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Health policy doesn't usually grow in a Petri dish, but two initiatives at the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) have developed innovative approaches for studying public health up close and translating the school's research into community impact across Connecticut.
The Health Policy Practicum provides students hands-on training in developing and advocating for law that advances public health through placements with state legislators, executive agencies, and nonprofits.
The placement preceptors, often short-staffed, assign the students important research and policy work. "Our students get to see what happens with their work as Yale's proximity to the Capitol enables them to attend committee hearings and meetings and contribute to the legislative process," said Shelley Diehl Geballe, JD '76, MPH '95, professor in the practice (health policy). "I also insist that students testify in writing and orally on at least one bill of their choosing. While most students at first are a bit fearful, they're all smiles afterwards. Testifying breaks a barrier -- they've learned they can give voice to their knowledge."
Down the hall from Geballe's office is the State Collaborations to Advance LEarning, or SCALE, laboratory co-led by Dr. Jacob Wallace, PhD, associate professor of public health (health policy) and Department Chair and Professor of Public Health Dr. Chima Ndumele, PhD, MPH. SCALE is a research and policy institute whose goal is to improve the lives of low-income and other vulnerable individuals in Connecticut and beyond by forming hands-on partnerships with state policymakers to improve the social safety net.
The SCALE model is to embed YSPH researchers and data scientists within state agencies, such as Connecticut's Department of Social Services. The analysts are employed by YSPH but receive state credentials, work side-by-side with policymakers, and have a data access agreement. The initiative began several years ago and has been growing steadily -- building out its team and infrastructure -- with the aim of making a direct impact on communities.
"We want to be a trusted partner to states and not be viewed as just another academic lab that only puts out research," said Wallace.