Reflecting on Module 2

Along with everyone else, I agree that the key topics of insight for module 2 would be audience segmentation, health literacy, and presentation skills. More specifically, the subtopics that stood out within each topic to me were being culturally competent and knowing how your audience is divided, Knowing that health literacy is not just the patients ability to read and write, and when presenting keep the audience in mind.

For audience segmentation it is obvious to most that you can better serve people by tailoring and targeting their groups needs rather that a wide reaching intervention that may cost a lot of money and reach fewer people. The idea of public health is less on treating individuals health symptoms but providing prevention for as many at risk people as possible. That in mind it is often hard to reach certain groups that may be the most disadvantaged, but that is not their fault. We need to be able to understand and appreciate cultural differences especially which are often associated with health disparities.

Health literacy is another topic that I often forget about and take for granted. Even with a degree in biology and pursuing a degree in public health I often find myself not fully understanding what the doctor is talking about so for the average person it must be very difficult to follow directions when they don't completely understand them. Therefore what is most important is that health care professionals ask patients to demonstrate understanding. It is not enough just to read directions to patients, especially when they may not even be in their native language.

Finally, Presentations skills. Although I think that to an extent, presentation skills cannot be taught, there are some simple pointers that can help improve the average presentation. Just thinking about being an audience member in a lecture that you could care less about helps the presenter to make the presentation more interesting and appealing. Using less words and more visuals in slides with a bright and easy to read layout really helps. Also making the presentation more relaxed and having the audience participate helps to engage them. I personally have always struggled with presentations except for when I truly know and am passionate about the subject but even then I use a lot of um's.

Overall I enjoyed this module even more than module 1 and I hope that I can use what I've learned in the future.