Blog

As we honor National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed from September 15 to October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Americans’ histories, cultures, and contributions. Dr. Zorimar Rivera-Núñez is an assistant professor in the Rutgers School of Public Health’s Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology and a proud Latina. Her journey - from navigating language barriers to leading groundbreaking research on environmental exposures and maternal health - is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the power of heritage.

August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day.

We sat down with Philip McCabe, a health education specialist at the Rutgers School of Public Health’s Center for Public Health Workforce Development, who is a Nationally Certified Addiction Specialist and consultant on several national initiatives sponsored by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  

Melanie Shefchik, a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) candidate at Rutgers School of Public Health, shares her journey and dedication to maternal and child health (MCH) and highlights the vital role breastfeeding plays in promoting health and well-being.

Disability Pride Month, held annually every July, is a time to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community. The month of July was chosen back in 1990 as a part of the celebration of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities.

The Community Living Education Project (CLEP) was founded at Rutgers in 1991. A core belief of CLEP is that all individuals must have the opportunity to choose where and how they want to live. CLEP supports people with disabilities and their families as they explore the many possibilities of community living.

Samuel ‘Sam’ Nemeth, a Master of Public Health student specializing in Population Aging at Rutgers School of Public Health, is currently investigating how prosocial behaviors help increase the chances of recovering from physical and cognitive impairments, and how using an mHealth app, the practice of medicine and public health supported by mobile devices, may improve mental health in older adults.

We spoke with Sam about his passion for population aging and public health, and why this intersection is crucial to recognize during Older Americans Month and beyond.

Earth Day 2024 takes place on April 22 when around one billion people come together across the globe to focus on sustainability and take action to create a healthier and brighter future for all. The theme this year is ‘Planet versus Plastics’, with Earth Day calling for a 60 percent reduction in the production of all plastics by 2040. Plastic pollution poses a serious threat to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health now and for future generations.

Wendy M. Purcell, a global expert in sustainability and Vice Chair for Education for the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice at the Rutgers School of Public Health, explores the connections between planetary and human health.