Lives of Consequence
Loren Cadena '96
Loren Cadena '96 has a seriously complicated job title, and for good reason. As the deputy director for global health promotion at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cadena does serious work.
"It's a long title, but I essentially support capacity building for chronic disease prevention with our partner countries," Cadena says.
A political science and Spanish double major, Cadena credits HWS with giving her the skills to take on such a task. She values the strong personal relationships she built during her time at the Colleges, and feels that these interpersonal skills carried over into her current work.
"We partner with ministries and academia to build capacity and foster relationships between public health organizations to increase research, surveillance systems, data collection, and analysis to inform policy and create change," Cadena says.
The focal points of these partnerships are countries with emerging economies-specifically Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Incidentally, the increase in economic growth in these countries contributes to increased health issues. As more people gain access to things such as public and private transportation and new and more plentiful food sources, ailments like heart disease and obesity begin to increase.
"A perfect example is Colombia," Cadena says. "The country that has had more than a decade of steady growth, the internal conflict is pretty much under control and the country is experiencing a sharp rise in obesity rates; the No. 1 killer is cardiovascular disease."
In dealing with issues like these, Cadena has found the ideal career; one in which she is fulfilled and enthusiastic, and is helping to make the world a better place. "The most rewarding part of my work is that I witness countries moving to the next level of public health," she says. "We are no longer only helping to put out the infectious disease fires; we are working with countries that have tackled HIV, malaria and polio, and are moving beyond the emergencies and dealing with the day-to-day. We are building strong foundations."
With 10 years of field experience that has taken her "to the far corners of the world," Cadena says that every day she is "reminded how much there is to still be done to help those around you live happier, healthier lives."
As a student Cadena studied abroad in Switzerland and Spain, as well as in Washington, D.C.