Marsha Williams is a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) student at New York University’s School of Global Public Health. She conducted her Advanced Applied Practice Experience (AAPE) at Americares, focusing on anticipatory action in humanitarian response to climate change. We spoke with Marsha to learn about her interests in public health, the Americares project and more. Read our Q&A with Marsha below!
Interviewed by Sara Merken.
Q: Can you tell me about yourself and what sparked your interest in public health?
A: I am a fourth-year Doctor of Public Health student at NYU School of Global Public Health. My interest in the health field stems from my experiences growing up in Jamaica, where I faced challenges in accessing healthcare and encountered issues related to the availability of quality healthcare. These experiences have fueled my desire to make a meaningful impact in addressing health disparities and improving the quality of care, ultimately leading me to pursue a career in public health.
Q: Within the field of emergency preparedness and response, are there one or two current emergencies or disasters that you believe are most critical to address?
A: One of the most critical disasters in the field of emergency preparedness and response is the impact of climate change on human health. This issue is particularly significant because it has already begun to have a global effect. The consequences of climate change range from the emergence of novel pathogens to the re-emergence and increased frequency of infectious diseases. For example, we are witnessing more outbreaks of vector-borne diseases such as Zika, Dengue, and West Nile Virus which pose a significant threat to human health.
Q: Can you share an overview of your AAPE project at Americares? What did you learn?
A: The AAPE focused on how humanitarian organizations can adopt anticipatory action to reduce or mitigate the impacts of climate change during crises affecting vulnerable populations. For example, with climate change, we are witnessing more frequent extreme heat events, which significantly impact maternal and child health, leading to issues such as pre-term births.
The most significant takeaway from my AAPE experience was the understanding that for anticipatory action to be truly effective, it must be implemented from a “bottom-up” approach rather than a “top-down” approach. Anticipatory action is not a one-size-fits-all solution; its implementation requires careful consideration of the communities affected by climate change and the resources available to ensure sustainability. Additionally, it must be aligned with an implementation science framework and practice to maximize its effectiveness.
Q: Do you have a favorite public health figure, and if so, who and why?
A: While I do not have a specific favorite public health figure, I have long admired the work of Dr. Mary Bassett, former Commissioner of the NYC Department of Health. During her tenure, she was instrumental in implementing health equity programs across the agency and encouraged staff to consider how they could respond to disasters with an equity lens, as well as build more resilient communities. Her approach to integrating equity into emergency preparedness, response, and recovery at the health department has always resonated with me and influenced my own work in the field.