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The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health

Beth A. Resnick, MPH and Joshua Sharfstein, MD

Beth A. Resnick, MPH and Joshua Sharfstein, MD

The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health provides an engaging overview of the incredible accomplishments and promise of the public health field. The first module includes interviews with legendary public health figures whose work led to millions of lives saved with vaccines, air bags and car seats, and the federal Women Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program. The second module brings key public health tools to life -- including use of data, communications, and policy - through discussions with experienced professionals who have used these tools to save lives. The third module includes a "Carpool Karaoke"-style trip through Baltimore County, Maryland with NACCHO President Dr. Umair Shah to see and hear real public health workers talking about how they serve their communities.

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The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health provides an engaging overview of the incredible accomplishments and promise of the public health field. The first module includes interviews with legendary public health figures whose work led to millions of lives saved with vaccines, air bags and car seats, and the federal Women Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program. The second module brings key public health tools to life -- including use of data, communications, and policy - through discussions with experienced professionals who have used these tools to save lives. The third module includes a "Carpool Karaoke"-style trip through Baltimore County, Maryland with NACCHO President Dr. Umair Shah to see and hear real public health workers talking about how they serve their communities.

Learners will come away from this course with a deeper understanding of the public health field and a greater enthusiasm for their own work in public health.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Pride: The Success of Public Health

In this module, we’ll hear from three public health heroes about some incredible accomplishments that have saved millions of lives in the United States and around the world.

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Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Uses case studies to provide an engaging overview of public health's successes and the tools public health professionals employ

Taught by Beth A. Resnick, MPH and Joshua Sharfstein, MD, who are leading experts in public health

Focuses on the practical aspects of public health work, with an emphasis on real-world examples

Provides a comprehensive overview of the public health field, suitable for students of any level or background

Recommended for students interested in a career in public health or those who want to learn more about the field

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Reviews summary

Overview of public health's impact and tools

According to learners, this course provides a clear and engaging overview of public health. Students found the content on the history and achievements of public health to be particularly inspiring, often highlighting how it underscored the field's importance. The exploration of public health tools like data, communication, and policy was also frequently praised as being practical and insightful. Many appreciated the real-world examples and interviews with public health figures, which made the material feel relevant and grounded. The course is widely considered a strong foundation for anyone interested in the field, though some noted it serves more as a high-level introduction rather than an in-depth exploration.

Explores data, communication, and policy.

"The module on tools, especially policy and data, was very informative."

"Learning about how data and communication are used practically was a highlight."

"Gained a better appreciation for the different strategies used in public health work."

"The segment on policy changes and their impact was particularly insightful."

"Understand better now how multifaceted the tools of public health are."

Features interviews and real-world examples.

"The interviews with key figures added a lot of value and made the content relatable."

"Loved the 'carpool karaoke' style segment, it brought the community aspect to life."

"The use of real-world examples and case studies made the learning much more concrete."

"Format is very engaging with interviews, historical context, and current applications."

"Felt like I was getting insights directly from people working on the ground."

Highlights achievements and passion of the field.

"This course made me feel inspired by the significant accomplishments in Public Health."

"Aprendi de una manera diferente, inspirandome y motivandome a seguir adelante en este campo."

"Hearing from public health leaders and seeing community work was incredibly motivating."

"Really puts into perspective the immense positive impact of public health on society."

"The passion of the people interviewed is contagious and reaffirms my interest in the field."

Provides a strong foundational overview.

"This course gave me a solid foundation and reinforced my reasons for wanting to work in the field."

"Excelente curso para introduccion a la Salud Publica. Felicitaciones a todos los que hicieron esto posible."

"It gives you a clear introduction to the past, present, and future of Public Health. Highly recommend for beginners."

"Gained a solid understanding of key concepts and the history of Public Health."

"Perfect for someone starting their journey into Public Health, offering a broad, accessible overview."

Lacks deep dives into specific areas.

"While it's a great intro, I wish it went deeper into some of the topics."

"Serves more as a broad overview than a detailed exploration of any single area."

"Felt like it just scratched the surface on certain complex public health issues."

"Good starting point, but requires further study for in-depth knowledge."

