Who: The Building Health Equity training program is intended for health department employees across Iowa. We are a team of public health practitioners, faculty, staff, and students committed to pursuing health equity. We are not experts on this subject but fellow learners who facilitate conversations that push ourselves and others to deepen our understanding of health equity principles and incorporate that into our lives and work.

What: The Building Health Equity initiative is an Iowa Department of Public Health-funded program led by the Institute for Public Health Practice at the University of Iowa College of Public Health. The training program comprises six modules covering various topics that give participants a foundational understanding of health equity issues, causes, and outcomes and the tools to connect this knowledge to personal and professional situations. 

Where: So far, this training program has been implemented in two large health departments in Iowa. However, the program is designed for departments of all sizes. It has been facilitated through both an online and in-person format, although we prioritize in-person, face-to-face sessions within the departments.

Why: Racism, ableism, classism, and other forms of oppression, bias, or discrimination against certain groups or populations contribute to health disparities and different disproportionate adverse outcomes in those affected. We must work to acknowledge our own experiences and biases to understand better the role each of us has in promoting equity in our work as public health professionals. Additionally, we must recognize the historical and current systems that contribute to these disparities so we can work to dismantle them to better the health and well-being of all members of the communities we serve.

Session 1: Introduction & Empathy, Cultural Humility & Lifelong Learning

2 hours. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the objectives of the training.
2. Establish a common language for dialogue on health equity.
3. Promote a brave environment for exploring outside comfort zones.
4. Discuss how to embrace cultural humility in the workplace and the community. 
5. Give examples of why cultural humility is a life-long process. 
6. Introduce a practice of mindfulness and self-awareness.

Moderators

• Tasneem Ali, Project Coordinator, Institute for Public Health Practice
• Kate Arndt, UnityPoint Health
• Stephanie Otskey, MPH, UnityPoint Health

Speakers

• Mary Kosobucki, MBA, Outreach and Communications Coordinator, University of Iowa College of Public Health Institute for Public Health Practice
• Laurie Walkner, MA, RN, Interim Director, Institute for Public Health Practice; Coordinator, Midwestern Public Health Training Center

Session 2: Communicating Health Equity & History Impacting Body and Mind

2 hours. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss what topics are challenging to talk about. 
2. Identify tools/approaches/pitfalls for engaging in difficult conversations. 
3. Provide opportunities to practice engaging in difficult conversations 
4. Increase confidence in the ability to engage in difficult conversations effectively.
5. Recognize dominant cultural biases and ways they impact relationship-building and impede teamwork and effectiveness in providing services. 
6. Demonstrate strategies to prevent micro- and macro-aggressive comments, behaviors, and situations.

Moderators

• Rima Afifi, MPH, PhD, Professor, Director of Graduate Studies; Director of Prevention Research Center for Rural Health
• Kate Arndt, UnityPoint Health
• Tricia Kitzmann, MPH, Program Coordinator, Institute for Public Health Practice
• Stephanie Otskey, MPH, UnityPoint Health

Speakers

• Rima Afifi, MPH, PhD, Professor, Director of Graduate Studies; Director of Prevention Research Center for Rural Health
• Tricia Kitzmann, MPH, Program Coordinator, Institute for Public Health Practice
• Laurie Walkner, MA, RN, Interim Director, Institute for Public Health Practice; Coordinator, Midwestern Public Health Training Center

Session 3: Historic Context of "-isms"

2 hours. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Unpack historical structural racism, inequities, and disparities throughout populations. 
2. Describe historical structural racism and oppression that result in health inequities and disparities among population groups.

Moderator

• Rima Afifi, MPH, PhD, Professor, Director of Graduate Studies; Director of Prevention Research Center for Rural Health
• Kate Arndt, UnityPoint Health
• Sato Ashida, PhD, Associate Professor, Community and Behavioral Health, University of Iowa College of Public Health
• Stephanie Otskey, MPH, UnityPoint Health

Speakers

• Rima Afifi, MPH, PhD, Professor, Director of Graduate Studies; Director of Prevention Research Center for Rural Health
• Sato Ashida, PhD, Associate Professor, Community and Behavioral Health, University of Iowa College of Public Health
• Mark Vander Weg, PhD, Professor and Head of the Department of Community and Behavioral Health, University of Iowa College of Public Health

Session 4: Current Context of "-isms"

2 hours. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Consider how historical structural violence and oppression are related to current structural violence and oppression.
2. Explore historical and current structural violence and oppression that result in health inequities.
3. Compare transactional and transformative change.
4. Explore how systems thinking mindsets can lead to transformative change in communities.

Moderators and Speakers

• Rima Afifi, MPH, PhD, Professor, Director of Graduate Studies; Director of Prevention Research Center for Rural Health
• Kate Arndt, UnityPoint Health
• Sato Ashida, PhD, Associate Professor, Community and Behavioral Health, University of Iowa College of Public Health
• Cynthia Maharani, MSc, PhD Student, University of Iowa College of Public Health
• Stephanie Otskey, MPH, UnityPoint Health