Borrowing From the East to Strengthen the West: Merging Public Health Case Studies of Community-Based Service-Learning Practices From India and the United States

Abstract

Case studies of classroom-based pedagogy linked with service-learning practicum experiences, which promote population health by encouraging civic engagement and community-based participatory actions, are highlighted. The community diagnosis activities engaged in by the Department of Community Medicine, Manipal University, Karnataka, India and the community health fair implemented by the Department of Public and Community Health (in partnership with the Seat Pleasant community), University of Maryland, USA are described. Opportunities for service learning, community collaboration, and health education are presented.

Keywords:

• Public health
• service learning
• pedagogy
• civic engagement
• community-based participatory research
• health promotion
• case study

We thank the community of Seat Pleasant and the villagers of Udupi district, as well as the faculty and students at Manipal University, Department of Community Medicine and the University of Maryland, Department of Public and Community Health for their support of, and participation in, these activities.