Assessment of Climate-Health Curricula at International Health Professions Schools.

Importance: Researchers have published surveys on health professionals' perceptions of the possible association between climate change and health (climate-health) and assessed climate-health or planetary health curricula in medical schools. However, curricula on climate-health are still lacking and gaps in knowledge persist. Objective: To understand the state of climate-health curricula among health professions institutions internationally. Design, Setting, and Participants: A survey of 160 institutional members of the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education, which includes international health professions schools and programs, was conducted from August 3, 2017, to March 1, 2018. The survey, hosted by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, used an online survey tool for data collection. Main Outcomes and Measures: The survey assessed climate-health curricular offerings across health professions institutions internationally, including existing climate-health educational offerings, method of teaching climate-health education, whether institutions are considering adding climate-health education, whether institutions received a positive response to adding climate-health curricula and/or encountered challenges in adding curricula, and opportunities to advance climate-health education. Results: Overall response rate to the survey was 53%, with 84 of 160 institutional responses collected; 59 of the responses (70%) were from schools/programs of public health, health sciences, or health professions; 15 (18%) were from medicine; 9 (11%) were from nursing; and 1 (1%) was from another type of health profession institution. Among respondents, 53 (63%) institutions offer climate-health education, most commonly as part of a required core course (41 [76%]). Sixty-one of 82 respondents (74%) reported that climate-health offerings are under discussion to add, 42 of 59 respondents (71%) encountered some challenges trying to institute the curriculum, and most respondents have received a positive response to adding content, mainly from students (39 of 58 [67%]), faculty (35 of 58 [60%]), and administration (23 of 58 [40%]). Conclusions and Relevance: Current climate-health educational offerings appear to vary considerably among health professions institutions. Students, faculty, and administration are important groups to engage when instituting curricula, and awareness, support, and resources may be able to assist in this effort.

The level of physical activity and somatic indicators in relation to the diet quality of students studying in faculties in the discipline of health sciences

Background: Diet and physical activity are very important lifestyle features with an impact on the development and proper functioning of the body. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the level of physical activity and selected somatic indicators and the diet quality of students studying in the field of Health Sciences. Material and methods: The studied group consisted of 609 students aged 18-30. The study identified four categories of diet quality indicators based on the index of a healthy diet and the index of an unhealthy diet. These indicators were subjected to statistical analysis in relation to the level of physical activity determined by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) method and selected somatic features of the subjects: Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist-Hip Ratio (WHtR) and Waist Circumstance (WC). Results: A high level of physical activity statistically significantly differentiated the categories of diet quality indicators. A larger percentage of respondents with a high level of physical activity had an indicator with the best health features of diet characteristics among all diet quality indicators selected in the study. Also, obesity according to the BMI and abdominal obesity with a high risk of metabolic complications according to the WC index statistically significantly differentiated the categories of diet quality indicators. A larger percentage of obese subjects according to BMI and WC, characterized the indicator about the worst health features of diet among all diet quality indicators selected in the study. Conclusions: Education programs related to healthy eating should be implemented among students of Health Sciences, especially those who are overweight or obese.

Educational Attainment and Characteristics of Leaders of Schools of Public Health and State Health Departments.

A perceived diversity exists in the educational training of leaders in state and academic public health that isn't observed in other heath disciplines. To assess this perception, the present study describes the training and experience of state health directors and deans of schools of public health. Data were collected in 2017 for deans of schools of public health (n = 56) and state health directors (n = 49) in the United States. Results indicated that 56 deans had at least one terminal degree, while 14 state health directors did not. Women comprised 23 of the dean and 24 state health director positions. Years in current position were 6.91 for deans and 3.51 for state health directors. Thirty-seven deans and 22 state health directors held graduate degrees in public health. As public health leaders advance towards retirement; it is imperative that the public health professionals obtain relevant training necessary to become tomorrow's public health leadership.

Profile of Public Health Leadership.

