Julie Halverson

Hometown: Dubuque, IA

 

Areas of interest within Population Health: My research interests include reducing health disparities, reproductive health, health communication, and the implications of policy and environment on health behavior.

 

Brief Interest Statement: Prior to enrolling in the Population Health program, I completed a MA in Health Communication. I also worked for the Education Development Center, Inc., and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In my free time, I enjoy cooking and reading fiction.

 

What experiences in your life led you to study population/public health? After finishing my undergraduate degree, I worked in medical device and product liability litigation and volunteered as a rape crisis intervention advocate in New York City. These experiences shaped my career choices as well as my understanding of the nexus of social justice, health literacy, and policy.

 

Why did you choose UW-Madison for your degree? The Population Health program at UW Madison has a comprehensive approach to the health of populations. I find this approach compelling and in keeping with my scholarly interests.

 

What do you hope/plan to do with your degree? Through teaching and research, I hope to improve health outcomes for underserved populations.