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August 23, 2026
SPH This Week.
Latest News, Research, and More
SPH AT 50
As the School of Public Health celebrates its 50th anniversary, five faculty reflect on what has—and has not—changed over the course of more than 40 years as members of the SPH community. Read more.
RESEARCH
Following the Trump administration’s announcement of changes to a public charge rule that would penalize immigrants for using public health services, antisanctuary counties in the US saw a 16.8-percent increase in HIV cases among Hispanic populations, according to a new study by Carlos Rodriguez-Diaz. Read more.
COMMENTARYDesigning a multiprogram enrollment application that enables people to apply to several public benefit programs at once can substantially reduce the time, costs, and stress associated with this process—as well as promote equity and improve health outcomes, according to a new commentary by Cristina Gago and Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba in the American Journal of Public Health. Read more. |
SCHOOL NEWSAs graduate student research fellows with the BU Institute for Global Sustainability, Grace Betts, Sharon Casey, and Feven Lencha spent ten weeks of the summer conducting original research focused on fostering environmental sustainability and social welfare. Read more. |
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From the outset, our School concerned itself with issues of justice and equity.
LES BODEN
PROFESSOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
SPEAKING ABOUT THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF BUSPH
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PUBLIC HEALTH POST
Incorporating even small amounts of vigorous activity into your exercise routine can lower the risk of chronic disease and early death, writes PHP fellow Farah Nimeri. Learn more.
PUBLIC HEALTH POST
Despite what some politicians may think, research shows that people spend federal cash transfers on food, rent, or bills—not drugs or alcohol, writes PHP fellow Priyanka Athalye. Read more.
Kudos.
Stephen Murray (SPH'22), adjunct clinical assistant professor of community health sciences and director of the SafeSpot Overdose Hotline, has received the 2026 D50 Outstanding Contributions to Advancing the Understanding of Addictions Award from the Society of Addiction Psychology for his work in overdose prevention. The award recognizes Murray's leadership of SafeSpot, a 24/7 peer-led overdose detection and prevention hotline, as well as his work in education and drug policy.
Koichiro Shiba, assistant professor of epidemiology, has received a $200,000 grant from the Alzheimer's Association to examine whether neighborhoods with more active community gathering places, such as libraries, parks, and community centers, help protect older adults against cognitive decline. Shiba will use large-scale human mobility GPS data from mobile phones to identify these third places within communities.
Noel Vest, assistant professor of community health sciences, has been appointed to the Council on Criminal Justice, an independent membership organization that advances understanding of the criminal justice policy choices in the United States and builds consensus for solutions that enhance safety and justice for all.
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CELEBRATING SPH AT 50
Our alums bring their expertise to just about every setting – government, hospitals, labs, academia, and so much more. Whether you graduated in the 1970s or 2020s, we want to hear from you! Tell us about your favorite SPH memories.
In the Media.
BOSTON GLOBE
Quotes Patricia Fabian, professor of environmental health.
NBC NEWS
Quotes Eugene Declercq, professor of community health sciences.
KFF HEALTH NEWS
Quotes Nicole Huberfeld, Edward R. Utley Professor of Health Law.
TELEGRAM & GAZETTE
Article written by Katherine O'Malley, principal policy analyst of health law, policy & management.
The mission of the Boston University School of Public Health is to improve the health and well-being of populations worldwide, particularly the underserved, through excellence and innovation in education, research, and practice.
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