A ‘to do’ list for policymakers
The 119th Congress will be sworn in early next month, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health faculty have plenty of suggestions. Throughout the fall, they shared their thoughts on evidence-based policies to address a wide range of public health issues, from the maternal mortality crisis to ultra-processed foods to health care affordability. Read their recommendations here.
Improving drinking water quality in the U.S.
Ronnie Levin, instructor in the Department of Environmental Health, discusses contamination in the country’s drinking water supply, and policies that could address the public health issue.
Addressing the health threats posed by climate change
Renee Salas, affiliated faculty at the Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment at Harvard Chan School, explores the health harms posed by climate change and policies that could help mitigate the threat.
Addressing the U.S. maternal mortality crisis
Alecia McGregor, assistant professor of health policy and politics, shares what’s driving rising rates of maternal morbidity and mortality in the U.S., and what policies could help begin mitigating the crisis.
Preventing opioid deaths requires reducing stigma, increasing treatments
Michael Barnett, associate professor of health policy and management, offers his thoughts on combatting the opioid epidemic by destigmatizing addiction and making treatment pathways more accessible.
To improve mental health, focus on population health, prevention
Karestan Koenen, professor of psychiatric epidemiology and head of the Population Mental Health Lab, discusses policies to reduce the prevalence of mental health problems.
Making health care more affordable
Meredith Rosenthal, the C. Boyden Gray Professor of Health Economics and Policy at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, offers her thoughts on the challenges related to health care affordability and opportunities for action in the short-…
Loneliness is hurting our health, but these policies could help
Ichiro Kawachi, the John L. Loeb and Frances Lehman Loeb Professor of Social Epidemiology, offers his thoughts on policies tackling loneliness and social isolation.
The pressing problem of child poverty and poor health
Rita Hamad, associate professor of social and behavioral sciences, shares how the U.S. can lift more children out of poverty.
Ultra-processed foods: Five policy ideas that could protect health
Jerold Mande, adjunct professor of nutrition, offers recommendations for the next U.S. administration for policies around ultra-processed foods, which now make up about 70% of the items in grocery stores.
