MPH student advances health equity through Coalition for the Homeless internship

SPHIS graduate student Miley Jacola's passion for epidemiology was sparked during her senior year at UofL. Inspired by Dr. Brian Guinn's research on lead poisoning in Louisville and a Metro Louisville Council meeting, she recognized the potential of epidemiology to advance health equity. This led her to pursue an MPH in Epidemiology and an internship with the Coalition for the Homeless from September 2023 to April 2024.

As a policy analyst intern, Jacola worked with a team that advocated for policies regarding housing and public health. Jacola created collateral, worked with community partners, and researched equitable housing practices with the goal of creating innovative ways to reduce homelessness and fight for housing justice in Kentucky.

One highlight of her internship was investigating proposed bills and their potential impact on Kentuckians. Her team engaged with local and state leaders during the 2024 legislative session to advocate for the unhoused. They provided compelling evidence and perspectives to legislators to illustrate the lived experiences of individuals who are homeless.

Jacola explained that during her internship, she helped developed the Medical Tenant Relief Act, successfully securing sponsors and the filing of HB 181. “This policy would provide tenants experiencing a mental or physical health emergency with the opportunity to terminate their lease agreement in order to find treatment or housing options that best align with and prioritize their health and safety needs,” said Jacola.  

Jacola, who earned a BA in Public Health in 2022, said her classes prepared her to discuss public health principles and advocate for policies that promote health equity when meeting with legislators, developing communication strategies, and working alongside partners and other organizations within our community.

Although her internship has concluded, Jacola is still volunteering with the Coalition for the Homeless. HB 181 did not move forward last legislative session, but she said it is being drafted again and they will ask for legislative support and sponsorship.  

Connect with Jacola on LinkedIn