Government Employees | Executive and Continuing Professional Education | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Programs

Management and Leadership Skills for EHS Professionals
- September 25 – 29, 2023
- March 18 – 21, 2024
Develop the management and leadership skills you need to bridge the gap between environmental health and safety goals and organizational objectives. You will gain the skills to integrate a culture of safety and sustainability into your organization.
Emerging Women Executives in Health Care
- June 4 – 7, 2024
This leadership development program focused on women provides you with the skills to lead complex health care organizations. Participating in this course will help you bridge the gaps in your understanding, strategies, and skills, and prepare you for the next stage in your career.
In-Place Filter Testing Workshop
- July 22 – 26, 2024
Prepare to test and certify systems containing HEPA filtration and gas adsorption systems. Learn to operate testing equipment unique to these activities and gain an understanding of regulations associated with nuclear air- and gas-cleaning activities.
Applied Risk Communication for the 21st Century
- September 16 – 20, 2024
This program will provide state-of-the-science knowledge on designing effective risk communication messages to improve communication, increase trust in your organization, reduce public anxiety about an issue, and help key stakeholders make better decisions.
Foundations of Mental Health Care
Benefit-Cost Analysis: Valuing Life and Health
The International Leadership Development Program for Physicians
Comprehensive Industrial Hygiene
Radiological Emergency Planning
Environmental Health Risk
Work Health, and Well-being

News & Resources

How Organizations Can Make Better Use of Limited Resources for More Effective Mental Health Services

It’s a well-known fact that, even in high-income countries like the United States, mental health resources are insufficient to address the overall mental health need. Waiting time to see a mental health specialist is usually from several weeks to several months. In practice, this means that there are fewer specialists able to see potential and … Continue reading “How Organizations Can Make Better Use of Limited Resources for More Effective Mental Health Services”

Posted on September 20, 2022
The Importance of Getting the Message Right in Your Risk Communication Strategy

Over the past few years, traditional and online news outlets and social media channels have been filled with information about COVID-19—and much of it has been misleading, inaccurate, or incomplete. This has made it challenging for members of the public to make educated decisions about how to protect their own health: from deciding whether to … Continue reading “The Importance of Getting the Message Right in Your Risk Communication Strategy”

Posted on July 26, 2022
The Art of Managing Conflict and Cultivating Influence as Health Care Leaders

It’s a stereotype with a grain of truth: leaders are often promoted for past performance, not future potential. That notion certainly rings true in health care, considering how many clinicians are regularly promoted to positions of leadership because of their clinical skills. When things don’t work out, though, it’s less often about their clinical performance … Continue reading “The Art of Managing Conflict and Cultivating Influence as Health Care Leaders”

Posted on December 14, 2021
Risk Analysis in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Weighing the Cost and Benefits of Vaccines and Masks

Every single day, people take risks. They drive in cars and fly in airplanes, expose themselves to environmental pollution and so much more. While some of these public health risks are so integrated into our lives that we’ve stopped worrying about them, other risks—such as engaging in activities that increase your likelihood of contracting COVID-19—can … Continue reading “Risk Analysis in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Weighing the Cost and Benefits of Vaccines and Masks”

Posted on November 7, 2021
How Do You Communicate Uncertainty and Promote Public Health — During COVID-19 and Beyond?

Despite a vast amount of research, there are many aspects of COVID-19 that continue to be perplexing. From the more transmissible variants of the virus to the necessity of mask-wearing after vaccination, the protocols of the pandemic continue to evolve — and inherent uncertainty about the virus will continue. Even when officials delivering information are … Continue reading “How Do You Communicate Uncertainty and Promote Public Health — During COVID-19 and Beyond?”

Posted on July 20, 2021
Designing Accessible Laboratory Spaces for People with Disabilities

If you’re an architect, engineer, or lab manager involved in facilities development for the medical, biotechnology, basic sciences, or pharmaceutical field, it’s important to know how to design laboratories that will be safe and accessible for people with a range of disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a set of legal standards that … Continue reading “Designing Accessible Laboratory Spaces for People with Disabilities”

Posted on June 14, 2021
Developing Public Health Communication Strategies—And Combating Misinformation—During COVID-19

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to spread across the United States and the world. It is an unprecedented time—among other directives, people in affected areas have been asked to limit contact with others except when necessary (also known as social distancing), which has drastically impacted business, education, and daily life. The effects of the virus … Continue reading “Developing Public Health Communication Strategies—And Combating Misinformation—During COVID-19”

