Master of Public Health Program, MCPHS University

Current students—this class can count as an elective. We encourage you to sign up if you can!

Please check out this series of powerful author events across Massachusetts this week and next featuring journalists Mariah Blake and Sharon Udasin bringing national attention to the PFAS chemical contamination crisis through two new books:

📖 They Poisoned the World: Life in the Age of Forever Chemicals by Mariah Blake
📖 Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America by Sharon Udasin

Upcoming Events:

✅ Sturgis Library, Barnstable – Sharon Udasin, May 30 at 10:30AM (registration required):
https://www.sturgislibrary.org/event/poisoning-the-well-author-talk-with-sharon-udasin/
✅ Nantucket Atheneum – Mariah Blake, May 30 at 6:30PM:
https://www.ack.net/local-events/?_evDiscoveryPath=/event%2F3061895-author-talk-mariah-blake-s-they-poisoned-the-world-life-death-in-the-age-of-forever-chemicals-
✅ Weston Public Library – Sharon Udasin, June 1 at 3PM (registration required):
https://westonlibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/author-talk-poisoning-the-well-how-forever-chemicals-contaminated-america/
✅ Reading Public Library – Sharon Udasin, June 2 at 7PM:
https://readingpl.libnet.info/event/13565845
✅ Chelsea Public Library – Sharon Udasin, June 5 at 11AM:
https://www.chelseama.gov/calendar.php?view=day&month=06&day=05&year=2025
These events are free and open to the public.

📢 After attending, contact your state legislator and ask them to cosponsor and support S.1504/H.2450: An Act to Protect Massachusetts Public Health from PFAS → https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1504

Bill S.1504 By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1504) of Julian Cyr, Joanne M. Comerford, James B. Eldridge, John F. Keenan and others for legislation to protect Massachusetts public health from Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) a group of chemicals that are used in many consumer p...

Congratulations to our MPH student, Rashmi Humagain!

We are proud to recognize Rashmi for her outstanding poster presentation titled “Mental Health Challenges Among College Students: A Focus on International Students and Pandemic Impacts” at the 6th Annual Research Conference organized by the MCPHS Center for Research and Discovery.

In addition to her academic achievements, Rashmi has been actively involved in impactful community outreach initiatives. Notably, she delivered a presentation at the Cambridge Public Library as part of an event organized by the Healthy Smiles Program at Cambridge Health Alliance. Her commitment to educating older adults on maintaining oral health as we age highlights her dedication to preventative care and community well-being.

Rashmi’s remarkable efforts in bridging public health education with community engagement exemplify the spirit of service and scholarship.

Keep shining, Rashmi — we are proud of your contributions to the community!

National Public Health Week is April 7-13, 2025

"Health Equity Starts Here: Optimizing Health for All "
Health equity is a fundamental issue for the well-being of society as a whole. When people face barriers to accessing the care and resources they need due to systemic inequities, it not only harms individuals but also has broader societal impacts. Addressing these disparities requires intentional and sustained efforts across various sectors, from policy to community-based initiatives.

In the context of public health, this means confronting historical and ongoing discrimination and creating policies that level the playing field for everyone. This can involve actions like expanding access to healthcare, improving health literacy, investing in underserved areas, and dismantling practices or structures that perpetuate inequality.

Acknowledging the existence of these disparities is essential for taking meaningful action.

National Public Health Week is April 7-13, 2025
"Climate Action starts here"
It’s crucial to acknowledge the significant impact climate change has on both physical and mental health. As we see rising temperatures, deteriorating air quality, extreme weather events, and disrupted ecosystems, it’s more important than ever to connect the dots between climate change and public health.

Rising temperatures can lead to heat stress, respiratory problems from air pollution, and more intense weather events like hurricanes and wildfires. These conditions don’t just harm our physical health—they can also cause significant mental health strain.

