by Team GHEP | Oct 11, 2024 | Blog
Bullying is defined as a direct and indirect behavioral act where the perpetrator abuses the victim physically, verbally, and emotionally. Mental health issues as a result of bullying are at an all-time high. Bullying victimization is a public health issue that many countries are currently facing around the world. Prevalence around the world is estimated to be around 15-35% among North American and European countries; 22-56% among sub-Saharan African countries; and 9-28% among Asian countries (Kim et al., 2022; Aboagye et al., 2021). With a higher prevalence being reported in sub-Saharan African countries, arguably due to urbanization that can contribute to higher rates of marginalization, this is a public health equity concern (Tutu, 2021).
In Ghana, adolescents between the ages of 10 and 24 are experiencing bullying in school-based settings at 41.3% (Aboagye et al., 2021). Of the 41.3% of Ghanaian adolescents that face bullying victimization, 60.8% have engaged in fighting, 51.6% felt anxious, 55% felt lonely, and 61.7% had attempted suicide (Aboagye et al., 2021).
To address this ongoing crisis, a team of global health enthusiasts organized under the auspices of the Washington DC-based Global Health and Education Projects, Inc.’s (GHEP) Public Health 360 fellowship were charged to design a shovel-ready program to address bullying among school-aged students in Ghana. Design and development of a community outreach program and a shovel-ready capstone program addressing an emerging global issue are core components of the Public Health 360 fellowship.
An interdisciplinary team of 7 public health professionals worked together over three months during summer 2024 on an intervention aimed to reduce the negative outcomes associated with bullying (perpetrator and victim). We met two-three times per week for a minimum of 2 hours to consolidate research findings and create an outreach program. One subject of contention was our name. We all loved our former name, The Braves, but we found a similar program that provided mental health support so we came up with STEP or Standing Together for Equity and Peace. Although initially reluctant about the name change, we designed a program around the step phrase to empower people to step into action against bullying.
Rising to the challenge, our PH 360 group designed the Standing Together for Equity and Peace (STEP) program to reduce the negative impacts of bullying among youth aged 10-24 in Ghana. We developed a school-based program supported by local citizens as group leads who facilitate peer-based support groups. Students enrolled in the program learn about bullying and receive social and emotional skill training, and receive counseling referral services aimed at preventing and reporting bullying perpetration. The STEP program targeted three cities in Ghana in different phases of urbanization including the capital city Accra, the port city of Tema, and the peri-urban, 2nd largest city in Ghana, Kumasi.
As an international, interdisciplinary team, STEP team made sure to create systems around collaborations with local, national, and international stakeholders to support longevity in the program. STEP will achieve the overall objective of its program of increasing Ghanaian students’ awareness of the effects of bullying. It will also improve students’ comfortability in reporting bullying, and increase support, access, and use of anti-bullying resources.
From our experience, we would assert that program development is an iterative process and despite all your planning, there can still be unintended changes. As a team, we learned to be adaptable and made sure to craft a program that is just as adaptable. It can be tailored to any region, city, or locale as long as the community stakeholders and community social determinants of health are uniquely considered. We look forward to the opportunity to identify potential partners and funders so we can implement this robust and shovel-ready project in Ghana. If you are interested in learning more or partnering, reach out to the GHEP program office.
Project Team: Kendra Hester, MA, USA; Cha’Coya Williams, MA, USA; Noon Ibrahim, BPharm Sudan/Egypt; Megan Baker, BSPH, USA
Project Mentors: Romuladus Azuine, DrPH, MPH; Brownmagnus Olivers, BS; Sussan Ekejiuba, DVM, PhD; Chidubem Egboluche, DVM, MPH; Nzube Egboluche, MS, PhD
Further Information: Brownmagnus Olivers, outreach at globalhealthprojects.org
Sources
Aboagye, R. G., Seidu, A. A., Hagan, J. E., Jr, Frimpong, J. B., Okyere, J., Cadri, A., & Ahinkorah, B. O. (2021). Bullying Victimization among In-School Adolescents in Ghana: Analysis of Prevalence and Correlates from the Global School-Based Health Survey. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 9(3), 292. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9030292
Kim SS, Craig WM, King N, Bilz L,Cosma A, Molcho M, Qirjako G,Gaspar De Matos M, Augustine L,Šmigelskas K and Pickett W (2022). Bullying, Mental Health, and the Moderating Role of Supportive Adults: A Cross-National Analysis of Adolescents in 45 Countries. Int J Public Health 67:1604264. doi: 10.3389/ijph.2022.1604264
Tutu, Raymond Asare. (2011). Internal migration, risks and social resilience in Ghana
The Pennsylvania State University ProQuest Dissertations & Theses: 3576118.