CONTEXT: Public health leaders play pivotal roles in ensuring the population health for our nation. Since 2000, the number of schools of public health has almost doubled. The scholarly credentials for leaders of public health in academic and practice are important, as they make decisions that shape the future public health workforce and important public health policies. OBJECTIVE: This research brief describes the educational degrees of deans of schools of public health and state health directors, as well as their demographic profiles, providing important information for future public health leadership planning. DESIGN: Data were extracted from a database containing information obtained from multiple Web sites including academic institution Web sites and state government Web sites. Variables describe 2 sets of public health leaders: academic deans of schools of public health and state health directors. RESULTS: Deans of schools of public health were 73% males and 27% females; the PhD degree was held by 40% deans, and the MD degree by 33% deans. Seventy percent of deans obtained their terminal degree more than 35 years ago. State health directors were 60% males and 40% females. Sixty percent of state health directors had an MD degree, 4% a PhD degree, and 26% no terminal degree at all. Sixty-four percent of state health directors received their terminal degree more than 25 years ago. In addition to terminal degrees, 56% of deans and 40% of state health directors held MPH degrees. CONCLUSION: The findings call into question competencies needed by future public health professionals and leadership and the need to clarify further the level of public health training and degree type that should be required for leadership qualifications in public health.

Keeping the "public" in schools of public health.

In this article, we compared the characteristics of public and private accredited public health training programs. We analyzed the distinct opportunities and challenges that publicly funded schools of public health face in preparing the nation's public health workforce. Using our experience in creating a new, collaborative public school of public health in the nation's largest urban public university system, we described efforts to use our public status and mission to develop new approaches to educating a workforce that meets the health needs of our region and contributes to the goal of reducing health inequalities. Finally, we considered policies that could protect and strengthen the distinct contributions that public schools of public health make to improving population health and reducing health inequalities.

LA ESCUELA DE SALUD PUBLICA: SUS ORÍGENES22° parte / SCHOOL OF HEALTH PUBLISHER: ORIGINS 22 ° parte

Breve relato de la historia síntesis informativa de las acciones desarrolladas durante este vigésimo segundo año consecutivo de formación de posgrado, bajo la direccióndel Prof. Dr. Luis César Abed de la Escuela de Salud Pública de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de laUniversidad Nacional de Córdoba.

Brief account of the history informative synthesis of the actions developed during this twenty-second year of postgraduate training under the direccióndel Prof. Dr. Luis César Abed School of Public Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences The University of Cordoba National.

La Escuela de Salud Pública: sus orígenes 23º nota / School of Public Health: its origins 23º note

Al finalizar las actividades del ciclo lectivo1996 laEscuela de Salud Pública de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, eleva lasíntesis informativa de las acciones desarrolladas duranteeste vigésimo tercer año consecutivo de formación de posgrado, bajo la dirección del Prof. Dr. Luis CésarAbed.” Así comienza la memoria anual del año 1996.Este aporte para una nueva edición de la Revista de la Escuela de Salud Pública es otra entrega de quieneshemos sido testigos presenciales en la gestación y derrotero de esta importante institución de postgradode la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, contando además con los anales memoriosos que permite rescatar lainformación presente...

La salud como derecho en la misión fundacional de la Escuela de Salud Pública de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Chile: un análisis histórico / Health as a right in the founding mission of the School Of Public Health, School Of Medicine, University Of Chile: a historical analysis / A saúde como direito na missão fundacional da Escola De Saúde Pública Da Faculdade De Medicina Da Universidade de Chile: uma análise histórica

Este trabajo explora el contexto histórico en el cual se origina la Escuela de Salud Pública de la Universidad de Chile (ESP). Se estudia un periodo de tiempo comprendido entre fines del siglo XIX y mediados del siglo XX. En primer lugar, se analizan las posiciones de cuatro actores claves (la élite, los médicos y profesionales de la salud, las capas populares, y el Estado) y sus conflictos. En segundo lugar, se estudia el cambio de paradigma en el rol del Estado frente a los problemas de salud, desde una posición de “Estado subsidiario y gendarme” a una de “Estado asistencial de compromiso”. La ESP surge como producto de estos procesos históricos, para cubrir la necesidad de formar especialistas en el campo de la salud pública, obteniendo un apoyo externo de la Fundación Rockefeller que se resulta fundamental en su inicio. Desde sus inicios tiene un fuerte involucramiento en la vida pública del país, asumiendo la salud de la población como un derecho social.

