From Classroom to Community: Exploring Public Health in San Antonio's Westside
Suranjan Bantupalli
1st Year MPH Epidemiology Student
As I prepare to embark on this journey to San Antonio's (Westside), I find myself reflecting on the significance of this opportunity. This trip is more than just an academic experience; it’s a chance to witness firsthand the intersection of public health, economic hardship, and community resilience. The statistics paint a stark picture of high unemployment, low educational attainment, and limited healthcare access, but I am eager to learn about the people behind the numbers, their stories, and the ways in which they navigate these challenges.
San Antonio’s Westside is a predominantly Hispanic and Latino community, with deep cultural roots and a rich history. However, economic struggles are prevalent, particularly in ZIP codes like 78207, where unemployment exceeds 10% and household incomes hover between $18,000 and $38,000. Health disparities further complicate the picture, with a significant portion of residents lacking insurance and facing barriers to accessing preventive care. Issues such as food insecurity and concerns about crime have made it even harder for residents to maintain their health and well-being. These are not just statistics; they represent real people and real challenges ones I hope to better understand during this trip.
One aspect that particularly stands out to me is the limited access to healthcare. In the near Westside, only about two-thirds of adults have seen a doctor in the past year, and fewer than half have visited a dentist. Chronic disease management is also a challenge, with gaps in diabetes care and preventive screenings. This raises important questions: What are the systemic barriers that prevent people from accessing healthcare? How do factors like transportation, clinic hours, and financial constraints influence health behaviors? And most importantly, how can public health initiatives address these concerns in a way that is sustainable and culturally relevant?
On a personal level, I am looking forward to seeing how this experience shapes my perspective on public health work outside of the classroom. It’s one thing to study health disparities in a lecture, but it’s another to engage directly with the community and hear from those who are affected. I anticipate moments of discomfort, realizing the extent of these inequities can be overwhelming, but I also expect moments of inspiration, as well as learning from the resilience of the people and the organizations working to create change.
As I pack my bags, I remind myself that this trip is not about solving problems overnight but about listening, learning, and understanding. I hope to come away with a deeper appreciation of community-driven public health efforts and a better sense of how I can contribute meaningfully to similar initiatives in my future career. San Antonio’s Westside is more than a case study - it’s a living, breathing community with strengths, challenges, and stories that deserve to be heard. I’m ready to listen.