Barbara Israel Receives 2022 Elizabeth Fries Health Education Award
I am delighted to share with you that Barbara A. Israel DrPH, MPH, yesterday received the 2022 Elizabeth Fries Health Education Award at the annual meeting of the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE). Dr. Israel received this prestigious recognition for her pioneering work in developing community-based participatory approaches to public health education research and interventions to address health inequities.
Dr. Israel is known for translating research findings into policy change; and for building capacity in conducting Community-based Participatory Research and policy advocacy. She has partnered with community-based organizations, academia and health and human services agencies to establish and sustain the Detroit Urban Research Center (URC), which has been fostering health equity for over 25 years. The Detroit URC seeks to maintain an effective partnership that identifies problems affecting the health of residents in Detroit and promotes and conducts interdisciplinary, community-based participatory research which recognizes, builds upon and enhances the resources and strengths in the communities involved.
Dr. Israel and her team have addressed several health issues including the environmental triggers of childhood asthma and strategies for reducing them; the social and physical environmental determinants of cardiovascular disease; the impact of physical activity interventions on heart health; and misinformation about COVID-19 and approaches for addressing it.
Martha Katz, MPA, chair of the James F. and Sarah T. Fries Foundation board of directors, noted that she has had a profound impact not only on the on the health of people in Detroit but also in conceptualizing and implementing community-based participatory research.
The Elizabeth Fries Health Education Award recognizes a health educator who has made a substantial contribution to advancing the field of health education or health promotion through research, program development or program delivery. Award recipients receive a $25,000 prize.
The CDC Foundation is honored to partner with the James F. and Sarah T. Fries Foundation, which established and funds the Fries Prize for Improving Health and the Elizabeth Fries Health Education award. The CDC Foundation manages and administers the Fries Foundation’s public health award programs.
