Introduction to Public Health

Final Exam Questions

2009-12-11T10:53:00.000-08:00

Here are 3 of the 5 questions you will have to choose from in class.

1. Compare the medical definition of health with the public health definition. Explain how public health can better address root causes of illness and injury. Describe how social inequities are actually aggravated by medicine. Illustrate examples of how community organizing can meet public health’s goals.

2. Why is tobacco addiction a social justice issue? Provide examples of how nicotine addiction is unequally distributed among groups in the US. Discuss how US corporations export the addiction to other parts of the world, using marketing practices outlawed in the US. Describe and discuss the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. How does it represent a policy approach to promoting public health?

3. Describe the “stream model” and the “normal curve” as illustrated in The Lancet article on diabetes in the US. Apply these two concepts to HIV in the United States. How could we “go upstream” in the American HIV epidemic? Give examples? How does the normal curve apply to the American approach to HIV prevention and treatment?

4. We discussed the problem of overweight and obesity quite a bit in class. Imagine that you are a public health educator who is designing a community education program for heavy kids in the Mission neighborhood. Describe the steps you would eemploy to assess, implement, and assure for maximum quality. Draw from Minkler’s “10 Commitments for Community Health Education” and describe how you would use them as guiding principles.

Interactive map: Towards universal access

2009-12-01T23:03:00.000-08:00

Interactive map: Towards universal access

FRONTLINE: The Age of AIDS | PBS

2009-12-01T22:51:00.000-08:00

FRONTLINE: the age of aids | PBS

HIV and AIDS Prevention -- Avert Link

2009-12-01T22:49:00.000-08:00

HIV and AIDS Prevention

Final Paper: Community Health; Due Dec 9

2009-11-30T20:55:00.000-08:00

Here is the outline for your final paper, due Dec 9

BASICS
Double-spaced
12 pt font
1 inch margins

OVERVIEW
This paper is the logical conclusion of the work you did on the first 2. The first paper was a LITERATURE REVIEW of your health issue topic. The second paper was a COMMUNITY DIAGNOSIS PLAN.
This paper is a REPORT BACK on the implementation of your community diagnosis plan, specifically your key informant interviews.

There are 4 Parts to this paper; points are designated below.

1. Introduction (5 pts)
State your topic
Tell me what you learned about the topic by doing this Community Health Project.
(you will elaborate more on this later, in your discussion and conclusion)

2. Findings (15 pts)
Report the key findings from the Key Informant Interview (See other blog post for guidance on summarizing interviews.
Present your findings in essay format.
Start with general impressions; reactions, etc
Continue on describing responses to questions.
DO Summarize the key ideas in responses and use quotations.
DON'T List each question and answer

3. Discussion (15 pts)
Put it all together; Refer back to your literature review (first paper)
compare your findings with the ones you described in the first paper
Use key concepts, models, and ideas from class to critique your findings
Describe what your findings mean for a potential community organizing project
Describe shortcomings or problems with your findings; how would you fix them
Write about your reaction to the process of interviewing and writing up the findings.

4. Conclusion (10 pts)
Restate your main learnings or thesis
State what would be your next steps if you were to continue a community organizing project on this issue and with these key informants and resources.

Summarizing Interview Information

2009-11-30T14:02:00.000-08:00

One of the biggest temptations for beginning researchers/organizers is to tell your audience EVERYTHING that your interviewee/subject said in the interview. This is a huge waste of time: of yours and the reader's.

Once you have conducted your interview, read over your notes and listen to the recording (if there is one.)
Jot down or highlight your first impressions.
What really stood out?
How would you describe your subject's mood (cooperative, resistant, a bit of both... USE YOUR OWN WORDS; I DON'T WANT TO READ 30 PAPERS WITH IDENTICAL REPORTS ON THE COOPERATIVENESS OF SUBJECTS...) etc.
How informed about the health topic do you feel they were? (Give examples that illustrate this)
How informed were they about the work that their group or organization does to address the health topic? (Give examples...)
As a community organizer, how would you judge the subject's potential helpfulness in getting things done...

After these general impressions, go in for the detailed information.
What information did you collect for each question?
Specific information is important here.

