1. Public Health at Hillside Health Care International February 2016 Christina Vernon, MPH, Public Health Director 2015-2016

2. Outline What is Hillside Health Care International? Hillside’s Public Health Program

3. Hillside Overview Non-profit organization that provides medical care, disease prevention, and health education to the people of Southern Belize. All of our services are provided free of charge to the people of the Toledo district and made possible by donors from around the world. We also offer global health education with academic credit for medical trainees, providing them the opportunity to learn while serving.

4. Hillside Health Care International

5. What does Hillside do? Hillside Fixed Clinical Site Mobile Clinics for Ministry of Health Home Health Care Public/Community Health Rehabilitation/Physical Therapy Interdisciplinary Education (Medical, pharmacy, nursing, physical therapy, public health and physician assistant students)

6. Mobile Clinics

7. Hillside’s Public Health Program Overview

8. Public Health Learning Objectives Understand and appreciate the uniqueness of the many cultures of southern Belize. Understand and appreciate how factors beyond healthcare—social, economic, environmental, psychological, spiritual, and biological—impact health outcomes. Learn how to effectively communicate health education topics to a variety of audiences. Contribute to population level health promotion and disease prevention efforts for the people of the Toledo District.

9. Current Public Health Activities Health promotion & education: In schools With community groups Community health screening Placement at Ministry of Health programs Village health work: Community Health Workers (CHWs) Participatory photo-mapping (PPM)

10. Health Education in Schools Objective: Partner with Ministry of Education to support teachers with health education in the classroom. Each Hillside rotation we visit: 7 schools 1-2 classes per school ~50 students per day (over 300 each month!) Cover 3 topics each academic year: Dental health Nutrition/Physical activity Sexual and Reproductive health Structure 20 minute presentation 10 minute game We encourage students to “Use resources, be creative!”

11. Community Outreach Community presentations Helping Older People Equally (HOPE) Laugh out Loud (LOL) Orphanage Community health screening Last Monday of every rotation— Nurse & student team do blood pressure screening and glucose testing in PG Park.

12. Time spent working with government health officials at the local hospital. Including: Vector control officials Public health inspectors Public health nurses Psychiatric nurses Pharmacists Dentist 12 Ministry of Health Placements Source: *Journal Article: Dennis Jr S., Gaulocher S., Carpiano R., Brown D. Participatory photo mapping (PPM): Exploring an integrated method for health and place research with young people, Health & Place. 2009;15:466-473.

13. Participatory Photo Mapping (PPM)* Walk, take photos, present Tool for assessing space, the environment and health Time with Community Health Workers (CHWs) In Schools Working on community projects 13 Public Health in Villages Source: *Journal Article: Dennis Jr S., Gaulocher S., Carpiano R., Brown D. Participatory photo mapping (PPM): Exploring an integrated method for health and place research with young people, Health & Place. 2009;15:466-473.

14. School reach: Nutrition education—21 classrooms; 606 students Sexual/reproductive health—34 classrooms; 1,172 students Dental health—7 classrooms; 211 students Community partnership: 1 family planning survey conducted with 110 Belizean women 6 health fairs with 515 patients Supported 2 village health fairs Held 6 health training opportunities with community partners Conducted 2 well-child checks ups at the orphanage Public Health Impact January-June 2015

15. Public Health Students! As of February 2015, students working on public health projects can be part of the interdisciplinary team! These students bring skills in: Statistics/epidemiology Program planning Non profit management Surveys and evaluation Community health assessments Quality Improvement

16. Public Health Student Learning Objectives: Master of Public Health (MPH) program field experience/global health practicum objectives: Contribute to population health improvement efforts in the Toledo District of Southern Belize. Evaluate and expand on health improvement efforts at Hillside Health Care International. Aid in building sustainable relationships with community partners. Create a holistic learning environment for all of our rotating allied health graduate students by ensuring public health has a voice at the "health" table. Increase the number of globally-engaged public health professionals by providing a robust & rewarding field placement site for students attending accredited public health programs.

17. Public Health Student Activities With Hillside Public Health Director, identify & develop independent project: Designing and/or delivering health education with youth in schools Quantitative or qualitative data collection, analysis and/or communication Conducting program and/or project evaluation Developing and/or delivering surveys and community assessments Building stronger health systems - Quality Improvement initiatives Building relationships with community partners Participate in Belizean health system global learning opportunities through placement at Ministry of Health Interact with other allied health professionals via: Discussion and lectures Leading a photomapping activity Leading and/or participating in community health education activities Complete MPH or public health internship/practicum requirements

18. Proposed Timeline for PH Students Before Arrival (3+ months before arrival) Discuss and plan project with Hillside Director and home institution advisor(s). Complete application materials Complete Hillside required readings Research In-Country (4-12 weeks) Design tools Implement project/program Participate in interdisciplinary activities Evaluate project/program After Departure (1-2 month post-departure) Wrap up evaluation Write report(s) Deliver presentation(s) Provide feedback to program and in- country leadership

19. Future Public Health at Hillside Clinical students Health education in schools Photomapping Community Health Workers Social determinants of health lecture/readings Clinic time Public Health students Health education in schools Photomapping Community Health Workers Social determinants of health lecture/readings Independent project! Consistent public health activities regardless of discipline Pre-determined field practicum for public health student

20. Public Health Independent Projects Grassroots Project List Document What are you interested in? PH at Hillside: https://vimeo.com/hillsidebelize/publichealth

21. Contact Information THANK YOU! Visit: www.hillsidebelize.org/education www.hillsidebelize.org/education Contact for more information: Christina Vernon, MPH, Public Health Director publichealthdirector.hillside@gmail.com