On This Episode Of The Public Health Epidemiology Conversations (PHEC) Podcast
Dr. Karen Mancera-Cuevas, Senior Director of Health Equity at the National Health Council, discusses her career in public health and the importance of addressing health equity. She emphasizes the need for tailored care and support for diverse populations, particularly those affected by chronic diseases. Dr. Mancera Cuevas also highlights the challenges faced by older populations and rural communities in accessing healthcare. She emphasizes the role of public health in various aspects of daily life, such as sanitation, gun safety, and food safety. Dr. Mancera Cuevas encourages individuals interested in public health to be persistent and find ways to apply their skills in different settings.
Meet Karen Mancera-Cuevas
Dr. Karen Mancera-Cuevas is the Senior Director of Health Equity at the National Health Council where she collaborates with a variety of national patient advocacy organizations on health equity policy, research, and program priorities. She has a professional background which includes previously working in leadership positions at academic centers emphasizing clinical, public health, and community-based participatory research at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Northwestern University.
Dr. Karen Mancera-Cuevas has engaged with the public in recent state-wide governmental public health efforts in Illinois. Her more than 25 years of professional experience also encompasses varied non-profit and policy-level settings. Programs developed under her leadership addressed chronic and rare disease health disparities in diverse communities of color, specifically targeting women and children at the community-level. She has Master’s level degrees in Public Administration (MS) and Health Policy (MPH) from DePaul University and the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Additionally, she earned her Doctorate of Public Health (DrPH) from Walden University and is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). Dr. Mancera-Cuevas is Chair for the Public Health Education and Health Promotion Section of the American Public Health Association (APHA), Chair for the Coalition for National Health Education Organizations (CNHEO), is Associate Editor of Progress in Community Health Partnerships (PCHP), and Regional Committee Trustee for the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE).
Listen To This Episode Of The Public Health Epidemiology Conversations (PHEC) Podcast
Conversation Highlights
Introducing Dr. Karen Mancera-Cuevas and an overview of her public health career
Why she is most passionate about chronic diseases
What a typical day looks like for her and her focus on health equity
The importance of community investment to drive behavioral change
How the constant evolution of people affects community health
The way Dr. Mancera-Cuevas’ understanding of public health has helped her in her job
How epidemiology helps her understand her community and create an impact
Dr. Mancera-Cuevas’ advice for anyone interested in a career like her own
“In order to drive behavioral change, you need to have community investment.” - Dr. Karen Mancera-Cuevas
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