by Romuladus Azuine | Sep 16, 2024 | Blog
I know it, you know it. Negative energy is not good for anyone. Even for the experienced interviewers like me, job interviews are stressful, but staying positive is key to making a great impression. For early career professionals seeking to enter the field of public health, it is important to note that employers look for skills and a positive attitude. In fact, experts say that interviewers are more likely to remember negative information shared during interviews than positive information. So, keep your negativities at home, kick them to the curb, and unlock the doors and grab your next public health job.
At Public Health 360, one of the things we share with our fellows is interviewing techniques using out PH360 pitch script. Using role modeling, we train fellows on how to make employers say, “Yeah, this is someone that I can work with.” If you want to be that candidate, I pull the curtain and share some tips to help you keep your cool and turn any negatives into positives.
4 Techniques to Stay Positive in Your Interview
- Prepare and Practice Your Interview Moves
- Know the company, the job role, and common questions. The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel. In Public Health 360, our fellows are trained to become conversant with the language of public health and key players at the local, national, and global levels.
- Highlight Your On-the-Job Achievements
- Talk about your successes to showcase your abilities and keep a positive tone throughout the interview. In Public Health 360, all fellows leave the program designing at least two programs. So, you have projects to discuss, and employers love candidates who show rather than tell.
- Use Mindfulness and Visualization
- Practice deep breathing or meditation before your interview. Visualize yourself succeeding to calm your nerves. In our Public Health 360 fellowship pitch sessions, we share on the power of authenticity and core values and passion for the work of public health. Know thyself and voice thyself.
- Practice Positive Self-Talk
- Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Remind yourself of your strengths and what you bring to the table. We reinforce the self-talk around not only the skills you have, but how to describe them to your next boss and colleagues that you bring something to the table.
5 Tips to Turn Negatives into Learning Opportunities
- Demonstrate your Reflection on the Experiences
- Be clear. Think about what went wrong and why. Understanding the cause(s) of the negative experience. Narrate as an observer not a victim.
- Share Lessons Learned From the Experience
- Discuss what you learned from the negative experience and how it helped you grow. What did it mean as a professional? How would you do otherwise?
- Show Growth Following the Experience
- Give examples of how you applied the lessons learned to achieve better results. Since this happened how have you become a different professional. Remain on the track of positivity.
- Keep It Brief Don’t Be Bitter, Let Go
- When discussing negatives, be brief and steer the conversation back to the positive outcomes. No one wants to hang around, not talk of work with, bitter people who never let go. Don’t be that bitter person.
- Reframe the Experience and Recast Your New Self
- See negative experiences as opportunities for growth and learning, making it easier to talk about them positively. How have you leveraged that experience in a project where you nailed and accomplished big time?
Final Thoughts
Staying positive during interviews can make a big difference. Prepare well, focus on your achievements, practice mindfulness, and engage in positive self-talk to keep your attitude upbeat. Turn negative experiences into learning opportunities by reflecting, sharing lessons learned, showing growth, keeping explanations brief, and reframing your thoughts. Hiring managers will never accept it, but nobody wants to hire a bitter employee. Make all setbacks to be foundations for soaring. Negative energy can pierce the room and your meeting platforms (Zoom or Google Meet, Teams, etc). Remember, every challenge is a chance to grow. Stay positive, and let your optimism shine in your next interview!
by Romuladus Azuine | Sep 16, 2024 | Blog
Public health graduates are facing a tough reality: securing employment post-graduation is becoming increasingly challenging. While demand for public health professionals is rising, many recent graduates find themselves struggling to land jobs. A key reason? The gap between academic knowledge and practical skills.
Graduates often leave university with a solid theoretical foundation but lack the hands-on experience employers demand. This skills gap leaves them feeling unprepared and frustrated, with some pointing fingers at their universities for not providing sufficient real-world training.
- Do not blame your university
- Do not blame your mentors who told you public health is lucrative
- Ask yourself, do I have the skills to perform as a public health professional?
- Do something and do it fast!
As the public health landscape evolves, it’s essential for academic institutions to adapt, integrating more practical learning opportunities into their curricula. Programs that emphasize internships, fieldwork, and applied projects can better equip graduates for the workforce, helping them transition from the classroom to impactful careers. Explore Public Health 360 () and liberate yourself.
