WED-026 - Development of a University-public Health Partnership to Address Rural Health Needs and Train Students

Brief Abstract Summary: Rural public health agencies are consistently understaffed and underfunded, hindering their ability to meet foundational requirements and adequately address rural health needs. In 2022, the university began a pilot program with a rural public health agency to utilize students to assist the agency in analyzing data from a recent assessment. Students examined the data for local health disparities and reported their results to local stakeholders; helping the agency determine areas of need, while also helping students gain practical experience in data analysis. After receiving a $530,000 grant, the collaboration has expanded to include 25 rural health agencies offering many additional learning opportunities for students. These opportunities will better prepare the next generation of health professionals and help rural health agencies expand their impact.

Detailed abstract description: Rural communities face a variety of unique health-related challenges that are exacerbated by transportation issues, limited healthcare facilities, workforce shortages, and inadequate funding. Rural public health agencies are charged with the responsibility of addressing these challenges, however, they are commonly understaffed, underfunded, and are under-equipped to adequately address disparities within their communities. Universities are uniquely positioned to help address rural health issues by providing expertise, resources (such as statistical support), and personnel. Universities are also responsible for training future generations of health professionals by equipping students with essential knowledge and skills. Although classroom-based instruction is an effective method for training future health professionals, practical, “real world” experiences are most effective. With the appropriate oversight and mentorship from faculty and public health professionals, these practical experiences create the perfect opportunity to enhance student education and help public health agencies meet foundational requirements for delivering public health. In 2022, an informal partnership was formed between a rural public health agency in Southern Minnesota and a local state university. The initial phase of this partnership involved students in a 400-level program planning and evaluation course. This particular course focused on needs assessment and program evaluation, emphasizing quantitative analysis, survey development, and research methods. Students in this course were provided with data from a locally distributed assessment and were charged with the task of analyzing the data using SPSS®, examining the data for possible disparities among various groups and variables, and reporting their results to local stakeholders in the form of a technical report and presentation. Staff from the public health agency worked directly with students to provide additional instruction and mentorship. Staff shared practical experience and expertise with students and were available to students throughout the project. The partnership grew and deliverables were revised and refined. Recently, the local public health agency received a $530,000 grant to expand the partnership with the university to serve 25 counties within the region. The grant allows the formation of a collaborative, and staff to coordinate activities between participating in public health agencies and the university. Future work will include health communication, paid internships, and other opportunities to provide advanced training and pipelines to the rural public health workforce. These opportunities will better prepare the next generation of health professionals and help rural health agencies meet foundational requirements. Attendees will learn how such university-public health collaborations can be repeated elsewhere.