#BrownSPH expanded in 2025, with a growing student body, faculty and alumni community. And we expanded our research enterprise, with a new center dedicated to exploring the impacts of #climatechange on human health and to driving life-saving solutions: the Center for Climate, Environment & Health.🌍

"Any level of drinking has some risk, and it increases with more drinking,” says Professor @chriskahlerphd.bsky.social, director of @browncaas.bsky.social. “There’s no discussion of risk in the guidelines now, just that drinking less is better for your health.”

In 2025, we learned just how often young people are turning to generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, for mental health advice. “The key question is how can LLMs (large language models) be most helpful, but at the same time limit their harm,” Professor Ateev Mehrotra said of the study's findings.

Brown MPH student student Shanthi Hegde warns that the recent dismantling of CDC oversight threatens, not just those with bleeding disorders like herself, but maternal health care, trauma care and national security. Read our Q&A ⤵️ https://sph.brown.edu/news/2026-01-07/student-spotlight-shanthi-hedge

Consider this your reminder to get the #flu vaccine: “Bottom line for people, if they haven’t gotten vaccinated against the flu, they should get vaccinated, particularly young kids and older adults,” Professor @jennifernuzzo.bsky.social#flusays.

In 2025, investigators in Brown's Center for Advancing Health Policy through Research launched a tool that gives policymakers and the public an unprecedented look at how Medicare Advantage plans are contributing to billions in excess payments through “upcoding.”

A big upside of #DryJanuary? Professor @sqcolby.bsky.social of @browncaas.bsky.social#DryJanuarysays that "increasing the ability to refuse drinks is such an important outcome, and probably...leads to people being able to drink less, even after they’re done with Dry January."

In 2025, @browncaas.bsky.social researchers investigated the “California sober” trend, which involves ditching alcohol in favor of cannabis. Follow the link to learn the results of the first-ever randomized, placebo-controlled trial to test whether #cannabis use directly changes alcohol consumption.

Every year we profile members of the #BrownSPH alumni community making a difference in public health. Last summer, we spoke with Samantha Rosenthal MPH ’10, Ph.D. ’14, Johnson & Wales University professor of health science, about her work breaking down the stigma surrounding men’s #mentalhealth.

Are you giving #dryjanuary a try? Head to the link to learn the health benefits of taking even a short break from alcohol, according to a new review from researchers at @brown.edu.🍷⤵️

So grateful to the Brown SPH community for having the privilege to serve as your Dean for the past 5 years I continue to believe that the future of public health is bright Every day that I worked at Brown SPH reinforced that for me

"We are Brown—the enduring strength of our caring and supportive community has long been a hallmark of who we are. Ever true.” President Christina H. Paxson @brown.edu #evertrue www.brown.edu/news/2026-01...

Our #BrownSPH 2025 review continues with a story on how early life events impact our health decades later. These insights are made possible by the New England Family Study, a one-of-a-kind research project that launched in 1959 and continues at @brown.edu#BrownSPHtoday. Follow the link to learn more.

The #BrownSPH community rose to meet the unprecedented events of 2025, committed to improving the health of our neighbors. Last summer we spoke to Doha Maaty MPH’25 about the revival of a free local clinic providing culturally-attuned care to RI South Asian, Middle Eastern & African communities.

2025 was unlike any other year, but the #BrownSPH community never stopped moving public health forward. Last summer we spoke with Professor Carolina Haass-Koffler about GLP-1 drugs and their potential to someday treat addiction.

2025 was full of challenges, but the #BrownSPH community remained committed to moving public health forward. Last spring, 100 @brown.edu#BrownSPHstudents presented their posters at Public Health Research Day, our annual research symposium. https://www.brown.edu/news/2025-04-08/public-health-research-day

The events of 2025 were unimaginable. But despite the turmoil, #BrownSPH moved public health forward. We're sharing 10 of 2025's high-impact achievements, starting off with this project that will analyze trends in drug use and barriers to care in order to strengthen drug treatment in New England.

