Vaccines are only one part of the larger public health story.
Every day, public health professionals work to prevent disease, promote healthy behaviors, improve access to care, and create healthier environments where people live, work, and learn.
The next time you hear a public health issue trending in the news, consider the people behind the science, data, education, and community partnerships that help keep populations healthy.
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Over the next four weeks, the Department of Public Health Sciences is running a social media campaign called What Is in Your Health Professional Toolkit? Each week takes up one part of the question, and we are asking students to weigh in — not just to read along. If you are studying public health, allied health sciences, nursing, exercise science, nutrition, psychology, healthcare administration, or you are on a pre-med or pre-PA track, this is aimed at you.
Find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
Week 1 — Career Goals & Inspiration. Where do you want to end up, and what pointed you there? We will share paths that public health graduates actually take, including the ones that are not obvious from the outside.
Week 2 — Skills for Success. The practical layer: data literacy, writing, working across disciplines, communicating with communities rather than at them. What you can start building now, before you need it.
Week 3 — College & Professional Life. Coursework, research opportunities, internships, and the unglamorous logistics of getting from a class roster to a résumé.
Week 4 — Future Impact. The long view — what students want to change, and how a career in public health connects to that.
To make participating a little more worthwhile, one participant will win a Back-to-School Health Professional Toolkit — a mystery bag with UConn swag, study supplies, wellness items, professional development resources, and a few public health–themed surprises.
Entries are earned through the same engagement the campaign is about, and they stack. You can enter more than once:
| Action | Entries |
|---|---|
| React to a campaign post or vote in a story poll | 1 entry each |
| Leave a meaningful comment | 2 bonus entries |
| Share a campaign post, tag us and tag a friend | 3 bonus entries |
This August, we invite you to think about what belongs in your own Health Professional Toolkit. Whether you’re interested in public health, nursing, pre-med, exercise science, psychology, healthcare administration, nutrition, or another health-related field, there are many paths to creating impact.
One participant will receive a Health Professional Toolkit Mystery Bag filled with UConn swag, study supplies, wellness items, professional development resources, and a few public health-themed surprises.
Official Rules
Read the full newsletter here.
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The Department of Public Health Sciences recently had the opportunity to give back to the community through a donation initiative benefiting the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI).
Thanks to the generosity of the UConn School of Dental Medicine, our department delivered nearly 800 dental hygiene products, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss, to support CIRI’s workshops and meet the everyday needs of the individuals and families they serve.
CIRI has long been a vital resource in Connecticut, providing compassionate, high-quality legal, social, and educational services to refugees, immigrants, and survivors of human trafficking and torture. In addition to helping individuals navigate complex systems and rebuild their lives, the organization works to ensure that families have access to essential resources that promote health, dignity, and well-being.
Access to basic hygiene products is an important, yet often overlooked, aspect of public health. Items such as toothbrushes and toothpaste play a significant role in preventing disease, promoting overall health, and supporting quality of life. By contributing these essentials, our department and partners hope to help reduce barriers to care and support the health of community members across Connecticut.
This donation effort reflects our department’s ongoing commitment to community engagement, health equity, and service. Collaborations like these demonstrate the power of partnership and the meaningful impact that can be made when organizations come together to address community needs.
We are grateful to the UConn School of Dental Medicine for their generous contribution and to CIRI for the incredible work they do every day in supporting some of Connecticut’s most vulnerable populations. We look forward to continuing opportunities to partner with organizations that advance health, equity, and community well-being.
Learn how you can help: https://health.uconn.edu/public-health-sciences/2026/05/18/2026-spring-cleaning-donation-drive/
Dr. Youngji Jo, Assistant Professor in Public Health Sciences, was awarded a K01 titled “Evaluating the Impact of Integrated and Differentiated HIV–NCD Service Delivery through Mathematical Modeling.” The project develops a behavior- and systems-aware model to evaluate integrated service delivery for multimorbidity management. Drawing on the Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)’s large NIH-funded trial dataset (TASKPEN), the work will inform highly effective and cost-effective intervention approaches under the health-system constraints — capacity and budget — that must be addressed for integrated service delivery to scale.
This setting provides a unique, accelerated opportunity to study multimorbidity patterns, care-delivery challenges, and outcomes of integrated care models directly relevant to older adults living with HIV in the United States. With 54% of U.S. people living with HIV now aged 50 or older and an estimated 60–80% experiencing multimorbidity, this work will inform integrated care for Ryan White clinics and other safety-net systems, where strengthening chronic disease coordination is a national priority.
As the academic year comes to a close, the Department of Public Health Sciences at UConn reflects on a vibrant and impactful spring semester—one marked by student achievement, faculty innovation, and deep community engagement.
This issue of our Spring 2026 newsletter highlights the many ways our community continues to advance public health both within and beyond the classroom.
We proudly recognized the Class of 2026 through a series of milestone events, including the annual poster session, graduation dinner, and commencement ceremony. These moments honored not only academic achievement, but also the real-world impact our graduates are already making in their communities and beyond.
Faculty and research teams continued to push the field forward this semester, tackling critical issues such as adolescent sleep health, treatment-resistant depression, environmental air quality, and data-driven public health policy.
