During one of my trips to Uganda, I purchased a small stool. It’s a humble thing with three legs and a seat of coiled wood. But it’s not unlike the three pillars of our School and public health, a humble discipline supported by three masts: research, education, and service. Just as a stool supports whomever rests upon it, our discipline seeks to ease the burdens of all who call upon it — regardless of where they live. Indeed, public health and global health are one in the same. As our urban communities grow and our diverse populations thrive, many health challenges once considered distant concerns are now in our communities, and we as public health professionals must be ready to address them. The Rutgers School of Public Health is proud to be at the forefront of our discipline’s mission providing the skills and opportunities our future public health leaders will need to enable everyone to have a healthy life, no matter where they call home.
The Global Public Health concentration at the Rutgers School of Public Health is soon entering its third year. These first few years have been exciting for me, most of all because of the interactions with our passionate and sharp students. Many of our discussions feature factors and mechanisms that drive differences in the epidemiology of diseases or health conditions and the underlying economic, systemic, political, geographic or cultural causes. The ways our students discuss how to improve global health have often been fascinating. These students bring not just their passion, but their broad and diverse backgrounds and — quite often — extensive work experience in institutions that operate globally.
As the Global Public Health concentration moves into its new home in the Urban-Global Public Health Department, we have signed memoranda of understanding and are developing courses for our students to be taught both in Greece and Tanzania starting in the summer 2019. These causes will use shared interests to match students from Rutgers with students at the collaborating universities. Faculty from Rutgers and our partner Universities will co-teach. In Greece, we are excited to work with Harakopio University, the National School of Public Health, and the University of Athens, and we are similarly thrilled to work with the University of Dodoma in Tanzania. We believe these partnerships will broaden our students’ perspectives of Global Public Health in a truly global setting, while offering the same to each of our partners and their students.
Hands-on work in a global setting is a practical necessity for global public health programs: we cannot hope to improve universal public health at a distance. Our discipline is influenced not just by the physical injuries and illnesses people experience, but also the conditions that lead to their plight. Social and economic realities today are determinants of public health tomorrow.
Every March, we acknowledge World Tuberculosis (TB) Day. TB is an ancient, prototypic, global social disease. My work in Mexico City led me to ask: how do the additive, adverse effects of air pollution influence TB? Globally, air pollution exposure closely follows malnutrition as the second biggest factor underlying TB. In our next step, my colleagues and I hope to study whether air pollution exposure affects the transmission of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
among residents of a large slum in Kampala, Uganda.
For as old of a condition as TB is, it remains the world’s #1 infectious killer. But the implications extend beyond TB: its main drivers — poverty and its consequences — also underlie many other adverse health conditions that primarily affect populations in low- and middle-income countries.
Many of the reasons public health is an activist discipline on a regional or national level also drive public health on a global level, including disparities in opportunities to live healthy lives in healthy environments, inequitable access to education, and unequal access to healthcare. The United Nations’ sustainable development goals remind us of major areas of concern, such as climate change, poverty, and health systems in young countries. Indeed, many countries whose health systems are still developing emerged from colonialism just 50 years ago.
We consider global health as defined in Lancet (2009; 373:1993-1995) as “
an area for study, research, and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide. Global health emphasizes transnational health issues, determinants, and solutions; involves many disciplines within and beyond the health sciences and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration; and is a synthesis of population-based prevention with individual-level clinical care
.” As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, the focus on global health becomes even more necessary — for ethical, justice, humanitarian, environmental, safety, and also economic reasons. The spirit of egalitarianism demands it.
Sincerely,
Stephan Schwander, MD, PhD
Assistant Dean for Global Public Health Affairs
Program Director & Associate Professor
Rutgers School of Public Health
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"Keeping the Public in Public Health"
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Jersey Roots, Global Reach
TM
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Jharkhand State, India
Shauna Downs, PhD, assistant professor of health systems and policy, is working with Dr. Suparna Ghosh-Jerath from the Public Health Foundation of India to map the food environment of tribal communities in Jharkhand State, India.
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Guatemala
Mitchel Rosen, PhD, Director, Rutgers School of Public Health, Center for Public Health Workforce Development, is working with various institutions in Guatemala on occupational safety and health training.
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Ba Ría Vung Tau & An Giang Provinces, Vietnam
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Henry F. Raymond, DrPH, MPH, associate professor of epidemiology, is working with colleagues at the CDC to assist the two provinces' health authorities assess their HIV surveillance data to confirm observed increases in HIV among men who have sex with men and to plan tailored HIV intervention responses for this population.
