PUBLIC HEALTH | portfolio

I am developing a theory-based nutrition and physical activity education program for Chinese Americans residing in Houston, Texas. I plan to qualitatively assess the intervention using key informant interviews.

I acquired knowledge of behavioral science theories used in health promotion. I was challenged to evaluate current theory-based research and use critical thinking skills to design theory-based interventions to affect individuals, programs, policies and environmental conditions. Examples of theories covered include Health Belief Model, Theory of Reasoned Action, Trans-theoretical Model, Social Cognitive Theory, Theory of Planned Behavior, and Social Ecological Model. Other concepts covered include Photo Voice, community based participatory research, community organizing, empowerment evaluation, and asset mapping.

Health Promotion Theory and Methods

Introduction to Program Evaluation

I learned the theory and applications of program evaluation. I prepared a proposal for the evaluation of an existing program (online Army weight management program). The proposal focused on evaluation of the concept and design of the program, evaluation of the program implementation and process, and evaluation of the program impact and outcomes.

I conducted a community nutrition assessment of Clear Lake, Texas, including identification of nutrition-related resources and barriers and made recommendations for program implementation. Other projects included writing a nutrition blog post, critiquing a research article, evaluating a nutrition-related book from the popular press, and completing a cultural food report. Topics covered in class included individual, cultural, environmental and socioeconomic factors that affect food intake as well as public health laws, regulations and policies related to community nutrition health issues.

Public Health Nutrition

I learned how to use the STATA software for statistical analysis of data. I used STATA to generate summary statistics, run two-sample Wilcoxon rank-sum tests (Mann-Whitney U), Wilcoxon signed rank tests, one-way ANOVA tests, paired t-tests, two-sample t-tests, and Kruskal Wallis tests. Basic statistical concepts were also covered, such as probability distributions, hypothesis testing and Central Limit Theorem.

Some examples of skills I learned are as follows: identify key sources of data for epidemiological purposes, identify the principles and limitations of public health screening programs, calculate basic epidemiology measures, draw inferences from epidemiologic data, evaluate epidemiologic reports and apply basic epidemiological concepts, definitions and study design to public health practice and research.

Fundamentals of Biostatistics

Fundamentals of Epidemiology

Public Health Experience

Thesis

Coursework

I conducted a needs assessment using the PRECEDE model, developed matrices of change objectives for each level of intervention planning by connecting performance objectives with determinants, identified appropriate theories for the intervention, developed a program plan and materials, planned for adoption, implementation and sustainability of the program, and created an evaluation plan.

Advanced Methods for Planning and Implementing Health Promotion Programs