Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

A pilot series at Harvard Chan School explored how to use AI ethically while keeping critical thinking and mastery of knowledge front and center. “The aim of the series was to build awareness, knowledge and judgment about how to use these tools thoughtfully and ethically,” said Jennifer Betancourt.

Social media is full of health advice—but much of it overlooks the bigger picture, from access to care and stable housing to clean air. Join health influencers and a Pew researcher for a conversation about how social media health content can better serve everyone. hsph.me/healthandwellness

Research has shown that traumatic experiences, such as losing a loved one, don’t cause only mental anguish but also affect physical health and have been linked to chronic disease later in life. “We don’t just experience it in our mind, we experience it in our bodies,” said Karestan Koenen.

Participants at the recent Women’s Health Conference, co-organized by Harvard Chan, discussed solutions for improving women’s health outcomes. The event also commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Nurses’ Health Study, the world’s largest and longest-running study of women’s health.

Student organizations at Harvard Chan School recently hosted CultureFest 2026, which celebrated our campus’s diverse community with cultural snacks, fun activities, and more.

Watch today's Harvard Chan Studio event on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiRN... #Midterms2026

“How do we think about the next century of public health, and try to make it so we can all age healthier, not just live a long time?” asked William Mair, director of the Healthy Aging Initiative at Harvard’s Chan School. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3VRrDAZ

As the midterm elections approach, how are Americans thinking about public health—and which issues are most likely to shape the conversation? Register and submit your questions for next week’s discussion of the latest polling and research on public opinion and health policy: hsph.me/2026midterms

Harvard Chan School’s India Research Center launched in 2015 as a hub connecting Harvard researchers with partners in India to address the world’s most pressing public health challenges. Following its 10th anniversary, Vish Viswanath reflected on how the Center has evolved: https://bit.ly/4B7zyKw

We had a wonderful time with everyone who joined us on the HMS Quad for the Longwood Block Party! It was lovely seeing students, faculty, and staff from Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and Harvard Chan School all enjoying autumnal snacks and activities together. 🍁✨🍂

More hospitals across the U.S. are closing than opening, and urban hospitals are closing at the same rate as rural ones, according to a new study led by Harvard Chan School. Researchers also observed that the hospitals that close are more likely to be those serving socially vulnerable communities.

Personal loss, trauma, and grief can profoundly affect us—sometimes in invisible ways. In this candid conversation, author Rachel Zimmerman will join Harvard’s Karestan Koenen, Matthew K. Nock, and Christy Denckla to explore the science of loss and resilience. Watch live: https://bit.ly/477EMZe

Synthetic peptides are touted to boost athletic performance and muscle growth, increase fat loss, and more. But are they safe? @harvardstriped.bsky.social's Bryn Austin weighs in, highlighting that “many have undergone little to no rigorous clinical testing and haven’t been approved for human use.“

As the highly visible humanitarian crisis of homelessness reaches critical levels nationwide, the Initiative on Health and Homelessness convened organizations from across Harvard University for the Beyond Shelter conference, a two-day deep dive focusing on practical solutions. https://bit.ly/4zdXeuV

As political intimidation, economic contraction, and technological disruption reshape the news business, reporters and editors from around the world recently gathered for the 25th year of the Health Coverage Fellowship, an initiative of Harvard Chan School’s Center for Health Communication.

Colleagues and former trainees gathered to celebrate Lisa Berkman’s leadership, research, and commitment to mentorship. “I was so honored to see all my former fellows and students as well as all my colleagues turn out for this. Their words meant so much to me,” said Berkman. https://bit.ly/4hF4FnM

Join us for the Harvard Chan Virtual Open House October 5–7! This virtual event will allow prospective students to learn about the admissions process and financial aid, explore degree programs, and hear about student experience and public health career opportunities. Register: hsph.me/open-house

Today in the Harvard Chan Studio, experts will discuss how health leaders can evaluate emerging approaches, overcome systemic barriers, and translate innovation into effective and sustainable mental health care at scale. Presented with @harvardchanala.bsky.social. Watch live: https://bit.ly/4ze5ATD

Zeest Mahmood Jalib, MPH ’26, shares how dealing with her diagnosis of PCOS led her to pursue a master’s degree in public health.

Harvard Chan researchers are studying how extreme heat is taking a toll on workers’ health and livelihoods. “In this warming world, life is compromised and diminished. Millions may still live through extreme heat and not yet enter the death counts, but they cannot thrive,” said Satchit Balsari.

Happy first day of autumn! 🍂🍎🍁 Harvard Chan School students can easily enjoy fall foliage at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, just a 30-minute bus ride from Harvard Longwood Campus.

“Our findings suggest that diet after diagnosis may be one modifiable component of survivorship care, broadening the focus beyond control of the original tumor. Protecting cardiovascular and overall health is an essential part of prostate cancer care,” said Lorelei Mucci, co-author of a new study.

Health Professionals Follow-Up Study researchers and participants recently gathered to celebrate the study’s 40th anniversary, mark its significant scientific achievements, and look ahead to future research questions its data may help answer. Learn more: https://bit.ly/46yHOFv

“Connecting at a human level with your teams and the communities you serve has as much value—and sometimes more—than keeping up with the latest frameworks, data analysis methods, or whatever AI has to offer,” says DrPH student Germán Chiriboga.

