During the first full week of April each year, American Public Health Association brings together communities across the United States to observe National Public Health Week as a time to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving our nation's health.
This year's overall theme is “Ready, Set, Action, " which calls on each of us to look back at the progress we’ve made and look forward to the steps needed for an even healthier future. Because one truth guides it all: Good health doesn’t just happen. This week, we will celebrate, take a moment to recognize how public health has improved our daily lives, safeguarded our families, expanded our life spans, and strengthened our communities. Join us for the 31st anniversary of National Public Health Week to celebrate successes, look ahead to upcoming challenges, and create a vision for the future. Explore UMD SPH's events and other ways to get involved during National Public Health Week, because good health is purposeful.
UMD SPH Events
Health Through Art
Join us on Monday, April 6th from 1-3:30pm during National Public Health Week for Health Through Art: Health Equity Mosaic, a creative community event that connects art and public health. Participants
will decorate individual canvas squares with their own interpretation of “health,” exploring themes like mental health awareness, environmental justice, maternal health, cultural diversity, and so many more. Together, the pieces will form a powerful Health Equity Mosaic, which will be unveiled in front of the Friedgen Lounge during NPHW 2026 and featured as a public art installation for the remainder of the Spring 2026 semester.
Location: SPH Main Concourse
Global and Cultural Fest
Join us on Tuesday, April 7th from 12-3pm during National Public Health Week for the Global & Cultural Fest: Celebrating Diversity and Health at UMD, a vibrant event connecting culture and public
health. Participants will explore the rich diversity of UMD’s student body, including African, Asian, Latinx/Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Indigenous, and European communities, through food, music, performances, and interactive activities. Attendees can engage in global fitness sessions, cultural demonstrations, and storytelling sessions highlighting how traditions influence health and wellness. Interactive booths will feature mini-workshops and games focused on nutrition, maternal health, mental
wellness, and other culturally-informed health practices. Together, the experiences will celebrate cross-cultural understanding and highlight the vital connections between culture and public health.
Location: SPH Main Lobby & Friedgen Lounge
Public Health Practice Day
Practice Day will be a full day of poster sessions and flash presentations celebrating public health practice at the School of Public Health from 1-4:30 pm. This event will be for students across the School of Public Health to share about their public health practice! Whether that be through internships, practicums, capstones, fellowships, or real-world work experience, our students have a variety of experiences doing public health. Everyone is invited to share their works, including their “works in progress” through posters and flash presentations!
Poster Session (1-3pm)
The poster session will take place from 1-3pm on Wednesday, April 8th in the SPH Concourse. Students are invited to share their public health practice through research-style posters, presentation poster boards, tri-fold posters, or another type of creative digital display (see guidance here).
If you're a student wanting to showcase your work, submit your abstract in the registration form by the deadline of 3/27. Come view other students’ work and invite your employers, supervisors, friends, colleagues, and other faculty at UMD to see all the great public health practice happening at SPH.
Flash Presentations (3:30-4:30pm)
Flash presentations will take place from 3:30-4:30pm on Wednesday, April 8th in SPH 0305 and SPH 0308. Students are invited to share their public health practice through 5-7 minute presentations with peers and attendees (see guidance here).
If you're a student wanting to showcase your work, submit your abstract in the registration form by the deadline of 3/25. Come view other students’ work and invite your employers, supervisors, friends, colleagues, and other faculty at UMD to see all the great public health practice happening at SPH.
Coffee, Croissants & Connections
Fuel up with coffee and croissants as you meet, mingle, and build meaningful connections with campus partners who are eager to share their current and upcoming involvement opportunities with you. Brought to you by the School of Public Health's Student Engagement Initiative and the Public Health Science program - we can't wait to see you there!
Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 9th, from 11 AM - 1 PM, and join us in the SPH Friedgen Lounge (Rm 2236 - across from the "Shiny" Testudo aka Metali-Terp). Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to connect, collaborate, and make the most of your college experience. We can't wait to see you there!
Free Coffee and Croissants will be served!
SPH Alumni Panel
Please join the UMD SPH Alumni Network on Thursday, April 9th from 6:30-7:30pm for an “Ask Me Anything” panel discussion featuring esteemed SPH Alumni followed by light refreshments and networking. Recent alumni and current undergraduate and graduate students are especially encouraged to attend!
Panelist details are forthcoming.
Public Health Research Day
Public Health Research Day is an opportunity to highlight innovative public health research across the University of Maryland School of Public Health. Held during Public Health Week, the event will take place on April 9, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the SPH Concourse (Ground Floor) and will feature poster presentations showcasing the work of SPH graduate and undergraduate students.
We encourage students affiliated with any SPH department or program to participate. Present your work! Come support your peers! Be inspired by all the work being done by our scholars!
The Global Health Initiative, SPH Delta Omega Gamma Zeta Chapter (SPH’s Public Health Honor Society), and the SPH Office of Graduate Student Services are sponsoring Public Health Research Day 2026.
8th Annual BSU-UMD Social Justice Alliance Symposium
Please join us for the 8th Annual BSU-UMD Social Justice Alliance Symposium on April 10th, 2026 from 11am-1pm at the University of Maryland Riggs Alumni Center as we continue to honor the life and legacy of Lt. Richard W. Collins III. This year we will center the voices, visions, and leadership of individuals who are reimagining justice through creativity, resistance, and collective joy. In these difficult times, marked by social unrest, political division, and ongoing struggles for equity, this gathering calls us to center joy, mental health, and persistence as acts of resistance and renewal. Together, we will explore how radical hope and youth-led movements are shaping a more just, compassionate, and liberated future.
Save the Date and Register Today: go.umd.edu/sja2026
Family and Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Symposium
April is both sexual assault awareness month and child abuse prevention month. Aligned with our mission of conducting transformative, community-engaged research at the intersection of family violence, early childhood, and adolescent sexual health intervention, this symposium will feature speakers from on and off campus and workshops to spur community action to prevent family and intimate partner violence. Join us on Friday, April 10th from 9am-5pm in the School of Public Health Building, Room 1312!