Niccole Smith, a University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions Master of Public Health student, shared insights on maternal health and her own public health journey during a social media takeover of the This is Public Health social media accounts the week of January 23, 2023.
Smith, a second-year M.P.H. student, is among 59 students from 40 Association of Schools and Programs in Public Health member schools and programs who are charged with raising awareness about public health through activities such as This is Public Health social media takeovers, virtual fairs with prospective public health students, book clubs, public health presentations, panel discussions and more.
In her first post, Smith described her concentration area of social and behavioral sciences and offered resources to help other students choose a field of study.
“I chose social and behavioral sciences as a concentration because of my undergraduate background in social sciences and health disparities,” she wrote. “It is the concentration that aligns best with my goals and interests in public health education and health disparities.”
In subsequent posts, Smith highlighted Maternal Health Awareness Day (January 23) and explored the concepts of health equity and social determinants of health and how they influence maternal health.
“Health equity is an essential topic to know about when discussing maternal health,” Smith said. “As public health students and future public health professionals, we can work to examine social inequities to improve health outcomes for all.”