Public health to me is the sustainable, collective effort to promote well being, quality of life, and health equity to all members in a community.
What inspired me to study public health is the multifaceted approach involved in solving health problems in a community. As an undergraduate I studied environmental science and had a strong interest in promoting healthy living environments for the underprivileged. As a student in public health I am learning the potential of environmental health to help the most vulnerable; this is what motivates me every step of the way.
The single most rewarding experience was traveling to the Dominican Republic during spring break, 2014 to conduct public health outreach. Serving the impoverished communities there opened my eyes to how impactful public health can be in indigent places. In America we seldom notice what public health does. However, in lesser developed countries with insufficient public health systems a small public health effort can go a long way, even to the point of saving human lives.
Prioritize resourcefulness. Most often we already have the tools we need for any endeavor. Resourcefulness and education can help you access them.
Let’s focus more on preventative healthcare.