An excellent way to engage young people in addressing these challenges is through the APHA's Climate and Health Youth Education Toolkit. This resource can be used by public health professionals and educators to introduce climate change topics to students, empowering them to take action and understand the connection between climate change and health. Here’s the link to explore the toolkit further: Climate and Health Education Toolkit.
https://apha.org/topics-and-issues/climate-health-and-equity/education

Investing in disaster preparedness and response is essential in ensuring that communities can adapt to and recover from the impacts of climate-related disasters. Collaboration between emergency management programs, public health agencies, and local communities is key to building resilient systems.

By working together, we can enhance both community preparedness and mental health resilience in the face of climate change..

National Public Health Week (NPHW) 2025 starts today. Its a great time to reflect on the collective effort to ensure better health for everyone, especially as we celebrate 30 years of raising awareness about public health's crucial role in our lives.

Today's theme is, “It Starts Here: Your Health is Our Mission,” highlights the ongoing commitment to making health a priority across all aspects of society.

Public health has had an incredible impact, contributing to longer, healthier lives through preventive measures, disease eradication, and the implementation of vaccination programs that protect children and older adults. It’s a reminder that public health isn’t just something that affects certain people—it impacts everyone: you, your family, friends, and the community.

As we reflect on the importance of public health, it's worth noting that sustainable systems are built through collaboration. Public health workers, healthcare providers, community organizers, faith-based groups, businesses, schools, and governments all play a role in ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

This collective mission ensures a healthier future for all.
Check out the fact sheet you provided for even more insights!

https://nphw.org/-/media/files/pdf/nphw/fact-sheets-2025/nphw-2025-fact-sheet---it-starts-here---your-health-is-our-mission.pdf

Join us at Health and Sciences Career Fair on Tuesday, February 11, 11AM-2PM at Atrium, 179 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA.

What an inspiring story! Rashmi Humagain's journey from working in rural Nepal to pursuing public health at MCPHS (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences) exemplifies dedication to addressing global health inequalities. Her transition from dentistry to public health highlights the importance of integrating clinical expertise with a broader perspective on systemic issues.

By becoming an ambassador for the public health profession, she's setting an example of how one individual's experience and passion can drive meaningful change. Her focus on reducing disparities will undoubtedly make a significant impact, especially in underserved communities. Cheers to her commitment to creating a healthier, more equitable world!

Dentist From Nepal Pursues Public Health Degree | MCPHS News Rashmi Humagain enrolled in the Masters of Public Health (MPH) after witnessing healthcare disparities. Now, she will be an ambassador for the profession.

Sending a massive thank you to everyone who works to protect and advance public health. Your efforts save lives. Happy Public Health Thank You Day!

📚 Big news! Environmental Health: Foundations for Public Health from Publishing is now published! 🎉
This comprehensive textbook brings together a diverse group of experts to tackle the most pressing environmental health issues of our time, including climate change, air quality, environmental justice, and more. 🌍
A special congratulations to our incredible MCPHS public health faculty who contributed to this much needed textbook:
Dr. Lindsay Tallon, editor and author
Dr. Shir Ginzburg, author
Dr. Devan Hawkins, author
We hope that this textbook will educate and inspire the next generation of public health leaders!
Learn more or grab your copy here (discount with code AUTHOR30): Springer Publishing

Devan Hawkins Shir Ginzburg Lindsay Tallon Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Springer Publishing

Lindsay Tallon on LinkedIn: #publichealth #environmentalhealth #environmentaljustice #climatechange… | 47 comments 📢 Exciting News! 📢 Our textbook, Environmental Health: Foundations for Public Health, from Springer Publishing is published! 🎉 This comprehensive text… | 47 comments on LinkedIn

MCPHS Alum Drives Change: Research Unveils COVID-19 Impact on Latinx Community in Boston.

Alum Sofía Ladner Tackles Health Disparities| MCPHS News Sofía Ladner, MPH '19, leads research addressing healthcare disparities in the Latinx community, advocating for culturally informed policies.

A big shout out to Gabrielle Riendeau, first in her family to attend college. This Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences MPH student has turned her educational experiences into a career in public health, focused on health equity and underserved communities. We are so proud of your achievements!

From First-Gen Student to Public Health Professional | MCPHS News Gabrielle Riendeau is working to address public health issues in her community.