The historical context in which the School of Public Health of the University of Chile was born is explored in this work. The period studied goes from the end of the 19th century to middle of the 20th Century. In the first place, the position of the four key actors - the elite, doctors and health professionals, popular layers, and the State - and their conflicts are analyzed. In the second place, the change of paradigm in the role of the State regarding health problems, from a position of “Subsidiary Gendarme State” to a new position of “Welfare Committed State” is studied. The School of Public Health was born as a result of these historical processes, to cover the need to train specialists in the field of public health, getting external support from the Rockefeller Foundation which was essential in its beginnings. Since its origin it has been greatly involved in the country´s public life, understanding people´s health as a social right.

Este trabalho analisa o contexto histórico no qual teve origem a Escola de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Chile (ESP). Estuda-se um período de tempo que varia entre finais do século XIX e meados do século XX. Em primeiro lugar, são analisadas as posições dos quatro jogadores-chave (a elite, os médicos e profissionais de saúde, os setores populares, e o Estado) e seus conflitos. Em segundo lugar, analisa-se a mudança de paradigma no papel do Estado a partir dos problemas de saúde, a partir de uma conceição de “Estado subsidiário e gendarme” para uma de “Estado assistencial de compromisso” A ESP surge como resultado desses processos históricos, para atender a necessidade de formação de especialistas no domínio da saúde pública, obtendo um apoio externo da Fundação Rockefeller, que é essencial no início. Desde a sua criação tem uma forte participação na vida pública do país, assumindo a saúde da população como um direito social.

Institutional capacity for health systems research in East and Central African schools of public health: knowledge translation and effective communication.

BACKGROUND: Local health systems research (HSR) provides policymakers and practitioners with contextual, evidence-based solutions to health problems. However, producers and users of HSR rarely understand the complexities of the context within which each operates, leading to the "know-do" gap. Universities are well placed to conduct knowledge translation (KT) integrating research production with uptake. The HEALTH Alliance Africa Hub, a consortium of seven schools of public health (SPHs) in East and Central Africa, was formed to build capacity in HSR. This paper presents information on the capacity of the various SPHs to conduct KT activities. METHODS: In 2011, each member of the Africa Hub undertook an institutional HSR capacity assessment using a context-adapted and modified self-assessment tool. KT capacity was measured by several indicators including the presence of a KT strategy, an organizational structure to support KT activities, KT skills, and institutional links with stakeholders and media. Respondents rated their opinions on the various indicators using a 5-point Likert scale. Averages across all respondents for each school were calculated. Thereafter, each school held a results validation workshop. RESULTS: A total of 123 respondents from all seven SPHs participated. Only one school had a clear KT strategy; more commonly, research was disseminated at scientific conferences and workshops. While most respondents perceived their SPH as having strong institutional ties with organizations interested in HSR as well as strong institutional leadership, the organizational structures required to support KT activities were absent. Furthermore, individual researchers indicated that they had little time or skills to conduct KT. Additionally, institutional and individual links with policymakers and media were reported as weak. CONCLUSIONS: Few SPHs in Africa have a clear KT strategy. Strengthening the weak KT capacity of the SPHs requires working with institutional leadership to develop KT strategies designed to guide organizational structure and development of networks with both the media and policymakers to improve research uptake.

Tobacco use among fourth year Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) students of the College of Public Health: University of the Philippines Manila, academic year 2012-2013.

