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Public Health Culture

Join Leonore Okwara, MPH as she discusses public health research, initiatives, and how to engage the community in it all.

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40. Using Social Media to Share Public Health Messages

Dec 28, 2020

Kafilat Jimba-Bidmus, PhD is a Public Health professional passionate about all public health issues, but particularly focused on mental health, substance abuse, and health disparities. Her background is in community health education and health promotion.  She has worked on mental health, early childhood development, substance abuse and health disparities.  She has taken her work virtually and now uses instagram, youtube, and her website to share public health education.  She is a mother and a wife, has three children, and loves sewing and cooking.

In This Episode We Cover:

  • How her work at the Institute for Health Disparities influenced her career path and her passions.
  • The most positive experiences she had working with minority communities.
  • The most challenging experiences she had working with communities.
  • The importance of building trust and engaging.
  • The difficulty of balancing home and professional life.
  • All about her instagram page and how it was created to raise awareness about mental health and substance abuse.
  • How connecting people with resources is our job as public health professionals.
  • How being a mom influences her work.
  • Why she chose instagram as her platform, and how engaging there is a two-way street.
  • Her advice for Public Health Professionals who want to go into the virtual space.

Stand-Out Quotes:

  • In underserved communities, people sometimes don’t have the right tools or materials or education to care for themselves.
  • The populations are forgotten. It’s frustrating to see that people don’t know what help is available.
  • People talk to you and feel comfortable with you.  Check on them and see how they are doing.  Spread the word in the community. 
  • People don’t even know what is in front of them in terms of resources.  This takes a collective effort from public health professionals.  We will reach everyone.  
  • In immigrant communities, most people are afraid because there’s always been a catch.  
  • When you educate people, you empower them to take control and be in charge of their lives.  
  • Engage your community and community leaders and develop trust. Listen to them.  Make sure you listen and they know you are there for them.
  • The relationship should be a lasting one.  

Reach Out:

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