Thank you for joining us in honoring Dean @ashishkjha.bsky.social and his legacy at @brown.edu!✨ Please also join us next week for a Farewell Gathering for the Dean on Dec. 17th! RSVP and details⤵️ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQmzXpHJcLTq_8TAM0Y7njU-j_p4LZk6Z8l4SzAN-o3njcGA/viewform

From downtown Providence to the new Pawtucket soccer stadium, students in PHP1720 got to work this semester, conducting community-engaged research across Rhode Island, and revealing disparities in noise pollution & other public health concerns. More ⤵️ https://sph.brown.edu/news/2025-12-11/php1720

A lot has happened at #BrownSPH over the past 5 years: research gains, an explosion in student enrollment and the expansion of our physical footprint. Dean @ashishkjha.bsky.social#BrownSPHbuilt a stronger, more resilient institution. Today, he leaves it well prepared for the challenges ahead. #evertrue

Tomorrow at 12PM ET! Join Senior Adviser @wilmotjames.bsky.social for a webinar on a new study revealing how we can prepare African children’s hospitals for major disasters and outbreaks. He’ll be joined by Workeabeba Abebe Taye & Ashraf Hassen Coovadia. Register ⤵️ brown.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Published in @amjpublichealth.bsky.social, a new piece from @jennifernuzzo.bsky.social examines how polarization has become a threat to US health. #COVID ’s long tail is serious, yet the political divide it left behind may be even more damaging. Read here ⤵️

Join us for a ScM Biostatistics Q&A tomorrow at 10:30am! Bring your questions regarding the Biostatistics masters program or the application process. We are here to get your questions answered! Register here: apply.professional.brown.edu/register/?id...

🎧NEW EPISODE Professor Ateev Mehrotra discusses the findings of a new study on AI and youth mental health. “I knew this was happening," he says of young people seeking advice from chatbots, "but the magnitude of how often that is happening was really striking to me.”

More students than ever can access @brown.edu public health training! Innovative & inclusive, Dean @ashishkjha.bsky.social built programs that open doors & support students. "The Health Equity Scholars program was pivotal to my development as a health care professional," says Vivian Uzoechi MPH '25.

It was great to see so many public health faces at the @brown.edu annual Holiday Staff Party yesterday!!❄️ Wishing all of our hard-working #BrownSPH staff members a restful and joy-filled winter break!

📢Attention #BrownSPH community! Wednesday December 10 is your opportunity to save three lives! The @ribloodcenter.bsky.social#BrownSPHwill be at 121 South Main St. ready for your donation. Find more details at the link! ⤵️

Over 5 extraordinary years, Dean @ashishkjha.bsky.social grew #BrownSPH by 4 new research centers, beginning with the @pandemiccenter.bsky.social in 2022! Learn more about Dean Jha's research legacy @brown.edu#BrownSPHhttps://sph.brown.edu/research

Dr. @craigspencer.bsky.social doesn’t think the US medical establishment can go back to the pre-RFK Jr. way of things. “There’s not a world where I see, three years from now...we put all these things back,” he says. “I want us to say, 'we’re willing to engage in how to do things differently.'”

All week long we're celebrating the impact of Dean @ashishkjha.bsky.social over five plus years at #BrownSPH!❤️ Follow along with us for highlights of his tenure, from expanded research to innovative training aimed at broadening access to @brown.edu.#BrownSPH #gratitude #leadership #evertrue

After 5 transformative years, Dean @ashishkjha.bsky.social is stepping down. Join us in thanking Dean Jha for navigating #BrownSPH through an extraordinary period and for building our school into one of the best! Gratitude also to Dr. Francesca Beaudoin, who leads #BrownSPH as Interim Dean in 2026.

