What is public health and humanitarian research?
Public Health Research aims to shed light on the influence of the determinants of health, i.e. factors (genetic, environmental, social, etc.) which determine population health. The objective is to use this knowledge to propose interventions and policies, based on scientific evidence, to help improve health and well-being, and reduce health inequalities. Moreover, it is a multidisciplinary research with specific instruments, e.g. cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-cutting studies, morbidity registries, medical-administrative databases.
For humanitarian research, in practical terms researchers advance humanitarian data and evaluation science and ensuring that new technologies make their way to the front lines of serving communities at risk by supporting evidence-based strategies to effective humanitarian response. They establish a community-centric disaster resilience network, bringing interdisciplinary experts to advance programs and policies. They also develop innovative and multi-disciplinary approaches to research and translation to policy through implementation science and the development of policy inputs informed by international humanitarian communities of practice.
Grace’s Background in Public Health
As a medical student, what I study usually focuses on how an individual can be treated. However, from real life examples such as disease outbreak and NCDs, I know that problems can never be solved if there are only doctors. The work of public health professionals influences people every day and everywhere. It addresses broad issues that affect the well-being of individuals and populations—both now, and in the future. Driven by my interest, I have joined courses and organized various activities on public health. With my experience and passion, I will strive for the best to raise students’ interest on public health this year in VRL.
Grace Siet
MBChB 2022
Director of Public Health Research 2018-2019