Dartmouth Institute Students Advocate for a Healthier Nation during National Public Health Week
In recognition of National Public Health Week 2017, The Dartmouth Institute Student Advisory Council hosted a variety of events April 3-9 aimed at promoting social justice and equity, and stimulating conversations on how we can become a healthier nation.
Highlights of the week included over 90 people participating in a 5K fun run/walk; acclaimed author Sam Quinones speaking on the need to address America's opiate epidemic; and a kickoff talk by Dartmouth alumnus John Lawrence, MD, DC'76, MED'79, president of the board of directors for the U.S. section of Doctors Without Borders. Lawrence discussed the barriers to care in treating trauma-related injuries in low-income countries, where trauma events such as road traffic accidents, represent one of the leading causes of death.
During the week, Dartmouth Institute students also weighed in on what they think it takes to achieve a healthy nation, and the steps we can take to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to be as healthy as they can. Read some of their answers below.
Nikhita Thaper
MPH Student
Nikhita Thaper, whose interest in public health centers on advocating for affordable and comprehensive health services, thinks we as a nation must pay more attention to mental health.
HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE A HEALTHIER NATION?
Mental health awareness must be integrated into the delivery of health care and prioritized in health and social policy. Mental health is a critical component of overall health and well-being, and it is often not given the attention it deserves as a national and international health issue.
Whitney Hammond
Online MPH Student
Whitney Hammond, who oversees chronic disease prevention and screening for the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, says we should enact policy aimed at curtailing our sugar consumption.
HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE A HEALTHIER NATION?
We need to go after the sugar industry like we did with the tobacco industry. We can do all this work to educate people, make healthy environments, and create physical activity opportunities, but as long as sugar is in nearly everything we eat and drink, we can’t make the progress we need to make.
Chris Gerace
MPH Student
Chris Gerace wants to see costs cut and patient care improved for groups of people with similar medical needs.
HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE A HEALTHIER NATION?
Price transparency in health care is a new and exciting movement. By pairing costs of care with quality metrics, we put power back into the hands of the consumer-thus providing higher quality care at a lower price to the consumer.
Ilona Fishkin
MPH Student
Ilona Fishkin, who is interested in addressing the health care disparities that arise from linguistic and sociocultural constructs, believes we must find the will to implement multidisciplinary strategies that ensure equal access to health care for all.
HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE A HEALTHIER NATION?
Health care is an essential human right. We need to focus on multidisciplinary, integrative and proactive strategies to revitalize our health care system and ensure equal access in order to guarantee an equally health future for all.
POSTED 4/10/2017 AT 07:49 PM IN #news #education
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