"To really stem this crisis and improve public health, the country must pursue an aggressive campaign of economic justice." —Professor Brandon Marshall and @ashihipar.bsky.social of the @pphcollective.bsky.social writing in the @newrepublic.com

"We, as a country, can improve health care affordability,” Professor @rozmurray.bsky.social says. Oregon was the first US state to limit how much hospitals can charge. Hit the link to learn how much $$$ caps saved (without impacting quality). https://sph.brown.edu/news/2025-12-02/hospital-price-caps

LISTEN🎧 What can you learn at an anti-vax conference? Quite a lot, Dr. @craigspencer.bsky.social tells Dean @ashishkjha.bsky.social on the latest episode of A Moment in Health.

Smarter health financing is how you build a stronger, more resilient health systems across Africa. New analysis from @nti.org, @pandemiccenter.bsky.social, Economist Impact & Science for Africa Foundation highlights how tools like the Africa Health Security Index can close critical gaps. More ⤵️

"In our controlled bar lab study, after people smoked cannabis, they drank about a quarter less alcohol over the next two hours," Professor @janemetrik.bsky.social tells Fox News. Learn more about the @browncaas.bsky.social study!⤵️

In our latest episode, Dr. Dinah Nasike and Dr. Judy Omumbo dive into how local voices and local action shape epidemic preparedness. 🎧 Listen Here podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...

WATCH NOW: Professor Alison Tovar spoke to @nbc10wjar.bsky.social about the results of her review of the first state-level program aimed at encouraging #SNAP recipients to eat more fruits and vegetables by giving them 50 cents back for every dollar spent on fresh produce.

NEW RESEARCH: With #RSV hospitalizing 80,000 US children each year, a @brown.edu team aimed to learn how population density affects its spread among young children. @brown-ibes.bsky.social @rebaker.bsky.social#RSV Learn the results!⤵️ https://www.brown.edu/news/2025-11-26/rsv-urban-rural-immunization

It's a big day for applicants to the #BrownSPH MPH & PhD programs!✨ 11:59 PM ET TONIGHT is the final deadline for epidemiology, biostatistics & health services research PhD programs and the master’s programs priority deadline! We’re ready to support you!⬇️ https://sph.brown.edu/admission-aid/apply

Has your local pharmacy closed? Professor Kaley Hayes says that in the US, drugstores “are central health hubs and are arguably one of the most accessible health care providers.” When pharmacies close, she says, “It’s taking another health care provider out of the equation.”

New research led by center affiliate @rebaker.bsky.social shows that year-round #RSV immunization could significantly reduce the risk of large outbreaks across both urban and rural communities. Read more ⤵️ www.brown.edu/news/2025-11...

📰 Check out our November 2025 Newsletter! Subscribe today to get the latest Department news, events, student information, seminars, job postings, publications and much more! us13.campaign-archive.com?u=198ca4880a...

I am very grateful for the dedicated spirit of service that permeates our faculty, staff, and trainees at @browncaas.bsky.social in @brownpublichealth.bsky.social. I could not be more proud. We can't improve our world unless we give something of ourselves. #HappyThanksgiving!

New paper with Tayla von Ash and colleagues offering guidance for how researchers can to "contribute to an antiracist public health agenda in pursuit of health equity regardless of content focus." @brownpublichealth.bsky.social @browncaas.bsky.social journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

TODAY! Andriy Norets, Ph.D., Professor of Economics at Brown University will be speaking at the Statistics Seminar Series at @brownpublichealth.bsky.social at noon. We hope you will join us! events.brown.edu/biostatistic...

With gratitude for your dedication to public health, to our School, and to each other, we wish all members of the #BrownSPH community, near and far, a restful, safe, and joy-filled Thanksgiving!🦃🍂

As food costs remain high, policymakers & nutrition experts seek ways to help low-income families eat healthier. Some push stricter limits on what SNAP can buy, while others argue that financial incentives encourage healthy choices. New research adds fresh but inconclusive evidence to the debate.🍎⤵️

Professor @drsethberkley.bsky.social's latest, Fair Doses—on the scientific breakthroughs, supply chain bottlenecks & politics that shaped the pandemic response—has been named a best book of 2025 by the @economist.com! Excerpt here📖⤵️ https://sph.brown.edu/news/2025-11-21/seth-berkley-book-excerpt