Public Health Annual Fund

Advancing the School of Public Health's high impact work in improving human health for all.

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The Brown University School of Public Health is dedicated to tackling the critical health issues that affect communities around the globe. By using data and evidence to find solutions to big challenges—from environmental toxins to addiction and overdose—our experts serve the public good and help people live longer, happier, and healthier lives. 

The Public Health Annual Fund provides critical, flexible support to train future public health leaders, advance knowledge on pressing health challenges, and enhance well-being for all. 

Support public health today.

With your help, we can create solutions that ensure healthier environments for everyone.

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Your gift to the Public Health Annual Fund supports:

  • Research that improves daily life: Advancing the school's work in high-impact areas that affect people across the globe. This includes:
    • Chronic and Infectious Disease: Leading rigorous research into the causes and prevention of chronic health concerns such as cardiovascular disease, asthma, and cancer. Monitoring the latest disease outbreaks across America and the globe to inform responsive action.
    • Environmental Health: Evaluating how climate change and environmental hazards, such as air pollution and the pervasive threat of forever chemicals (PFAS), impact human health.
    • Children’s Mental Health: Tackling the impacts of digital media on youth mental health and developing programs to improve child and family quality of life.
    • Addiction and Behavior: Employing a harm reduction approach to substance use—from evaluating overdose prevention centers to reducing excessive drinking—and conducting studies on the science of cravings.
    • Health Policy Reform: Developing rigorous research on health care quality, affordability, and access to inform effective health policy.
    • Training the public health leaders of tomorrow: Providing financial assistance and fellowships that allow students to fully commit to their education and research, allowing the most talented students to attend Brown through scholarship aid. This includes support for the Health Equity Scholars program, which equips leaders with the knowledge and support they need to transform public health for the better.
  • Attracting exceptional people and bold ideas: Enabling the school to attract leading faculty and innovators who mentor students and drive research that informs policy.

I have long called Rhode Island home; however, it is my experience in the Health Equity Scholar (HES) program that has opened my eyes to the special, community-oriented place that it is. HES connections have brought us closer to both the community and to each other. I have been able to explore my interests in immigrant health and health disparities in Rhode Island Latinx communities through gaining hands-on exposure working with Clínica Esperanza, an experience made possible because of Brown and the HES program.

Petranea Smith MPH’25 MD’25 Health Equity Scholar
 
Petranea Smith poses for a photo in front of a bookcase.

Health Equity Scholars Program Fund

Eliminating health disparities requires bold ideas, diverse perspectives, and a commitment to serve the most vulnerable communities. The Health Equity Scholars program at Brown is equipping future leaders with the knowledge and support they need to transform public health for the better.

Students participating in the Health Equity Scholars program come from five pathways: alumni of historically Black colleges and universities, alumni of Hispanic-serving institutions, community college alumni, rural health scholars, and residents of Rhode Island.

Through the Health Equity Scholars Program Fund, donors are providing specialized training and financial aid to exceptional Master of Public Health (MPH) candidates—enabling them to develop the leadership and technical skills needed to combat health inequities and become the public health leaders of the future.

 

Improve human health for all.

Be part of the School of Public Health's mission to enhance well-being on a large scale.

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