Assignment 1: Describe a Historic Public Health Advocate and the Advocate’s Accomplishments

Throughout history, public health advocates have played pivotal roles in shaping the health and well-being of societies, often driving significant changes in public health policy and practice. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, advocates like Florence Nightingale and Lemuel Shattuck helped lay the foundations for modern public health by highlighting the importance of sanitation, hygiene, and data collection in preventing disease. During the 20th century, figures such as Dr. Edward Jenner, who pioneered the smallpox vaccine, and social reformers like John Snow, who investigated the cholera outbreak in London, advanced scientific understanding and promoted interventions that saved countless lives. Public health advocates have also been at the forefront of campaigns to reduce tobacco use, improve maternal and child health, and address the social determinants of health. In times of crisis, such as during the HIV/AIDS epidemic or the COVID-19 pandemic, public health advocates have been essential in disseminating accurate information, challenging misinformation, and ensuring equitable access to care. Through these efforts, public health advocates have played a fundamental role in improving the health outcomes of populations, often advocating for marginalized communities whose needs might otherwise have been overlooked. 

Instructions 

Choose one of the famous public health advocates. Research the advocate and prepare a 5-minute power-point presentation about the advocate’s accomplishments. Share PowerPoint slides with a video about the advocate. 

Cite sources you reference in-text and under a “References” section in APA format.