 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Irene S. Bayer, MHSA, Office of Community-Based Public Health, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 109 S. Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, 734-936-0932, rbayer@umich.edu
The Ruth Mott Health Scholars/Explorers Program (RMHS/EP) demonstrates how multiple goals can be achieved through a mature academic/practice partnership. The Steering Committee of RMHS/EP is comprised of representatives from the university system, the local health department, and community-based organizations (CBO) in Flint, Michigan who have worked together over the past eleven years conducting community-based participatory action research. Following long-established research principles, the Steering Committee, community preceptors, and graduate students developed a research and mentoring program involving high school students and public health graduate students that emphasized racial identity, cooperative learning, authentic tasks and assessments, and the integration of meaningful technology and art. In the summer of 2002, three CBOs hosted graduate students who conducted original research on topics of concern identified by the CBOs--tobacco advertising, youth violence, and HIV/AIDS and STD education. Each graduate student then involved a team of high school students to conduct a smaller research project employing innovative research techniques including Photovoice, peer education, and survey research. At the conclusion of the eight-week program, the teams presented their research results to members of their community, faculty, and funders. The goals of this training program are to 1) increase the number of people in Flint entering the field of public health, 2) develop a competitive applicant pool of underrepresented minority youth interested in health careers, 3) provide graduate student training in community-based research and the public health issues of youth, and 4) increase the capacity of community-based organizations to address public health issues of local relevance.
Learning Objectives:
Related Web page: www.sph.umich.edu/cbph/programs/ruthmott.html
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.