Many of our students attended this year’s meeting of the American Public Health Association (APHA), held in San Diego, November 10 – 14. What follows is a post from one of these attendees.
By Ososese Enaholo, BS
I was anxious about attending APHA, because based off of my previous experience with conferences, I knew that I would have to pitch myself. Thankfully, with the help of CEMCH, I felt prepared: I had developed a stellar pitch that allowed me to make connections with public health professionals and students with not only my interests, but also various interests within the field of public health. Throughout this conference it was wonderful to see how the sectors of public health are interconnected, and how this field is made up of compassionate people fighting for the people.
During the conference I was able to attend sessions that addressed many of my interests. One session that I attended was Bringing under-served women into focus: Pregnancy and birth outcomes among marginalized populations. During this session, Dr. Monica Mclemore addressed the advancement of reproductive health standards. She brought to my attention the way in which we discuss teen pregnancy in research. She explained how the language we use to address teen pregnancy contributes to the stigmatization of teen mothers. I learned that it is important, especially as public health professionals, that we conduct research that promotes the health of all people.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Maranda Ward, a Tulane alumna, who now works at Washington University. She discussed with me and my peers her interesting take on sexual education. She explained that instead of addressing the risks of sex she decided to approach it by getting teenagers invested in their future. She then incorporates sexual education by addressing how sex plays into their future and how risks such as pregnancy and sexual transmitted diseases can affect their future. I found her research to be interesting and I enjoyed hearing a successful intervention on the implementation of sexual education.
Overall, APHA was a great experience. I got to meet some wonderful people while learning more ways to effectively promote health equity!
Ososese Enaholo, BS, is a first-year MPH student, concentrating in Maternal and Child Health. She plans to graduate in May 2020. Her interests include health equity, racial and ethnic disparities in health, sexual and reproductive health, immigrant populations, and adolescent health. She also loves hanging with friends, listening to music, and working out.
