Politics, policy and public health: Innovative ways to engage the next generation of public health professionals

Health Career Investigators Public Health – Special Edition is a three-day summer program for high schools students to experience the field of public health first-hand. Teams of students throughout the state are given mock legislation on important public health issues, with two days to interview faculty, researchers and public health professionals working in state government, local government and community organizations. From those interviews, the student teams develop their testimony on the legislation, presenting it on the third day to a panel of actual legislators. Each student team also includes a student health journalist, with the unique opportunity to learn about public health and journalism, and the challenges in reporting to the public on complex public health issues. Learn about this state-wide collaborative effort between a major research university, state and local public health, and local media. See how educational resources and interactive technology make it possible to coordinate and implement a state-wide program among rural communities and the urban center of the state.