Online Program

284392
Preparing health educators to address health disparities: A descriptive study of graduate program characteristics


Monday, November 4, 2013

Bethany Kies, MPH, CHES, Department of Health Education and Recreation, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL
Health data and statistics related to gender, educational attainment, income or socioeconomic level, and race showcase a gap in the health outcomes and health status of subgroups of the U.S. population and as a result, achieving health equity and eliminating health disparities is an overarching goal of Health People 2020. It is imperative that health educators have skills and knowledge to address health disparities, but the problem is no set of guidelines, framework or best practices on how to prepare students to effectively address health disparities exists, and the treatment varies by program. The first step to developing such guidelines is to find out what graduate programs currently offer. This basic survey research provides a snapshot of the program and faculty characteristics in CEPH accredited MPH programs throughout the United States with a degree emphasis in health education and health promotion. Results from 37 programs across the U.S. indicate areas in which program offerings align with essential elements as well as those areas in which programming could be improved in order to better prepare health educators to address health disparities in their future professional roles. Recommendations for inclusion of coursework, program and faculty characteristics are discussed and recommendations for future research addressed.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
List program and faculty characteristics that are essential in professional preparation programs that prepare students to address health disparities. Explain areas in which programming could be improved in order to better prepare health educators to address health disparities in their future professional roles. Identify areas for future research in health disparities and professional preparation programming.

Keyword(s): Health Disparities, Professional Preparation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have completed several literature reviews for graduate course work related to health disparities and professional preparation. I have also developed and taught 2 sections of a course called Social Justice and Public Health.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.