Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · 4d

More than 200 volunteers from the Harvard Chan School community participated in our third annual Day of Service, which included activities like serving meals at a shelter, cleaning up Boston Public Garden, and making warm blankets for children in need.

Harvard Chan community lends a hand at annual Day of Service | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

More than 200 volunteers from Harvard Chan School participated in the School’s third annual Day of Service.

hsph.harvard.edu

2 13

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · 5d

“We should be acutely aware of the number of different infectious threats that can be thrown at us, and once you’ve got a really great new tool in your toolkit, why would you throw it away? Why would you turn your back on mRNA technology when it’s helped us so much?” – @billhanage.bsky.social

Slashing of funding for mRNA vaccine development raises concern | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

In August, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) cancelled nearly $500 million in contracts that funded mRNA vaccine development. The mRNA

hsph.harvard.edu

9 5

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · 6d

Jasmine Gonzalvo, a professor at Purdue University, chose the MPH Generalist program at Harvard Chan School because she wanted to advance her career. She was delighted to find that the online program also offered a thriving community.

Learn more: hsph.me/online

1 4

Reposted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Harvard Epidemiology @harvardepi.bsky.social · 7d

Our team was proud to take part in the Harvard Chan Community Day of Service!

Department members made fleece blankets for youth experiencing homelessness, distributed by Project Linus.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered!

@hsph.harvard.edu #Boston #CommunityImpact

Staff members attending the Harvard Chan Day of Service.

1 1

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · 11d

First-generation students and Harvard Chan School faculty and staff talk candidly about imposter syndrome, campus life, and the support systems and mentoring that help first-gen students thrive.

Thriving as a first-gen student at Harvard Chan School of Public Health

YouTube video by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

youtu.be

1

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · 13d

As part of Harvard Climate Action Week, environmental health researchers from Harvard Chan School looked at how AI could impact climate and discussed ways to protect the public from extreme heat.

Experts share climate risks, solutions during Harvard Climate Action Week | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

As part of Harvard Climate Action Week, environmental health researchers from Harvard Chan School looked at how AI could impact climate and discussed ways to protect the public from extreme heat.

hsph.harvard.edu

2 2 5

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · 13d

As an entrepreneur in the health sector, Sean Liu knew he needed to be able to work meaningfully and efficiently with health care professionals. He joined our online MPH Generalist program, enabling him to continue growing his business and family—all while earning a Harvard degree. hsph.me/online

5

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · 21d

“At stake is nothing less than the decisions Americans make about their health and the health of their communities,” said Harvard Chan's Andy Burness. “We can do more than lament the loss of trust. We can do something about it. And that starts with re-thinking how we communicate about public health”

Op-ed: Public health officials need to build back trust | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

In a time when people are losing trust in public health--such as denying the effectiveness of vaccines--officials should improve communication in order to repair what's broken, according to Harvard Chan School's Andy Burness.

hsph.harvard.edu

4 9

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · 22d

Following a green-Mediterranean diet—which includes green tea and the aquatic plant Mankai—is associated with slower brain aging, according to a study co-authored by researchers at Ben-Gurion University, Harvard Chan School, and the University of Leipzig.

Green-Mediterranean diet may slow brain aging | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Following a green-Mediterranean diet—which includes green tea and the aquatic plant Mankai—is associated with slower brain aging, according to a study.

hsph.harvard.edu

2 6 14

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · 27d

After a federal judge in Boston ruled that the Trump administration’s cancellation of nearly $3 billion worth of grants to Harvard University was unlawful, several faculty members from Harvard Chan School expressed relief as well as concern about Harvard’s future.

Federal grant cuts at Harvard illegal, judge rules; Harvard Chan faculty express relief, concern | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

After a federal judge in Boston ruled that the Trump administration’s cancellation of nearly $3 billion worth of grants to Harvard University was unlawful, several faculty members from Harvard Chan Sc...

hsph.harvard.edu

8

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · Sep 4

New students at Harvard Chan School were welcomed by deans, faculty, staff, and returning students at Fall Orientation last week. The three-day event brought together 449 new students from 66 countries and territories to connect and learn how to make the most of their experience at the School.