"Could benefit from more technical details on data analysis or policy mechanisms."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health with these activities:

Review Epidemiology Knowledge

Show steps

Improves familiarity with Epidemiology to reduce confusion and improve comprehension of the course material.

Browse courses on Epidemiology

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Review CDC materials
Participate in Epidemiology discussion forums

Comprehensive Study Guide

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Organizing and reviewing course materials strengthens comprehension and prepares students for assessments.

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Gather all lecture notes, readings, and assignments
Summarize and condense key concepts
Include definitions, examples, and visuals
Review regularly

Public Health Data Visualization

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Hands-on experience in visualizing and interpreting public health data improves data analysis and communication skills.

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Present findings
Collect and clean data
Choose appropriate visualization format
Create visual representation
Interpret and analyze results

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Public Health Policy Application Exercises

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Repetitive practice in applying public health policies reinforces knowledge and improves decision-making skills.

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Study public health policy scenarios
Analyze cases and identify policy implications
Propose and evaluate policy solutions
Discuss and compare approaches

Case Study Discussion

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Discussing case studies and real-world examples as a group will help students better comprehend the impact and application of public health principles.

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Read and interpret case study
Prepare questions
Discuss as a group
Summarize and reflect

Public Health Advocacy Speech

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Requires students to synthesize and communicate public health knowledge effectively, enhancing their understanding and influencing others.

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Choose a health topic
Research and gather evidence
Develop a persuasive argument
Create a visually engaging presentation
Practice and deliver speech

Public Health Case Challenge

Show steps

Participating in a competition stimulates critical thinking, collaboration, and innovation in tackling public health challenges.

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Form a team
Identify and research a public health issue
Develop and implement an innovative solution
Present proposal and defend solution

Career center

Learners who complete The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Public Health Researcher

Public Health Researchers conduct research to improve the health of the public. The course, The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health, will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to be successful in this role. The course will give you a foundation in the principles of public health research, and you will learn how to conduct research to improve the health of the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Researcher

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the causes of disease and other health problems in populations. The course, The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health, will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. The course will provide you with a foundation in the principles of epidemiology, and you will learn how to use data to identify and investigate health problems. You will also learn about the different methods that epidemiologists use to control and prevent disease.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts analyze health policy issues and make recommendations for changes to improve the health of the public. The course, The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health, will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to be successful in this role. The course will give you a foundation in the principles of health policy analysis, and you will learn how to analyze health policy issues and make recommendations for change. You will also learn about the different methods that health policy analysts use to improve the health of the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Health Educator

Health Educators develop and implement educational programs that promote health and prevent disease. The course, The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health, will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to be successful in this role. The course will give you a foundation in the principles of health education, and you will learn how to develop and implement effective educational programs. You will also learn about the different methods that health educators use to promote health and prevent disease.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator

Health Administrator

Health Administrators plan, direct, and coordinate the delivery of health care services. The course, The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health, will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to be successful in this role. The course will give you a foundation in the principles of public health administration, and you will learn how to plan, direct, and coordinate the delivery of health care services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Administrator

Public Health Inspector

Public Health Inspectors inspect food, water, and other environmental factors to ensure that they are safe for public consumption. The course, The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health, will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to be successful in this role. The course will give you a foundation in the principles of public health inspection, and you will learn how to inspect food, water, and other environmental factors to ensure that they are safe for public consumption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Inspector

Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurses provide care and support to individuals and families to promote health and prevent disease. The course, The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health, will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to be successful in this role. The course will give you a foundation in the principles of public health nursing, and you will learn how to provide care and support to individuals and families.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Nurse

Clinical Research Scientist

Clinical Research Scientists are responsible for designing, conducting, and analyzing clinical research studies. The knowledge and skills you will gain from the course, The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health, will be useful in helping you to understand the public health context of clinical research, and how to design and conduct studies that are relevant to the needs of public health. Additionally, the course will help you to develop the communication and policy skills that are essential for success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Research Scientist

