Hi, I'm applying to MPH programs and I would appreciate some feedback for my personal statement. Thanks!
During my undergraduate years, most of my academic and extracurricular activities were devoted to the pre-medical track. Concerning healthcare, this curriculum focused on individual-based care and the uniquely biological determinants of health. Though this approach had its benefits, it was a myopic view that ignored the needs of many patients by assuming that they were all the same and not emphasizing the significance of the influence a patient's particular social environment has on his/her health. Patients who demonstrate atypical characteristics or those who are marginalized from the mainstream healthcare system may not benefit from typical treatments and may require interventions targeting their specific circumstances. However, my experiences as a psychology major broadened my perspectives and cultivated an interest in exploring social and behavioral influences on disease outcome and health, adding to the foundation in the natural sciences I had gained by double-majoring in biology and taking pre-medical coursework.
The major catalyst for my interest in public health, working in behavioral research at the University of Miami has allowed me the opportunity to explore how specific psychological states may potentially affect causes of disease conditions. The study I worked with, Project THRIVE, focused on men who have sex with men (MSM) who experienced childhood sexual abuse. People who have suffered from sexual abuse during childhood often find it difficult to negotiate safe sexual practices with their partners because of unprocessed trauma. The problem is further complicated because safe sex education typically is not effective on this population we study. Understanding the unique context of this at-risk demographic forms the premise of the study - by combining safe sex education with trauma treatment, HIV infection rates among the study's participants can be reduced. Being part of the study furthered my interest in contextualizing health outcomes. The facet of public health which interests me most is the exploration of important underlying behavioral influences on disease outcome in order to develop effective treatments and interventions at the population level. My work with THRIVE, along with my psychology coursework in research methodology and statistics, has also driven my aspirations for working in public health research as part of my future career.
For these reasons, I wish to pursue a Masters in Public Health (MPH) at Florida International University, with a concentration in epidemiology. As a future professional in the field of public health, I plan to study populations at-risk for certain deleterious health issues and develop effective interventions targeting unique factors putting these groups at risk. I am particularly interested in how behavioral interventions targeting common misconceptions about sexual health can impact spread of STIs in gay and bisexual men. This issue has become even more pertinent due to recent outbreaks of sexually transmitted meningitis strains in gay populations in major cities, as well as a significant rise in unprotected sex among American gay men. Another area of research I hope to also explore is the potential influence of positive psychological factors on disease prognosis in HIV patients. My graduate studies will enable me to conduct this research by providing me with training in biostatistics and advanced epidemiological research methodology, as well as coursework in various public health subspecialties. The degree will also complement the Doctor of Medicine degree which I plan to obtain after graduate school by providing a population-based approach to healthcare not typically offered by medical school curriculums. With both degrees, I plan to work in a primary care specialty as a physician and also conduct epidemiological research.
In conclusion, I have not only been interested in specifically biological determinants of health but also the intertwining of the biological, psychological, and social approaches. My experiences in my undergraduate studies have cultivated an interest in learning how to effectively deal with health-related issues at the population level. As I plan to attend medical school after receiving a MPH, my graduate studies in public health will give me the opportunity to explore the field in a structured fashion, and my interest in medicine is very much based on what I could do in public health in the future. Furthermore, my graduate education in public health will enhance my abilities as a physician by giving me a more in-depth understanding of the contextual influences on both individual and population health. Gaining an MPH and an MD will allow me to combine two areas I am passionate about - clinical medicine and public health - in my future career. For these reasons, I hope to pursue the MPH degree program at FIU.
During my undergraduate years, most of my academic and extracurricular activities were devoted to the pre-medical track. Concerning healthcare, this curriculum focused on individual-based care and the uniquely biological determinants of health. Though this approach had its benefits, it was a myopic view that ignored the needs of many patients by assuming that they were all the same and not emphasizing the significance of the influence a patient's particular social environment has on his/her health. Patients who demonstrate atypical characteristics or those who are marginalized from the mainstream healthcare system may not benefit from typical treatments and may require interventions targeting their specific circumstances. However, my experiences as a psychology major broadened my perspectives and cultivated an interest in exploring social and behavioral influences on disease outcome and health, adding to the foundation in the natural sciences I had gained by double-majoring in biology and taking pre-medical coursework.
The major catalyst for my interest in public health, working in behavioral research at the University of Miami has allowed me the opportunity to explore how specific psychological states may potentially affect causes of disease conditions. The study I worked with, Project THRIVE, focused on men who have sex with men (MSM) who experienced childhood sexual abuse. People who have suffered from sexual abuse during childhood often find it difficult to negotiate safe sexual practices with their partners because of unprocessed trauma. The problem is further complicated because safe sex education typically is not effective on this population we study. Understanding the unique context of this at-risk demographic forms the premise of the study - by combining safe sex education with trauma treatment, HIV infection rates among the study's participants can be reduced. Being part of the study furthered my interest in contextualizing health outcomes. The facet of public health which interests me most is the exploration of important underlying behavioral influences on disease outcome in order to develop effective treatments and interventions at the population level. My work with THRIVE, along with my psychology coursework in research methodology and statistics, has also driven my aspirations for working in public health research as part of my future career.
For these reasons, I wish to pursue a Masters in Public Health (MPH) at Florida International University, with a concentration in epidemiology. As a future professional in the field of public health, I plan to study populations at-risk for certain deleterious health issues and develop effective interventions targeting unique factors putting these groups at risk. I am particularly interested in how behavioral interventions targeting common misconceptions about sexual health can impact spread of STIs in gay and bisexual men. This issue has become even more pertinent due to recent outbreaks of sexually transmitted meningitis strains in gay populations in major cities, as well as a significant rise in unprotected sex among American gay men. Another area of research I hope to also explore is the potential influence of positive psychological factors on disease prognosis in HIV patients. My graduate studies will enable me to conduct this research by providing me with training in biostatistics and advanced epidemiological research methodology, as well as coursework in various public health subspecialties. The degree will also complement the Doctor of Medicine degree which I plan to obtain after graduate school by providing a population-based approach to healthcare not typically offered by medical school curriculums. With both degrees, I plan to work in a primary care specialty as a physician and also conduct epidemiological research.
In conclusion, I have not only been interested in specifically biological determinants of health but also the intertwining of the biological, psychological, and social approaches. My experiences in my undergraduate studies have cultivated an interest in learning how to effectively deal with health-related issues at the population level. As I plan to attend medical school after receiving a MPH, my graduate studies in public health will give me the opportunity to explore the field in a structured fashion, and my interest in medicine is very much based on what I could do in public health in the future. Furthermore, my graduate education in public health will enhance my abilities as a physician by giving me a more in-depth understanding of the contextual influences on both individual and population health. Gaining an MPH and an MD will allow me to combine two areas I am passionate about - clinical medicine and public health - in my future career. For these reasons, I hope to pursue the MPH degree program at FIU.
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