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.
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
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?
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.
Public Health Workforce Needs, Priorities, Challenges, and Barriers
As a public health official how did the COVID -19 pandemic affect you, your colleagues and your organization? In this blog I summarize what some of the recent research found. Read on and comment on whether the findings shared in this blog resonate with you.
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
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...
The Public Health Learning Agenda: Using Transformational Learning for Systems Change
The Public Health Learning Agenda for Systems Change Toolkit provides an evidence-informed, innovative, action-oriented process for public health organizations, their partners, and communities to use transformative learning as a driver for systems change.
Community Health Workers: A Vital Workforce in Need of Systemic Support
Envision a future with a more robust public health system where community health workers are highly valued and sufficiently supported. It’s possible! This is already happening in some communities. However, significantly more work is needed to ensure these essential workers are more widely available and that the CHW workforce is bolstered well into the 21st Century.
Damaging the Pipeline to Equity in Public Health
Legislative oversight of higher education may further weaken the public health workforce pipeline and limit the profession’s ability to serve communities.
A Step Forward: Anti-Racist Training in Public Health
By promoting a better understanding of microaggressions, bias, and diversity, public health practitioners can create more equitable workplaces and ultimately improve the health outcomes of the communities they serve.