Region 4 Public Health Engagement Specialist Attends the Society For Public Health Education Annual Meeting

Posted in: #CC/Academic List, #Health Interest List, #Health Sciences List, #Public/K-12 List, All Members

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The Public Health Engagement Specialist for Region 4 (David Brown) attended the Society for Public Health Education Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, March 21^st-24^th. This was the first in-person meeting for the society since 2019. The conference was attended by over 750 public health and health education students and professionals. The theme of the conference was The New Age of Civil Rights, Advocacy & Equity.

During the three-day conference, David Brown, George Strawley (Library Engagement Specialist) and Dana Abbey (Community Organization Engagement Specialist) presented round tables on topics relating to health mis and dis information and the Region 4 mentorship/internship program. Each of these sessions were well attended and a number of individuals learned more about the NNLM, Region 4 and some of the programs we offer.

It should be noted that the NIH All of US Research Program was in attendance with a booth and several presentations. The program showcased how public health and health education practitioners, researchers and students could access All of US data for analysis and future public health initiatives.

Some of the sessions of particular interest were on advocacy and how it is still important, if not more important, in a post COVID world. The speakers identified areas public health professionals should advocate for. These include, mis/dis information and ensuring everyone has access to high quality health information.  Another session that was well attended and of particular interest surrounded the ideas of social justice and health equity. The speakers emphasized that we as humans need to limit our biases and accept that racism still exists to this day. Other sessions emphasized the importance of using evidence-based approaches and the importance of being equitable in the inclusion and use of underrepresented and marginalized communities. If the public health profession wants to have the best research rigor and outcomes, diversity, equity and inclusion need to be at the top of the list for researchers and research projects.

The major award winner at this conference was Camara Jones, a social epidemiologist who works in the areas of race and health care. She has worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as many academic institutions both domestically and around the world. Her talk was attended by former surgeon general David Satcher. Dr. Jones emphasized that racism is a construct that needs to be defeated by all professions and organizations to ensure equity and diversity are valued. She believes we need to launch a national campaign against racism.

Overall, this was a well-attended conference that provided Region 4 an opportunity to network and connect with the public health workforce. Hopefully we will see additional public health groups and individuals become members of the NNLM.