From nationally recognized publications to collaborative grant-funded projects, these efforts reflect our commitment to improving population health through evidence-based solutions.
Our students, faculty, and staff remained deeply engaged in the community, participating in events such as the Black Family Wellness Expo, WishFest, and volunteer initiatives with organizations like Hands on Hartford.
These experiences bring public health to life—connecting education, service, and advocacy in meaningful ways.
This semester also showcased student leadership through research symposia, enrichment programming, community-based learning, and new initiatives like Munch & Mingle.
From mentoring high school students to presenting equity-focused research, our students continue to lead with purpose and impact.
As we move into the summer season, this issue is a reminder that public health is not just a discipline—it’s a community built on collaboration, resilience, and care for one another.
We invite you to explore the full newsletter and celebrate the people and work shaping healthier futures.
This season, our department is proud to support 3 impactful initiatives dedicated to serving CT residents: Community Service Officer Jim Barrett’s Homeless Outreach Program, Hands On Hartford, and Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants.
As the weather gets warmer, and financial instability continues to rise, community support is more important than ever.
About Community Service Officers & Officer Jim Barrett
Learn about Officer Barrett here: https://youtu.be/miVDWB2X3Yc
Community Service Officers work directly within Hartford neighborhoods, building relationships, attending community events, and addressing quality-of-life concerns. Officer Jim Barrett, the city’s homeless outreach officer, goes above and beyond to support unhoused individuals. His compassionate work has been recognized locally and nationally.
About Hands On Hartford (HOH)
Support their work here: https://handsonhartford.org/support/
Hands On Hartford strengthens the community through housing support, food access, homelessness prevention, and outreach services. Their MANNA Community Pantry, Backpack Nutrition Program, Supportive Housing, and Shared Use Kitchen all play a crucial role in meeting basic needs and fostering long-term stability. Their participation-based restaurant, Gather55, welcomes everyone—regardless of ability to pay—creating a space where community and compassion meet over a shared meal.
They also operate a Day Program that provides referrals, shelter support, health screenings, and a safe environment for those experiencing homelessness. With more than 1,400 volunteers each year and support from civic, faith-based, and organizational partners, Hands On Hartford continues to create a healthier, more inclusive Hartford for all.
About the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI)
Learn more about their mission here: https://cirict.org/who-we-are/
CIRI provides a compassionate array of high-quality legal, social, and educational programming for refugees, immigrants, and survivors of human trafficking and torture.
CIRI is a statewide nonprofit organization that assists refugees and immigrants resolve legal, economic, linguistic and social barriers so that they become self-sufficient, integrated and contributing members of the community. CIRI achieves this mission by providing a compassionate array of high-quality legal, social and educational programming and by promoting cross cultural understanding and decent treatment for all.
How You Can Help
This year, many community members are facing reduced assistance, unexpected hardships, and limited access to food or clothing. Even small contributions can make a meaningful difference—especially items like $5 fast-food gift cards, which provide unhoused individuals the opportunity to purchase a meal.
Most-needed items include:
Your generosity directly supports individuals and families navigating challenging times. Thank you for helping us make a positive impact this season.
Welcome to a space where public health takes root. It’s a celebration of what we plant, nurture, and share as a community committed to health and well-being.
At the UConn Department of Public Health Sciences, we believe public health starts in the places we live, learn, work, and grow. From the food on our tables to the systems that shape our daily lives, public health connects us all. That’s why we’ve created this garden-to-table collection featuring recipes from our faculty each inspired by the seeds we are distributing to the community.
Our recipes feature our seed packets featuring cucumbers, various peppers, tomatoes, and herbs.
Please note: This is just a selection of our esteemed faculty members. Those featured have made contributions to this recipe book.
Why It Matters: The Health Behind the Ingredients
Public Health Benefits of Home Gardening
Home gardening is more than a hobby—it’s a public health practice.
Gardening encourages physical activity, reduces stress, and provides access to fresh, affordable produce. It also fosters resilience in communities by improving food security and giving people more control over their nutrition. Growing food at home supports both physical and mental well-being while strengthening connections between individuals, families, and their environment.
If you would like to receive our printed recipe booklet, be sure to stop at our tabling events, or you can set a time to pick it up by calling 860-679-5470.
For more information send us an email at publichealth@uchc.edu
And that’s a wrap! The UConn Department of Public Health Sciences had an incredible experience at the 2025 American Public Health Association (APHA) Expo.
Our talented faculty members, alumni, and even Dr. Brown’s daughter took center stage to showcase their groundbreaking research through dynamic presentations and engaging posters. From innovative approaches to health equity to community-based interventions, their work reflected the breadth and impact of public health in action.
The APHA Expo provided an invaluable platform for collaboration, learning, and inspiration—reminding us why public health is at the heart of positive change. It was truly inspiring to witness our team’s unwavering commitment to advancing the field and improving the well-being of communities everywhere.
We’re proud to be part of a community that continues to push boundaries, share knowledge, and lead the way in shaping a healthier future.
Check out our socials to view more photos and remember to give us a like!
