The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

4001.0: Tuesday, November 12, 2002 - Board 9

Abstract #36141

Community engagement among public health students: Survey results, curricular recommendations and policy implications

Yvonne Michael, ScD, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health and Sciences University, PO Bo 751, Portland, OR 97207, 503-725-5108, michaely@ohsu.edu and Sherril Gelmon, DrPH, College of Urban and Public Affairs, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751-PA, Portland, OR 97207-0751.

Public health education by its very nature emphasizes academic-practice interactions and participation in the community. Yet some aspects of public health education are not keeping pace with a significant trend across higher education to promote community engagement of students as part of their academic programs. We are studying the following question and propose to discuss our findings in this session: "How do graduate public health students interact with and contribute to the community as part of their academic programs?" We will report on a survey of graduate public health programs (in the Western states) to illustrate forms and levels of community engagement. We will then build upon recommendations arising from an invitational conference conducted in conjunction with the Western Region Campus Compact Consortium to frame specific recommendations for curricular revisions of public health education focused on enhancing community engagement. Finally, we will identify the relevant policy implications arising from these deliberations with respect to faculty roles and rewards, organizational change, institutional structures, and partnership promotion and development. Our conclusions will address how to enhance community engagement among public health students as part of their academic programs and professional development.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Public Health Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

Innovative Academic-Practice Linkages from Exemplary Workforce, Student and Faculty Projects - Part I: The Academic Public Health Caucus Poster Session

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA