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September 14, 2025
SPH This Week.
Latest News, Research, and More
INSIGHTS FROM THE DEAN
Vaccines Are a Gold Standard of Public Health
Dear Colleagues,
Throughout my research career, whenever we grappled with an intractable issue, someone would inevitably ask the question:
“What's the vaccine for X?"
The simplicity of that analogy speaks to the historical truth that vaccines are a gold standard for public health solutions. With the administration of one or more doses, they have prevented serious death and disease for decades. They are directly responsible for reducing infant and child mortality in this country and around the world. And thanks to them, millions of children no longer face death or long-term adverse outcomes from preventable infectious illnesses.
Let us always promote evidence-based interventions.
Warm regards,
AH
ADNAN HYDER, MD, MPH, PhD
Dean and Robert A. Knox Professor
Boston University School of Public Health
RESEARCH
Kimberly Sullivan, along with a group of clinical researchers and veterans, advocated for this official recognition, which will support better diagnosis, treatment and understanding of Gulf War illness. Read more.
SCHOOL NEWS
Carla Irizarry-Delgado conducted epidemiological research on breast cancer prevention at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center as a trainee in the center’s summer program for young scientists. Read more.
HEALTH REFORMAlan Sager discusses his new book The Easiest, which presents a guide to thorough healthcare reform in the US. By strategically redirecting trillions of dollars in wasteful spending, the US can achieve affordable and high-quality care for all. Read more. |
PUBLIC HEALTH POSTSince McDonald v. Chicago, the number of pediatric firearm deaths has surpassed pre-decision trends in states with the most permissive laws, writes PHP fellow Rowena Lindsay. Read more. |
RESEARCH
A new study by Veronika Wirtz and Carly Ching analyzes policy messaging around antimicrobial use in food-producing animals, providing recommendations on how to reframe this language in a way that motivates farmers to curb this use and help reduce the global threat of antimicrobial resistance. Read more.
EDUCATIONAn inside look at SPH’s MPH certificate in climate change and health, from the perspective of an alum who was among the first to complete the program. Read more. |
PUBLIC HEALTH POSTEven slight declines in childhood vaccination coverage can cause hospitalizations and other complications to rise dramatically, writes PHP fellow Aidan Stotz. Read more. |
Keep up with SPH on Instagram.
Thousands of students have just moved to Boston. At Orientation, we asked some of our new students a few trivia questions about the city. See how they did!
In the Media.
WASHINGTON POST
Quotes Matt Motta, associate professor of health law, policy & management.
WBUR
Quotes Monica Wang, associate professor of community health sciences.
BAY STATE BANNER
Quotes Madeleine Scammell, professor of environmental health.
WASHINGTON MONTHY
Interview with Brooke Nichols, associate professor of global health.
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