Graduate / MPH Statement - "the understanding of public health research" [7]

Hi -I am applying to the MPH program, any suggestions and comment are welcome!
Many thanks inadvance!

My interest in public health started at a very young age. I joined the Hong Kong Red Cross at age of twelve. I was involved in many kinds of volunteer services and some are related to health service and promotion in the local community. After 3 years in the service, I became the service leader of the unit and organized my first community project in the area. The project aim was to promote knowledge of hepatitis prevention to a group of children under 12 years old. It was challenging but rewarding. Through organizing the 3 day event, I learnt a great deal from planning and coordinating the event with the local youth group organization. I also learnt the importance of disease prevention and how to prevent the indigenous diseases. The most interesting part of all was to think of ways to deliver the message to the children. The project was a success, we got their attention through different activities and I believe they have also taken the health message home. All these experiences I gained during the time in Red Cross were very inspiring. Through various kinds of volunteer health service work I involved in, I've had a chance to interact with people of different age groups and from different social backgrounds. I often look back on how all of these experiences have affected me, realizing the importance of infusing health care concepts in young adults by integrating health awareness in educational programs. Providing the channel for individuals to develop a sense of responsibility for a well-being from young age is very important.

Throughout my time at the University studying Nutrition, I learnt how diet and behavioral factors like lifestyle choices can affect ones health and quality of life. Health promotion and campaigns provides everyone the knowledge to improve health and health outcomes such as disease prevention, life expectancy and quality of life.

Health promotion is relatively new discipline for developing countries like China. The implementation of a public health system is often considered relatively unimportant compared to economic development. Development of public health is not only restricted by lack of understanding by the policy maker and also limited by lack of sizable pool of professional practitioners. Reading news about workers from poor areas risking their health everyday expose to toxins at work, unaware the serious harm that it will be done and it will cost their lives. I realize the urgent need of more health practitioners in China to help raise awareness of public health. I hope one day I can join other trained health workers to promote health care and disease prevention so more lives can be saved.

My past working experience has been concentrated in drug research. It has given me a basic grounding in research and planning clinical trials. I believe the Master of Public Health Program in XXX University will enable me to gain a comprehensive understanding of public health research and concept of public policy. I hope through taking part in the MPH program, I can put my experience in use for future public health research and practice health promotion in developing country. Provide people from a disadvantaged background a fairer chance of getting health information and access to health services.