The challenge is clear, and so is the solution: bridging the gap between theory and practice.
by Team GHEP | Jul 2, 2024 | Blog
Different studies have demonstrated the environmental, economic, and health benefits of trees. These include studies demonstrating that trees help to reduce urban heat island effects, improve air and water quality, benefit human health, reduce stormwater volume and flooding, increase property values, reduce cooling costs, provide wildlife habitat, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. But which reasons resonate most with the community members that GHEP serves, across Prince George’s County?
Our Research and Curiosity
Here at GHEP we thoroughly enjoy working with the community, providing them with updated environmental and health information, and partnering with them to install trees for free, through our Family Tree Adoption Program. As a leading global health and research organization, we are constantly finding and absorbing new research. So recently our curiosity led us to wanting a better understanding of the communities we serve. So, we added a new, fun, and simple question to our online tree application. We asked our community members: “What’s your motivation for adopting trees?” We are excited to say that we got plenty of answers and we’re excited to share our findings with you!
Aesthetics is Leading the Way
Among the 264 community members in our community survey, the number 1 reason was related to aesthetics. 78% of participants said a reason they wanted trees was to beautify their homes, with 56% included adding beauty to their neighborhood as well. A majority of participants truly find nature beautiful, and want a piece to call their own. If you’re looking for a way to spice up the look of your home, a tree is something to consider and comes with many other benefits you’ll learn about today.
Passion to Increase Air Quality
Another popular reason for wanting trees installed is to improve the air quality, being a motivation for 72% of participants. As we all know, trees produce oxygen. As society continues to function, we produce gases that pollute the air, and are potentially harmful to us. These people worry about the respiratory health of themselves, their families, and their neighborhood. This is one of their ways of addressing this issue, and helping those who live nearby.
Vanguards of Climate Change
Similar to improving air quality, 52% want to help combat climate change. As previously stated, trees produce oxygen, and us humans produce gases through energy usage, as well as respiration (aka breathing). We produce a lot of gases and one major gas is Carbon Dioxide. While carbon dioxide is necessary for life on Earth, the increased concentration in the atmosphere can be dangerous for everyone. CO2 is a greenhouse gas, and it helps trap heat from sunlight. As greenhouse gas levels increase, more and more heat is trapped in the Earth, causing many problems, spawning from a global rise in temperature. Problems such as: global sea level increase, droughts, heat waves, bigger wildfires, and food shortages, can all occur. Thankfully plants use atmospheric CO2 to live and create oxygen for us to breathe, helping to bring that number down.
Local Water Quality Improvement
A less obvious benefit to planting trees is improving the local water quality, as it motivated 32% of participants. Trees love water, and when it rains they absorb as much as they want. This decreases the amount of water that runs off to local waterways. But as this water travels over streets and yards, it picks up sediments, pollutants, and trash, introducing all of these into our waterways. In addition to that, reducing the amount of rainwater entering local waterways, slowing erosion of riverbanks. And on a more personal level, it decreases the chance your basement or street will flood.
How About Energy Savings?
The least common reasons are “saving on energy bills” and “other”. For those 20% interested in a more measurable benefit of trees, they can reduce your energy bills year-round. In the summer, a well placed tree(s) can provide shade for your house, reducing the temperature indoors and reducing the need to run the a/c as much. And in the winter, well placed trees or bushes can serve as a windbreak, preventing the cold wind from sucking the heat from your house. In turn, making the heating in your home more effective.
Unpacking Other Motivators
“Other” motivations pushed 17% of participants to order trees. These consisted of many reasons such as providing habitat for wildlife, enjoying food from your trees, and much more. Regardless of your reason, we appreciate every one of you who orders or plants trees. You are making a difference for everyone, so thank you. We hope you found our insights interesting and learned something while reading.
As much as we learned already, we still want to learn more! So, what pushes you to plant trees in your home or communities? Feel free to let us know.
by Romuladus Azuine | May 26, 2024 | Blog
Unfortunately, many graduates, after completing the degree, are unable to find jobs in public health courses. This practice is quite common, and many holders of a BSPH or an MPH and even higher degrees in public health remain jobless for over a year.
In this blog post, we will identify the unemployment problem among public health graduates and discuss some of the suitable solutions. We will also look further into the employment barriers and, most importantly, how specialized training programs, such as PH360, will bridge your graduation and employment.
These challenges and opportunities will give graduates a career map of how to secure meaningful jobs in public health.
