1. Primary Care & Population Health Scholars Program
Anthony J. Viera, MD, MPH
UNC School of Medicine
Gillings School of Global Public Health

2. What is “population health”?

3. Improving people’s health
One person at a time
For all those we care for
*and*
Going beyond our clinic walls
Our community
Our state
Our nation …

4. Causes of death in U.S., 2000 Leading causes Heart disease Cancer
Stroke
COPD
Unintentional injuries
Diabetes
Pneumonia & influenza
Alzheimer’s disease
Kidney disease
Septicemia
Source: Mokdad et al, JAMA 2004

5. Number of U.S. Deaths from Behavioral Causes, 2000
Schroeder S. N Engl J Med 2007;357:

6. Causes of death in U.S., 2000 “Leading” causes Actual causes Tobacco
Poor diet & physical inactivity
Alcohol consumption
Microbial agents
Toxic agents
Motor vehicle
Firearms
Sexual behavior
Illicit drug use
Heart disease
Cancer
Stroke
COPD
Unintentional injuries
Diabetes
Pneumonia & influenza
Alzheimer’s disease
Kidney disease
Septicemia
Source: Mokdad et al, JAMA 2004

7. Determinants of health and their contribution to premature death
Determinants of health (incidence)
Determinants of health and their contribution to premature death
Figure 1. Adapted from McGinnis et al.10
Schroeder S. N Engl J Med 2007;357:

8. Population health in medical education
Multiple national organizations have called for this: CDC, AAM, IOM
“populations” vs “Populations”

9. The health impact pyramid
Frieden, T. R. Am J Public Health 2010;100:
Copyright ©2010 American Public Health Association

10. PCPH Scholars
Current 1st-year student planning a career in primary care (general medicine, general pediatrics, family medicine)

11. PCPH Scholars Program A premier track of our medical school
Evening cross-cutting seminars (small group, discussion-based)
Writing project to be published
Clinical work in high-performing practices
Mentors and opportunities to mentor
Travel funds for meetings
MPH year

12. Working on…
Office space / cubicle in MacNider

13. Evening seminars (examples)
The Affordable Care Act – Intro and Updates
Health Disparities
Health Communication and Health Literacy
Healthcare Quality: Defining and Measuring It?
Why Are Health Care Costs so High, and What is the Physician’s Role?
ACO’s, PCMHs, and other Alphabet Soup
Leadership in Medicine

14. Publications and projects
Help Desk Answer for Evidence Based Practice
Clinical Inquiry
Other summer projects – as long as end-product (poster or publication)
With opportunity for funding / stipend

15. PCPH Scholars
Current 1st-year student planning a career in primary care (general medicine, general pediatrics, family medicine)
Can still do Asheville (or similar) program

16. MD-MPH Program Specifically designed for medical students & physicians
12 month program
After 3rd- year (after Application Phase as part of Individualization)
Work closely with faculty from SOM and SPH
Degree awarded in most cases in August

17. Why earn an MPH?
Health care transformation needs physicians with added skills and perspective
Added skills / value-added
maximizing potential to contribute to the health of the public
training to participate in clinical research, evaluate programs, conduct policy analyses, critically appraise the health literature
grounding for leadership in health care and health policy

18. Curriculum: Health Care & Prevention
Health policy
Health behavior / prevention science
Epidemiology & biostatistics
Critical appraisal of the health literature
Environmental health
Electives
Practicum
Master’s paper

20. Tuition not covered, but…
Tuition is low (~$11,500 in-state)
Scholars have “early acceptance”
Early application maximizes chances for scholarships

21. Join us! First evening seminar end of January:
Understanding the Affordable Care Act
-Facilitated and hosted by-
Sue Tolleson-Rinehart, PhD

22. Applying is easy…
Up to two-page personal statement explaining your intended career path and why incorporating population health is important. Send as an attachment with a cover to:
Interviews will be arranged with two members of our selection committee
DEADLINE: January 10, 2014