Summarize the answers to specific questions along these lines. Use a narrative format (don't list questions and answers...)
Joe Johnson has worked at the Coalition for three years. He got involved first as a volunteer, then he worked part-time and eventually started full time three years ago. He said he likes his work. "I feel it is very rewarding when I see my clients' make progress." He feels the Coalition does a good job addressing the health issue (quote). He thinks they could do a better job if they had more community support and funding. But he wasn't very sure about sources of funding, when asked. He said his group could use some help from the local health department in identifying funding sources and writing grant proposals.
And so forth... You get the idea.

Bottom Line Idea: Interview data (the words the subject said, the information they gave you) is YOUR raw materials to build what you want. The answers are the raw ingredients for the dish you are cooking. You will not use ALL of the sugar, just as much as you need. Same with the flour and the salt and the other ingredients. So choose your materials wisely.

How to Conduct Interviews

2009-11-28T09:06:00.000-08:00

Here's a helpful link on how to plan and conduct interviews.

CLICK HERE

Tobacco links

2009-11-22T09:02:00.000-08:00

"Reversal of Misfortune: Viewing Tobacco as a Social Justice Issue"
This article is required for class.

"Reveral of Misfortune" article

Center for Corporate Accountability - Tobacco Campaign page

Diabetes Readings

2009-11-15T09:03:00.000-08:00

Read this article for class, please. Bring questions for discussion.

CLICK HERE for Lancet article

CDC Diabetes Statistics and Facts

CLICK HERE and page down to "Strengthening Communities: A Prevention Framework for Eliminating Health Disparities"

Identifying Community Assets and Resources

2009-11-03T09:48:00.000-08:00

Read this to follow our lecture/discussion in class and to help with your assignment

Humor in Action: Condom on Senator Helms' House

2009-11-03T07:52:00.000-08:00

Here's a link to the video we watched. It's at the bottom of the blog written by one of the lead activists involved in the action that day, Peter Staley. Read it for more insight into the action and it's meaning.

Vieques cleanup now the issue

2009-11-02T08:20:00.000-08:00

CLICK HERE for article about cleanup of Naval operatons

Video: "The Battle for Vieques"

2009-11-02T07:07:00.000-08:00

CLICK HERE for video we watched in class

Op-Ed calling for reform of Clinton's Vieques position and policy

The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil

2009-10-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

Check out this link about the film we watched in class.

CLICK HERE

Organizing, Educating, and Advocating for Health and Human Rights in Vieques, Puerto Rico

2009-10-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

CLICK HERE for article

CHWs and Social Justice -- Amer J of Pub Hlth, 2008

2009-10-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

This is an excellent article that bridges from the topic of CHWs to our next topics -- Social Justice and Health Inequities. Please read and prepare to discuss in class.

CLICK HERE to download PDF of article

Community Health Workers Publication

2009-10-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

Please download and study this publication for class. I'll be more specific about pages to focus on.

Follow the link to the bottom of the page and download the document from there.

CLICK HERE for HTML version. Can also save as PDF.

Read pp 1 - 32

Unnatural Causes: Backgrounder on Social Determinants

2009-10-07T10:33:00.000-07:00

REQUIRED READING -- Backgrounder on Social Determinants as depicted in "Unnatural Causes"

Unnatural Causes: Policy Guide

2009-10-07T10:31:00.000-07:00

Review 6 guidelines for changing social determinants of health

Unnatural Causes Video Website

2009-10-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

Please study the website associated with the video series "Unnatural Causes". CLICK HERE for link

Tackling Social Inequities through Public Health Practice

2009-10-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to the full text of the book.
Look over the introduction in particular for more details on constructions of race, class, and gender. Good stuff.
CLICK HERE for the PDF version of the entire book.

Read Chapter 4: Promoting Social Justice Through Public Health Practice

Health Education Theory Overview

2009-09-21T09:09:00.000-07:00

Here's a nice overview of theories we are discussing in class. There is also a good preview of coming attractions regarding community organizing.

