Workforce Training Series on Addressing Health Inequities for Alameda County Public Health Department

In 2006, the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) made an organizational commitment to conduct a comprehensive workforce training series that aimed to build the understanding of public health, social determinants of health, health disparities and health inequities. Concurrent to undertaking a participatory strategic planning process with ACPHD staff, policymakers, government officials and community residents, this local health department began its workforce training process to build its internal organizational capacity to health inequities.

ACPHD, as the local health department for 1.5 million residents, became concerned that while the health of most people in Alameda County has been improving, there are still large and persistent health inequities. Health inequities are differences in health outcomes between groups of people that are a result of systemic injustice. While significant health inequities affect many groups, in Alameda County, they are much worse for African-Americans, Latinos, and Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islanders, as well as low income residents in general. ACPHD's 2006 health status report also pointed to evidence that the health inequities between groups are getting worse.

The workforce training series on public health consists of five modules: 1) history of public health, core functions and ten essential services, 2) cultural competency and cultural humility, 3) undoing racism, 4) health equity and 5) community capacity building. The training and facilitation approach draws on Paolo Freire's theory of popular education. Each ACPHD training session has been unique in composition, with different trainers and staff participants, resulting in rich discussions among staff with diverse life experiences and perspectives.

This presentation will provide a description of the training modules, the in-house train-the-trainer model, the administrative processes for conducting trainings for 600 ACPHD staff, and evaluation results from conducting a comprehensive agency-wide workforce development project.