The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

4292.0: Tuesday, November 12, 2002 - Board 3

Abstract #41712

Partnering works! Developing the health education-health promotion program at the new Kazakhstan School of Public Health

Joann T. Richardson, PhD, Division of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Virginia Commonwealth University, 817 W. Franklin Street, P.O.Box 842037, Richmond, VA 23284-2037, 804-828-1948, jtrichar@mail1.vcu.edu, Altyn Aringazina, MD, PhD, Health Promotion and Health Education, Kazakhstan School of Public Health, 19A Utepova Street, Almaty, 480060, Kazakhstan, and Yasar A. Ozcan, PhD, Office of International Education, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 843043, Millhiser House, Richmond, VA 23284-3043.

In a partnership supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and administered by the American International Health Alliance (AIHA), a faculty exchange initiative was instrumental in the development of the health education-health promotion program and curriculum for the newly-created Kazakhstan School of Public Health (KSPH). Since gaining its independence from the Soviet Union in the mid-90s, the vast country of Kazakhstan has endeavored to meet its critical public health challenges. U.S.-based faculty initially consulted in face-to-face meetings with the KSPH faculty during a visit to the U.S. to assess overall program needs. Follow-up consultation was conducted via e-mail. Based on the needs assessment, a model health education-promotion program was developed. Subsequently, faculty from both instititions travelled transcontinental for week-long "train-the-trainer" sessions. These sessions, delivered with "real-time" translation, included: 1)demonstrations of various teaching strategies and techniques, 2) illustrations of student assignments and assessment methods, and 3) exhibitions of course resources (e.g., books, monographs, videotapes, internet sources, etc.). Consultation via e-mail is on-going. The KSPH enrolled students full-time in the new program in fall 2001. Ultimately, by training new professionals in health education-promotion, it is their intent to play a crucial role in meeting their public health challenges and positively impacting the health status and quality of life of the citizens of Kazahstan and the entire central Asian region of the world.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

Keywords: Global Education, Curricula

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA