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What is public health?
public health n. The science and practice of protecting and improving the health of a community, as by preventative health practices, health education, control of communicable diseases, application of sanitary measures, and monitoring of environmental hazards. (The American Heritage Dictionary)
Students of Public Health work to improve the health and well-being of people locally, nationally, and globally through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and research for disease and injury prevention.
For more information about the field of Public Health, visit http://www.whatispublichealth.org/
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It’s All in Your Mind
“Mindfulness-based stress reduction is about getting in tune with the patterns of your thinking and understanding how your mind works,” says Dessa Bergen-Cico, assistant professor of public health and lead faculty of addiction studies in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. “We spend most of our time thinking about things we’re supposed to do, or things that have happened in the past. We spend little time actually engaged in the present moment. This program cultivates that skill, and there is substantial research on the physical and psychological health benefits of mindfulness.”
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Long Wang named Diversity Leader
Diversity Leaders Program inspires Long Wang to make a difference in nutrition education, profession
Each year, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics—the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals—selects only four individuals from a talented pool to participate in its Diversity Leaders Program. Today, Falk College nutrition Professor of Practice, Long Wang, Ph.D., M.M., R.D., is one of them. “In the last ten months, a lot of great things have happened,” says Wang. “As a result, I’ve identified ways I can make a positive impact in serving the profession, the Academy and my students while learning new skills.”
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What happens when video games technology merges with fitness?This question, and many others, plus the latest health news and trends are featured in Healthy You Spring 2013, now available.
Healthy You news magazine is published by students for students each semester. The health newsmagazine increases health awareness, initiates dialogue about health trends and issues, promotes good health-seeking practices, and fosters disease prevention and healthy living. It has been honored consistently with a Chancellor’s Award for Pubic Engagement and Scholarship.
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Disparities and Social Justice in Native American Public Health
Registration is currently under way for a two-week, six-credit course that will be offered this summer taught by nationally recognized expert Michael Bird. HTW 400/600—Disparities and Social Justice in Native American Public Health offers a comprehensive overview of public health issues among Native Americans, including historical disparities, risk factors, foodways and barriers to healthy diets, and addiction issues. This hands-on course features guest speakers, field trips and a Native American cooking class.explore the state of Native American public health. During the Spring 2013 semester, faculty and students in HTW 400/600 talk about this course. Hear their stories and experiences >>
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The Rewards of Public Health Research
Public health senior Estefany Frias has worked on research to advance solutions to health disparities locally and in New Mexico. “I wanted to do something different, so I ran a Google search and the opportunity with the New Mexico Center for Advancement of Research, Engagement and Science (CARES) on Health Disparities popped up,” says Frias. The CARES internship was located on the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center campus and as an intern, Frias assisted in compiling research data on two studies: post-partum depression and cervical cancer screenings.
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Bergen-Cico explores post-military conflict substance abuse in new book
 Dessa Bergen-Cico, assistant professor, will publish The War on Drugs: The Role of Military Conflict in the Development of Substance Abuse, which explores the relationship between military incursions and substance use and abuse throughout history, later this Fall. In addition to offering detailed geopolitical perspectives, this book explores the intergenerational trauma that follows military conflict and the rising tide of substance abuse among veterans, especially from the Vietnam and Iraq-Afghan eras. Bergen-Cico raises important questions about the past and challenges us to consider new approaches in the future—especially to that longest of U.S. Wars: the erstwhile “War on Drugs.” With a research appointment at the Syracuse Veterans Administration Medical Center, Bergen-Cico teaches international courses on drug policies and addiction studies. Read more, and order The War on Drugs.
Recently highlighted by the American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders as a member of its Certification Board, Bergen Cico will lead the 2011 Transatlantic Training Initiative: Effective Governance of Coherent Drug Policies in Budapest, Hungary this September. This program partners the Falk College and SU Europe with the Council of Europe’s Pompidou Group to create a new transatlantic executive education program focused on implementing effective drug policy and governance.
Read More >>
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