Posted on April 3, 2020
It’s Not Just Personal: The Economic Value of Preventing Bullying in the Workplace

People who are bullied at work can suffer a myriad of negative health impacts—poor mental health, sleep deprivation, and stress-related illness among them. This can also impact their workplace at the organizational level, especially since some bullied workers leave their jobs, file HR claims, pursue legal action, or simply suffer from low morale. It’s a … Continue reading “It’s Not Just Personal: The Economic Value of Preventing Bullying in the Workplace”

Posted on March 4, 2020
The Need for Maintaining Nuclear Air-Cleaning Systems Properly to Protect Public Health and Safety

In the event of a nuclear disaster, it’s essential that nuclear plants have air-cleaning systems that have been properly maintained in order to minimize radioactive exposure and protect the safety of workers, neighbors, and the environment. Air-cleaning systems in nuclear facilities (and elsewhere) play a crucial role in protecting public health—both on a day-to-day basis … Continue reading “The Need for Maintaining Nuclear Air-Cleaning Systems Properly to Protect Public Health and Safety”

Posted on January 23, 2020
The Mercury Question: How to Understand Risk vs. Reward When Eating Fish

Should you stop, or drastically reduce, eating fish to avoid mercury? Depending on what you read or watch on TV, the answers might be contradictory. According to James K. Hammitt, program director of Environmental Health Risk: Analysis and Applications, the risk analysis isn’t as simple as avoiding fish entirely—in fact, people are ultimately missing out … Continue reading “The Mercury Question: How to Understand Risk vs. Reward When Eating Fish”

Posted on November 6, 2019
How Increasing Employee Engagement Improves Your Environmental Health and Safety Efforts

If you’re an environmental health and safety professional, achieving a high degree of employee engagement can be important for achieving functional excellence. This can also be essential for generating widespread support for your organization’s overall goals. Most people today highly value the concept of health and safety in the workplace, especially since a safe setting … Continue reading “How Increasing Employee Engagement Improves Your Environmental Health and Safety Efforts”

Posted on October 24, 2019
Establishing the Truth: Vaccines, Social Media, and the Spread of Misinformation

In June 2019, celebrity Jessica Biel lobbied against a pro-vaccine bill. She received intense backlash almost immediately, and the resulting scrutiny made international headlines. The exchange took place primarily on social media, where those against and those in favor of vaccines clashed—far from the first time such issues were aired loudly and publicly. Vish Viswanath, … Continue reading “Establishing the Truth: Vaccines, Social Media, and the Spread of Misinformation”

Posted on July 10, 2019
The Path to Effective Health Care Project Management

At its core, effective health care centers around human health and life—so, working in a health care field means making life-changing decisions. Unfortunately, the industry is unique not just for the higher stakes, but also for its unpredictability and complexity. Different industries, professionals, and project management styles conjoin, often inefficiently, and professionals must fight for … Continue reading “The Path to Effective Health Care Project Management”

Posted on April 24, 2019
Three Keys to Sustainable Lab Design to Improve Health and Safety

It might seem that every day, a university or other research institution announces their goal to reduce their carbon footprint and become more sustainable, especially as the threat of climate change increases. But how do organizations actually meet these goals? One major way is to ensure laboratories are designed sustainably, which can significantly reduce energy … Continue reading “Three Keys to Sustainable Lab Design to Improve Health and Safety”

Posted on March 29, 2019
Critical Risk Analysis for Our Daily Lives

Dihydrogen Monoxide: it’s found everywhere, including in our body, ice caps and the air. There’s no stopping its infiltration into our lives, and if we get too much of it, we’ll die. Sound scary? It might, until we realize that Dihydrogen Monoxide is just the chemical name for water. Risk analysis is, at its core, … Continue reading “Critical Risk Analysis for Our Daily Lives”

Posted on September 26, 2018
Radiological Accidents: The Surprising Physiological and Sociological Impacts

Fukushima. Chernobyl. Three Mile Island. Each is immediately recognizable for the radiological accident that wreaked havoc on plant workers and nearby residents. And while it’s true that nuclear disasters can and do cause devastation, the surprising reality is that the psychosocial impacts can vastly outweigh the physiological effects. “The sociological impacts can kill people,” says … Continue reading “Radiological Accidents: The Surprising Physiological and Sociological Impacts”

Posted on June 29, 2018
Why Building Your Brand Is Essential to Leveraging Project Management Opportunities in Health Care

