Background

Organization	No
Professional Title	Pre-Medical Student and Advocate
Bio and Background	Hi! I’m Vanessa Agyei, a proud Ghanaian, first-generation college student and Posse Scholar entering her third year at the University of Virginia (UVa). I am majoring in Global Public Health and minoring in Health and well-being with the goal of becoming an OB/GYN, tackling maternal health disparities through a culmination of clinical care, health education, and public policy work. I am excited for the opportunity to create easily digestible health material that’ll promote self-efficacy and health literacy, especially for patients from communities of color. In my free time, I like to read, cook, hang out with my loved ones, and do numerous other things. I’m looking forward to working with you all!
Why I am a Force for Health Member	I want to understand how to run a public health non-profit organization while strengthening my advocacy, public speaking, and health promotion capabilities as an aspiring physician leader.
How I use the Force for Health Network Tools	I’m now getting familiar with the tools that it has to offer, but it will definitely increase my understanding of how to live a healthier lifestyle.
My inspiration	My mom inspires me. We are so alike yet different simultaneously, which can be funny at times. She is a service-minded, kindhearted, and passionate person who leads with love, light, and happiness wherever she goes. She truly has a heart of gold, and she leaves a positive mark on everyone she encounters. Similarly, I aspire to leave a positive mark on the world around me, no matter how big or small. Additionally, I want to show others that no matter where you come from, you have the ability to succeed and be someone great.
Location	I'm based in Woodbridge, VA and Charlottesville, VA. My community includes my family, loved ones, neighbors, church family, and fellow Ghanaians.
What would you like people to know about your community?	It’s resilient, powerful, valuable, diverse, and beautiful!

My Citizenship Health Factors

Some of the factors that have been challenging for me have been...	Feeling comfortable to advocate for myself and my needs, having concerns about the affordability and accessibility of high-quality care
It's important for me to be part of my community's health because...	It ensures that more communities are healthy and able to thrive. It helps increase the likelihood of living a higher quality life with equitable access to the resources and tools needed to maintain that.
Some of the strength of my community health factors are:	Community engagement, supporting each other and uplifting each other, sharing experiences with each other
Some of the challenges in my community regarding certain health factors are:	Increased risk for hypertension and CVD, increased risk of getting PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, cancers, etc. – Lack of representation in healthcare – Systemic racism – Implicit bias – Lack of cultural competency – Negative patient-provider relationships – Being more susceptible to health myths – Medical insurance access and quality
I believe I can help improve my community's health by...	Being an advocate, emphasizing the need for person-centered and trauma-informed care, engaging in community outreach that aims to bridge the large gap between systems and marginalized communities

Advancing the DREAM

Advancing the DREAM - What it means to me	It means I have to take extra precautions to decrease my risk of disease morbidity and mortality. I have to make sure that I can advocate for myself in healthcare settings and have someone else who can do that for me in cases where I cannot do that.
My Action Pledge to Advance the DREAM?	Engage in policy work that centers the work and experiences of these communities

General Information