The Unemployment Crisis Among Public Health Graduates
A substantial percentage of graduates in BSPH, MPH, and even doctoral studies remain unemployed for significant periods, some for even up to 1 year after graduating. These statistics are alarming because public health professionals are entrusted with the health of an entire community.
Even when COVID-19 has made public health a necessity globally, highly qualified professionals still fail to get the required jobs. This ultimately points to the gap between the need for public health expertise and the available job opportunities.
Reasons Behind High Unemployment Rates
Other reasons for the high levels of unemployment include the following:
Saturation of the Job Market
Over the last decade, the number of public health graduates has considerably saturated the job market. The competition is tight, with more candidates vying for a limited number of positions.
Lack of Practical Experience
A majority of academic programs focus more on theoretical knowledge than the practical application of skills. The graduates find that they are well-acquainted with the issues of public health but are grossly deficient in the practical aspect of the employment package valued by employers. This disparity in practical training factors in an unsympathetic transition into the real world of work.
Poor Networking Opportunities
Networking is at the core of job acquisition. Still, most graduates lack professional networks to facilitate job acquisition. Additionally, opportunities to meet industry professionals and potential employers are limited during academic programs.
Consequences of Unemployment
Long periods of unemployment come with significant stress, both mentally and financially. A general ill state of health may be compromised by feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and possibly depression. In this case, there will also be financial distress from student loans.
The public health sector also suffers when qualified professionals cannot find employment. A shortage of skilled workers can hinder the ability of public health organizations to effectively address health crises and implement preventive measures. This gap in the workforce undermines efforts to improve community health outcomes.
The Need for Practical Experience and Skills
Nowadays, employers want to see the following in the candidates:
Hands-on Training
Public health is all about practical experience. To fill the gap between classroom training and work practice, the graduates need opportunities to apply their knowledge in the actual field and engage in professional training and community interaction projects.
Skills in Demand
Employers now need teams with unique skill sets that include data analysis and epidemiology, health communication, and project management. Graduates who possess these skills are in a better position to get jobs. Other soft skills in great demand in public health are teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving.
Bridging the Gap
Programs and post-graduation training initiatives will play a central role in helping graduates get jobs through the experience and practical skills they acquire. They shall offer structured hands-on learning through mentorship and professional development.
Introduction to PH360 Hands-On Workforce Development Program
PH360 is an answer to all the challenges faced by public health graduates. It helps graduates with adequate, practical experience, preparing them to land jobs in public health even in a competitive market.
PH360 offers public health training in a comprehensive approach that combines academics with practical training. It will thus provide practical learning through training on how to do it and real-life projects to give participants the ability to apply the learned material in real life.
The PH360 skill development program aims to link academic knowledge with practical health experience. The program aims to raise the employability of graduates by providing the skills and practice that employers demand.
How PH360 Helps You Get Jobs In Mental Health?
Hands-on Training
The course is highly practical, with students undergoing real-world projects to hone their skills. Thus, the practical approach helps graduates build a strong portfolio to prove their competency before employers.
Linking with the Industry
PH360 links in collaboration with different organizations and authorities at the governmental and nongovernmental levels whose activities are linked to public health. This brings about chances of internship, placement, and collaboration on different projects. This vital link serves as a gateway for the participants to get an easy reach to potential employers.
Career Services
The program is linked with detailed career services involving resume development, interview skills, and job search strategies. Modularly, the career services aim to equip graduates with skills on how to present themselves best before employers and be confident about handling and maneuvering the job space.
The program is thriving, with a majority of the graduates having been employed in the public health sector barely some months after leaving the course.
Conclusion
The unemployment crisis among public health graduates is a significant concern, but programs like PH360 offer a viable solution. PH360 equips you with the practical skills, industry links, and after-care career support that enables a graduate to have a seamless transition from academic training to professional employment. For those struggling to find jobs in public health, PH360 represents an open gate into a career of fulfillment and positive change.
Visit the PH360 website for more information.
by Romuladus Azuine | May 21, 2024 | Blog
The public health system is one of the most significant and rapidly evolving global health frameworks. In such a situation, it becomes difficult for fresh graduates to secure jobs in top public health programs, especially if they do not have any experience, an understanding of where to look, or how to look for positions. That’s where the Public Health 360’s (PH360) hands-on workforce development program comes in as a rescuer. It is a gateway for aspiring professionals to prepare themselves for careers and to work to get the job of their liking in the critical public health sector.
Want to know more about how this program can enhance your job prospects? Read ahead.
Why Pursue a Public Health program?
