As part of New York’s promise to “Build Back Better,” Cornell University has launched a campaign to train ordinary residents to become NYS Citizen Public Health Leaders.
The 16-hour, free online program will train participants to help build community-led initiatives and support surrounding prevention, detection, and response in the event of public health emergencies. No medical or public health experience is necessary.
“Over the past year, New Yorkers have come together to limit the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and support health and wellbeing in their communities,” Cornell says in a news release. The new program will “build an even stronger network of community health leaders to help now — and to prepare for the future.”
Cornell University’s Public Health Program has developed the four-part online training program. With two hours of content per week, each module will build up core knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Specific “calls to action” will help participants translate learning into action within their communities and networks, Cornell says. Each module will also have one or more live (and recorded) conversations with experts to share up-to-date information and to answer key questions.
“The goal is to have at least one citizen public health leader in every neighborhood and community,” Cornell says. “Leaders will understand the state of health in NY and the factors that influence health. They will have foundational knowledge related to key public health issues and skills to connect and communicate with peers, allies, and key social resources.”
“As a citizen public health leader, you will be able to take an active role in helping your community prevent and rebuild from the effects of COVID-19,” Cornell says. “Over the longer term, you’ll be a part of an informed network that can be mobilized to share information and plan for prevention, detection, and response in the event of public health emergencies.”
To sign up, visit nypublichealth.cornell.edu/nyspublichealth/.
