Public Health at Hillside Health Care International March 2015 Created by: Carly Hood, MPA, MPH, Clinic & Public Health Director
What is.? What is health? A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. WHO, 1946 Public 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
What Impacts Health? 40% 10% Social determinants of health
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
Belize Income Income 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0 Gross national income per capita ( 2012) 52,610 37,340 7,630 Belize United States UK Source: WHO http://www.who.int/countries/en/
Toledo District! 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 Source: Government of Belize: Assessment Report 2002 http://socio-economicoutreach.org/home/ Teachers for a Better Belize: & http://www.tfabb.org/overreg.html
Education in Belize Enrollment in Primary Education Source: World Bank http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/se.prm.enrr/countries/bz-xj?display=graph
HILLSIDE' Literacy in Toledo 60% 52% 50% Illiteracy Rates 41% 40% 30% 25% 20% 10% 0% Belize Toledo District Mayan Population Source: Teachers for a Better Belize: http://www.tfabb.org/ overreg.html
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.
Ministry of Health placements Time spent working with government health officials at the local hospital. Including: Vector control officials Public health inspectors Public health nurses Psychiatric nurses Pharmacists 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. 13
Village public health work 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 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. 14
Public health impact Sept-Dec 2014 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
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: 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. Master of Public Health (MPH) program field experience/global health practicum objectives: 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 After Departure (1-2 month post-departure) Wrap up evaluation Write report(s) Deliver presentation(s) Provide feedback to program and incountry leadership In-Country (4-8 weeks) Design tools Implement project/program Participate in interdisciplinary activities Evaluate project/program
Future public health at Hillside Clinical students Master of Public Health students Health education in schools Health education in schools Photomapping Community Health Workers & Peace Corps Volunteers Photomapping Community Health Workers & Peace Corps Volunteers Consistent public health activities regardless of discipline Social determinants of health lecture/ readings Social determinants of health lecture/ readings Clinic time Independent project! Pre-determined field practicum for MPH student
Public health at Hillside THANK YOU! Visit: www.hillsidebelize.org/education Contact for more information: clinicdirector.hillside@gmail.com