At a time when it’s needed most, public health is at the center of the national conversation on two critical fronts: the COVID-19 pandemic and racism. The pandemic has attacked the world, touching all but the most isolated countries, and it shows no sign of waning. The destructive impact of racism, a 400-year public health emergency, drew intense and long-overdue scrutiny in 2020. And a chronically underfunded public health system hobbles efforts to address both vital issues.
In the following pages, we look at how our school is working to understand and confront the threats of COVID-19, racism, and the lack of financial support for public health. All are emergencies as the U.S. and the world struggle to right themselves and forge a healthier future.
