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Impacting Public Health: PHIG Success Stories

PHIG Success Stories

See firsthand stories of impact from the Public Health Infrastructure Grant. From small wins to transformative changes, these PHIG Success Stories give us a glimpse into how PHIG fosters widespread innovation in public health systems and structures.

  • Shelby County Health Department Leverages PHIG for Experiential Learning Program

    The Shelby County Health Department of Tennessee, in partnership with the University of Memphis School of Public Health, has leveraged PHIG funding to offer high school students a comprehensive Experiential Learning Program with all activities supported by the grant. This initiative equips students with vital public health knowledge and skills by guiding them through public health projects and the college-level public health classes that lead to an undergraduate Certificate in Public Health. Following the launch, the program had the opportunity to provide students with a hands-on global public health education through participation in the Model WHO at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, in October 2024. The Experiential Learning Program is expected to enhance students' future career interests in public health, creating a significant community and educational impact.

    Student participants from Shelby County Health Department of Tennessee's Experiential Learning Program pose on the stairs holding their certificates.

  • Mentorship in Action: Arkansas Advances Public Health Research and Tobacco Cessation Efforts with PHIG

    In a strategic initiative funded by PHIG, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) partnered with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to enhance public health education through mentorship. Under this new program, from August 2023 to May 2024, a UAMS graduate student collaborated with an ADH senior scientist to assess the effectiveness of the Be Well Arkansas program, which provides tobacco cessation counseling. They found that participants who attended four counseling sessions had up to a 15% higher quit rate than those who attended just one. The graduate student presented this finding at the May 2024 ADH Grand Rounds, garnering positive feedback and inspiring them to pursue a career as an epidemiologist with ADH. The senior scientist plans to refine the analysis for future publication, showcasing the fruitful outcomes of this PHIG-supported partnership and its commitment to advancing public health research.

    A diverse group of individuals seated in a room attentively listening to a speaker at the front.

  • Enhancing Health Equity through PHIG Funding for the Wilkes-Barre Health Department and NAACP Wellness Fair

    The Wilkes-Barre Health Department and NAACP collaborated to host the 2024 Wellness Fair, leveraging PHIG funding to innovate outreach strategies and attract over 300 attendees with 24 healthcare providers. This success is crucial as it addresses significant health disparities, particularly among underserved populations, including a rapidly growing Hispanic/Latino community. As a result, the health fair is now part of NAACP's annual workplan, allowing for more events to serve vulnerable groups. PHIG funding accelerated this success by facilitating targeted marketing and increasing vendor participation by 75% while boosting attendance by 300%. Ultimately, this initiative enhances community engagement and promotes health equity, leading to better health outcomes for those in need.

    A diverse group of individuals shaking hands around a conference table, symbolizing collaboration and agreement.

  • Transforming Public Health Through Nevada’s AWS Data Lake Initiative

    With PHIG funding, Nevada’s Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) successfully launched its AWS Data Lake project in August, a significant innovation in data modernization. This new infrastructure has transformed how DPBH stores and analyzes public health data, improving reporting accuracy and decision-making. PHIG funding accelerated this effort, allowing DPBH to deploy cutting-edge technology that streamlines data integration and accessibility. As a result, the health department can make more informed, timely decisions that directly benefit public health programs and the broader community.

    A person focused on a laptop displaying a cyber security icon, emphasizing digital safety and protection.

  • Minnesota’s Health Equity Strategists Transform Public Health Practice

    To advance health equity, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) launched a PHIG-funded, innovative model that embedded 10 health equity strategists within divisions across MDH, with support and coordination from the Division of Health Equity Strategy and Innovation. These strategists support divisions to embed equity into their work and include changing policy, engaging the community, enhancing staff understanding, and transforming racial and health equity narratives. This initiative is strengthening MDH's capacity for equitable practices and laying a foundation for sustained progress in addressing health inequities across Minnesota.

    A woman actively writing on a whiteboard, demonstrating engagement in a learning or brainstorming session.

  • Public Health AmeriCorps: A Catalyst for Public Health Workforce Development in Indiana

    The Indiana Department of Health has utilized PHIG funds to empower future public health leaders through the Public Health AmeriCorps (PHA) program and support local health departments struggling with staffing shortages. The infusion of PHA members has revitalized these departments, enabling them to tackle strategic planning and program implementation effectively. In Henry County, PHA members created a comprehensive community resource map that aids in addressing youth alcohol and nicotine use, allowing for targeted intervention strategies. Additionally, in Hendricks County, a rural community, a PHA member received an offer for a permanent position as a health educator with the county’s Outreach Department at the end of their AmeriCorps service term. Indiana’s commitment to nurturing this talent demonstrates its dedication to building a resilient public health system, ultimately ensuring better health outcomes for all.

    A gathering of people with their hands placed together on a table, representing teamwork and solidarity.
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