Several of our first-year Maternal and Child Health (MCH) students attended the 2024 American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting held in Minneapolis, MN, from October 27-30th. This year’s theme, Building Trust in Public Health and Science, emphasized the critical role trust plays in advancing health equity and fostering collaboration across communities. Below is a reflection from one of our attendees.
By: Sabrina Salazar
The 2024 APHA conference was so exciting and enlightening. My first time at APHA and in
Minneapolis was truly an adventure. Going into the experience, I didn’t really know what to
expect. When I arrived at the convention center on the first day, I was a bit overwhelmed by the
magnitude of the conference. But, once I acquired a map and attended my first session, I
realized how great the weekend was going to be.
I attended so many engaging sessions. I learned about racism in environmental health and
structural determinants that influence LGBTQ+ health. I especially enjoyed the Maternal and
Child Health Town Hall. It was so eye-opening to hear MCH professionals talk about the
maternal mortality and morbidity crisis. One of my favorite sessions discussed the intersection of
maternal and mental health. This was particularly interesting to me as I studied public health
and psychology in my undergraduate studies. I learned about opioid use disorder during
pregnancy and the role of social support for African American mothers.
Outside of the conference, I explored Minneapolis. I went to the George Floyd Pilgrimage Tour,
where community members told their stories and showed us around the George Floyd Square. I
found it extremely powerful to hear how George Floyd’s murder impacted the community directly
from its members. They showed us their “People’s Closet,” where people can take and leave
clothes 24/7. This was an extremely valuable contrast to the formality of APHA, and I’m so glad I
went on the tour.
Perhaps my most surprising takeaway from APHA was a new vocabulary in ASL. I took an
introductory course in American Sign Language last year, which I really enjoyed, but it did not
touch on public health or MCH signs. By watching the ASL interpreter in some of the sessions, I
learned several new signs that may be helpful in my career as an MCH professional.
I am very grateful that I got to experience my first APHA conference. I learned so much from the
sessions and from my time in Minneapolis. Additionally, the experience brought me closer to my
fellow Tulane MCH peers. We explored the conference together and got to know each other
much better than we had inside the classroom. I really enjoyed APHA 2024.
Brina Salazar, BSPH, BS, is a first-year MPH student concentrating in Maternal and Child
Health. She plans to graduate in May 2026. Her interests include black maternal mortality,
reproductive rights, and health disparities in MCH. She also loves traveling, photography, and
dance.
