- 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 frontierHow 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…
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…
Soaring U.S. gun sales could lead to more deaths, says expert
Fears related to the coronavirus pandemic, social unrest, and the upcoming election are contributing to record gun sales in the U.S.—and more guns to lead to more deaths, says a Harvard Chan expert.
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,…
2016 U.S. presidential election associated with uptick in heart attacks and stroke
For immediate release: October 12, 2020 Boston, MA – The hospitalization rate for acute cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in a large southern California health system was 1.62 times higher in the two days immediately after the 2016 presidential…
Frontlines Fall 2020
Quick updates about the latest public health news from across the School and beyond.
Family functioning during pregnancy may affect fetal brain development
How a family functions and manages conflict during pregnancy may influence the development of cortical white matter and subcortical volumes in the fetus and could be associated with brain characteristics that underlie behavioral problems later in life, according…
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 frontierAfter climate summit, experts discuss key takeaways, next steps
A panel of leaders in the fight against climate change discussed key outcomes from the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, known as COP26.
Opinion: Fix crumbling school infrastructure
School buildings are in desperate need of repair, particularly of their systems that manage indoor air quality, according to an opinion piece co-authored by Harvard Chan School's Joseph Allen.
Eric Rubin, Renee Salas elected to National Academy of Medicine
Two researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Eric Rubin and Renee Salas, have been elected to the National Academy of Medicine.
Increasing production of aquatic foods a win-win for people and planet
September 17, 2021—Nutrition researchers have long touted the health benefits of fish such as salmon, cod, and herring. But the world’s waterways, from the depths of the oceans to the cutbanks of rivers to tropical reefs, offer up…
More affordable aquatic foods could prevent 166 million micronutrient deficiencies worldwide
For immediate release: Wednesday, September 15, 2021 Boston, MA – Some 166 million micronutrient deficiencies could be averted by 2030 if the global production of marine and freshwater foods is increased by 15.5 million tons (8%), new research…
Stopping ‘spillover’ events key to preventing future pandemics
Substantial investments are needed to reduce the likelihood of pathogens spilling from wildlife to humans and triggering the next pandemic, according to a new report from the International Scientific Task Force to Prevent Pandemics at the Source, which…
Vehicle emissions linked to thousands of deaths in northeast, Mid-Atlantic
An estimated 7,100 people in the northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions died as a result of exposure to ozone and fine particulate matter from vehicle emissions in 2016.
Getting to know … Will Koh, MPH ’21
Will Koh’s childhood interest in the origins of the food on his plate has taken him from an apprenticeship at a whole-animal butcher shop to a position he started in January as a scientist on the nutrition, health,…
NO TIME TO WASTE
How Harvard Chan School researchers are taking action on climate change and fighting for a healthier, more equitable planet.
On Earth Day, Harvard Chan experts talk climate and health
The impact of climate change on health is far-reaching, according to experts from Harvard Chan School. It can lead to higher levels of air pollution, more extreme weather events, the spread of infectious diseases, and greater risk of…
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 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.
‘Boot camp’ draws researchers focused on environmental health disparities
A group of scientists from across the U.S. took a deep dive into the foundations of environmental justice research during a new two-day intensive course.
Improving the conditions of work for vulnerable populations
Since 2007, the mission of the Center for Work, Health, & Well-being at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has been to identify and promote the workplace policies, programs, and practices that foster safe and healthy working…
Free food at school and work often of low nutritional quality
Food obtained for free at school or work makes up an important part of the nutrition safety net for low-income households in the U.S., but much of it is of low nutritional quality.
FDA’s new sodium-reduction goals for industry a ‘really good move’ for heart health
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) released new voluntary guidance on October 13 encouraging the food industry to gradually reduce sodium in commercially processed, packaged, and prepared foods over the next two and a half years—with the…
Opinion: Fix crumbling school infrastructure
School buildings are in desperate need of repair, particularly of their systems that manage indoor air quality, according to an opinion piece co-authored by Harvard Chan School's Joseph Allen.
Weighing benefit vs. risk of newly authorized e-cig products
Three Harvard Chan School experts weigh in on the FDA’s decision to authorize a set of three e-cigarette products for sale in the U.S. for the first time.
How to trick-or-treat safely during the pandemic
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said it’s OK for kids to go trick-or-treating this Halloween—carefully.
During Head Start Awareness Month, remembering Julius Richmond, its first director
Julius Richmond, who held several prominent roles at Harvard, was a giant in the field of child health and development.
How social media’s toxic content sends teens into ‘a dangerous spiral’
Eating disorders expert Bryn Austin discusses the recent revelation that Facebook has long known that its Instagram app is harming teens’ mental health.
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.
Delta-like SARS-CoV-2 variants are most likely to increase pandemic severity
Delta-like SARS-CoV-2 variants are most likely to increase pandemic severity, according to a new study.
Better data, better health
CAUSALab investigates how to use data to support better decisions in medicine, public health, and policy.
The power of data in a crisis
CrisisReady program is building a platform of data, analytics, and tools to guide decision-making during public health emergencies.
Drug overdose deaths hit record high
More than 100,000 Americans died from drug overdoses between May 2020 and April 2021—the most ever recorded in a single year.
Malaria expert predicts vaccine will spur innovation
In October, the World Health Organization (WHO) for the first time recommended a broad rollout of a vaccine that protects against Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite globally and the most prevalent in Africa.
Infectious diseases modeler Rebecca Kahn named STAT Wunderkind
Rebecca Kahn, visiting scientist and former postdoctoral research fellow in the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, was named a 2021 STAT Wunderkind in mid-November.
Using quantitative genomics to track and understand COVID-19
Tracking variants of SARS-CoV-2, understanding which mutations make the virus more dangerous, and figuring out where the virus originally came from were some of the topics highlighted at the 15th annual Program in Quantitative Genomics conference.
Symposium explores health lessons learned from the pandemic
The John B. Little Symposium focused on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and how to better apply them to the next major disease outbreak.
Vaccine researcher Kizzmekia Corbett wins top honor for federal service
Harvard Chan School's Kizzmekia Corbett has been named a “Federal Employee of the Year” for conducting groundbreaking vaccine research while working at the National Institutes of Health.
