A Service-Learning Approach to Child and Youth Health: Community Collaborations in Grenada

Graduate School of Public Health - Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences

Location
Carriacou, Grenada, Caribbean

Description

The course provides an interdisciplinary focus on child and youth health concerns, disparities in access to health care, and contextual issues impacting the well being of community residents of the Caribbean nation of Grenada.

Students will gain an understanding of key demographic and social factors unique to Grenada from reports provided by the World Health Organization, United Nations Population Fund, United Nations Children's Fund, and the country's ministries of health and education. Empirical studies of health issues confronting children and youth in the U.S. and the Caribbean will be used to enhance awareness of global health concerns.

Students will learn theoretical frameworks (ecological, planned action) for understanding the impact of health risks on children and youth; methods for acquiring cultural competence in community practice; and skills for implementing community health promotion interventions using a community-based participatory approach.

Prerequisites for the Course: Students must have taken minimum of 3 prior courses in Africana Studies, education, developmental psychology, social work, public health, health education or related discipline. Evidence of community volunteer or work experience and strong interest in working with culturally and ethnically diverse populations preferred.

Coursework will include exam, academic and reflective journal assignments, and a final paper. Discussion and other coursework will occur a few months prior to traveling abroad via the internet.


Grenada
Looking for Grenada on a map? You'll see this small Caribbean island near the coast of Venezuela. The Caribs on Grenada spent a century and a half repelling all attempts at colonization after Columbus's voyage passed the island in 1498. Eventually the island was colonized by the French and then the British, who imported large numbers of African slaves to establish sugar plantations. A slave revolt in 1795 effectively took control of the nation but was eventually crushed by the British. Slavery was finally abolished in 1834. In 1974, Grenada gained it's independence. A famous historical event linking the US and Grenada occurred in 1983, when the US invaded the island to overthrow their communist government under the auspices of restoring civil order. Today, tourism has become an important part of the economy in Grenada.

Health issues are wide in Grenada and our partner, Carriacou Health Services, a community organization of health and education practitioners, has formed to provide health services and education to the population in that community. Students in this course will be introduced to methods of service-learning with a particular focus on reciprocity, collaboration, and cultural understanding. Students will observe community health education practices and collaborate with Carriacou Health Services around the coordination and implementation of a culturally relevant health promotion initiative to increase physical activity and reduce the risk of disease among children and youth. The site of the service-learning intervention will be the island of Carriacou.

Details

Instructors: Sekai Turner & Stephen Thomas

Please contact Sekai Turner at sturner@cmh.pitt.edu with any questions.


Credits: 3

Service-Learning Abroad: July 18 - Aug 8, 2004. Coursework will be done online prior to travel. There will also be a 3 day course retreat in Pittsburgh, PA just before the course leaves for Grenada.

Credits Awarded: Credits are awarded for this course through the University of Pittsburgh. This course fulfills "A Service-Learning Approach to Child and Youth Health: Community Collaborations in Grenada" (BCHS 2588) for 3 graduate credits.