MPH 613 – Environment, Society, and Health
This course provided me with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills concerning identification of public health issues, risk communication, and cultural competence to a hypothetical community public health problem.
Background: This Practice Lab explained a richly diverse community in the United States. The community welcomed new residents from various cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, and different familial statuses each year by hosting a family friendly New Residents Day. New Residents Day had activities for children and adults that involved face painting and toy giveaways, and do-it-yourself historic home workshops for renters and homeowners of all socioeconomic statuses. There was plenty of local, fresh meat from the local hunt club and authentic Mexican Chapulines from a local restaurant owner that featured global dishes.
Key study questions:
- Identify and briefly explain five potential lead sources that could affect people’s health in the mock community. Which one is likely to affect the most people and why?
- Identify and briefly discuss three conditions/characteristics/practices/activities in the mock community – including cultural beliefs, values and practices – that could affect people’s risk of lead poisoning? How are these factors important in how a lead poisoning education program is designed?
- Why are cultural factors in the mock community important for effectively communicating lead poisoning information? Using what you know about this community and its situation, recommend specific risk communication strategies for reaching three different audiences and sector in the mock community.
Findings: Recently, there had been concern about lead exposure/lead poisoning within the community. An investigation was conducted during New Residents Day and public health officials discovered five sources of lead exposure.
The attached report discusses in detail the five sources of lead exposure, suggesting that while all exposures are concerning, the housing situation is likely to affect the most people since exposure to lead paint, paint dust, paint chips will occur daily to entire families.
Furthermore, the report details the public health official and community leaders communication plan to effectively present the findings and solutions to residents. This plan recognizes that a key element to risk communication is a two-way exchange of information. It was designed to be sensitive of cultural beliefs and to empower the community to take action to protect their health and the health of their neighbors.
MolinickTiffany_MPH613_PracticeLab