College of Health Student Addresses Health Equity in the U.S. and Abroad

College of Health junior, Hannah Falatko has a deep interest in health equity and qualitative research, especially exploring how people’s cultures impact their perceptions and utilization of health care.   

Falatko, a Population Health major, has had several cross-cultural research opportunities through Lehigh University in Sierra Leone, the Dominican Republic, and the Lehigh Valley. She’ll also be headed to Taiwan this summer.  

This past August, Falatko conducted fieldwork in Sierra Leone through Lehigh’s Global Social Impact Fellowship, as one of the leaders of the “Mothers of Sierra Leone” documentary project. Working directly with Fathima Wakeel, Associate Professor in the Department of Community and Population Health; and Michael Kramp, Professor of English, the team created and distributed educational films about maternal health resources to women in the country. 

In an effort to address maternal mortality, the team spent three weeks filming, interviewing, conducting focus groups, and collecting data after distributing the films. Since returning to Lehigh, they are continuing with a 12-month study on the efficacy of the films, reviewing survey data collected by local partners and writing research papers. The films explored family planning, mental health, breastfeeding, and paternal involvement in maternal health care. 

“It was really cool to be able to connect with people in that way and learn about the healthcare system there,” Falatko said. 

In addition to Sierra Leone, Falatko traveled to Santiago over Winter Break through the Lehigh in the Dominican Republic program. For two and a half weeks, she took a class on the eco-social model of health and studied how the healthcare system is shaped in the Dominican Republic. She spent time at local clinics and participated in cultural activities. This opportunity was funded through a College of Health grant. 

Falatko has another international trip in the works for this summer. As part of the Martindale Student Associates Honors Program, she will be heading to Taiwan for 12 days to conduct in-depth research and meet with professionals to understand policy and social issues. Through this 15 month program, she will conduct independent research and write an article that will be published in the Martindale Center’s Perspectives on Business and Economics journal. Her topic will be related to healthcare access, social issues, and issues of identity, she said. 

Back in the Lehigh Valley, Falatko is currently working with Fathima Wakeel on a Black Health Equity project. This is a collaboration with Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, a nonprofit grassroots organization that works to ensure that children have the resources and support they need to succeed, from cradle to career.  

Falatko is helping Wakeel develop a survey based on the Seven Vital Conditions framework, which will be administered to Black adults in the Lehigh Valley to understand their health status.  

“That will be really helpful for organizations like Promise Neighborhoods or others like them, to be able to provide resources where it’s actually needed and understand where the health disparities lie,” she said. “We’re also starting to work on drafting focus group questions and interview questions that can be asked to supplement the survey data as well.” 

While Falatko appreciates having unique global experiences, “it’s a lot different to work in the Lehigh Valley because it feels like more of a tangible impact,” she said. “I live here, so I know how things are. I want to make a difference here too.” 

She is grateful for the College of Health’s role in valuing experiential learning. “I really appreciate how they’ve been able to do that for me. These are experiences I don’t think I would have had otherwise,” she said.  

Falatko has found mentorship through her College of Health professors, especially Dr. Wakeel.  

“I’ve worked with her on two projects now,” she said. “She’s been a great mentor for me in learning how to do research, especially qualitative research. She’s also sparked an interest in maternal child health for me. I really value having worked with her on these projects.”

“I have been so honored to be Hannah's mentor during her time at Lehigh. She is easily one of the most brilliant and dedicated students with whom I have ever worked. She is a deep thinker, and I have enjoyed learning from her astute insights and witnessing her passion for and commitment to health equity in our work together.” 

After graduation, Falatko plans to attend graduate school for a Masters in Public Health and pursue a career in global health.