In today’s tumultuous health care landscape, there is a growing need for project managers who demonstrate key skill sets to lead their organizations for success, according to Karen Curley, Instructor in the Division of Policy Translation and Leadership Development at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She also serves as the Program Director … Continue reading “Why Building Your Brand Is Essential to Leveraging Project Management Opportunities in Health Care”

Posted on June 7, 2018
Exploring the Challenges Facing Women Leaders in Health Care

If you’re a woman executive working in today’s complex health care setting, you likely face many challenges on the job that make it difficult to advance your career to the next stage. That’s because women in leadership roles often meet resistance when they try to assert their authority or demonstrate the same management traits that … Continue reading “Exploring the Challenges Facing Women Leaders in Health Care”

Posted on March 28, 2018
Using Effective Listening to Improve Leadership in Environmental Health and Safety

Every day, environmental health and safety professionals make a myriad of decisions using their technical skills, which have far-reaching impacts for both organizations and the public at large. But while those technical skills are crucial, making the right decisions goes beyond this knowledge. Determining the best way to meet the needs of your colleagues and … Continue reading “Using Effective Listening to Improve Leadership in Environmental Health and Safety”

Posted on January 11, 2018
The Need for Effective Risk Communication Strategies in Today’s Complex Information Environment

There has been growing awareness in recent years about the risks of serious injuries associated with playing football. But exactly how can organizations best communicate that risk to the people who care about this issue, such as parents of youngsters on little league teams, college football players, and professional athletes? One common element most effective … Continue reading “The Need for Effective Risk Communication Strategies in Today’s Complex Information Environment”

Posted on January 5, 2018
The Need for a Strong Communications Strategy in the Face of a Radiological or Nuclear Accident

The threat of a radiological or nuclear disaster strikes fear in the hearts of most Americans; this is why commercial nuclear facilities need comprehensive crisis plans. Yet even the most effectively executed and successful technical response to a radiological/nuclear crisis will likely be viewed as a failure by the public if this response does not … Continue reading “The Need for a Strong Communications Strategy in the Face of a Radiological or Nuclear Accident”

Posted on May 25, 2017
Exploring the Next Phase of Health Care Reform: How Health Care Leaders Can Position Their Organizations for Success

These are uncertain times in American health care. The Republican Congress and President Trump have vowed to repeal and replace the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly called Obamacare. They recently unveiled the American Health Care Act, the replacement plan, which has met with substantial resistance from all parts of the political spectrum. … Continue reading “Exploring the Next Phase of Health Care Reform: How Health Care Leaders Can Position Their Organizations for Success”

Posted on March 24, 2017
Vaccinating Against an Epidemic: The Story of an Ebola Vaccine

In August 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak then raging in West Africa a “public health emergency of international concern,” a formal designation by the WHO’s Emergency Committee that reflects the fact that the disease was spreading internationally and posed a risk to other countries yet unaffected. By the time the … Continue reading “Vaccinating Against an Epidemic: The Story of an Ebola Vaccine”

Posted on July 21, 2016
Snapshot of the American Pharmaceutical Industry

The passage of the Affordable Care Act has been profitable for pharmaceutical companies in the U.S., with more Americans now having access to prescription drugs. But as this article explores, there are many complexities inherent in the drug industry that need to be addressed moving forward.

Posted on July 14, 2016
Tuberculosis in Rural America: What Tuberculosis in Marion, AL Tells Us

Many factors could be blamed for the spread of tuberculosis in a rural Alabama town earlier this year, including its residents’ fears of being stigmatized in a small town, poverty line, and the legacy of the Tuskegee experiments.

Posted on March 28, 2016
Leadership Development (Infographic)

How do leaders become leaders? While some people still think leadership is an innate capacity, there is strong evidence that leaders develop over time through experience. Beyond experience, leadership development programs—including executive education courses, mentoring, internal educational offerings, and coaching—are a proven method for developing leadership capacity. Continue reading to find out how leadership development … Continue reading “Leadership Development (Infographic)”

Posted on February 25, 2016
An Update on United States Healthcare Quality Improvement Efforts

The National Strategy for Quality Improvement in Health Care was created in 2011 to guide national quality improvement efforts. This article provides an update on these efforts, five years later.

Posted on December 22, 2015
Dispelling Myths about Emergency Planning for Nuclear Power Plants

This article explores and debunks 9 myths about planning for and responding to radiological emergencies in the United States.

