To me, public health is potential – the potential to improve the collective health and well being of residents of our state, country and world through research, policy and interventions.
I’ve always been interested in health. When I was in high school I had to opportunity to participate in the Young Epidemiology Scholars Competition and really enjoyed it- I knew I had found what I wanted to do.
I was able to co-present research with my mentor, Dr. Craig Fryer at the Mixed Methods International Association’s conference. Just being there and meeting people whose articles and books I had read and been inspired by was an amazing feeling.
Be creative! Research requires creativity and a sense of adventure. C.E.A. Winslow defined public health as “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health” – both the art and science are essential. Innovations come from new ideas; sometimes looking at something differently can have a huge impact.
I think the biggest challenge for public health is working with people to find ways to change behaviors. Looking at major causes of morbidity and mortality today, many are behavioral. I think fostering healthy decision-making, and helping to create an environment where healthy choices are an option, is one of the most serious challenges on which the public health field should focus its improvement efforts.
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