Anita Mohajeri

In June 2018, Anita personally experienced some of the dangers facing pregnant women in rural villages while visiting her pregnant cousin in Bandarshah, Iran. That experience, and investigations into the maternal mortality problems in Haiti as part of her studies in Global Health, have enhanced her understanding of the struggles of underprivileged populations. The last time Anita spoke to her cousin, she promised her that when she returned to Bandarshah, she would help eliminate pregnancy-related deaths through her own initiative.

Through her coursework and experiences, she has realized that many pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.  Anita’s investigations have led her to understand that community-based interventions provide the immediate obstetric care women need.

Anita also applies her passion for advocating for individuals and populations experiencing obstacles by working with the San Diego Refugee Tutoring Program. She advocated for a five-year old refugee from Haiti to receive necessary resources for learning. She is also a Social Justice Peer Educator at the Women’s Center at UC San Diego promoting gender equity among the student body through workshops and discussion-based events. “I hope to create a safe space for UC San Diego students to share their own struggles and reflect on ways to improve oneself.”

After completing her Bachelor’s in Global Health at UC San Diego, she plans to pursue a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) with an emphasis on Maternal and Child Health or Refugee Health. “I want real-life applications where I get to know these people through one-on-one conversations and meaningful aid.” In preparation for her MPH, Anita wants to enhance her understanding of how to promote health equity on a community-based level and learn from hands-on community-based organizations how the socio-ecological source of an illness can prevent further disease in a community.