Health Advocacy Organization
The Health Advocacy Organization (HAO) aims to foster skills training and community engagement to develop the next generation of health advocates. We bring greater visibility to health disparities and drive health policy that promotes change through activities such as elective classes, voter registration, and advocating for health reform at various levels.
The organization meets its objective in part by leading the HAO electives at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. These electives were created by a group of student-advocates beginning in 2017. These courses will provide in-depth education and practical skills training for students who want to advocate for structural improvements to the health of our society. Outside of these electives, HAO provides unique funding, mentorship, research, and service project opportunities.
Through this longitudinal curriculum, we hope to introduce students to how healthcare providers can advocate for patients and contribute to conversations about public health and broader policy. These electives will also help students expand their network of mentors and classmates who are interested in social justice advocacy so that they will be able to maintain and build upon the passion that led to their interest in medicine.
The organization meets its objective in part by leading the HAO electives at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. These electives were created by a group of student-advocates beginning in 2017. These courses will provide in-depth education and practical skills training for students who want to advocate for structural improvements to the health of our society. Outside of these electives, HAO provides unique funding, mentorship, research, and service project opportunities.
Through this longitudinal curriculum, we hope to introduce students to how healthcare providers can advocate for patients and contribute to conversations about public health and broader policy. These electives will also help students expand their network of mentors and classmates who are interested in social justice advocacy so that they will be able to maintain and build upon the passion that led to their interest in medicine.
Our Community
In few American cities are health disparities as evident as in Cleveland.
A disproportionately high number of Clevelanders live in poverty and have problems accessing healthcare. [1] Cleveland has one of the highest opioid death rates in the country. [2] Marginalized areas in the city have some of the highest infant mortality rates in the US [3], and life expectancy can vary by as much as 15 years throughout the city. [4]
This advocacy initiative aims to prepare the next generation of physician-leaders to work boldly and effectively to improve the health of Clevelanders and communities throughout the country.
References:
[1] Cuyahoga County Council District Fact Sheets, The Center for Community Solutions
[2] The Opioid Epidemic and Its Effects: A Perspective on What We Know, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
[3] CDC: Ohio's Infant Mortality Rate Remains One Of The Highest In US, Ideastream
[4] Mapping Life Expectancy, Center on Society and Health
A disproportionately high number of Clevelanders live in poverty and have problems accessing healthcare. [1] Cleveland has one of the highest opioid death rates in the country. [2] Marginalized areas in the city have some of the highest infant mortality rates in the US [3], and life expectancy can vary by as much as 15 years throughout the city. [4]
This advocacy initiative aims to prepare the next generation of physician-leaders to work boldly and effectively to improve the health of Clevelanders and communities throughout the country.
References:
[1] Cuyahoga County Council District Fact Sheets, The Center for Community Solutions
[2] The Opioid Epidemic and Its Effects: A Perspective on What We Know, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
[3] CDC: Ohio's Infant Mortality Rate Remains One Of The Highest In US, Ideastream
[4] Mapping Life Expectancy, Center on Society and Health
Sponsors
We would like to thank the following organizations and individuals for their generous support:
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Doug Wang
Joan E Trey MD
Daniel J Brustein MD
Joan E Trey MD
Daniel J Brustein MD