Why Public Health Education Matters

Today, the stakes of public health are higher than ever. Following the coronavirus pandemic, many witnessed firsthand the importance of thorough public health information dissemination and dedicated public health professionals. However, traditional sources of information and support — such as schools, parents, and medical providers — still leave critical gaps.

Hope and Help Center of Central Florida aims to fill those information gaps. For nearly 40 years, Hope & Help has been at the forefront of community service, outreach, education, and care resources — primarily for HIV/AIDS, STIs, and Hepatitis. Founded in 1988 by a group of friends who were caring for someone close to them who was dying of complications related to AIDS, the organization has since grown into one of the most comprehensive resources in Central Florida for public health information.

Combating misinformation to fight stigmas associated with HIV/AIDS has been Hope & Help’s primary objective. Every day, the organization shows why public health education is so important, especially for communities where education may be hard to come by or underemphasized.

The role of public health education in community wellness

When new public health issues emerge, like the AIDS virus in the early 1980s, reliable public health information can be hard to uncover and distribute because medical experts may not know all of the answers. Over the years, community public health organizations such as Hope & Help have worked with those experts to ensure the most up-to-date, accurate information is available. With the help of informed non-profit organizations that have a direct link to the community, misinformation, myths, and fears can be lessened and often dispelled.

Hope & Help Executive Director Lisa Barr sees first-hand the importance of swift and effective public health education. “Public health plays a crucial role in safeguarding our community and promoting overall wellness,” she says. These factors are especially true when new information, treatments, or tests emerge that can help better outcomes for at-risk communities.

For example, in 2012, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), which had been proven to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV infections. PrEP can reduce the risk of contracting HIV from sex by up to 99% and from intravenous drug use by up to 74%, making it a game-changer in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Hope & Help runs a program called PrEP Plus that helps get the medication into the hands of the people who need it the most. The organization takes care of all the little details, expediting the start of the PrEP regimen for maximum effectiveness.

By being at the forefront of public health information, Hope & Help has been able to share life-saving information with the community at large and translate that education into actionable care plans.

The ever-changing public health landscape

Public health education is constantly evolving along with society’s view of HIV/AIDS, but the most vulnerable communities are beset with harmful, discriminatory myths and a lack of effective care options. Fighting the stigma of HIV/AIDS diagnoses has been an ongoing battle for non-profits such as Hope & Help because, despite more robust knowledge of these conditions, stigma still exists to this day.

“Stigma is the real disease that we battle constantly,” says Barr.

Today, public health information campaigns have worked to dispel myths and bring communities closer together to fight HIV and AIDS instead of furthering division. However, it doesn’t mean that with better information comes an easier fight.

Barr, in particular, is concerned about the decision by 10 states — including Florida — not to expand Medicaid, creating a coverage gap that many people are unaware of until it directly affects their ability to get coverage for their care. “It leaves many low-income people and marginalized communities without accessible healthcare,” says Barr.

Through ramping up information campaigns about Florida’s failure to expand Medicaid to offering a health care assistance program, Hope & Help is again filling in gaps where others have fallen short.

Public health education also needs to shift as our understanding of viruses like HIV changes. HIV and AIDS were once thought only to affect homosexual or intravenous drug-using populations, but through robust public health education campaigns, we now understand that anyone can be vulnerable to an HIV infection.

As Barr explains, surprising information about these conditions, which can often be unpredictable and strike when least expected, emerges every day. “Unfortunately, heterosexual women, especially minority women, are one of the higher new infection rates,” she says. “Heterosexual contact accounted for 15% of new HIV diagnoses among women, and racial and ethnic disparities have persisted within those rising statistics.”

Hope & Help strives to be one step ahead of each pivot and provide the education and resources necessary to give people a better quality of life — whether they have already received a diagnosis or are working hard to prevent one. Advances in medical research and in our understanding of how and why people aquire HIV are continually refined. With better understanding comes better information and a clearer picture of why public health education is so important.

Barr and her team understand that public health education is not just about providing resources for individual well-being but also about helping to lay a foundation for overall societal health. It’s a sentiment that is especially important amid an election year. “Public health education and health care need to be something each voter is taking into consideration,” she explains.

The work of non-profits like Hope & Help improves public health outcomes and fosters a more informed society. As we confront ever-changing and emerging health challenges as a society, the commitment of organizations like Hope & Help to public health education will continue to guide us toward a healthier future.

Medical Disclaimer: The contents of this article should not be construed as medical advice. The opinions expressed are solely those of the entities mentioned in the article and are not necessarily reflective of those of this publication. Always consult with a licensed medical professional when seeking a clinical diagnosis or information about medication.