Policy Action Institute sheds light on improving communities
Excited to see how the concepts she learned in class are being applied in the real world, West Virginia University School of Public Health student Rachel Baker recently attended the American Public Health Association (APHA) Policy Action Institute.
“Attending the event was an amazing experience,” said Baker, a December 2019 graduate of the B.S. in Public Health program who will begin the Master of Health Administration program in the fall. “Throughout the day, I kept hearing about things that had been taught in my classes, so I think it’s an event that would definitely benefit students and something more people should take advantage of.”
Held annually in Washington, D.C., this year’s event, titled “All Hands on Deck: Improving Community Health,” was an all-day affair focused on how health supporters can use public policy to improve social determinants of health, including access to care, education, economic opportunity, violence, discrimination and income inequality.
The APHA Policy Action Institute featured an array of speakers and panels throughout the day, providing insight into a different focus of public health. Attendees were able to hear discussions on the current health care system in the country, social determinants of health and addiction policies, in addition to many others.
“All of the panels and speakers were fantastic,” she added. “I am now following most of the speakers and panelists on social media and it has brought a new level of interest to my social feed.”
Presenters shared examples of policies and partnerships that have been put into action and been successful at improving and advancing health in communities.
As a health equity fellow in the WVU Center for Resilient Communities, a learning laboratory, field station, experimental space and makeshop for action research and community transformation in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, Baker is able to see partnerships in action on campus. At the Center, she focuses on improving health equity through food access, which is also a focus of many public health policy advocates.
“Working at the Center has definitely helped me gain insight to community organizing and social action, which I think complements my public health background really nicely.”
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dw/05/03/20
CONTACT: Nikky Luna, Director of Marketing and Communications
School of Public Health
304-293-1699; nikky.luna@hsc.wvu.edu