UMD Public Health

05/08/2026

Have a good summer, Bulldogs! It’s been a great year and we’re so proud of all of our students and all they've learned and done this year. We’d also like to take the opportunity to congratulate all of our graduating seniors and wish them the best of luck! health Graphic created by Lauren Meier '26

04/30/2026

On Tuesday, April 28, students from Dr. V’s HLTH 3300 and 3305 courses had the exciting opportunity to present their work at the UROP Undergraduate Showcase! Students from HLTH 3300 Public Health Communication showed their brand boards and social marketing posters, and students from HLTH 3305 Community Health Methods showed research posters about the methods they designed this semester. The showcase was a great chance to promote all our students learn and do, as well as get to see the fascinating work from students in other majors. We are so proud to see their accomplishments this semester!

04/27/2026

Let's talk about men's health! Men face their own unique health challenges. Here are some facts that men can keep in mind for their health! -Over 90% of all people who die in occupational accidents are men (National Safety Council, 2024). Many of these are preventable, and men can stay safe by following safety guidelines, using personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety tools correctly, asking questions if they don’t understand, and advocating for themselves if their workplace is unsafe.
-Men are at elevated risk for certain diseases such as heart disease (Louisiana Heart and Vascular, 2025). This is partially because of hormonal differences, as well as having larger hearts and different fat distribution. Men can prevent heart disease by eating a healthy diet, getting regular cardiovascular exercise, and finding ways to manage stress and cope with life’s challenges such as yoga, meditation, and social support.
-Certain cancers disproportionately affect men, such as prostate, lung, and colorectal. Men should talk to their doctors about prevention and screening, and collaborate with them to make decisions that are right for them.
Graphic created by Lauren Meier '26

04/24/2026

Congratulations to Public Health Major of the Year, Ian Skoglund!

Skoglund is a junior double majoring in public health and statistics. He has extensive research experience, as well as experience doing harm reduction and public health outreach. He is currently working with Dr. Gray as a research assistant, as well as serving as President of the Public Health Student Group. He has played a key role in reviving the group after a year’s hiatus, describing his position as “getting the group’s name back out there” and finding new ways to grow and improve the group.

His future plans include working in the public health field after graduation, then pursuing a master’s degree and working in either biostatistics or epidemiology. He says his interests are in both qualitative and quantitative aspects of public health, and he hopes to use his statistics skills in order to improve health outcomes and “uplift marginalized communities."

Here is what he has to say on being named Major of the Year: “My efforts are only possible with the support from my friends, peers, faculty, and colleagues. Thank you to everyone who has helped shape me into the student I am and the public health professional I will eventually be. All of the faculty care deeply about each student’s goals and helping them achieve to the highest degree. Thank you for your exceptional dedication.”

04/17/2026

This week’s student feature is Willem Hoeksema!

Willem is a senior here at UMD. He comes to public health with a unique background in construction. It was during a construction internship that he realized his passion for public health. Working closely with their health and safety specialist, he “really liked what he did to keep people safe” and wanted to do the same. “I asked him what his background was and he said public health.”

He keeps a busy schedule here at UMD, as a member of the University Singers and the Newman Center. His advice for other students doing the same are to schedule classes carefully with their academic advisors and have a balance of days focused on classes and days focused on studying.

Willem’s current plans after graduation are to pursue a master’s degree in Environmental Health and Safety and to work in occupational health and safety on construction sites.

His words of advice for fellow undergraduates? “Befriend your classmates. They’re going through the same things you are. It’s good to walk through it with someone else.”

Graphic created by Lauren Meier '36

04/15/2026

Let's take some time to talk about women's health! Women face some unique health challenges, and here are some facts that women can keep in mind to stay healthy!

-80% of Americans with osteoporosis are women (Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation, 2026). Osteoporosis can lead to broken bones, reduced mobility, and reduced quality of life. Although most patients with osteoporosis are older, it is most preventable when young. Eating high-calcium foods, weight training, and weight-bearing exercise can all help strengthen bones.
-Heart attacks often go unrecognized in women because they present differently than they do in men. Learn more about signs of heart attacks in women at the American Heart Association website, heart.org.
-Certain cancers (like breast cancer) are much more prevalent in women. Following guidelines for mammograms and well-woman visits can help catch cancer and other conditions when they’re most treatable, plus give you tools and advice to stay healthy.
Graphic created by Lauren Meier '26

03/26/2026

03/23/2026

Congratulations to Jessica Hanson, associate professor of public health in the UMD Department of Applied Human Sciences and interim associate dean of UMD College of Education and Human Service Professions, who received the 2026 Community-Engaged Scholar Award from the University of Minnesota Office for Public Engagement. Hanson is passionate about community-engaged research and focuses on developing, implementing, and evaluating public health interventions within American Indian communities.

https://youtu.be/mlybqnVZ_IU?si=iEYccnjeZGfDpCGp



University of Minnesota Duluth

Community-Engaged Scholar Award: Research and Creative Activities Jessica Hanson, Interim Department Head and Associate Professor, Department of Applied Huma...

03/05/2026

This week’s faculty feature is Dr. Scott Carlson! He is the interim dean of CEHSP as well as an associate professor of psychology.

As the dean, he does a variety of work with the public health program, including budgets, hiring, and curriculum decisions. He says that it is a “fantastic program” and he’s always impressed by the projects he sees at the student showcases, which he attends whenever he has the opportunity.

Although his research is in psychology, it has public health implications too. Some of his previous work examines the link between alcohol use, social norms, and expectations for drinking. This, and similar research, sheds important light on why people drink and can be used to design better public health campaigns.

Dr. Carlson’s advice for undergraduates is to “keep an open mind, follow what interests and excites you, and talk to people who have blazed ahead on the path to figure out how to do what connects with your passions as a career.” Graphic created by Lauren Meier '26

02/24/2026

Here is an exciting webinar opportunity coming up soon!