Health Education Theory Overview CLICK HERE

Newsom wants to charge stores that sell sodas

2009-09-19T09:19:00.001-07:00

Newsom wants to charge stores that sell sodas

TAKE HOME ASSIGNMENT: DUE MONDAY SEP 21

2009-09-18T09:24:00.001-07:00

This assignment is due Monday, September 21. It is in lieu of last week's in-class assessment. It will help us stay a bit caught up.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Review the following on-line document "What is Health Education"

What is Health Education

2. Address the following questions. Limit your answer to 1-2 sentences per question.

a. How does health education help achieve the larger goals of Public Health, as defined in class? (1 - 2 sentences)
b. Look at the last 'bullet' under "Where are Health Educators Employed".
Imagine that you are helping a community group to increase physical activity of 10-year-olds. Describe how you would address this goal? Use pp 12-13 of Chapter 1 in "Public Health" (Schneider) to guide your answers. (1 page)

3 Please type, 12 pt font, 1 inch margins, double space, etc.

4. Email me if you have questions.

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Curbing Obesity Epidemic Key to Health Care Reform: Experts - Yahoo! News

2009-09-16T10:33:00.001-07:00

Curbing Obesity Epidemic Key to Health Care Reform: Experts - Yahoo! News

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Op-Ed Contributor - Big Food vs. Big Insurance - NYTimes.com

2009-09-10T09:22:00.001-07:00

Op-Ed Contributor - Big Food vs. Big Insurance - NYTimes.com

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ASSIGNMENT: Brief Report due October 5, 2009

2009-09-09T08:37:00.001-07:00

Health 54
Brief Report

America’s Health

Objective: Use “America’s Health 2007” to demonstrate ability to read and interpret data on a single health issue. Research and update of the topic and summarize findings.

5 points Topic
15 points Describe and interpret data from the Report.
15 points Update with appropriate sources (minimum of 3)
10 points Describe implications for public health today
5 Conclusion

INSTRUCTIONS

1. State your topic.
Why did you choose it?
What is something new you hope to learn by doing this research?

2. Describe and interpret data from Healthy People 2010 and Health: US 2008
Be sure to spend plenty of time looking the data over to detect patterns, trends, and key ideas that stand out for you.
Be sure to use socioeconomic status to breakdown the data; as well as ethnicity, gender, and age (and other relevant status markers).
What does the data say about the health problem? Put this into your own words.
What is missing, in your opinion? Groups of people, aspects of health issues that are not described by the data.

3. Do further research to update the issue.
What is the current state of this public health issue?
Be sure to research into journals and articles that describe specific aspects of the issue and give us more insight to what is going on in those areas currently.
Try to “fill the gaps” that you identified with your research.
Use at least 3 sources, no more than 8, to update. Quality, not quantity.
Remember that literature reviews are great places to find leads for research.

4. What can public health do about the issue today?
Present your own ideas
Back them up with a few citations you described earlier.

5. Conclusion
What did you hope to learn (as stated in the Introduction)?
Did you learn it? Why or why not?
If you continued to research the topic, what are a few new areas about it that you’d like to explore?

GENERAL GUIDELINES
1. Printed, preferably in Word format
2. 1 inch margins
3. 12 point font
4. Courier or Times New Roman font (not Helvetica)
5. MLA bibliographic style
6. 5 to 8 pages (not including bibliography)

DUE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2009

Chapter 3: PH Organization

2009-09-04T13:07:00.001-07:00

Here's the chapter I'd like everyone to read for the week of September 7, 2009 (no class Monday... Labor Day ENJOY!)
CHAPTER 3 CLICK HERE
BE PATIENT... IT'S A BIG FILE (SORRY...)

Health United States Powerpoint Slide Set

2009-09-02T07:47:00.000-07:00

CLICK HERE for slides shown in class

The slide set provides "highlights" of the Health: United States report. Use it for ideas for your brief report!

Healthy People 2010 -- Midcourse Review

2009-09-01T23:47:00.000-07:00

This online document details progress toward Healthy People 2010 objectives. Note that baseline data for the 2010 goals is from 1998, midcourse data is from 2003...

CLICK HERE for Midcourse Report table of contents

Health, United States, 2008

2009-08-31T11:22:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to the chart book "Health, United States, 2008". The document is located on the CDC website.

For our class, we will work with the Executive Summary. Please download the PDF to your computer and save it there or on a memory stick or other portable storage device.

