RVPHTC Blog

Welcome to our blog! Covering classic and topical public health themes, we hope you find new and interesting information through our blog posts, published weekly to keep you in the know on all things public health! 

Interested in contributing or have a topic you’d like to see? Email us at rvphtc@umich.edu.

Post Archives

Compensating Community Wisdom in Public Health

Compensating Community Wisdom in Public Health

By Janine O’Donnell, MPH, Kent County Health Department    The field of public health has been chronically underfunded for decades. A persistent lack of resources hampers efforts to promote health equity, address the growing burden of chronic disease, effectively combat behavioral and mental health concerns, and proactively respond to emerging issues (Trust for America’s Health [TFAH], 2023). It’s no wonder state and local health departments rely heavily on creative, cost-saving...

Do Definitions Matter?

Do Definitions Matter?

By Sheri Johnson, Ph.D., Director, Population Health Institute, University of Wisconsin Madison School of Medicine and Public Health   Current, commonly used definitions of health equity are useful tools for public health practitioners who are responsible for engaging residents and leaders in community health improvement planning and implementation. Widely circulated definitions include important concepts that can guide analysis and spark action.    As the field evolves, it's...

Want to Reach Teenagers About Mental Health? Engage Them in the Conversation!

Want to Reach Teenagers About Mental Health? Engage Them in the Conversation!

Through the power of our BWell Saginaw partnership, which includes the Saginaw County ISD, we met the Youth Ambassadors, a unique group of high school seniors representing each one of our rural, suburban and urban school districts. They have been serving together as a cohort for three years, participating in leadership development and community service. And they have been craving opportunities to share their mental health struggles without fear of stigma or reprisal. They want to cultivate safe spaces in their schools to “chill,” turn to trained and caring adults when needed during the school day, and understand if what they are feeling is “normal.”

Avenues for Advocacy at the Local Level

Avenues for Advocacy at the Local Level

While there is no handbook to immediately redress the 400 years of oppression influencing the health of our communities as a whole and communities of color specifically, this [collaborative] model provides an avenue for public health advocacy for health departments of any size to change systems to protect the health and improve the lives of all of its residents.

It’s Racism, Not Race

It’s Racism, Not Race

By Makeda C. Porter, MSW, Columbus Public Health, Center for Public Health Innovation   According to the Government Alliance on Race and Equity, “Racial inequities are not random; they have been created and sustained over time. Inequities will not disappear on their own.” We all share responsibility for dismantling racism in our communities. Racism is at the root of inequities, not race. It is not the color of one’s skin that can make one vulnerable to poor health outcomes, but rather the...

Where have all the interns gone?

Where have all the interns gone?

Whether it’s a product of limited staff capacity or barriers faced by potential interns, the problem remains the same: fewer students are gaining hands-on experiential learning in the field of public health… Resulting solutions should account for disparate access to internships—both in-person and virtual—among different student populations.

Workplace Violence and the Importance of Policies

Workplace Violence and the Importance of Policies

Workplace violence can occur in any workplace, yet there are no federal laws protecting workers. This leaves states and individual organizations to create their own plans and protections to keep workers safe. A workplace violence prevention plan can support employers and employees in managing, responding, and preventing actual and potential violent situations.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: a First Step

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: a First Step

By Debbie Edokpolo, MSW, Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA)   Incorporating a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) approach can help establish a positive work culture, and supports recruitment and retention efforts in healthcare and public health. DEI creates an environment that values and respects individuals from all backgrounds and identities, ensuring that everyone has equitable access to opportunities without bias or discrimination.   Creating and nurturing a DEI culture...