Public health internships open to high school students

The Health Equity Institute of Delaware announced applications are open for its 2025 Summer Training in Equity Program for Secondary Students.

The four-week internship program, known as HEIDE STEPS, is designed to teach high school students how to make a difference in their communities by learning about the social factors that affect people’s health.

Applications are being accepted from high school students who will enter grades nine, 10, 11 and 12 in fall 2025, and want to learn more about health and fairness. By understanding how jobs, education, healthcare, neighborhoods and community connections might impact health, participants will gain hands-on experience and make a difference in their communities.

During the training, interns will learn from experts, participate in real-life public health work and provide community service. 

Students will join weekly virtual sessions and meet mentors from the Division of Public Health to learn about important health topics. They will visit places like water treatment plants, restaurants and other sites to see how DPH programs help keep communities healthy. Students will complete at least 20 hours of service by helping with things like neighborhood cleanups, food pantries and school supply drives.

At the end of the program, each student will present what they learned and how they helped their community to an audience of peers and health experts.

The goal of HEIDE STEPS is to inspire students to include health equity in their future studies and careers, creating healthier communities across Delaware and beyond. To apply, interested high school students may go to tinyurl.com/5cmck82y. Applications are open until all slots are filled, and space is limited, so students are encouraged to apply soon.

A program from the Delaware Division of Public Health, the Health Equity Institute of Delaware has a mission to train current and future healthcare leaders, and work with communities to solve problems that keep people from being healthy. HEIDE focuses on three main areas – training, action and research.

To learn more, email HEIDE.DPH@Delaware.gov.