- Reimagining Aging
- Overcoming Violence
- Confronting Climate Change
- Cultivating Well-being and Nutrition
- Conquering Epidemics
How should we respond to a demographic shift that will change how the world lives, learns, and works? Harvard Chan researchers are digging deep into cellular mechanisms, analyzing statistical patterns across decades of health data, exploring how connection with others is protective, and tracking down other clues to healthier and happier aging.
Learn more about this frontierResearch compares trajectories of high-need patients across nations
A new set of papers takes an in-depth look at healthcare spending, use of hospitals and rehabs, and health outcomes across 11 countries for high-need, high-cost patients—those who are frail and have multiple chronic conditions.

We’re better off when we age with resilience
During the earliest days of the pandemic, younger people were told to protect the older adults in their lives from COVID-19 by isolating at home. Concerns about the virus and pandemic restrictions have taken a toll on everyone's…

Aging matters
Sneha Dutta, PhD ’21, wants to understand why individuals age differently and if there’s a way to counter old age’s harmful effects May 18, 2021–As a master’s student studying biology at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in…

Ensuring safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for vulnerable populations
Although COVID-19 vaccines have begun reaching people around the world, challenges remain to ensuring that the vaccines help those who are most vulnerable, according to an article co-authored by experts from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Better Off: A new podcast from Harvard Chan School
How can we make our families, communities, and our world a little bit better during the COVID-19 crisis, and beyond? That's the question we're asking on Better Off, a new podcast from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public…

Op-ed: Want to make the world a healthier place? Vote.
Voting is one of the most potent ways to effect large-scale change in public health, according to Michelle Williams, dean of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. In an October 16, 2020 op-ed in The Philadelphia Inquirer,…
Perspective: COVID-19 highlights pressing need to better understand immunity, particularly in elderly
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of aging populations to emerging diseases and underscores the significant need to better understand immunity and vaccine response among the elderly, according to an April 17, 2020 New England Journal of…
Healthy habits in middle age may reduce women’s stroke risk
Adopting a healthy lifestyle in middle age may significantly reduce the risk of stroke in women, according to new research from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The study analyzed data from nearly 60,000 women who participated…
Study of lipid metabolism in neurons may offer therapeutic possibilities for neurodegenerative diseases
For immediate release: April 13, 2020 Boston, MA – Disrupting the production of a class of lipids known as sphingolipids in neurons improved symptoms of neurodegeneration and increased survival in a mouse model, according to new research led…

Gaining insight into women's health
Could an app help scientists better understand menstruation, fertility, and menopause? On the latest episode of This Week in Health, Shruthi Mahalingaiah and JP Onnela talk about the groundbreaking Apple Women’s Health Study. Shruthi Mahalingaiah, an assistant professor of environmental, reproductive, and…

Violence and trauma take many forms. Harvard Chan researchers are using scientific rigor to understand how damage to the body and spirit can be prevented, and develop ways to repair the effects of violence and build resilience in the future.
Learn more about this frontierGetting to know … Patience Saaka, MPH ’22
Patience Saaka is a physician from Ghana with a passion for promoting equity in health care and ending gender-based violence.

The costs of gun violence
Gun violence survivors and their families face increased risk of mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders, according to a new study.

Negotiating humanitarian access on the front lines in Ukraine
Claude Bruderlein, adjunct lecturer on global health at Harvard Chan School and senior researcher at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, describes the challenges of humanitarian negotiations in regions affected by conflict.

Calling out a double standard in treatment of refugees from Ukraine
The war in Ukraine has unleashed “new, overt, and cruel manifestations of racism” in Europe, according to three experts from Harvard Chan School.

Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has prompted a massive humanitarian crisis, with mounting military and civilian casualties and more than two million people on the move to escape the violence. In this Big 3 Q&A, Michael VanRooyen, director of…

Making the case for reparations
In the wake of atrocities, violence, and discrimination, reparations can play an important role in improving public health and emotional healing, according to scholars and human rights activists who spoke at a December 10, 2021 virtual event at…

How to reduce gun violence in a nation of guns
Compared with other high-income countries, the U.S. has more guns and weaker gun laws—fuel for the nation’s gun violence epidemic, according to experts.

We're better off with Juneteenth
In a special bonus episode, recorded a day before Juneteenth was made a federal holiday, we listen in on a conversation between Opal Lee, an activist and teacher often called the "grandmother of Juneteenth," and Harvard University professors…

Health consequences of discriminatory housing policy
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health professors Mary Bassett and Nancy Krieger discussed the harmful health consequences of redlining—a historic government policy that institutionalized housing discrimination against people of color across America.
Reflecting on racism, public health, and social change in a difficult year
In a year marked by the collective trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic, and increased public reckoning around racism in the U.S., the 2021 Health Equity and Leadership (HEAL) Conference at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health kicked…

Climate change is one of our greatest public health challenges—but also one of our best opportunities for global progress. Harvard Chan researchers are uncovering the human toll of our changing environment and crafting solutions.
Learn more about this frontierOpinion: How climate action can improve children’s health
Parents who take action to fight climate change can help improve the lives of their children both now and in the future, according to Harvard Chan School’s Aaron Bernstein.
Health consequences of using biomass for energy
Burning biomass has significant public health and environmental justice consequences, according to a recent opinion piece co-authored by Harvard Chan School’s Jonathan Buonocore.