Posted on December 17, 2015
Industrial Hygiene: Keeping Workers Healthy and Safe

Organizations are responsible for the overall health and safety of the workers they employ, from warehouse workers to the executive suite at their desks. Keeping employees safe and healthy requires knowledge of industrial hygiene, which is the science dedicated to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, communication, and control of environmental stressors in the workplace that may … Continue reading “Industrial Hygiene: Keeping Workers Healthy and Safe”

Posted on November 6, 2015
Leading Outside Your Authority

When most people think of being a leader, they think of guiding and influencing those over whom they have direct authority. This traditional form of leadership is often the easiest and most straightforward way to get work done, but formal authority is not the only kind of influence one can – or should – have … Continue reading “Leading Outside Your Authority”

Posted on November 6, 2015
Staying Relevant in the Midst of Health Care Reform: A Primer for Healthcare Executives

Dr. John McDonough, Professor of Public Health Practice at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, discusses the Affordable Care Act, health reform, and the changing health care landscape.

Posted on November 6, 2015
Teaching Patients About Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors: Communication is the First Step

In a world where obesity has reached epidemic proportions, medical professionals are faced with increasing pressure to help their patients lose weight and adopt healthy lifestyle habits. This is no easy task for clinicians, who often have little training in nutrition science or counseling patients on healthy lifestyle changes. “Most clinicians went into the profession … Continue reading “Teaching Patients About Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors: Communication is the First Step”

Posted on September 16, 2015
Radiation Safety in Laboratory Settings

Radiation safety may not always be the top concern of lab workers, but it is a crucial step in working with radioactive materials, and lab managers who overlook it could be jeopardizing the long-term health of their workers. “It’s not that people don’t want to follow [safety procedures]. It’s just that once they become comfortable … Continue reading “Radiation Safety in Laboratory Settings”

Posted on September 16, 2015
Improving Health and Safety Culture with Transformational Leadership

Just by virtue of being transformational, a leader can improve health and safety outcomes. Convincing your employees that you value them will help them be free to work in ways that prioritize their safety.

Posted on September 14, 2015
Risk Communication Considerations for the West Virginia Elk River Chemical Spill

Every day, we each analyze risk and perform cost/benefit analyses for even mundane tasks. For many people, this is particularly true when it comes to our health, from eating fatty foods to avoiding toxins. Risk assessment is also crucial on a larger scale when it comes to health, in situations where it is imperative to … Continue reading “Risk Communication Considerations for the West Virginia Elk River Chemical Spill”

Posted on August 11, 2015
Workplace Safety Challenges Still Exist

With the modern office-based economy, it’s easy to think about workplace injuries as relics of a bygone era, when factory workers smelted iron in blast furnaces and coal miners toiled in unregulated conditions. Workplace safety remains a challenge in many regions of the globe, and developed nations, like the United States, aren’t exempt. “We still … Continue reading “Workplace Safety Challenges Still Exist”

Posted on June 26, 2015
A Healthy Workplace Starts in Bed

Employees who sleep better, work better, according to emerging research. Studies conducted by people like Nicolaas Pronk, adjunct professor of social and behavioral sciences at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, have broken ground when it comes to connecting the dots between productivity in the workplace and health indicators such as diet, exercise, and … Continue reading “A Healthy Workplace Starts in Bed”

Posted on June 26, 2015
The Business Benefits of a Healthy Workforce

Companies with strong health and wellness programs outperform others on the stock market, and some experts suggest the investment community could benefit from scrutinizing health and wellness metrics when they value companies. Robert McLellan, chief of occupational and environmental medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, is one of those experts. He’s co-author of a new paper in the … Continue reading “The Business Benefits of a Healthy Workforce”

Posted on June 1, 2015
Equipping Physicians To Manage The Rapidly Evolving World of Health Care

On Mother’s Day, 2003, 5-year-old Matthew Siravo, who had epilepsy, died at Boston Children’s Hospital, two days after suffering a seizure that lasted an hour and a half. Siravo’s story made headlines in the local news, and in September of that year, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued what The Boston Globe called “a … Continue reading “Equipping Physicians To Manage The Rapidly Evolving World of Health Care”

Posted on February 25, 2015
Negotiating and Communicating With Patients

The idea of negotiating with a patient may seem odd, or even off-putting, to physicians and patients alike. But many physicians find they’re using management and leadership skills – such as negotiation and communication techniques – directly with patients, according to Kasisomayajula “Vish” Viswanath, professor of health communication at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public … Continue reading “Negotiating and Communicating With Patients”

Posted on February 25, 2015