School Notes: School of Public Health
September/October 2024

Yale School of Public Health marks independence milestone

After 108 years, the Yale School of Public Health reached an historic milestone on July 1, 2024, completing its transition to a fully independent school at Yale. The transition reflects the university’s commitment to YSPH scholarship, education, and research in the field of public health. With its newfound independence, the school officially separates from the Yale School of Medicine, where it has resided since its founding in 1916.

“The pursuit of the science of public health matters more today than ever,” Dean Megan L. Ranney said. “Across YSPH, we are committed to advancing scholarship, education, and practice that allows humans to thrive. We can see a world in which transformative science is translated into health-promoting systems, structures, programs, and communities. With the support of our alumni, faculty members, staff, current students, and the larger Yale community, we look forward to what lies ahead.”

YSPH expands public health communications training

Rebuilding trust in science and combating rampant disinformation and misinformation have become top priorities in the field of public health. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Yale School of Public Health recently expanded its communications training programs to help students become more effective public health communicators.

A new course called Health Communication and the Media launched in the 2024 spring semester. It is led by Marney White ’09MPH, professor of social and behavioral sciences, scientific director of the Initiative for Strategic Health Communications, and a clinical psychologist; and Jackson Higginbottom ’20MPH, leader of the Initiative for Strategic Health Communications at the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center. The course covers op-ed writing, misinformation, visual communications, social media, behavioral theories, entertainment media, persuasive communication, and risk communications.