Challenges, controversy, and opportunity: Teaching public health in a University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background: Since 2008 nearly 300 students at Five Branches University in Santa Cruz, CA have been a part of a class that has evolved into a movement integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and public health. Importance: TCM students believe that their medicine can greatly benefit health and wellness of individuals throughout the lifespan. It is less common for students to think about their practices in terms of a community benefit. Methods: The style of teaching that has been employed in this course is highly interactive and includes lectures, small and large group discussions, activities that depict public health “in action”, guests who present ideas in integration, and student projects where the goal is to directly impact the health and wellness of community members. Results: Evaluations consistently indicate that students are developing an improved understanding, respect, and interest in public health. This interest has materialized through student projects including: sexual diversity training, presentations in schools, and externships in public health programs. Implications: This is an important course for students and public health professionals because many TCM students are critical of public health. This course helps dispel myths and encourage discussions illuminating the complexities of public health practices. Students are exposed to positive examples of public health in the community, offering them an alternative narrative. The result of bringing together both public health professionals and TCM students is that both begin to see the vast array of opportunities and community benefit that could evolve with successful integration of the two professional practices.