Jenny Busch-Hellen

I am nutritionist with seven years experience in clinical, community and public health nutrition. I have a special interest in public health nutrition and development work. My work in recent years with Aboriginal people in western NSW on food supply and capacity building has proved especially rewarding and enjoyable. I have developed a strong commitment to helping reduce health inequalities both within Australia and developing countries.

To enhance my skills, knowledge and confidence in public health I was prompted to do some further study. I chose the MPH at the UNSW because it has a good reputation nationally and internationally, and because it offers a wide variety of courses and the opportunity to study externally. I didn't expect to find myself overseas quite so quickly but the chance came up to work in Cambodia when I successfully applied to the Australian Youth Ambassador for Development Program half way through my MPH. My assignment is for ten months working with WHO and The National Nutrition Program within the Cambodian Ministry of Health. I provide technical support and advice for nutrition interventions, especially in the area of iron deficiency anaemia and infant nutrition. The health status of Cambodia's children is one of the worst in the world. Child malnutrition affects over half of all children under 5 years. The major nutritional deficiencies are vitamin A, iodine and iron and the consequences of these deficiencies impact on the health of most Cambodian people.

My assignment was made possible through the strong links between the UNSW School of Medical Education and Cambodia. I feel my MPH studies and experience in Cambodia will greatly enhance my future public health career opportunities.