Splash Biography
ALESSANDRA PAPPALARDI, Yale sophomore studying HSHM and Poli Sci
Major: HSHM and Political Science College/Employer: Yale Year of Graduation: 2027 |
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Brief Biographical Sketch:
Alessandra Pappalardi is a sophomore in Trumbull College double majoring in Political Science and the History of Science, Medicine and Public Health, with a prospective certificate in Global Health. From history to the social sciences to the classics, Alessandra loves learning! She is most fascinated by grassroots interventions to address poverty, women’s safety and environmental issues. Alessandra works in a women’s support lab, volunteers for New Haven Reads and YaleBleeds, and serves on the executive boards of the Yale Policy Institute and the Yale Women’s Leadership Initiative. Past Classes(Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)S5068: Social Determinants of Health: Widening Our Understanding of Health Outcomes in Splash Spring 2025 (Mar. 02, 2025)
This course will introduce students to the ways in which social, environmental, and cultural conditions affect one’s health – otherwise known as a social determinants of health framework, which helps contextualize one’s health outcomes in the context of their broader life and community. For example, how does education access relate to healthcare outcomes? Or race, gender, and social class? What about material circumstances – where one lives and works? Is quality food accessible? These are the sorts of questions that we want to tackle in this course, pushing students to widen their understanding of health beyond just the individual. Ultimately, the key takeaway from this class is to recognize and address the root causes of health inequities that exist between advantaged and disadvantaged groups – and how social determinants of health shapes these inequities. Including both informative and interactive components, students will gain hands-on experience researching how social determinants of health may affect their lives and the health of those in their communities.
X4966: Periods, Pads, and Poverty in Splash Fall 2024 (Nov. 09, 2024)
Want to learn all about menstruation, menstrual equity, and menstrual health? In this class, we'll discuss topics ranging from how to put in a tampon, why we bleed, managing periods, and the worldwide inaccessibility of hygiene products. Menstrual health is a taboo topic. However, raising awareness for menstrual health is essential for the safety for all menstruators. Ultimately, this class will inspire students to develop their own period product advocacy initiatives that they can bring home to their communities!
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