North County students complete public health pilot program
Program introduced students to public health careers and training
– Twelve North County students completed a five-week pilot program this summer that introduced youth to careers in public health and showed how they can make an impact in their communities.
The County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department’s Health Equity team launched the program in partnership with the Paso Robles Housing Authority’s YouthWorks program, which provides leadership training and paid work experience for local youth. Participants were in eighth through 12th grade.
During five one-hour sessions, students learned about the social determinants of health, including non-medical and environmental factors that affect health outcomes. They explored areas of public health such as environmental safety, health promotion, emergency preparedness and maternal health.
Students also met public health professionals who shared their paths into the field, including college graduates, volunteers and those working directly in the community.
The program concluded with a Photovoice Project, where each participant identified, researched and presented solutions to a public health issue. Topics included housing insecurity, financial vulnerability, substance abuse and the lack of safe public spaces.
“The students really enjoyed all the parts of [the pilot program],” said Betian Webb, director of community services at Paso Robles Housing Authority and supervisor of the YouthWorks program. “I appreciated the involvement/participation of so many public health employees… I think the entire experience was a huge success.”
One participant, a local high school student named Jeremiah, wrote, “You inspire me to explore public health in the future, I believe you do great work for our community and you’re a great example to me and others.”
Survey results showed that participants’ understanding of public health more than doubled by the end of the program, while their ability to explain how social determinants of health affect their community tripled. Eighty percent of students expressed interest in pursuing a career in public health, compared with 38% at the start of the program. Those who felt very or somewhat confident addressing public health issues rose from 50% to 70%.
Each student received a certificate recognizing them as Public Health Youth Scholars.
“We are glad the surveys showed students were engaged and learning,” said Nina Lewis, Health Equity Fellow and program facilitator. “It confirmed our hopes that by providing youth with the knowledge, tools, and encouragement, they would start to envision themselves as future public health leaders—ones who reflect the diversity and lived experiences of the communities they serve.”
The program was made possible by California Pathways into Public Health Fellows Nina Lewis and Sarahi Garcia.