CLICK HERE

Healthy People 2010

2009-08-31T11:14:00.000-07:00

Click Here for Healthy People 2010 report

History of Public Health - slide set

2009-08-24T15:17:00.000-07:00

CLICK HERE (right click on PC) to download slides

Ten Great Achievements in Public Health

2009-08-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

List of Achievements

1. Fluoridation of Drinking Water

2. Heart Disease Deaths Reduced

3. Motor Vehicle Safety

4. Healthier Mothers and Babies

5. Control of Infectious Diseases

6. Safer and Healthier Foods

7. Improvements in Workplace Safety

8. Childhood Vaccination

9. Family Planning

10. Tobacco Use

HONORABLE MENTION
Changes in the Public Health System

Prvention of Mother to Child HIV Transmission

Preliminary Class Schedule

2009-08-19T08:17:00.000-07:00

A very preliminary schedule of topics for the coming weeks. More details to be provided as we get into the semester

CLICK HERE

What is Public Health?

2009-08-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

Explore this link with particular attention to the major areas of focus. We'll look at this in class as well.

What Is Public Health? CLICK HERE

The Age of AIDS

2009-04-29T09:05:00.000-07:00

CLICK HERE for link to the Age of AIDS website

UPDATED SCHEDULE!

2009-03-11T07:48:00.000-07:00

Please review this updated class schedule with new dates for the Outline and Bibliography and Quiz 2

CLICK HERE

ASSIGNMENT: Community Health Project Outline and Bibliography

2009-03-11T07:45:00.000-07:00

Click on the link to get the outline for this assignment.

CLICK HERE

DUE MARCH 30, 2009

Community Organizing: People Power From the Grassroots

2009-03-09T09:56:00.000-07:00

This link is required reading

YouTube Videos: Community Health Workers

2009-02-19T14:25:00.000-08:00

Jamkhed CRHP Village Health Worker CLICK HERE

Vietname: The Role of Community Health Workers in Malaria Control CLICK HERE

Community Health Worker Worforce Study

2009-02-11T18:34:00.000-08:00

Check out this Executive Summary of the HRSA CHW Workforce Study (2007).

CLICK HERE for link to website

Chilling Effect on HIV Prevention

2009-02-01T00:39:00.000-08:00

We discussed this in class... the likelihood that the Bush administration has had a chilling effect on prevention research...

CLICK HERE

NOTE: In order to view the entire article, you'll need to copy and paste the link.

1. go to ccsf.edu

2. bring down library resources on quick links; choose "Rosenberg Library"

3. Click on "online articles"

4. sign in to ebscohost or gale using your student ID number.

5. either paste the link or enter the author and title to get the full text

The Age of AIDS

2008-11-30T17:43:00.001-08:00

Here's the link to the Frontline web site. Follow to the 'watch online'...

CLICK HERE for FRONTLINE site

Uniting for HIV Prevention

2008-11-24T22:41:00.000-08:00

Please look at this page from UNAIDS.

Click on the "Intensifying HIV Prevention" document on the right side of the page. We will go over some of the key principles in class on Wednesday, Nov 26.

Uniting for HIV Prevention CLICK HERE

Here is a link to "Intensifying HIV Prevention" Intensifying HIV Prevention CLICK HERE

The Uninsured

2008-09-30T13:39:00.000-07:00

This is a website from PBS -- The Newshour.

Here is a report you can watch online:

Newshour Report on Uninsured -- November 28, 2005

Here is a link to a website on the uninsured.

Newshour Online - The Uninsured in America -- CLICK HERE>

Our Nation's Health Centers

2008-09-14T13:26:00.000-07:00

Here is a variety of reading which describes the federal, state, and local health center organizations.

Local: San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium

San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium CLICK HERE
Click on "partner clinics" for description of member clnics in SF.

State: California Primary Care Association
California Primary Care Association CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE to link to CPCA's blueprint for success, reports, etc. which explain the goals and challengs facing California's health centers

Federal: Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care
(HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care

Community Health Worker slide set

2008-09-14T12:54:00.001-07:00

Here is the slide set we used in class.
Use powerpoint to view. Right-click to "save as" or download (control-click in Mac OS-X).

Community Health Worker slide set CLICK HERE

PLEASE NOTE: The file may download as a Word document. You must right-click (control-click in Mac) to select "open with" Microsoft PowerPoint. Let me know if you have any problems with this.