Public Health at
Hillside Health Care International
March 2015
Created by: Carly Hood, MPA, MPH, Clinic & Public Health Director
What is….?
Public health?
“A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity.” –WHO, 1946
What is health?
“The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health
through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations,
public and private, communities and individuals.” 1920
Sources: WHO Science, http://www.sciencemag.org/content/51/1306/23.long; Lancet: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/ PIIS0140-6736(09)60332-9/fulltext "Learning)While)Serving"
What Impacts Health?
Social
determinants of
health
"Learning)While)Serving"40%
10%
Caribbean Living Standards
Source: Morehouse College keynote address 2012 http://cercuvi.com/assets/temp/PPT %202012/Keynote%20Address%20CERC%202012%20REVISED%20(T.%20Mills).pdf "Learning)While)Serving"
Belize Income
7,630
52,610
37,340
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
Belize
United States
UK
Inc
o
me
Gross national income per capita ( 2012)
Source: WHO http://www.who.int/countries/en/
!
Poor 79.0%
!
81 % rural
!
50% hungry, 43% stunted growth
!
Fertility rate highest in Belize
!
Highest infant mortality rate in Belize
!
Immunization coverage lowest in Belize
Toledo District
Source: Government of Belize: Assessment Report 2002 http://socio-economicoutreach.org/home/
Teachers for a Better Belize: & http://www.tfabb.org/overreg.html "Learning)While)Serving"
Education in Belize
Source: World Bank http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.PRM.ENRR/countries/BZ-XJ?display=graph
Enrollment in Primary Education
Literacy in Toledo
25%
41%
52%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%Belize Toledo District Mayan Population
Il lit er ac y Rat es
Source: Teachers for a Better Belize: http://www.tfabb.org/ overreg.html "Learning)While)Serving"
Hillside public health learning
objectives
•
Understand and appreciate the uniqueness of the many
cultures of southern Belize.
•
Understand and appreciate how factors beyond
healthcare—social, economic, environmental,
psychological, spiritual, and biological—impact health
outcomes.
•
Learn how to effectively communicate health education
topics to a variety of audiences.
•
Contribute to population level health promotion and
disease prevention efforts for the people of the Toledo
District.
Current public health
activities
•
Health promotion & education:
•
In schools
•
With community groups
•
Community health screening
•
Placement at Ministry of Health programs
•
Village health work:
•
Community Health Workers (CHWs)
•
Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs)
•
Participatory photo-mapping (PPM)
Health education in schools
•
Objective:
Partner with Ministry of Education to support teachers on health education in the classroom.•
Each Hillside rotation we visit:
• 7 schools
• 3-4 classes per school
• ~75 students per day (over 500 each month!)
•
Cover 4 topics each academic year:
• Dental health
• Nutrition/Physical activity
• Sexual and Reproductive health
• Hygiene/handwashing
•
Structure
• 20 minute presentation
• 10 minute game
• We encourage students to “Use resources, be creative!”
Community outreach
•
Community presentations
•
Helping Old People Equally
(HOPE)
•
Laugh out Loud (LOL)
Orphanage
•
Community health screening
•
Last Monday of every rotation—
Nurse & student team do vital
statistics in PG Park.
•
Time spent working with government health
officials at the local hospital. Including:
•
Vector control officials
•
Public health inspectors
•
Public health nurses
•
Psychiatric nurses
•
Pharmacists
13
Ministry of Health placements
Source:
*Journal Article: Dennis Jr S., Gaulocher S., Carpiano R., Brown D. Participatory photo mapping (PPM): Exploring an integrated method for health and place research with young people, Health & Place. 2009;15:466-473.
•
Participatory Photo Mapping (PPM)*
•
Walk, take photos, present
•
Tool for assessing space, the environment and health
•
Time with Community Health Workers (CHWs) &
Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs)
•
In schools
•
Working on community projects
14
Village public health work
Source:
*Journal Article: Dennis Jr S., Gaulocher S., Carpiano R., Brown D. Participatory photo mapping (PPM): Exploring an integrated method for health and place research with young people, Health & Place. 2009;15:466-473.
•
Schools
•
Fluoride treatment-
574 kids
•
School visits-
43 times
•
Health education-
1,104 kids
•
Community partnership:
•
2 MoH health fair partnerships-
172 patients
•
LOL orphanage health training for staff-
3
times
•
HOPE presentations-
4 times
Public health impact
Sept-Dec 2014
Master of Public Health (MPH)
students
As of February 2015, students working
towards their MPH will be part of the
interdisciplinary team!
These students bring skills in:
•
Statistics/epidemiology
•
Program planning
•
Non profit management
•
Surveys and evaluation
•
Community health assessments
•
Quality Improvement
MPH learning objectives:
Master of Public Health
(MPH) program field
experience/global health
practicum objectives:
Contribute to population health improvement efforts in the Toledo District of Southern Belize.
Evaluate and expand on health improvement efforts at Hillside Health Care International.
Aid in building sustainable relationships with community partners.
Create a holistic learning environment for all of our rotating allied health graduate students by ensuring public health has a voice at the
"health" table.
Increase the number of globally-engaged public health professionals by providing a robust & rewarding field placement site for students
attending accredited public health programs.
MPH activities
•
With Hillside Director, identify & develop independent project:
• Designing and/or delivering health education with youth in schools.
• Quantitative or qualitative data collection, analysis and/or communication • Conducting program and/or project evaluation.
• Developing and/or delivering surveys and community assessments • Building stronger health systems Quality Improvement initiatives • Building partnership with community partners
•
Participate in Belizean health system global learning opportunities
through placement at Ministry of Health
•
Interact with other allied health professionals via:
• Discussion and lectures
• Leading a photomapping activity
• Leading and/or participating in community health education activities
•
Complete MPH field experience/practicum requirements
Proposed timeline for MPH
interested students
Before Arrival (3+ months before arrival)
• Discuss and plan project with Hillside
Director and home institution advisor(s). • Complete application materials
• Complete Hillside required readings
• Research In-Country (4-8 weeks) • Design tools • Implement project/program • Participate in interdisciplinary activities • Evaluate project/program After Departure (1-2 month post-departure) • Wrap up evaluation • Write report(s) • Deliver presentation(s)
• Provide feedback to program and
in-country leadership
Future public health at
Hillside
Clinical
students
Health education in schools Photomapping Community Health Workers& Peace Corps Volunteers Social determinants of health lecture/ readings Clinic time
Master of Public
Health students
Health education in schools Photomapping Community Health Workers& Peace Corps Volunteers Social determinants of health lecture/ readings Independent project!
Consistent
public health
activities
regardless of
discipline
Pre-determined field
practicum for MPH student
Public health at Hillside
THANK YOU!
Visit:
www.hillsidebelize.org/education
Contact for more information:
