Tara Chen is a PhD student in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Waterloo. She identifies as a young public health professional working to strengthen health systems with the motto, “everything & everywhere is public health”.
Her various research interests include nature-based social prescriptions, health literacy, and cross-sectoral collaborations. Tara has previously lived in Jamaica, England, Poland, Sweden, France and Taiwan, working on multi-stakeholder projects involving SDGs, health system governance, public health, hospitals, and local communities across the globe.
Tara is also a strong advocate for amplifying young voices in dialogue, research and practice. She is an active member of the UW community, serving as the Faculty of Environment on the Graduate Student Endowment Fund, Department (GEM) Representative for the Environment Graduate Student Association/Graduate Student Association and supports the Centre of Teaching Excellence as a TA Workshop Facilitator. She works closely as a young public health leader as a Climate Health Fellow in the Association Schools of Public Health in the European Region, the Health Literacy Explorers (International Health Literacy Association), and various working groups in the World Federation of Public Health Associations.
In her spare time, Tara loves to rock climb, sail, and spend time in her community library. On campus, you can find Tara strolling on campus for a “nature” walk or mingling with other graduate students and faculty at the Graduate House.
Why GoHelP
"The GoHelP community has given me the confidence to explore my research interests through an interdisciplinary lens. Many of us come from different backgrounds, giving a unique perspective to our research. The demands of graduate school includes a roller coaster of emotions, but GoHelP has been my supportive community that I know I can always rely on to brainstorm ideas, receive support for mock-exam practices, and a friend to walk down to the coffee shop."
Research Interests
- Health Geography
- Parks
- Social Prescribing
- Climate Change and Health Impacts
- Public Health
- Health Literacy
Field of Study
- Nature-based Social Prescribing
- Nature Prescriptions
Recent Publications/Knowledge Sharing
- [Chapter] Chen, TT., Chu, CC., Chen, FL., Wang, YW., & Wang, TC. (2024). A Perspective of Children’s Health Literacy in Taiwan. In: Nash, R., Cruickshank, V., Elmer, S. (eds). Global Perspectives on Children’s Health Literacy (pp. 65-80). Springer, Cham. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-63840-4_6
- [Chapter 18] Nabbe, M., Duggan, K., Chen, TT., Chambaud, L., et al. (2024). Planetary, Environment and Climate Health. ASPHER Core Competencies. https://drive.google.com/file/d/16PuXVzzIXHdwUcCr9xV94uew7NhueWdp/view
- Brubacher, LJ., Peach, L., Chen, TTW., Longboat, S., Dodd, W., Elliott, SJ., Patterson, K., Neufeld, H. (2024). Climate change, biodiversity loss, and Indigenous People’s health and wellbeing: A systematic umbrella review. PLOS Global Public Health. 4(3), e0002995.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002995 - Brubacher, L.J., Chen, T.TW., Longboat, S. et al. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and Indigenous Peoples’ health and wellbeing: a systematic umbrella review protocol. Syst Rev 13, 8 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-023-02423-x
- Chen, TT., Thomson, D., Sharobim, J., Alade, OT., Pathirana, T. (2023). Integrating a Climate Lens into the Design of Education Programs for Health Professionals. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine. https://ebm.bmj.com/content/ebmed/early/2023/11/30/bmjebm-2023-112397.full.pdf
- Chen, T., Middleton, J. (2022). Groundhog day: the signs of a climate emergency are with us again. BMJ Opinion; 378.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o1827
- Wong, BLH., Siepmann, I., Chen, TT., Fisher, S., Weitzel, TS., Nathan, NL., Saminarsih, DS. (2021). Rebuilding to shape a better future: the role of young professionals in the public health workforce. Human Resources for Health, (19). 82. doi.org/10.1186/s12960-021-00627-7
- Siepmann, I., Chen, T., Andelic, P. (2021). “How can we champion young women working in public health?” SEEJPH, 16(1). doi.org/10.11576/seejph-4424.
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Scheelbeek, P. et al (including Chen, T.). (2021). The effect on public health of climate change adaptation responses: a systematic review of evidence from low- and middle-income countries. Environ. Res. Lett. 16 (7). doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ac092