Question

1. Describe the new skills needed to work in public health today. 2. Describe the importance of CDC for the public health leader. 3. Describe the benefits of joining professional public health organizations. 4. Describe the importance of local health departments. 5. Share examples of the steps in doing advocacy work.

Answer 1

1) Public health professionals play an important role in the overall health and well-being of the community.

Qualities and skills public health employers want from you include:

**Communication skills (verbal & written)

Communication skills are crucial for your success as a public health professional. Strong communication skills will help you understand the core values of your employees and interact efficiently with the members.

** Strong work ethic

A strong work ethic will help you make the best of the situation and deliver best results under the circumstances. Employees wish to employ professionals who are responsible and work hard to achieve the ultimate goal of the organization.

** Teamwork skills

Public health professionals cannot work in isolation.You collaborate with other staff members such as social workers, healthcare professionals and the managers for the success of your program.

** Initiative

Most employers expect their public health professionals to be self-starters. You should take the initiative and a proactive approach to organize the public health programs and solve everyday problems associated with them.

** Interpersonal skills

Interpersonal skills are essential for your success at any organization. A healthy relationship with management, colleagues and clients is the basis of a successful program.

** Problem-solving skills

The implementation of a public health initiative is associated with a variety of problems including budgeting, operation, and customer satisfaction.

** Analytical skills

Analytical skills are closely linked to your ability to manage day-to-day responsibilities related to the project and problem-solving skills. Your employers expect you to analyze the situations and act as per the norms of the organization.

** Flexibility/adaptability

The field of public health is changing constantly. You should work proactively to keep track of current developments in the field and adapt or change your program accordingly.  

** Computer skills

Basic computer skills such as MS Office and the Internet are important in today’s era of technology.

** Technical skills

Your ultimate success as a public health professional will depend on your technical skills specifically related to your field, and your ability to implement your education in a real world scenario.

2)The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the nation’s leading public health agency, dedicated to saving lives and protecting the health of Americans. CDC keeps America secure by controlling disease outbreaks; making sure food and water are safe; helping people avoid leading causes of death such as heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes; and working globally to reduce threats to the nation’s health. When a national health security threat appears, CDC may not know right away why or how many people are affected, but the agency has world-class expertise to find out what is making people sick and what to do about it.

The program is a promising strategy to build leadership and implementation research capacity among 21st century public health professionals from LMICs. The program is the first to addresses both skill sets jointly, and results from the initial program evaluation are promising. If adapted for wide-scale and low-cost delivery, it can contribute to strengthen the global-health workforce and its ability to lead and implement proven strategies to address noncommunicable diseases in LMICs.

3)

The top four reasons to join an association:

1. NETWORKING

Associations provide unparalleled networking opportunities, allowing individuals to connect with their peers, mentors, and other industry leaders. As a member, you are in the unique position to attend conventions, seminars, award dinners, and other related events with like-minded professionals in the field.

2. EDUCATION

The field of medicine is always in a state of change. Healthcare professionals can keep up with the newest developments and scientific breakthroughs through their associations: attending seminars, reading journals, and other education opportunities .

3. INTRINSIC VALUE

Associations are always in need of new blood to help organize their annual meetings, workshops, and legislative committees. Helping your organization work to improve your profession as well as to help improve the overall state of healthcare.

4. JOBS

Healthcare associations are great places to find the latest jobs in your field.

4)

Local health departments also conduct programs that are shown to effectively make communities healthier. Some local health departments programs include:

• Helping ensure clean drinking water, access to safe and healthy foods, and children’s safety through use of car seats.
• Enforcing laws and regulations that keep people safe (e.g. smoke-free air laws, restaurant inspections, water and sewer treatment, etc.).
• Tracking, investigating and stopping diseases and other public health threats (e.g. foodborne illness, HIV/AIDS, etc.).
• Developing emergency plans and responding to disasters when they strike (e.g. bioterrorism, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, etc.).
• Mobilizing community partners to work together to address local public health challenges (e.g. a lack of safe places for kids to play after school, limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables, etc.)
• Informing the public about health problems in the community and how to stay safe.

Local health departments play a central role in providing essential public health services in communities that fall into the following ten categories:

1. Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems.
2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community.
3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues.
4. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.
5. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.

5)

Step 1: Set a goal.

As with any of your campaigns, your organization first needs to know what it’s working toward!

To start, your organization should do some preliminary research, so you have a thorough understanding of the cause.

Step 2: Assess your resources.

How do you tell if your goal is achievable?

Make sure you have the necessary resources.

To assess your resources, your organization should ask itself the following questions:

• Do we have enough advocates to help us reach our goal?
• Are there other organizations or groups we can team up with to help us reach our goals?
• What’s our budget?

Step 3: Identify influential people.

Before you start executing, your organization should identify all of the people who might have an impact on your campaign, whether it be positive or negative.

Step 4: Define your message and build awareness.

Now that you have a goal and a team, it’s time to get everyone on the same page.

At this stage, your organization will want to standardize its message, so that all of your advocates understand exactly what you’re working toward.

Step 5: Set your strategies and start implementing them.

The cause and mission are the heart of your advocacy campaign, while your campaign strategies are the body that will be carrying them forward.

Step 6: Track your goals.

It’s likely that your advocacy campaign will be a longstanding effort that extends for many months (or even years!).

Throughout the campaign, it’s important to track your progress to ensure that you’re reaching your goals.