address content and process issues for community health task groups. Data collection for community health indicators, SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis, community asset mapping, stakeholders analysis, community health planning, building and sustaining coalitions, and evaluation comprise the major didactic learning areas. Group facilitation, the vision to action process, and team building are taught experientially. Students conduct a community needs assessment and vision to action proposal as part of the course requirement. Handouts and course syllabi will be provided during the presentation, along with results of the course evaluations.
Learning Objectives: 1. Articulate a conceptual framework in support of education for community-based public health. 2. Design a course for community-based public health. 3.List the steps of a vision to action process for public health promotion in communities.
Keywords: Community Building, Education
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.