ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM FELLOWSHIP - CLASS OF 2024
United Nations Academic Impact and MCN are proud to partner on the Millennium Fellowship. This year, 52,000+ young leaders applied to join the Class of 2024 on 6,000+ campuses across 170 nations. 280+ campuses worldwide (just 5%) were selected to host the 4,000+ Millennium Fellows.
UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT KASHISH KUMAR, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2024.
Columbia University | New York, United States | Advancing SDG 3, SDG 10 & UNAI 6
" I am thrilled to be a Millennium Fellow because it provides an incredible opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals who are equally passionate about making a tangible impact on global health. My work is driven by a deep commitment to addressing health disparities and promoting equity, particularly in communities that are often overlooked. By aligning my efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), I aim to create sustainable, community-driven solutions that improve health outcomes. "
Millennium Fellowship Project: Community Cardio Health Education Program
The Community Cardio Health Education Program is an initiative designed to empower community members with essential knowledge about cardiovascular health. Hosted at the Community Partnership for Health, this program aims to bridge knowledge gaps and promote proactive health behaviors.
The project begins with a needs assessment phase to understand the community's most pressing concerns and misconceptions about heart health. Following this, weekly workshops will explore key topics such as cardiovascular risk factors, managing diabetes and obesity, adopting healthier nutrition and exercise habits, and supporting mental well-being. Each session is designed to be engaging, culturally relevant, and accessible, catering to participants from diverse backgrounds. Guest speakers, ranging from biomedical researchers to community health workers, will share expertise and personal experiences to inspire participants.
As a student volunteer and facilitator, I actively engage with attendees, leading workshops and ensuring the content resonates with the audience. To measure impact, pre- and post-workshop surveys will assess participants' comfort and understanding of cardiovascular health topics. Our goal is to see at least a 25% improvement in perceived understanding and a notable increase in willingness to seek medical interventions.
This project underscores a commitment to health equity by providing underserved populations in New York City with the resources and knowledge to lead heart-healthy lives. By fostering collaboration between students, university staff, and the local community, the initiative aims to create sustainable health outcomes and strengthen community ties.
About the Millennium Fellow
Kashish Kumar is a committed researcher and advocate for health equity, focusing on addressing the disproportionate disease burden among underserved populations. She is a student at Columbia University majoring in Biochemistry and Public Health and has a strong background in biomedical research, particularly in studying the molecular mechanisms of the bi-directional relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and diabetes to identify novel therapeutic targets. In addition to her scientific endeavors, Kashish is the organizer of the Roots of Resilience project, a community-based initiative designed to address the health disparities agricultural migrants face along the US-Mexico border. This project focuses on the impact of agrochemical exposure on the health of these communities, which contributes to their disproportionate burden of chronic diseases. Through educational outreach and advocacy through an ongoing documentary, Roots of Resilience empowers these communities to navigate and mitigate the health risks they face. Currently, Kashish is expanding her research focus through a project in Taiwan, where she is analyzing the impact of COVID-19 policy interventions on health outcomes, particularly in the context of the Omicron variant. This work aims to uncover insights that can inform more effective public health strategies for pandemic preparedness globally. Through the Millennium Fellowship, she plans to further her work, leveraging her experience and passion to create sustainable, community-driven health solutions.
