Document Type

Presentation

Publication/Presentation Date

October 2021

Abstract

In examining the subject of social justice in public health literature, the word “inextricably” is often used to define the inherent tie between the two. As public health aims to improve the health outcomes of all populations, social justice is argued to be the philosophy on which public health is based - its core value. Effectively addressing complex global health problems requires interpretative methods, critical knowledge, historical perspectives, and values infrastructure. We proposed an MPH curriculum reform with a more explicit focus on social justice. With substantial contributions from an interprofessional and diverse advisory board composed of faculty, staff, students, and alum, we developed a social justice training program to be integrated into the MPH curriculum. The overarching goal is to provide students with the skills necessary to not only discuss issues of injustice, but work toward health equity and justice in their careers. The program creates an arc from orientation to post-graduate evaluation, running throughout the nine required MPH core courses. The program's curriculum is composed of eight key areas directly aligned with each of the following domains: Community Development; Economic Development & Funding Policies; Advocacy; Partnership and Engagement; Planning, monitoring, and evaluation; Quality healthcare; Root cause analysis; Analysis and assessment. Embedded in the program is a comprehensive evaluation of MPH students and faculty knowledge, perceptions, and gaps.Upon completion of the program, students will understand social justice concepts, recognize the root causes of health inequities, and develop skills necessary to dismantle injustice and advance a social justice agenda in global health careers.

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