Saher Dossani’s Summer 2022 Experience
This summer, I worked as the data entry undergraduate researcher on the Healthier Together project through the CDC. Through working on data entry and entering surveys collected from the rural counties of Georgia, I learned a lot about how collecting such types of data and its evaluation can be extremely beneficial in the health promotion field. After entering the information gathered from these surveys and evaluating it, there was a clear need shown for such a program to be implemented in these counties. With these programs being shown as effective and necessary to these areas, other types of health promotion programs can be put in place into other areas that need it, eventually improving the health of more people overall. For example, there have been signs put in these rural counties encouraging people to walk from one place to another by telling them how long it can take to get to these places. There was a significant increase in the amount of people who walk to get places, and these signs were a contributing factor in them doing so.
While I was unable to physically visit these counties, simply analyzing the data from the surveys showed me the many problems the public in these areas face when it comes to food resources. As a student residing in Athens, I live within a 5-to-10 minute radius of multiple grocery stores and have never realized how much of a true privilege it is to be able to do so. Many people in these areas do not have proper access to a grocery store in their areas and thus, a lack of access to proper food sources. For this reason, many of them choose alternative, easier routes of getting food which may not be the healthiest. Through Healthier Together’s work with food pantries and distribution centers, more people have more access to healthier food choices. The data has also shown a great amount of these food pantries and distribution centers being used in these counties.
Through analyzing data from surveys in these counties, it was clear how helpful these programs were to these people who have such a lack of access to food resources. The data shed light on a growing need for this program and how effective it has been, as well as areas for improvement. I am so thankful to have assisted with this research over the summer and for all the knowledge I gathered in doing so, and I’m excited to continue my work with the project in the fall semester.
