Dr. Shawn Williams

building CUNY Communities since 2009

Writing and Public Health

Roe, K. (2009).  Infusing public health education into undergraduate curriculum: The experience of a comprehensive university.  Association of American College& Universities, 11(3), 19-22.

Hovland, K., Kirkwood, B.A., Ward, C., Osterweis , M. , Silver, G.B. ( 2009) Liberal education and public health: Surveying the landscape. Association of American College& Universities,11(3), 5-8.

Fass, M.F., Krusko, N. (2009). The evolution of the interdisciplinary health major at Beloit college.  Association of American College& Universities, 11(3), 12-14

The above mentioned articles demonstrate the need, rational and popularity of implementing public health degrees at the undergraduate level.  Local, state, federal and private organizations are increasing seeking graduates with a unique set of public health skills.   Perhaps the focal of these unique skills may be the ability to critically read, think and write on issues dealing with identification and prevention of population health threats.   S such, the above mentioned articles suggest that new courses in medial anthropology, medical sociology, biomedical ethics and biology of disease be adapting at the departmental level.  Yet, because of the interdisciplinary undertone of public health, there should perhaps be a larger focus on the different types of writing that would be required of these students.  In fact, there was no mention in any of the above mentioned articles, about the specific writing criteria that would be to be investigated for this specific population.; suggesting that general education requirement are sufficient for the new brand of student.

The majority of medical schools require the MCAT examination as a predictor of medical student success.  One third of the MCAT is dedicated to writing skills.  There are continuous and existing debates on the sensitivity of the MCAT results and their subsequent ability to predict academic success.  As we foresee an increasing need for public health trained students, perhaps investigating and revising the writing needs of these students need be explored.


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