3 10

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · Sep 2

“This is not just a New York City problem,” said Harvard Chan's Hannah Greenwald Healy. “I think of it as a problem in industrialized countries. We’ve been seeing increases in Legionnaires’ disease for decades now across the United States, across Canada, and across a lot of European countries.”

Legionnaires’ disease: ‘Not just a New York City problem’ | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City has killed at least six people and sickened at least 113 since late July. Experts say the disease, a severe type of pneumonia, has been on the ris...

hsph.harvard.edu

1 4 12

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · Sep 2

Dean Andrea Baccarelli (@deanbaccarelli.bsky.social) welcomed new students at last week’s orientation, sharing that Harvard Chan School “is the perfect place for you to explore how your skills and interests can best serve your goals and help you make the most impact in public health.”

Orientation 2025: For new Harvard Chan students, a warm welcome | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

New students at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health were welcomed to the School at Fall Orientation.

hsph.harvard.edu

3 3 8

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · Aug 29

SOPHAS is a centralized application service used by many of the accredited schools in public health, including Harvard Chan School.

All Harvard Chan School master’s and doctor of public health program applicants follow the same process, starting with SOPHAS. Learn more: hsph.me/apply

Promotional graphic with text stating "The SOPHAS application is now open. Learn more at hsph.me/apply" on a dark crimson background decorated with lighter crimson pattern

Promotional graphic announcing the opening of SOPHAS application for Harvard Chan School public health programs, including Master of Science, Master of Public Health, and Doctor of Public Health. Features a crimson background with geometric design. More information at hsph.me/apply and PhD details at gsas.harvard.edu/apply

5

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · Aug 27

A new cohort of changemakers is on campus for Fall 2025 Orientation at Harvard Chan School. Welcome to all of our new students!

#HarvardChan

Four students at Harvard Chan orientation are smiling for a photo in a lobby area.

Two individuals shaking hands at orientation, with one behind the check-in table.

Group of attendees at orientation, walking and conversing in a modern lobby area.

Four people conversing at an orientation event.

1 11

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · Aug 26

As Fall 2025 Orientation activities kick off the academic year at Harvard Chan School, hear from alum Michelle Shah, MPH ’25, who was a HOST during last Fall Orientation.

If you’re at Orientation this week and have a question about life on campus, ask one of the HOSTs!

Welcome to #HarvardChan!

1 5

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · Aug 20

For decades, government, academia, and industry have worked together to forward scientific innovation in the U.S.

Biostatistician @johnquackenbush.bsky.social explains how investment in basic research at universities today will advance fields ranging from telecommunications to public health.

1 6 14

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · Aug 19

Today’s #HarvardChanStudio panel brings together health and policy experts to explore the drivers of declining fertility, consider whether the U.S. needs more births, and discuss innovative strategies to improve the health of moms and babies.

Watch live:

America’s declining birth rate: A public health perspective

YouTube video by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

www.youtube.com

3 11

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · Aug 15

How have cuts to federal funding for scientific research impacted your work?

1

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · Aug 15

How does air pollution affect kids?

1 1 2

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · Aug 15

What are the risks of weakening EPA regulation?

1 1 2

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · Aug 15

Do you see the impact of EPA regulations on your patients' health?

1 1 3

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · Aug 15

Has EPA regulation improved Americans' health?

1

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · Aug 15

What was the environment like before the EPA existed?

1 1 3

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health @hsph.harvard.edu · Aug 15

Do Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations protect Americans’ health?

Mary Rice, director of @harvardcchange.bsky.social, answers your questions in this Q&A on the EPA’s origins and impact, and what it means for Americans' health if the agency's regulations are weakened.

1 2 4