A Shot in the Arm
Vaccines are underfunded, understudied, and underappreciated as a vital tool in public health. could COVID-19 be the start of a vaccine renaissance?
We’re better off when life-altering illnesses can be eradicated
In the 1980's, there were millions of cases of Guinea worm disease across the globe, mostly in rural Africa. Donald Hopkins, MPH '70, has spent 40 years working to eradicate this painful and debilitating disease – and he's…
We're better off with mRNA vaccines
The technology that is helping us combat COVID-19 is also poised to help us tackle tough infectious and non-infectious diseases. Immunologist Sarah Fortune explains how these vaccines work, and how the mRNA platform could transform the prevention and…
A sharp drop in flu cases during COVID-19 pandemic
Precautions taken to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, including wearing masks and distancing, are likely the major reason for a steep decline of flu cases in the U.S., according to experts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)…
Multiple blood meals for mosquitoes can speed development of malaria-causing parasites
An additional feeding on human blood by a mosquito infected with Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes malaria, can accelerate the development of the parasite and increase the potential for transmission to humans, according to new research led…
‘An enormous victory for public health’
December 17, 2020—Jaap Goudsmit, adjunct professor of epidemiology and infectious diseases, is chief scientific officer of the Human Immunomics Initiative, a joint project between Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Human Vaccines Project. He is…
How China vanquished malaria—and what African countries can learn from the experience
December 16, 2020 – In 2010, China announced one of its most ambitious undertakings in public health: It planned to eliminate indigenous cases of malaria within a decade. The disease had a long and lethal history in the country—it’s…
Harvard Chan School faculty recognized among world’s most influential researchers
More than 40 faculty members or researchers affiliated with Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have been named among the world’s most influential researchers over the past decade. The annual list of Highly Cited Researchers from Clarivate…
Op-ed: Humidity can aid in the fight against COVID-19
Maintaining relative humidity in the 40%-60% range in indoor spaces could help slow the spread of the coronavirus this winter, according to a November 18, 2020 Washington Post opinion piece co-authored by Joseph Allen, associate professor of exposure…
Commentary: How Biden can change the course of global health
President-elect Joe Biden has a rare opportunity to revitalize global health leadership during his time in office and he should pursue ambitious efforts that target the COVID-19 pandemic and address structural issues that have hindered global health for…