Describe your professional role (current or future) in overcoming societal, systemic, or structural influences (force) that create barriers to healthy behaviors. Please specify your profession, type of job, and give examples. After describing your role, ensure you give examples of how you will go about aligning the role with your passion and how you will achieve your future role(s).

In my future professional role, I envision myself as a public health researcher, focusing on overcoming societal, systemic, and structural influences that create barriers to healthy behaviors. As a researcher, I would work towards understanding and addressing the complex interplay of these influences on individuals and populations, with the aim of developing effective interventions and policies to promote healthier behaviors.

Specifically, my job would involve conducting rigorous scientific studies to investigate the root causes of unhealthy behaviors and their associated disparities. I would collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including researchers, policymakers, and community stakeholders, to identify social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of unhealthy behaviors. By gaining insights into these influences, I aim to inform evidence-based interventions and policies that can effectively address the underlying structural barriers.

For example, in studying the high prevalence of smoking among disadvantaged communities, I would analyze the social determinants of smoking, such as low socioeconomic status, limited access to healthcare, and exposure to tobacco advertising. Through quantitative and qualitative research methods, I would systematically evaluate the effectiveness of various intervention approaches, such as community-based programs, targeted educational campaigns, and policy changes. This research would encompass examining the impact of these interventions not only on smoking rates but also on the broader social contexts that perpetuate smoking disparities.

To align my professional role with my passion, I would actively engage with the communities affected by unhealthy behaviors and involve them in the research process. By adopting a participatory research approach, I would ensure that community members have a meaningful voice in shaping research questions, study designs, and intervention strategies. This collaborative approach not only empowers communities but also enhances the relevance and effectiveness of the interventions developed.

For instance, in a project aimed at reducing the consumption of sugary beverages among children, I would partner with parents, educators, and local organizations to co-create and implement interventions tailored to the specific needs and cultural context of the community. By actively involving stakeholders, I would leverage their expertise and perspectives to develop strategies that are more likely to be embraced by the community, leading to sustained behavior change.

In addition to community engagement, I would also strive for knowledge translation and dissemination. This involves communicating research findings in accessible formats to policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the general public, in order to influence practice and policy decisions.

To achieve my future roles, I would pursue a PhD in public health, specializing in health behavior and promotion. This advanced education would provide me with a deep understanding of the theoretical frameworks and research methods necessary for investigating complex health behaviors. By conducting doctoral research, I would contribute new knowledge and insights to the field, building upon existing evidence and informing future interventions.

Furthermore, I would actively seek opportunities to collaborate with researchers and practitioners across disciplines and sectors. By bridging academic research with real-world practice, I aim to foster interdisciplinary partnerships that can drive sustainable change in policies and systems. This collaborative approach is essential for addressing the multifactorial influences on healthy behaviors, as it requires the expertise and perspectives of diverse stakeholders.

In summary, my future role as a public health researcher involves understanding and addressing the societal, systemic, and structural influences that create barriers to healthy behaviors. Through rigorous research, community engagement, and knowledge dissemination, I strive to develop evidence-based interventions and policies that can promote healthier behaviors and reduce health disparities. By aligning my professional role with my passion and pursuing advanced education and interdisciplinary collaborations, I aim to contribute to improving population health and advocating for equity in health outcomes.