Personal Statement for MPH Program

Public Health’s focus on populations means looking beyond one patient to recognize broader psychosocial themes. This perspective identifies health patterns among groups of people that are not apparent when one individual is considered. I think this approach has two focal points; considering how the societal forces contribute to disease processes and considering how these forces can be targeted to heal. The individualized medical model is insufficient alone and must be supplemented with Public Health considerations to truly impact disease processes.

There is no question that social factors influence wellness and contribute to the development of disease. A population approach requires research from a psychosocial perspective to elucidate health disparities across different demographics and communities. This more expansive perspective identifies patterns among individuals and the ways social determinants of health operate. For instance, factors such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, and education impact the wellness of different groups uniquely.

A population-based approach then implements community health interventions that target groups of people based on the patterns observed. It is more effective to target a pervasive public health issue by creating broad-reaching programs that are tailored to the needs of a specific population. Individual approaches may miss important factors at play. I believe a Public Health approach that supplements individualized medicine with population-based interventions reaches the core of health disparities that are caused by social factors.

My exploration of subjects outside of biology prepares me for a career focused on population health. I took a variety of social science classes in the fields of psychology and anthropology that discussed topics in population health, giving me insight into population-based health issues. Specifically, my classes in Health Psychology, Multicultural Psychology, and Anthropology of Reproductive Technologies discussed racial and economic disparities in health outcomes and demonstrated the importance of community interventions. These classes solidified my interest in pursuing an MPH. My current Anthropology of Health and Social Justice class explores other health disparities and community healthcare solutions. These discussions emphasize the importance of examining health from a broader perspective and tailoring interventions to populations. Taking these classes alongside my biology curriculum enabled me to draw connections between medicine and psychosocial processes. I am prepared to build upon my understanding of Public Health and be an advocate for communities.

My volunteer service with Fordham EMS gave me insight into serving a specific population. The organization tailors its services to college students who comprise our primary patient population. We educate students on the importance of safe drinking and provide them with information on when they should request emergency services. We train staff to deal with the most prevalent emergencies in our community, from intoxication to anaphylaxis. My experience working with a specific community in the context of healthcare prepares me to continue this work in the future.

My education and involvement on campus prepare me to pursue an MPH and effectively utilize the degree. I intend to be a physician who recognizes how social forces impact health and advocates for community-based interventions to effectively address health issues.