National Public Health Week Spotlight: Adrianna Tarleton
NYCHA Health Corps Member, 2025-26 Cohort
For more than 30 years, the first week of April has been marked as National Public Health Week, a time to recognize the contributions of public health workers and highlight the importance of building healthier, more equitable communities. This year’s theme – “Ready. Set. Action!” – brings attention to the progress made and the people working on the ground to ensure an even healthier future.
Among them is Adrianna Tarleton, a Carver Houses resident and a member of the fourth cohort of the NYCHA Health Corps.
NYCHA Health Corps is a NYCHA initiative that connects public housing and Section 8 residents to careers in public health through a 9-month, paid service program. Corps Members are placed at public and nonprofit host sites, where they gain hands-on experience in areas such as health education, community outreach, program administration, and research while receiving a living allowance and professional development support.
Ms. Tarleton applied for the program after seeing an email from NYCHA highlighting residents working in health-focused roles within their communities. “It showed people giving back and building careers in health, and that inspired me.”
She is one of 33 Corps Members in her cohort and works at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Population Health and Medicine departments. In addition to Ms. Tarleton’s host site, the 2025-26 cohort have roles at organizations including CABS Health Network, Commonpoint, Community Health Action of Staten Island, Community Mediation Services, Inc., New Hope Alive, Inc., NYC Health Department, NYC H+H Lincoln Hospital, NYCHA, The Bee Conservancy, and Vision Urbana, Inc.
At NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Ms. Tarleton assists on a randomized clinical research study examining the relationship between air quality and blood pressure among NYCHA residents. The study is led by Dr. Jonathan Newman, with support from Dr. Lorna Thorpe, Chair of the NYU Department of Population Health; Elle Anastasiou, MPH; and colleagues in the Department of Population Health.
The study, known as AirPressureNYC, explores whether using portable air cleaners in residents’ apartments can improve indoor air quality and help reduce their blood pressure.
Her work includes screening potential participants, conducting intake calls, and assisting with home visits, where the research team install air purifiers and small particle sensors and provide residents with blood pressure monitors. These experiences are providing Ms. Tarleton with hands-on exposure to an aspect of research and public health she was eager to gain more experience in.
“You get to meet so many different types of people,” she said. “When you go into their homes, they talk about their health history and their experiences with the healthcare system. It’s amazing to hear their stories.”
She added that having NYCHA residents assist with programs that work with other residents helps build trust and strengthen community engagement.
“It’s important because the people coming to you are people from your community, people who share similar backgrounds,” Ms. Tarleton said. “There’s a connection here. We understand some people’s hesitation and concerns when it comes to health, and we can provide a bridge.”
Ms. Tarleton holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Wells College and recently completed a certificate in public health from the NYU School of Global Public Health. After completing her service term, Ms. Tarleton plans to pursue a master’s degree in epidemiology, with the goal of becoming an epidemiologist focused on the intersection of climate change and chronic disease.
She credits both the NYCHA Health Corps and her colleagues at NYU Grossman School of Medicine for shaping her experience.
“My coworkers have been amazing; they’ve made this a remarkable experience,” she said. “I’m so thankful for my host site and everything I’ve learned.”
Ms. Tarleton said observing National Public Health week is important because public health plays a role in every aspect of daily life and emphasized the importance of programs like the NYCHA Health Corps in creating pathways to careers in the field.
“NYCHA Health Corps provides hope,” she said. “In today’s job market, it’s hard to find opportunities like this. This program gives residents a real chance to grow and move forward in health careers.”
For more information on the NYCHA Health Corps program, email health.corps@nycha.nyc.gov. You can also sign up for the REES e-newsletter to receive updates on program recruitment.