Place-Based Approach

Place-Based Health Concentration Description

Place-based public health centers people and their communities as a catalyst for transforming systems to promote wellbeing for all. Local residents, not institutions, hold the history, knowledge and ways of interacting with place. As such, a place’s inhabitants and institutions work in relationship, using interdisciplinary and participatory processes, to create and lead efforts to sustainably improve the social drivers of health and ultimately actualize health equity. Through our Place-Based Health concentration, you will increase your confidence in developing, supporting, and sustaining collaborations that contribute to more equitable systems and better lives. 

Students develop skills to:

1. Assess, promote, and enact health equity in systems, organizations, and communities;

2. Learn place-based approaches through courses, field trips, guest panels of practitioners, hands-on experiences, and culminating team projects that help WNC communities;

3. Practice transforming systems through problem-based learning by assessing system dynamics and leverage points, clearly and persuasively sharing critical health information, developing and sustaining relationships, and informing policy makers; 

4. Support and engage in community transformations using community-based participatory research and action methods; 

5. Conduct research and evaluate programs to contribute to the knowledge base and advance public health practice; and 

6. Deepen knowledge and awareness to lead transformation of self, public health teams, and change efforts.