THURS-069 - Health Education in Practice: Community Health Experiential Learning
Thursday, April 17, 2025
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM PST
Location: Pacific I/II, 2nd Floor
Area of Responsibility: Area III: Implementation Subcompetencies: 3.1 Coordinate the delivery of intervention(s) consistent with the implementation plan., 3.2.4 Deliver health education and promotion as designed. Research or Practice: Practice
Lecturer Clemson University Clemson, South Carolina, United States
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Discuss the ethical & cultural considerations and challenges associated with program implementation in a community setting.
Give examples and explore strategies for integrating experiential learning opportunities in public health education curriculum.
Design and implement effective health education interventions tailored to diverse populations.
Brief Abstract Summary: In this presentation, attendees will learn how an upper level undergraduate Community Health course, was transformed into a semester-long, hands on, experiential learning course. You will discover how the undergraduate students assessed, planned, implemented, and evaluated their own theory based, sustainable, community health program that was targeted to underserved minorities in a rural setting. Attendees will consider the value of a health promotion undergraduate experience, as well as key challenges, and takeaways from the course.
Detailed abstract description: In 2023, junior and senior level students enrolled in an undergraduate community health course at a large, public, land grant university were given the opportunity to engage in an experiential learning project. Students were given a unique opportunity to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate their own sustainable, community health program - from scratch. From their needs assessment student identified and selected priority health issues plaguing their target population. Some health issues addressed were: oral health, diabetes, men's health, heart disease, mental health and loneliness. Students learned valuable skills in needs assessment, evaluation design, outcomes, as well as cultural competencies. This session will describe the program in its entirety, the training process, community collaboration efforts as well as student learning outcomes and takeaways.
In recent years, institutions of higher learning are putting more emphasis in experiential educational opportunities for students prior to earning their undergraduate degrees. We know these opportunities help students develop soft skills, critical thinking skills, and provide advantages in the workplace, having real-world experiences. Although these experiences are undoubtedly beneficial, many instructors and departments struggle with practical ways and strategies to incorporate these options into their course(s) and/or curriculum. Attendees will walk away with not only practical ideas and/or strategies to incorporate experiential learning into undergraduate public health education courses, but will also garner tools to aid in future community health program planning, in a fundamental and sustainable way.
