First Year Medical Program Students Demonstrate the Importance of Community Engaged Research
A
key training component of the initial class of firstyear medical students has been the Community Engaged Research Project( CERP), created by Dr. Sheba George and Dr. Alexander Rodgers, Directors of the Medicine and Society longitudinal course. CERP added tremendous value and proved to be both challenging and literally rewarding. The proof of the effort was on display at the end of term program showcase.
Monetary prizes were awarded for the research papers judged the most outstanding by a three-person jury of CDU faculty members: $ 150 first prize per student in each group; $ 100 second prize per student; and a $ 50 third prize per student. But given the level of detail of the work effort and imagination presented by each group, there were no losers.
Everyone who participated, including the faculty mentors, put forth a noteworthy effort and the overall project was a smashing success.
The group of 60 was divided into teams of ten each, with a specific topic chosen that offered a unique learning experience examining health conditions in SPA 6, with implications for Los Angeles County as a whole. The literature reviews included with each presentation also offered comparative analysis with health conditions germane to the chosen subject both nationally and globally.
Below are brief excerpts of the Introduction to each Group presentation.
CERP Group 1
Breaking the Cycle: A Community Approach to Childhood Obesity in Watts- Willowbrook
community( Balasundaram & Krishna, 2023). Obesity is associated with a range of chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers( National Institutes of Health, 2019). These conditions can lead to decreased quality of life, increased healthcare costs, and reduced life expectancy. In addition to the physical health impacts( Smith et al, 2020), obesity can affect mental health, contributing to conditions like depression and anxiety( Halfon et al, 2013; Harrist et al, 2016).
Judges
Authors: Rutha Adhanom, Sanam Ahadi, Sydney Y. K. Brown, Laila Cross, Jeneane Hamideh, Paola Hernandez, Kevin Lopez, Taylor Mitchell, Vishal Rao, Martha Romero
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Noe Chavez
The consequences of childhood obesity in Watts- Willowbrook are far-reaching, impacting not only the health and well-being of individuals but also the broader
Addressing childhood obesity in Watts-Willowbrook requires a comprehensive approach targeting root causes. This includes improving access to healthy food, creating safe and affordable physical activity opportunities, and addressing socioeconomic factors. To understand the issue better, we interviewed individuals affected by obesity, caregivers, and policymakers, identifying five common themes: diet and nutrition, exercise, healthcare experiences, family and community support, and environment. By understanding and addressing the unique factors contributing to childhood obesity in Watts-Willowbrook, we can make significant strides toward reducing health disparities and improving the overall health and well-being of this community.
CDU College of Medicine | PG. 36