On This Episode Of The Public Health Epidemiology Conversations (PHEC) Podcast
In this conversation, Dr. Huntley and Kandis Draw discuss the vital role of community health workers, particularly in the context of hospice and palliative care. Kandis shares her journey into public health, the challenges faced in engaging communities, and the importance of advocacy and policy in improving health outcomes. They explore the distinctions between hospice and palliative care, the current landscape of community health work, and the future of the profession. Kandis emphasizes the need for funding, community engagement, and the importance of being a people person in this field.
Meet Kandis Draw
Kandis Draw, CHW (she/her/ella) is a Senior Community Education Associate-Advocacy & Research with The HAP Foundation, working on the south side of Chicago in the Chatham/Englewood region. She provides free, public education for the community about issues pertaining to serious illness, including grief, caregiving, advance care planning and disparate access. She is also a CHW innovator, working to promote leadership of CHW roles in community engaged research. She was most recently part of the leadership team on a project in partnership with NORC at University of Chicago that sought to better understand knowledge, attitudes and behaviors around hospice and palliative care of Black individuals living in Chicago. She was recently recognized with the 2022 American Public Health Association CHW Section Leader of the Year Award, related to her leadership in embedding CHW roles within research projects, and the 2024 Health and Medicine Policy Group Emerging Leader Award for Health Justice. Kandis also serves on the Special Commission for Gynecological Cancers for the State of Illinois.
Listen To This Episode Of The Public Health Epidemiology Conversations (PHEC) Podcast
Conversation Highlights
Community health workers play a crucial role in public health.
There is a significant need for funding in community health work.
Cultural competency is essential in effectively communicating with diverse populations.
Understanding the difference between hospice and palliative care is vital for community education.
Advocacy is necessary to ensure community health workers are respected and compensated fairly.
Community engagement is key to improving health outcomes.
Grassroots efforts can lead to meaningful policy changes.
Seniors often provide valuable insights and should be engaged in health discussions.
Community health work requires a passion for helping others and strong interpersonal skills.
Collaboration and networking are important for community health workers.
"We have to move beyond just treating the symptoms of a problem and focus on the root causes that are often tied to historical and social inequities." - Dr. Huntley
Links Mentioned In This Episode:
 Keep In Touch:
Podcast Links
Enjoying the podcast? Please write a favorable review of the Public Health Epidemiology Conversations Podcast in Apple Podcasts.
Listen to the Public Health Epidemiology Conversations Podcast (PHEC Podcast) in Spotify.
Listen to the Public Health Epidemiology Conversations Podcast (PHEC Podcast) in Google Podcasts.
Listen to the Public Health Epidemiology Conversations Podcast (PHEC Podcast) on other podcast platforms.
Like This Episode?
Click links below to share this episode with your network!
Comment below with your favorite takeaway!
Public Health Consulting To Support You
DrCHHuntley LLC is a public health consulting firm that specializes in epidemiology consulting, supporting large nonprofit organizations in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida that serve Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). We also provide nationwide public health consulting and epidemiology consulting support to BIPOC organizations across the United States.