In reflecting in my past roles leadership roles within the dental health sector. I have been
able to encourage others to create change then the dental sector. Working as a public
health dental hygiene list I have been able to advocate for low income pregnant mothers for
their oral health in order to better the health of individuals and of their child’s. According
to Community Tool Box (n.d.) agents of change are individuals who assist the target
community. More specifically agents of change focus on five elements: create a connection
with the target community, have the ability to identify the issues affecting them, help create
an awareness within the community to push for change, implement change and keep this
change sustainable within the community (Community Tool Box, n.d.). Having held a
position as a public health advocate for this at-risk community, I feel as though I have been
able to enforce the first four of the five elements. I also believe that change agents should be
constantly growing and learning. Meant to develop as the tides change and be flexible to
external factors that can affect the implementation of a program. Rowitz (2014) points out
that those who lead effectively “are lifelong learners” (p. 135). I agree with this
wholeheartedly. Not only does a change agent need to constantly work on themselves, they
need to utilized what they have learned in order to create change within their work
affecting the “organizational and inter-organizational levels” (Naccarella, Butterworth, &
Moore,2016).
References
Community Tool Box. (n.d. b). Chapter 18: Leadership and management. Section 3:
Identifying targets and agents of change: Who can benefit and who can help.
Naccarella, L., Butterworth, I., and Moore, T. (2016). Transforming health professionals
into population health change agents. Journal of Public Health Research, 5(1).
Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
The role of public health in improving quality of care and livelihood cannot be
overstated. There is need to create awareness and educate parents, youths and teenagers on socio-
Public Health 2
economic, psychological and medical consequences of obesity. Within the last two decade
America has experienced increasing numbers of overweight and obese persons, subsequently this
has increased the financial costs on treating ailments such as cardiovascular disease, certain
cancers and premature disability and mortality (Walls et al, 2011). There is a worrying trend of
raising numbers of obesity within the young adults who are mostly overweight during their teens.
Due to the increased risk of morbidity and mortality associated with obesity and
metabolic derangement I feel the need to create awareness, educate, develop and implement
policies that will alleviate the menace. In U.S obesity is most prevalent in populations of low
socio-economic status who mostly rely on fast-foods as the main source of nutrition, these kinds
foods are known to be dense in calories yet deficient in basic nutrients such as vitamins and
minerals (Rosenheck, 2012). By creating awareness in the affected communities it is possible to
bring about positive change and also developing policies that avails affordable and readily
available nutritious foods. Also I would go an extra step to encourage and use my position to
advocate for means of such communities to grow their own food so as to ease the cost of daily
expenditure.
Most cannot afford the time and money to continuously join a gym or martial arts class
hence much easier and practical measures can be encouraged. It’s easier for millennial to cycle to
and from work or take their pet for a walk, this will be of significant help in facilitating exercise
routines which results in an overall healthier and happier population. Improved health status
reduces disease burden and the financial resources in managing related conditions, and has a
positive psychosocial impact to the community.
References
Public Health 3
Rosenheck, R. (2012). Fast food consumption and increased caloric intake: a systematic review
of a trajectory towards weight gain and obesity risk. Obesity reviews, 9(6), 535-547.
Walls, H. L., Peeters, A., Proietto, J., & McNeil, J. J. (2011). Public health campaigns and
obesity-a critique. BMC public health, 11(1), 136.