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Elizabeth Marshall, PhD, associate professor of epidemiology, and colleagues, detail the hazards faced by tree-care workers while removing fallen or damaged trees as a result of Hurricane Sandy. With severe weather predicted to increase, it is also increasingly important to understand the dangers debris can pose. Tree-care workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in America, regularly encountering heights, slippery conditions, and sharp equipment.
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Blood Donation Regulation Perceptions Among MSM
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Henry F. Raymond, DrPH, MPH, associate professor of epidemiology, examines the attitudes of men who have sex with men (MSM) in light of changes to blood donation regulations. Recent guidance allows MSM to donate blood after a one-year deferral since their last sexual contact with another man.Evidence of increasing noncompliance with donor bans influenced the FDA to adopt a one-year deferral.
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Efficacy of Predictive Biomarkers in Medicine
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Weichung Joe Shih, PhD, and Yong Lin, PhD, both professors of biostatistics, have compared the efficiency of marker-stratified treatment trials with precision medicine designs in their latest study. Prospective randomized clinical trials that address the use of biomarkers for precision medicine are both time consuming and expensive; however, trials are required for regulatory agencies to approve new treatment plans with predictive biomarkers.
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Faculty Receives International Collaborative Research Grant
Shuana Downs, PhD, assistant professor of health systems and policy, has received an International Collaborative Research (ICR) Grant from Rutgers Global. The grant will fund Dr. Downs’s proposal, “Mapping the food environment in an urban slum in Kenya: A mixed-methods pilot study to inform the development of a discrete choice experiment.”
Learn More
Faculty to Attend HERS Program:
Teri Lassiter, PhD, MPH, Assistant Dean for Public Health Practice, Diversity, and Inclusion and Assistant Professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health, has been accepted into the Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) Leadership Institute.
Learn more
Instructor Appointed to State Suicide Prevention Committee
Rutgers School of Public Health, Center for Public Health Workforce Development instructor, Mr. Phil McCabe, has been appointed to serve as a member of the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Suicide Prevention Committee at the New Jersey Department of Health.
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Celebrating National Public Health Week
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Mitchel Rosen, PhD, Director, Rutgers School of Public Health, Center for Public Health Workforce Development
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The Rutgers School of Public Health celebrated National Public Health Week with its 23rd Annual Public Health Symposium and other activities promoting the healthiest nation in one generation initiative!
The 23rd Annual Public Health Symposium, hosted by the Rutgers School of Public Health Center for Public Health Workforce Development titled, “New Skills for a New Age,” was held on April 2, and featured guest lecturers, poster presentations, and exhibits. The focus of the symposium was on the essential skills needed by the current – and future - public health workforce. Brian Castrucci, acting CEO of the deBeaumont Foundation, provided the keynote address.
Learn More
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To look up photos and moments from the Symposium, search the
#RUPHSymposium18
hashtag on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
.
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See what we had to say in the
#NPHWChat
!
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Taking a Stand Against Gun Violence
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On Wednesday, March 14, 2018, Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences (RBHS) Schools participated in a National Walkout against gun violence on the one-month anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting that took 17 lives.
RBHS Chancellor Brian Strom, MD, MPH, commended students, faculty, and staff for standing up against gun violence. "We are here because we are frustrated, frightened and fed up," he said at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School led walkout. As health professionals, "we stand united today for common sense and action." Bernadette Hohl, PhD, MPH, Rutgers School of Public Health assistant professor of epidemiology, also provided remarks at the event (pictured, second from the right).
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Special Seminar: Gun Violence & Public Health
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Rutgers School of Public Health faculty and staff lead a conversation on gun violence as a public health issue and the impact it has on physical, mental, and social health. A presentation by Bernadette Hohl, PhD, MPH, was followed by a moderated panel discussion by Dean Perry N. Halkitis, PhD, MS, MPH, with researchers, social workers, and activists.
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Dean Perry N. Halkitis PhD, MS, MPH, comments on Grindr's new software update that will provide its 3.6 million users with HIV testing reminders and locations of nearby HIV testing centers.
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Pamela Valera, PhD, MSW, assistant professor of urban public health and social and behavioral health sciences, pens op-ed on her work with smoking cessation programs in Pennsylvania prisons.
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Elizabeth Marshall, PhD, associate professor of epidemiology, comments on the occupational hazards faced by tree-care workers, especially during the winter months.
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Editorial on the Rutgers School of Public Health's latest global education, research, and service sites in Greece, established by Dean Perry Halkitis and Dr. Stephan Schwander.
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Rutgers Giving Day was a huge success due to the efforts of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends, who helped us raise funds for student travel and scholarship. The Rutgers School of Public Health:
- Raised over $6,000;
- Won three social media challenges;
- #1 RBHS School; and
- #3 School at Rutgers-University.