Social Worker

Social Workers help people to cope with personal and social problems. The course, The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health, may be useful in helping you to develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. The course will provide you with a foundation in the principles of public health and you will learn how to help people to cope with personal and social problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers plan and direct the activities of nonprofit organizations. The course, The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health, may be useful in helping you to develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. The course will provide you with a foundation in the principles of public health and you will learn how to manage nonprofit organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Toxicologist

Toxicologists study the effects of toxic substances on human health and the environment. The course, The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health, may be useful in helping you to develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. The course will provide you with a foundation in the principles of public health and you will learn how to study the effects of toxic substances on human health and the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Toxicologist

Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense medications and provide information about their use. The course, The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health, may be useful in helping you to develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. The course will provide you with a foundation in the principles of public health and you will learn how to provide information about medications to patients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacist

Medical Writer

Medical Writers create written content about medical and health-related topics. The course, The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health, may be useful in helping you to develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. The course will provide you with a foundation in the principles of public health and you will learn how to communicate health information to a variety of audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Writer

Physician

Physicians diagnose and treat diseases and injuries. The course, The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health, may be useful in helping you to develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. The course will provide you with a foundation in the principles of public health and you will learn how to diagnose and treat diseases and injuries.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physician

Veterinarian

Veterinarians diagnose and treat diseases and injuries in animals. The course, The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health, may be useful in helping you to develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. The course will provide you with a foundation in the principles of public health and you will learn how to diagnose and treat diseases and injuries in animals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Veterinarian

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health.

Cover image

Cover image

Cancer Immunotherapy in Clinical Practice

Save

An accessible and comprehensive overview of the public health field, this book provides a solid foundation for understanding the core concepts and principles that guide public health practice.

Cancer Immunotherapy in Clinical Practice:...

Public Health Law

Save

This practical guide provides an overview of the legal framework that governs public health practice, helping professionals navigate the complexities of health law and policy.

Public Health Law, Third Edition

Cover image

Cover image

Introduction to Public Health

Save

This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the core concepts of public health, from history and epidemiology to environmental health and social justice.

Introduction to Public Health

Introduction to Public Health

Introduction to Public Health

Introduction to Public Health: Includes eBook Access

Naivgate 2 Advantage Access for Introduction to...

Introduction To Public Health

Introduction to Public Health, 5/e

Unknown Binding

Introduction To Public Health by Mary Jane...

Introduction to Public Health

Introduction to Public Health

Introduction to Public Health: Includes eBook Access

Cover image

Cover image

Global Health Diplomacy

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This comprehensive textbook explores the challenges and opportunities of global health, addressing issues such as disease burden, poverty, and health equity.

Global Health Diplomacy: Concepts, Issues, Actors,...

Global Health Diplomacy: Concepts, Issues, Actors,...

Cover image

Cover image

Public Communication Campaigns

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Provides a practical guide to health communication, covering topics such as message design, media channels, and evaluation.

Public Communication Campaigns

Public Communication Campaigns

Public Communication Campaigns

Social Epidemiology

Save

This textbook provides an introduction to social epidemiology, examining the relationship between social factors and health outcomes.

Social Epidemiology

Social Epidemiology

Cover image

Cover image

Fitness Professional's Handbook

Save

This practical guide provides guidance for public health professionals on preparing for and responding to disasters.

Fitness Professional's Handbook

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Course image

Effort

3 weeks, 1 hour per week

Level

Introductory

Via

Coursera

Institution

Johns Hopkins University

Instructors

Beth A. Resnick, MPH

Joshua Sharfstein, MD

Language

English

Transcripts

Español Français Português Deutsch Italiano 中文 العربية 한국어 日本語 हिंदी Nederlands Svenska Pусский Türkçe Polski Ελληνικά українська мова Bahasa Indonesia ไทย қазақша

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Uses case studies to provide an engaging overview of public health's successes and the tools public health professionals employ

Taught by Beth A. Resnick, MPH and Joshua Sharfstein, MD, who are leading experts in public health

Focuses on the practical aspects of public health work, with an emphasis on real-world examples

Provides a comprehensive overview of the public health field, suitable for students of any level or background

Recommended for students interested in a career in public health or those who want to learn more about the field

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