Public health programs, like PH360, offer much more than you would have learned in the classroom. This life-transforming experience will prepare you for a meaningful career in public health. Predominant number of public health programs offer graduate programs in public health such as masters and doctorate degrees. An increasingly number of universities are also offering undergraduate degrees. This means that the academic preparation for public health is covered. However, what is not often covered is how to convert the academic learning to employment opportunities. The employment opportunities are there, but there are no qualified hands to take on those positions.
The great advantage is the intensive skill development of fresh graduates.
Incredibly, you can apply theoretical knowledge to real problems in public health and learn more about data analysis, which is required in making public health decisions. Also, you get a chance to work on your communication skills to deliver complex health information in a manner that is understandable to the public.
Managing public health projects through the various stages enables graduates to acquire important project management skills: planning, execution, and evaluating impactful health interventions.
What’s more?
PH360 is a way to create and build professional relationships. With such experience, you can interact with professionals and mentors who will give you great career advice and opinions. PH360 fellows come from different parts of the world giving you an opportunity to work together with a global cohort that is not often found on your academic programs.
Most of the time, the network established becomes very important in growing your career and securing job opportunities after the internship. Besides, more public health sector opportunities are opened by participating in workshops, meetings, and other networking events.
The overall infrastructure of these public health programs is as broad and varied as the setting and content of the individual program itself. Some fresh graduates find themselves within government agencies, learning the ins and outs of public policy and program administration. Others may be working with community non-profit organizations, encouraging better health outcomes through education and advocacy.
How Public Health Programs Get You a Job?
Public health programs are a strategic career move that can greatly improve your job prospects within the public health sector. Perhaps the most immediate benefit you get is an improved resume.
In a very competitive job market, professional experience shows a potential employer that you have more than theoretical knowledge. This shows them you have practical skills and demonstrated commitment to public health.
Interestingly, our program, PH360, provides a real-life experience that is important for personal and professional development. With us, you work on real projects whose outcomes affect things. Such an experience is invaluable because you get a firsthand feel of the daily challenges and rewards of working in the public health sector.
Ultimately, you sharpen your problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Another advantage is that this experience can help you decide the career that suits you best. This will make you strategic in job searches and enable you to focus on opportunities that fit into long-term career goals.
Simply put, public health programs are a significant investment in the career of a student pursuing public health. The course prepares students more for employability in the real world by enhancing their résumé through practical experiences. Further, it provides a route toward permanent employment, which aids you in making calculated career choices based on real experiences.
How to Maximize Your Job Prospects with Public Health 360 Training Programs?
Public Health 360 Training programs are one of the pinnacles of career-focused training for students or fresh graduates in the field of public health. With the current design, Public Health 360 Training programs step into the gap between academic study and on-the-ground experience in preparing graduates and undergraduates alike for the challenges they will face in their public health careers.
An All-Inclusive Curriculum
A wide curriculum accompanies public health with Public Health 360 Training programs. It covers key competencies needed in the public health workforce. Such training considers areas of focus, such as epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, and the practices entailed in community health. This ensures that you will be technically prepared for public health roles and stay ahead of the curve.
Hands-on Experience
The practical experience provided is enormous. You are put in place to use your academic skills to find solutions to complicated health problems. Hence, you gain enormous hands-on experience. These experiences allow you to relate your knowledge directly to solving actual problems and, hence, to an outlook for good judgment and self-efficacy in boosting professional settings.
Exceptional Job Opportunities
Public Health 360 training programs have been successful in job placements, where most graduates secure meaningful positions in public health settings a short period after completion. Some are even facilitated with career services such as building resumes, preparing for interviews, and placing them in jobs, giving you a higher possibility of employment.
The high level of training and exposure that emanates from the experiences makes it possible for most graduates to secure positions in public health, especially in their specializations.
The Takeaway Message
Public health remains one of the fastest-growing fields, with an increasing need for professionals capable of applying modern solutions to complex health issues.
“PH360 is that golden opportunity to step into a rapidly changing field—equipped and ahead of the others. In this way, the virtue of public health programs is gargantuan.”
The public health program experience is, therefore, not only a learning process but also a very important step toward a successful career. The experience gained from these programs provides you with the skills and knowledge you need to lead a successful professional life.
Still, more importantly, it provides insight into the opportunities for professionalism. Engaging deeply with the field under the guidance of hands-on experience, you understand your career aspiration and the dynamics in the public health sector much better.
So, if you envision that one day, you will make public health your career choice. Make the strategic move by joining the PH360 training program to bridge the gap between graduation and the first job.
