Alexandra White Promotes Healthy Aging and Childhood Wellness Through Accessible Health Education in Charlotte County, FL

As a Summer 2024 Pathways to Practice Scholar, Alexandra White joined the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County with a mission rooted in prevention and education. A Master of Public Health student with a concentration in nutrition, Alexandra brought her passion for lifelong health to two vulnerable populations in her community: older adults and new mothers.

During her internship, Alexandra developed two accessible, community-centered health education booklets:

• An Alzheimer’s Awareness & Fall Prevention booklet for aging adults and caregivers

• A Childhood Wellness & Safety booklet for new and expecting mothers participating in county workshops

Her work supported two of the department’s key public health initiatives and provided Charlotte County residents with practical, easy-to-read resources on everything from nutrition and dental care to hurricane preparedness and caregiver support.

“The Alzheimer’s awareness booklet prioritizes elderly health and safety while also addressing Alzheimer’s,” Alexandra noted. “It includes information on nutrition, movement, socialization, health screenings, medication safety—and even Tai Chi and hurricane readiness.”

Likewise, the child wellness booklet tackled health from infancy through adolescence, offering guidance on safe sleep, car seat safety, tobacco exposure, and water safety—complete with local swim lesson resources and eye-opening visuals on sugar content in common drinks. Both materials were designed to break down complex health guidance into clear, actionable information with built-in support for families navigating systemic barriers.

Alexandra’s internship addressed key public health competencies: assessing community needs, using data to guide planning, creating inclusive communication materials, and reducing structural barriers to health. She worked remotely but maintained strong collaboration with her preceptor and local teams.

“This placement gave me the chance to apply what I’ve learned in a real-world setting and explore my interest in nutrition across the lifespan,” she shared. “It also helped me grow professionally—especially in communication, collaboration, and multitasking.”

Her booklets will now be used by Charlotte County’s Department of Public Health to enhance workshops, outreach efforts, and support services for local residents.

With her field placement complete, Alexandra plans to continue working at the intersection of community education, nutrition, and prevention—helping empower people of all ages to lead healthier lives.