Inspiring the Next Generation: Public Health Comes Alive for Nevada Kids
Fun, awesome, cool – these aren’t words typically associated with public health, but that’s exactly how local school children described their experience during a recent visit to the University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health.
The visit was part of the school’s Physical Activity and Health Collaborative Initiative, a program designed to bring public health concepts to life for elementary students. Dean Muge Akpinar-Elci, M.D., MPH, welcomed the young visitors, sharing her passion for community impact and highlighting the initiative’s mission.
“Public Health is about community impact,” said Akpinar-Elci. “These opportunities to engage are a prime example of our work and also a chance to inspire the next generation. The curiosity of these children and their enthusiasm for learning is also exciting for the future of public health.”
The day was filled with interactive experiences that made public health tangible for the students. They encountered a zombie, simulating the spread of germs, visited a concussion lab to learn about brain safety, and even got active on the training field.
Following the visit, Akpinar-Elci was moved to receive hand-written notes and drawings from the students.
"Their excitement and appreciation for the visit was truly special," she shared, noting that many expressed feeling inspired by the new things they had learned.
Nevada currently does not require physical education or health classes at the elementary level. The Physical Activity and Health Collaborative Initiative seeks to bridge this gap, offering a unique range of opportunities for young learners.
Through partnerships with schools and the community, the initiative provides weekly physical education classes, health classes, “Bring Your Parent to P.E. Days,” exciting field days, sports days, field trips to the university campus, and valuable professional development for teachers.
Assistant Professor Angela Heinemann, Ph.D., leads the initiative and underscores its significance. “For some children, our program provides their first exposure to these kinds of activities,” she explained. “These early interventions have the potential to have a significant impact on their health and the trajectory of their lives.”
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## Interview: Inspiring the Next Generation
**Interviewer:** Dean Akpinar-Elci, thank you for joining us today. You recently welcomed local elementary school children to the University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health. Can you tell us more about this initiative?
**Dean Akpinar-Elci:** It was wonderful to have these eager young learners at our school! This visit was part of our Physical Activity and Health Collaborative Initiative, a program designed to make public health concepts engaging and relatable for elementary students.
**Interviewer:** That sounds fantastic! What kind of activities did the children participate in during their visit?
**Dean Akpinar-Elci:** We aim to make learning about public health fun. The children engaged in hands-on activities related to healthy living and community well-being. It’s crucial to spark their curiosity and show them how public health impacts their lives directly.
**Interviewer:** The article mentions children describing their experience as “fun, awesome, and cool.” How important is it to present public health in an engaging and positive way, especially to young audiences?
**Dean Akpinar-Elci:** Absolutely! Public health often deals with serious topics, but we believe it’s important to make it approachable and exciting for young minds. By presenting public health in a fun and Hands-on way, we hope to inspire the next generation of public health professionals and advocate for healthier communities.
**Interviewer:** This initiative clearly demonstrates your commitment to community impact. What are your long-term goals for the Physical Activity and Health Collaborative Initiative?
**Dean Akpinar-Elci:** We envision expanding this program to reach more schools and students throughout Nevada. Ultimately, we want to empower young people to understand the importance of public health and become active participants in creating a healthier future for all. [[1](https://aspph.org/education-for-public-health-2030-transformation-to-meet-health-needs-in-a-changing-world/)]
