WMU public health program shines in national opioid summit

Public health students and faculty at the Capitol

The public health program at WMU provides students with opportunities to develop skills and competencies in various aspects of professional development. One example is a recent national opioid use disorder prevention advocacy summit in Washington D.C.

Between October 18 and 21, The Coalition of National Health Education Organizations (CNHEO) organized the advocacy summit, which provided students from public health programs across the country an opportunity to develop their advocacy skills. The summit included seminars on advocacy and the legislative process presented by national experts.

The summit also provided opportunities for students to network with top health advocates and congressional consultants, and the opportunity to advocate before Congress.

The public health program at WMU sponsored 10 Eta Sigma Gamma students to participate at this summit -- one of the largest student groups of any attending universities. Students had opportunities to advocate for opioid use disorder prevention before nine of the 16 members of the Michigan Congressional delegation. One major focus of opioid use disorder advocates is funding of the Comprehensive Opioid Addiction Prevention legislation.

WMU delegation with Debbie Dingell's congressional aide

One student described the summit as "the greatest opportunity to develop skills and network [she] ever had." Dr. Amos Aduroja, the co-faculty sponsor of the local chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma, led the delegation. 

The group is also working on two research projects on opioid addiction prevention that will be presented at the College of Health and Human Services Expo in April 2020.