Public Health - Meeting the Needs of Diverse Communities

Donna L. Polk, PhD, LMHP  Chief Executive Officer Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition, Inc.  Creighton University's National Public Health Week Speaker Series  In recent years, all the major public health and medical organizations have come to understand racism as a public health issue. Despite this acknowledgement, our increasingly diverse American population is still plagued by disparate outcomes for some of its members. Additionally, the public health workforce does not reflect the diversity of society. Amplifying the voices of the communities most impacted by these disparities is key for public health practitioners. How can practitioners use community assessments as an opportunity to partner with community members? What role can community members play in the assessment process?"   Objectives:  - The audience will better understand what public health involves  - Gain an understanding of the role that communities have within public health  - Explore the strengths and weaknesses of public health programs locally