Application #3
You are entering the final semester of your senior year of study with a major in public health education. The health education/ promotion program at your university requires seniors in their last semester to intern a minimum of 25 hours per week at a state or nonprofit agency.For this capstone experience, you have been assigned to the mayor’s office in a medium-size city near the campus.
During an orientation on the first day, you overhear that one of the tasks you will be assigned will involve meeting with the leaders of several community groups with the goalof creating smoke-free public parks in the city. The smoke-free park concept represents oneof the mayor’s main objectives in her second term in office. You also hear that the mayor is excited to have a health education student intern because she greatly respects the skills that a health education specialist possesses.
The second day you have the opportunity to meet with the mayor, and, in fact, she doesintroduce to you the idea of a smoke-free public park system. During this meeting you discover that she is quite knowledgeable about the negative health effects of second- and third-handsmoke in part because her son, a lifetime nonsmoker who worked in a pub in town (smokingwas allowed in pubs), died last year from lung cancer at the age of 36. At the close of the meeting, the mayor asks you to submit to her your philosophy of health education/promotion so that she can see what approach you might take with the community groups.
Using the model outlined in this chapter, write out your health education/promotionphilosophy. Based on your philosophy statement and given the project that you will be assigned, is the mayor’s office a good place for you to intern to hone your skills? Why or why not?
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor, I understand the importance of health education and promotion in improving public health. In this scenario, a senior student majoring in public health education is assigned to intern at the mayor’s office in a city to create smoke-free public parks. The student has been asked to provide their philosophy of health education/promotion, and this answer will focus on providing a suitable response to that request.
Answer:
My philosophy of health education/promotion is centered on empowering individuals and communities to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing. I believe that health promotion should be a collaborative effort between healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community members to create an environment that supports healthy lifestyles.
In the case of creating smoke-free public parks, my approach would be to educate community members on the dangers of secondhand smoke and the benefits of a smoke-free environment. I would also work collaboratively with community groups to develop effective communication strategies and initiatives to promote the concept of smoke-free public parks.
Based on my philosophy statement and the project assigned, I believe the mayor’s office is an excellent place for me to intern and hone my skills. The mayor’s commitment to improving public health and her respect for the skills that health education specialists possess provide me with the necessary resources and support to make a meaningful impact. Additionally, the experience of working with community groups and policymakers will allow me to develop practical skills that are essential for a public health education professional.