Refocusing ‘home ec’ toward climate solutions
Repurposing high school family and consumer science classes to focus on what families can do at home to lessen climate change could provide students with valuable skills “to save their planet one house and one yard at a…

Rethinking building design for the health of people and the planet
Adele Houghton, DrPH ’23, is creating new tools to help real estate teams become more responsive to the health needs of their buildings’ occupants and the surrounding communities.

Hot days are sending higher percentages of kids to the ER
Children’s visits to emergency rooms in the U.S. rose almost 12% during the warmest months of the year over a three-year period, according to a new study co-authored by Aaron Bernstein. The study, published January 19, 2021 in…

London catches a breath of fresh air
When Sadiq Khan became mayor, decreasing air pollution was a top priority. Here’s how new policies have reduced health risks.

A reef gets a reboot in Madagascar
Scientists hope restoring coral reefs will boost a local economy, improve nutrition, and even relieve anxiety.

Climate, Changed
Stories of resilience, creativity, and fortitude

Fighting back against climate change, block by block
From rural Zambia to urban Colorado, community leaders are deploying technology to reduce emerging health risks.

Extreme heat threatens health in India and elsewhere
As temperatures rise so do heat-related illnesses. Cities and states are trying to find ways to cool off this emerging crisis.

From fast food to no food, from the obesity epidemic sweeping the globe to social isolation and unhappiness, we’re still plagued by barriers to human thriving. The links between our health and how we feel, interact and live are complex and clouded. But thanks to the work of Harvard Chan researchers the path forward has never seemed clearer.
Learn more about this frontierNeed help managing diabetes? These students made an app for that
Amber Nigam, SM ’23, and Jie Sun, SM ’22, co-founded a tech startup called basys.ai in order to create an easy-to-use app that helps diabetes patients manage their disease.

Proposed FDA ban on menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars, a win for public health
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed new rules that ban the manufacture and sale of menthol cigarettes and all flavored cigars.
Op-ed: How to save abortion rights
A Supreme Court draft opinion that would overturn the federal right to abortion in the U.S. if finalized is “humanitarian malfeasance,” according to Dean Michelle Williams.

With free health clinic, student brings health care to Rhode Island’s underserved
Akosua Dankwah, DrPH ’22, is applying what she’s learned to help the WTL Health Clinic expand its mission.

A push for safer building materials
Environmental groups are encouraging schools and companies to use non-toxic materials in their construction and renovation projects and to reduce the use of chemicals such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Experts encourage moms to prioritize self-care this Mother’s Day
With the approach of the third Mother’s Day since the pandemic started, experts are encouraging parents to prioritize self-care to combat the added parenting stressors caused by COVID-19, improve their physical and mental health, and help them show…

A call to optimize child health
A new Lancet series focuses on building a holistic global health agenda for improving child and adolescent health and development from before conception to adulthood, and to reduce inequities in access and quality of care.

Opinion: Driving mindfully ‘has never been more important’
If drivers focus more on scanning the road for danger, watching what other vehicles are doing, and staying ready to react, it can help prevent accidents and deaths on the road, according to Harvard Chan School’s Jay Winsten.

Program to help business leaders address public health challenges
A new certificate program for business leaders will focus on why incorporating public health considerations as a key part of their work can help people, communities, and the planet—and help businesses thrive at the same time.

Heart-healthy diets may also be brain boosting
Evidence suggests that certain foods or diets may help stave off dementia.
Humans and pathogens are locked in a bitter arms race—and the pathogens are winning. They are evolving to resist our best medicines, and humanity’s pipeline of effective antibiotic weapons is empty. The next pandemic is a matter of when, not if. Harvard Chan researchers are fighting on many fronts to make sure humanity is ready when the next outbreak inevitably arrives.
Learn more about this frontierThe latest on the coronavirus
Harvard Chan School experts offer comments and context about the coronavirus in a variety of media outlets.

Masking on planes is ‘good public health sense,’ says expert
Although on April 18th a judge tossed out the federal requirement for masking on airplanes and other forms of transportation, many experts recommend continuing to mask up while flying to protect against the coronavirus.
White House focusing on air quality to fight COVID-19
Harvard Chan School's Joseph Allen spoke at a White House event focused on the importance of clean indoor air in fighting COVID-19.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Press Conference with Stephen Kissler, 3/23/22
You're listening to a press conference from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health with Stephen Kissler, research fellow in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases. This call was recorded at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time on…

About 40% of parents think mask-wearing harmed their kids’ school experience
A recent poll found that more than 4 in 10 parents of school-aged children think that mask-wearing to protect against COVID-19 harmed their kids’ overall scholastic experience.

New dashboard shows life expectancy by U.S. congressional district
Researchers at the Harvard Geographic Insights Lab have launched the first-ever dashboard that tracks life expectancy on the U.S. congressional district level.
Both rich and poor countries saw essential health services decline during COVID
Many essential health services—including cancer and tuberculosis screenings, HIV testing, maternal health services, and child vaccinations—declined during the COVID-19 pandemic in poor and rich countries alike around the globe, according to a new study co-authored by Harvard Chan…

‘The infectious disease that nobody ever thinks about’
To mark World TB Day, March 24, Harvard Chan School's Sarah Fortune, a TB expert, discusses the state of the disease worldwide, obstacles to fighting it, and the latest research.

‘Road map’ for a stronger pandemic response
A new road map for living with COVID, produced by some of the most prominent national experts on the disease, emphasizes boosting indoor air quality, helping people with long COVID, and broadening the nation’s focus to other respiratory…

Editorial: A call for fairer distribution of vaccines
An editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine argues that local or regional vaccine production is necessary to even the playing field for low-income countries vying for COVID-19 vaccines.
