The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
I was a Health Fellow on the Health and Development team in their New York City headquarters. I conducted research and consultations to develop a set of policy briefs about achieving health and development co-benefits and accelerating progress on the U.N.’s? sustainable development goals.
New York City.
To advance health equity through innovative, human-centered approaches locally and globally.
The Yale Institute for Global Health (YIGH) Leadership in Global Health Fellowship and the YSPH Office of Public Health Practice (OPHP) summer internship funding.
I was tasked with conducting in-depth desk research and facilitating consultations with colleagues at UNDP and the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop and write a series of policy briefs. These briefs focused on providing guidance for implementing holistic and systems-based approaches to tackling non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions, while also accelerating global progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
My internship at UNDP provided valuable insights into the intersection of global health policy and sustainable development. I gained a profound understanding of how comprehensive, systems-based approaches can tackle complex issues like noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health challenges. A key takeaway was recognizing how underutilized mechanisms that prioritize critical development issues and drive improved societal development can effectively address many challenges impeding global progress on the SDGs.
Collaborating with colleagues on various teams and projects deepened my skills in policy research and development. This experience broadened my perspective on international health and development initiatives. It also reinforced my commitment to a career in community-based research and global health policy, where I can contribute to advancing health equity through human-centered and innovative approaches.
The most rewarding aspect of my internship was engaging in work that contributed to discussions and efforts to advance the SDGs. Having first learned about the SDGs in high school, I would always wonder what I could contribute to achieving them. It was a full-circle moment when I had the opportunity to work with UNDP on a project of this scope this summer. It was very fulfilling to work with passionate colleagues committed to working toward achieving these global targets.
The most challenging aspect was navigating the complexity of integrating a multitude of perspectives and sources of information into a cohesive series of briefs. Balancing the need for comprehensiveness, evidence-based approaches, and stakeholder needs required meticulous research and iterative discussions when developing the briefs. During these stages, I was grateful for the support and guidance of my supervisor and colleagues working across various teams at UNDP.
A surprising aspect of my internship was learning how to craft policy briefs designed for tangible action. In my previous work in community-based qualitative research, I focused on collecting primary data, developing insights, and briefly articulating data-informed solutions. This experience of developing policy briefs allowed me to understand the importance of deeply understanding the audience for policy briefs and tailoring them to provide actionable solutions and recommendations that support policy and decision-making. Gaining experience creating briefs with practical guidance and concrete steps, rather than solely engaging with theoretical concepts, was both exciting and enlightening. I felt this enhanced my ability to translate research into strategies or communications that contribute to discussions on global health efforts.
The interdisciplinary approach and collaborative mentorship at YSPH were instrumental in preparing me for this internship. The program's course offerings, where diverse and contemporary topics are taught, provided me with a comprehensive understanding of various public health challenges and emerging solutions, many of which I grappled with during my time at the U.N. Additionally, being a YIGH Leadership in Global Health Fellow was invaluable. The orientation session with other fellows involved critical discussions on global health work, and our bi-weekly meetings allowed me to engage with peers, learn about their placements, and be inspired by their work.
Don't be afraid to try something new. The summer internship is a wonderful opportunity to try something different, challenge yourself, and learn more about different areas in public health work – and yourself as a public health researcher/practitioner.