Public Health Internship

A Global Public Health Initiative for Students and Professionals by Voice Up

Program Overview

The Purpose Fellowship Public Health Internship is a 100% remote, flexible program designed to empower students and emerging professionals to address critical public health challenges through innovative, community-centered approaches. This initiative combines public health practice with our core mission of building community, fostering collaboration, and addressing health disparities through evidence-based interventions, mindfulness practices, and cross-cultural health solutions.

We're recruiting passionate student advocates, health professionals, and public health minds to help transform our world through systemic approaches that address health equity, mental wellness, and community resilience. Our public health internship focuses on developing health promotion programs, policy advocacy, community health interventions, and evidence-based solutions that tackle the root causes of health disparities while promoting holistic wellness and prevention.

All projects will incorporate The Purpose Fellowship's five core principles through public health work:

• Patience - Long-term health behavior change requires sustained, thoughtful intervention
• Humility - Learning from community wisdom and diverse cultural approaches to health and healing
• Precision - Data-driven, evidence-based approaches to public health policy and program development
• Collaboration - Building partnerships across sectors, communities, and health systems
• Empathy - Centering human dignity and cultural sensitivity in all health promotion efforts

Academic Credit Track

• Partner with your university for course credit in public health, epidemiology, health policy, or community health
• 15-20 hours per week commitment
• Structured learning objectives and research assessments
• Faculty advisor coordination available

Volunteer Track

• Flexible scheduling (10-15 hours per week)
• Community service hours certification
• Portfolio development focus for graduate school or career advancement
• Mentorship opportunities with public health leaders

Stipend Track (Performance-based)

• Competitive candidates demonstrating exceptional contribution to public health initiatives
• $20 to $30 per hour based on impact and involvement
• 10-20 hours per week commitment
• Leadership development and policy advocacy opportunities

• Standard Track: 12-16 weeks (one semester)
• Extended Track: 24 weeks (two semesters)
• Summer Intensive: 8-10 weeks with focus on emergency preparedness or outbreak response

• Passion for public health and health equity advancement
• Basic understanding of or strong interest in epidemiology, health promotion, and disease prevention
• Commitment to evidence-based practice and community-centered approaches
• Interest in global health perspectives and cross-cultural health practices
• Willingness to engage with diverse communities and health stakeholders

• Access to public health databases, surveillance systems, and research tools
• Virtual collaboration spaces with health departments and NGOs
• Regular case study sessions with experienced epidemiologists and health practitioners
• Mentorship from community health workers and public health professionals
• Connection to health policy development and implementation processes

• Mental Health and Wellness: Community mental health programs, suicide prevention, stress management
• Chronic Disease Prevention: Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity prevention programs
• Infectious Disease Control: Outbreak investigation, vaccination campaigns, health communication
• Environmental Health: Air quality, water safety, climate change and health impacts
• Health Equity and Social Determinants: Addressing racism, poverty, and structural barriers to health
• Global Health: International health systems, pandemic preparedness, cross-cultural healing practices

Building Healthier Communities Through Evidence-Based Intervention

• Develop comprehensive health education programs for specific populations
• Create culturally responsive health promotion materials and campaigns
• Design community-based participatory research projects
• Build partnerships between healthcare systems and community organizations

Holistic Approaches to Mental Wellness

• Implement breathing and mindfulness programs in healthcare settings
• Develop trauma-informed care protocols for community health centers
• Create peer support networks for mental health recovery
• Design stress reduction interventions for high-risk populations

Systemic Change Through Evidence-Based Policy

• Conduct health impact assessments for proposed policies and programs
• Develop policy briefs on health equity and social determinants of health
• Create advocacy toolkits for community health organizations
• Analyze healthcare access barriers and propose evidence-based solutions

Building Community Resilience for Health Emergencies

• Develop community emergency preparedness plans and training programs
• Create health communication strategies for disease outbreaks and disasters
• Design vulnerable population support systems during health emergencies
• Build partnerships between public health agencies and community organizations

Cross-Cultural Approaches to Health and Wellness

• Research traditional healing practices and their integration with modern medicine
• Develop culturally appropriate health interventions for immigrant and refugee populations
• Create international health collaboration and knowledge exchange programs
• Design global health equity initiatives addressing structural inequalities

• Epidemiological Methods: Master disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and data analysis
• Program Planning: Understand community assessment, intervention design, and evaluation methods
• Health Communication: Develop effective messaging for diverse audiences and health campaigns
• Policy Analysis: Navigate healthcare policy development and implementation processes

• Leadership Development: Guide public health initiatives and mentor community members
• Cultural Competency: Appreciate diverse approaches to health, healing, and wellness
• Systems Thinking: Understand interconnections between social, environmental, and health factors
• Resilience Building: Sustain advocacy work in complex public health environments

• Health Equity Advancement: Reduce health disparities and promote social justice in health
• Community Empowerment: Build capacity for communities to address their own health needs
• Policy Influence: Contribute to evidence-based health policy and systems change
• Global Health Collaboration: Foster international partnerships for health improvement

• Community health workers and promotores de salud
• Public health policy advocates and legislative staff
• Global health practitioners and researchers
• Mental health professionals specializing in community-based care

• Cross-cultural public health partnerships and knowledge exchange
• Regular virtual case study discussions and outbreak simulations
• Collaborative health program development projects
• Skill-sharing workshops led by interns and community health experts

• Portfolio development for graduate school and career advancement
• Research publication and conference presentation opportunities
• Health department shadowing and policy briefing experience
• Network building with public health organizations and agencies

• Curated collection of health program materials and policy research
• Documentation of community engagement and intervention processes
• Reflection essays on health equity and systemic change approaches
• Presentation of final projects to health department officials and community stakeholders

• Featured research in Purpose Fellowship public health briefs
• Co-authorship opportunities on health policy and program publications
• Conference presentations and policy briefing opportunities
• Attribution in health program recommendations and policy development

Each intern contributes to:

• Growing network of public health advocates and community health organizations
• Evidence-based health policy recommendations for local and state health departments
• Community health program development for underserved populations
• International knowledge exchange on effective public health practices and cultural healing

• Virtual health conferences and strategy sessions with global public health advocates
• Cross-cultural collaboration on health promotion and disease prevention programs
• Community workshop development for health education and emergency preparedness
• Alumni network of public health leaders and community health champions

Building a global community of public health advocates committed to:

• Eliminating health disparities and promoting health equity for all populations
• Integrating traditional healing practices with evidence-based public health approaches
• Creating resilient communities prepared for health emergencies and climate change impacts
• Advocating for policies that address social determinants of health and structural inequalities

Send to [email protected]

1. Public Health Statement: Write about your passion for health equity and community wellness
2. Experience Portfolio: Submit examples of health-related work, research, or community engagement
3. Health Focus Area: Share specific public health challenges you want to address