Department of Public Health Sciences

Message from the Chair

Message from the Chair

Meeting Today’s Health Challenges

Epidemics of violence, obesity and chronic and infectious diseases are pounding our nation and hemisphere. We face challenges of immigration, climate change, urbanization, and increasing poverty and marginalization. The United States alone devotes billions of dollars per year to combating the consequences of these epidemics. How are we going to stop this hemorrhaging of illness and costs?

It is increasingly difficult to provide treatment to all of those in need. We must become more efficient in our delivery of health care; improve conditions that contribute to our fastest growing epidemics; and get preventive care to more of our citizens. All of this comes at a time when more trained public health professionals are desperately needed.

The University of Miami is committed to the public’s health. We are recruiting faculty and expanding our educational programs; developing and applying cutting-edge research to creating healthy communities; and training tomorrow’s public health leaders, giving them the tools to transform the public’s health.

José Szapocznik, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Public Health Sciences