Public Health students volunteer during poverty simulation to facilitate deeper understanding of health disparities
An ongoing collaboration with Martin Hall Agency has given West Virginia University School of Public Health undergraduate students an opportunity to see firsthand how social determinants of health can contribute to widespread inequality. Serving as volunteers during a recent Community Action Poverty Simulation, their goal was to help future healthcare professionals develop a deeper understanding of how poverty leads to health disparities.
"For public health students and medical students, in general, I feel like this simulation provides a really good opportunity to step into somebody else's shoes,” said Kayla Stein, Martin Hall Agency team member and advertising and public relations major in the WVU Reed College of Media. “Based on the feedback we received from the last simulation, we learned that it really helps participants understand how poverty might affect people on a level besides just not being able to pay for something, like the psychological toll it has on someone, too.”
CAPS was held on Feb. 16 in the Health Sciences Center and filled to capacity, with 80 students registered. Students from the School of Public Health Field Placement Preparation Seminar, instructed by Director of Undergraduate Studies Audra Hamrick, volunteered as simulated community resources and agencies.
"In the classroom, Public Health students learn about social determinants of health, such as economic stability, and how these social determinants contribute to wide health disparities and inequalities," Hamrick said. "This simulation allows them to engage at a deeper level and hopefully motivates them to take action to influence sectors like transportation, housing, healthcare, and education to improve the conditions and environments in which people live, learn, work, and play." 
Hamrick also pointed out that the simulation is an opportunity to introduce students to community agencies and resources with which they may not have familiarity.
"Our hope is that students gain a better understanding of the barriers people face in connecting with such resources and the tough, taxing decisions millions of people have to make," Hamrick said.
Shayla Ramsey, a senior majoring in public health from Chambersburg, Pa., participated in the simulation offered in the fall and was among the volunteer community resource simulators.
“As a participant last fall, I went into it not realizing just how hard-pressed people are with time and all that needs to be done ... you can work very hard and still be in poverty,” Ramsey said. “I was glad to gain a better understanding of the struggles people often face.”
Upon the completion of the two-hour simulation, student participants earned a certificate. Other CAPS collaborators included the WVU Health Sciences Interprofessional Education Office, School of Pharmacy and WV STEPS.
"We hope to expand on this invaluable collaboration with the Reed College of Media, School of Pharmacy, and the HSC Interprofessional Education Office to continue offering this simulation, and others, in the future," added Hamrick.
Pictured above, top to bottom: Public Health undergraduate students Shayla Ramsey (left) and Erica Tafe reviewing materials as they prepare to fulfill their roles as community resource simulators; CAPS attendees review instructions prior to the simulation beginning; PUBH 400 students prepping prior to the start of the simulation; CAPS participant provides payment to a community agency simulator (WVU Photos/N. Luna).
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CONTACT: Nikky Luna, Director of Marketing and Communications
WVU School of Public Health
304.293.1699