“We can’t sit idly by and watch women athletes train and compete and entertain us without meaningful research to help protect their health and safety,” says Christy Glass, a co-principal investigator of Harvard Chan School’s Women in Sports Study.

Building on the origins and evolution of the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative (NPLI) at Harvard University, a panel of experts will explore how NPLI’s research and curriculum equip leaders to navigate complexity, rebuild trust, and drive collective action. Watch: https://bit.ly/46XUyFC

Rachel Grashow, senior research scientist at Harvard Chan and director of research initiatives for the Football Players Health Study, says former NFL players should continue “reaching out to their doctors and getting treated for conditions, like sleep apnea, that are causing worrisome symptoms.“

In Barry Bloom's memoir, 'A Global Health Odyssey: Adventures in Science and Policy,' the late Harvard Chan School dean showcased his life of science, curiosity, and improving people’s lives.

A new project co-led by Harvard Chan School’s Francesca Dominici aims to predict the energy and health impacts of proposed data centers. The project comes amid growing resistance to such centers, including concerns about strains on local power grids and health harms from increased pollution.

On the first day of the Fall semester, we are delighted to welcome our newest students to Harvard Chan School. Now that you’ve made it to Harvard, we hope you make lifelong connections, explore bold ideas, and make the most of every opportunity ahead. Congratulations, and welcome!

Scenes from this week’s Fall Orientation, where we welcomed new students to Harvard Chan School through campus tours, information sessions, moments of reflection—and game night! See you all next week for the first day of fall classes 👋

“By taking a moment to return to the values that brought them to Harvard Chan and listening to the values that brought their classmates to the School, the students begin to build a community that lasts through their time on campus and long after graduation day.” Learn more about Fall Orientation:

This week, it is my privilege to welcome new students to Harvard Chan School (@hsph.harvard.edu) from 56 different countries and 36 states. I want each of you to know: You belong here. We are thrilled you are here and we are committed to your success.

This week is Fall Orientation, and we are thrilled to welcome so many new students to Harvard Chan School. We can’t wait to see how their ideas, experiences, and perspectives shape our campus community and contribute to our collective goal of advancing public health.

The U.S. spends far more on healthcare than peer nations—yet millions remain uninsured, carry medical debt, or even find trouble connecting with providers. Harvard Chan School’s John McDonough explains how decades of policy choices brought us here—and why reform will require “radical action.”

Parents are under more stress than ever, with rising rates of anxiety, burnout, and loneliness. Today, we will explore what’s driving this crisis, how parental mental health shapes children’s well-being, and practical solutions that can help parents and families thrive. https://youtu.be/lGvxaVd4n8A

Before a data center is built, Harvard Chan’s Francesca Dominici and @harvardseas.bsky.social’s Le Xie aim to predict costs to the grid, air, and neighbors. The goal is “to empower both ends of the spectrum, both the community, the regulators, the utilities, and the developers, on a way forward.”

What can be done to return to previous levels of immunization against measles and other diseases to stop deadly outbreaks? Harvard Chan School’s K. “Vish“ Viswanath weighs in.

“We all need time to sleep, exercise, get to the doctor, and be with loved ones. But time as a resource—and our access to it and its flexibility—is all socially patterned and structured by different factors in a way that public health research doesn’t always account for.“ – Laura Chen, PhD ’27

A recent study led by Harvard Chan School researcher Tong Xia, examining how different diets affect weight gain and obesity during menopause, found that the Planetary Health Diet and a diet that supports healthy insulin metabolism are best for weight management.

Zeest Mahmood Jalib, MPH ’26, shares how her journey with PCOS led her to public health and how lessons from her time at Harvard Chan School empower her to advocate for better health care for women in Pakistan.

Amruta Nori-Sarma, assistant professor of environmental health and population science, recently spoke about the dangers of extreme heat and strategies for staying safe.

A new study led by Imran Ullah, a research associate in the Wirth Lab at Harvard Chan School, has identified a new way malaria parasites may become less responsive to treatment—a major threat to global eradication efforts.

Male veterans of the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard had higher rates of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal nervous system disease, compared to veterans of the Army, according to a new study led by researchers at Harvard Chan School.

Gaurab Basu, Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Health at Harvard Chan School, explains how climate change is affecting tick behavior. Watch the full Harvard Chan Studio event, ‘Ticks on the rise: Strategies for preventing disease’: https://www.youtube.com/live/Mck9J_m_1Xk

Although funding has resumed, gaps in data, staffing losses, and interruptions in state participation threaten the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System’s effectiveness.

As of this week, cases of cyclosporiasis are still rising throughout the country. Federal health officials continue to investigate, believing there could be multiple outbreaks from different sources, beyond the outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce grown by Taylor Farms.

The Leaders in Health program at Harvard Chan provides training and leadership development for people in nonprofit, government, and other roles who want to apply a public health lens to their work with communities. Applications for the 2026 program, which runs September 17–November 5, open August 1.