Psychological Literacy and

Public Health:Creating Trans-Disciplinary and

Global Partnerships

S.D. Shantinath, D.D.S, M.P.H., Ph.D., C.P.H. Associate Professor of Public Health

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, USA

Definition of Psychological Literacy

• Evolving• Includes the following elements:

- Critical thinking- Research applied in daily life- Global citizenship

• Implication individuals and the public benefit from this

Natural Partners with Shared Values Psychological Literacy

• Global Citizenship - an element of psychological literacy

• Using psychological science to inform actions and issues

• A way of thinking about the world our relationships with others

• Social justice• Equity • Sustainability

(Oxfam)

Public Health

• Promote the common good• Inclusive of health and human

rights• Science based • Behavioral sciences are one of

the core competencies of public health education

• Access to care • Equity • Sustainability

(WHO)

Cascade of Psychological Literacy

PSYCHOLOGICAL LITERACY

DIRECTDISSEMINATION

PROJECTS STUDENTS

THE PUBLIC

TEACHING

INVOLVEMENT IN PROJECTS

Two Examples of Promoting Psychological Literacy

• Teaching • Dissemination to Address Urgent Problems in

the World

Teaching Behavioral Science to Future Dentists – in the Context of Empowerment to be Critical Thinkers and Agents of Change

• Mandatory graduate level course• Part of the Public Health Certificate required for

graduation from an innovative dental school • Online delivery tailored to dental students

enables “doubling up” and “integration” into traditional dental education

• Entrance requirements include two hundred hours of public service along with biology, chemistry, physics

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Promoting Psychological Literacy: Mobilizing to End the Global Epidemic of Violence and Depression

CHALLENGES Widespread Global Problems of

Poor Physical and Mental Health

Lack of Resources for Prevention

Under-Utilization of Research Findings

OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVOLVEMENT AND

PARTNERSHIP

BENEFITS TO SOCIETY Reduced Suffering Reduced Health Care

Costs

Contact: S.D. Shantinath,D.D.S., M.P.H.,Ph.D, C.P.H. Associate Professor of Public HealthAT Still University of Health Sciences5835 E. Still Circle, Mesa, AZ, 85206, USAsshantinath@atsu.eduMobile: +1-650-862-4040

Eradicating Female Illiteracy

Promoting Positive Psychology

Promoting Mental Health & Preventing Psychological Distress

Mental Health Promotion for Italian Youth

Disseminating Health Information – Empowering Women as Agents of Health

Promotion and Beneficiaries of Health Promotion

Portfolio of Dissemination Projects

• Violence Prevention • Depression and Distress Prevention• Bullying Prevention • Can be extended to include:

- Smoking Cessation- Cardio Vascular Disease Prevention - Diabetes Prevention - Cancer Prevention.

Key Points

• Violence affects 1 out of every 3 women around the world

• Depression is a leading cause of disability in the world

• Psychology can prevent these problems• Let’s mobilize students and colleagues to end

the global epidemics of violence and depression.

• Thank You!

References

• Choi, BC, Pak, AW (2006), Multidisciplinarity, interdisciplinarity and and transdisciplinaity in health research, services, education and policy: 1. Definitions, objectives, and evidence of effectiveness.

• World Health Organization (2014): http://www.who.int/trade/glossary/story076/en/

• OXFAM (2014) http://www.oxfam.org.uk/education/global-citizenship