Vanderbilt MPH students throw their anchors down to help communities in need amid a global pandemic
by David Cohen
Despite the limitations and fears associated with COVID-19, members of Vanderbilt’s MPH class of 2021 engaged in innovative public health practicum experiences this summer and ventured into countless community health organizations to understand and improve the health of the community during the COVID pandemic.
Lauren Mitchell, interned for the Sycamore Institute in Nashville, TN. Mitchell researched issues involved with medical debt and housing disparities due to COVID-19. and created a policy brief that explores these topics in great depth. “I’ve learned how to phrase things in non-partisan ways, how to do research that is important to people, added data visualization skills, and how to be flexible.” said Mitchell.
Her work reflects these skills, Mitchell was responsible for pooling data on medical debt from a vast array of backgrounds, exploring correlations on state levels and interweaving race and sociopolitical concepts into her research. Her upcoming report will reinforce how COVID-19 will degrade the Tennessee economy. Through her work and research, policymakers can mitigate these issues and hope to safeguard residents’ financial security and overall health.
Mitchell is in her last semester in the program and continues to explore the public health field. She analyzes large data sets in order to “give policymakers the information they need to develop good policies”. She credits the practical skills she gained in Biostatistics to her current success. She has learned how to use software programs and interpret data to analyze complex issues.
As her practicum came to a close, she reflected how her perspective on public health changed. “I saw [the field] as a background force, a way to make things run smoothly so the rest of society can function, but now I’ve realized how essential public health is to the way everything can work. It’s been very validating,” said Mitchell.
Quotes have been edited for clarity and length.