MPH Program Health Disparities Service-Learning Collaborative
Course and Community Partners

Course summary.  The MPH course, EPID 615, Public Health Issues and Interventions in Communities of Color, will be the first service-learning course offered in the MPH Program. Scheduled for Fall 2008, the course provides an overview of many critical psychological, social, cultural, demographic, biological, and other factors that influence lifestyle and disease susceptibility among minority status ethnic groups and other medically underserved populations in the United States. The service-learning component will give students a chance to apply classroom knowledge in a community setting, interacting with community professionals and volunteers working to reduce health disparities.

Community partners.  Several community partners have been identified for this course, including:

• VCU’s AmeriCorps/America Reads program and selected elementary schools in the city of Richmond, Virginia.
• The Faces of Hope, a non-profit organization that provides a comprehensive fitness, nutrition and prevention program for children who are dealing with overweight issues.
• Girl Force, a YMCA-based health and fitness program for girls ages 7 - 12. This innovative workshop promotes physical activity, healthy eating habits, positive body image, and smoking abstinence. The goal of the program is to help all girls achieve their fullest potential physically and emotionally.