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Social Media Challenge Winners
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Mitchel Rosen, PhD, Director, Center for Public Health Workforce Development, won the "RU Global" challenge.
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Sarah Kelly, MPH, Practicum Director, won the "From Your Desk" challenge.
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Laura Liang, DrPH, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, won the "Scarlet Pride" challenge.
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ICYMI: 21st Century Seminar Series
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“Language Matters,”
presented by Zaneta Rago-Craft, MA, director of the Center for Social Justice Education & LGBT Communities at Rutgers University.
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“How to get Public Health Where It Needs to Be, the Framework, Tools, & Strategic Moves to Get There"
presented by Brian Castrucci,MA, CEO, deBeaumont Foundation.
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“Role of Policies & Environments in Shaping Behaviors and Health Outcomes,"
presented by Punam Ohri-Vachaspati, PhD, professor of nutrition and health promotion, Arizona State University.
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“Can a Brief Communication Intervention Affect Caregiver Bereavement Outcomes?” presented by Paul Duberstein, PhD, professor of psychiatry and medicine, University of Rochester.
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Starting Early: Public Health Summer Camp
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When did you learn about public health?
Help us bring knowledge about the field of public health to high school students by supporting and sharing our crowdfunding campaign to provide scholarships to underserved and/or minority high school students for our summer camp, PHocus - Public Health Outbreaks, Communicates, and Urban Studies.
Your support can help high school students realize the endless opportunities of pursuing a career in Public Health! All donations are tax deductible.
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Meet Nandini Selvam, MPH’01, PhD’06! Dr. Selvam is currently a Vice President at IQVIA (formerly known as IMS Health and Quintiles), and head IQVIA Government Solutions, the government facing subsidiary. She works with major U.S. government agencies on all things health. IQVIA is especially known for big data and real world analytics and insights. Dr. Selvam oversees all business aspects, including finance, strategy, compliance, business development, science, and people management. Prior to her position at IQVIA, Dr. Selvam worked in the pharmaceutical industry (Merck), and health insurance sector (Anthem).
“My time at Rutgers provided me with a solid educational foundation, a network of peers, and amazing mentors. As I stepped into the working world, I was able to successfully apply my theoretical knowledge to gain operational experience as I’ve progressed through my career. While earning my PhD, I also worked at the Global Tuberculosis (TB) Institute, heading the TB Epidemiologic Studies Consortium funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and subsequently my dissertation was focused on TB. My experience at the TB Institute and at the Rutgers School of Public Health helped me secure a post-doc with the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), where I worked on outbreaks around the world,” says Dr. Selvam on her experience at the Rutgers School of Public Health.
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April 17
9:30AM - 10:30AM
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21st Century Seminar Series
:
"
Air Pollution and Placental Abruption of Acute Onset in NYC,” presented by Cande V. Ananth, PhD, MPH.
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April 18
12:00PM - 1:00PM
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21st Century Seminar Series
:
"Reflection on Behavioral Economics and Public Policy,
”
presented by Adam Oliver, PhD.
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April 21
12:00PM - 1:00PM
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Spinning for Scholarships
Spin in-person or virtually with Dean Perry N. Halkitis for student scholarships.
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Rutgers Day
Join the Rutgers School of Public Health for a family-friendly day of activities with our partner schools!
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Delta Omega Ceremony
Student, faculty, alumni and honorary Delta Omega Honor Society Induction Ceremony.
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Practice Day
View graduating student poster presentations and network with public health professionals.
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Convocation
Rutgers School of Public Health graduation ceremony.
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Commencement
Rutgers University-wide graduation ceremony.
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You can still join Team #RUSPH for the annual Rutgers Unite Half Marathon & 8K on April 8, 2018!
All are welcome to join our team and show their #RutgersPride.
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Getting Social @RutgersSPH
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Follow and interact with the Rutgers School of Public Health (@RutgersSPH) on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Tag us in your posts and show us how you're "keeping the public in public health," for a chance to be featured on our social media accounts and in t
he
Scarletter
.
Follow and interact with Dean Perry N. Halkitis (@DrPNHalkitis) on Twitter and Instagram.
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Have an idea for an editorial?
Do you want to tell your story?
Did you just win an award?
Have a cool job in public health?
Did you just publish?
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Donating to the Rutgers School of Public Health supports scholarships for students to be engaged in discovery-based learning through research and practice activities working with populations who experiencing health disparities here in New Jersey, in our country, and globally. By giving, you are helping us further our mission – we thank you. To donate, follow the URL and type “School of Public Health” in the search box.
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Rutgers School of Public Health
Rutgers School of Public Health
683 Hoes Lane West
Piscataway, NJ 08854
732-235-9700
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