This study determines the prevalence of tobacco use among graduating Public Health students at the College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila. It also describes the exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, attitudes, behaviors and smoking cessation training of students. This study used a descriptive cross-sectional study design, adapting a standard questionnaire, pretested and administered to 52 Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) students at the College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila. Data generated from the survey were encoded using Epi Info version 3.5.4 and analyzed using Stata version 12. The prevalence of smoking among 4th year BSPH students was 5.8 % (current smokers). In the past 7 days, respondents have been exposed to secondhand smoke (44 % where they live; 79 % in places other than where they live). Majority were aware of the official policy on smoking ban in school, however, 80 % said that the policy is not enforced. Majority had favorable attitudes in terms of banning tobacco sales to adolescents, banning advertising of tobacco products, banning smoking in restaurants, discos/bars/pubs and enclosed public places. Majority of the respondents also believed that health professionals should get specific training on cessation techniques, that they do serve as role models, and that they have a role in giving advice about smoking cessation. More than three-quarters (76.9 %) of students said that health professionals who smoke are less likely to advise patients to quit. Most of the graduating students learned about the dangers of smoking, importance of obtaining tobacco use history, and providing educational support materials in their public health education but only a few received formal training about smoking cessation approaches. The implementation of the no-smoking policy of the university must be revisited. Smoking cessation approaches should be incorporated in the public health curriculum and the role of public health students in advocating a smoke-free lifestyle should be emphasized.

Review of MPH practicum requirements in accredited schools of public health.

Accreditation criteria by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) state that prior to graduation, Masters of Public Health (MPH) students must demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills through a practice experience, commonly called the "Practicum." The purpose of this research was to review those MPH Practicum requirements. Practicum guidelines from US-based schools of public health that were accredited as of October 2011 were reviewed. Data on each Practicum's level of coordination, timing, and credit and contact hours as well as information about written agreements, preceptors, and how the Practicum was graded were collected. Seventy-four Practicums in 46 accredited schools of public health were reviewed. The majority (85 %) of accredited schools controlled the Practicum at the school-level. Among the Practicums reviewed, most did not require completion of any credit hours or the MPH core courses (57 and 74 %, respectively) prior to starting the Practicum; 82 % required written agreements; 60 % had stated criteria for the approval of preceptors; and 76 % required students to submit a product for grading at the conclusion of the Practicum. The results of this research demonstrate that the majority of accredited schools of public health designed Practicum requirements that reflect some of the criteria established by CEPH; however, issues related to timing, credit and contact hours, and preceptor qualifications vary considerably. We propose that a national dialogue begin among public health faculty and administrators to address these and other findings to standardize the Practicum experience for MPH students.

Expected ethical competencies of public health professionals and graduate curricula in accredited schools of public health in North America.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed expected ethics competencies of public health professionals in codes and competencies, reviewed ethics instruction at schools of public health, and recommended ways to bridge the gap between them. METHODS: We reviewed the code of ethics and 3 sets of competencies, separating ethics-related competencies into 3 domains: professional, research, and public health. We reviewed ethics course requirements in 2010-2011 on the Internet sites of 46 graduate schools of public health and categorized courses as required, not required, or undetermined. RESULTS: Half of schools (n = 23) required an ethics course for graduation (master's or doctoral level), 21 did not, and 2 had no information. Sixteen of 23 required courses were 3-credit courses. Course content varied from 1 ethics topic to many topics addressing multiple ethics domains. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent ethics education and competency evaluation can be accomplished through a combination of a required course addressing the 3 domains, integration of ethics topics in other courses, and "booster" trainings. Enhancing ethics competence of public health professionals is important to address the ethical questions that arise in public health research, surveillance, practice, and policy.

Education and training of public health professionals in the European Region: variation and convergence.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the exit competences of public health graduates across a diverse European landscape. METHODS: The target population comprised 80 full institutional members of the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region with a participation rate 82.5 %. The web-based questionnaire covered institutional profiles and the ranking of exit competences for master of public health programmes, grouped according to WHO Essential Public Health Operations. RESULTS: European schools and departments usually are small units, funded from tax money. A total of 130 programmes have been indicated, together releasing 3,035 graduates in the last year before the survey. All competence groups showed high reliability and high internal consistency (α > 0.75, p < 0.01). The best teaching output has been assessed for health promotion, followed by disease prevention and identification of health hazards in the community, the least in emergency preparedness. CONCLUSIONS: Given the fragmentation of the institutional infrastructure, the harmonisation of programme content and thinking is impressive. However, the educational capacity in the European Region is far from being sufficient if compared to aspired US levels.