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 “It Starts Here” to emphasize that public health starts with each of us making a difference in our homes and communities. It’s how the places we live, work and play affect our well-being. It’s the way we are all stronger—and healthier—together through the efforts of organizations like the American Public Health Association and others that advocate for healthy communities. Join us for the 30th 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 public health is all of us—and it starts here.
NPHW 2025 PRIORITY AREAS AND FACT SHEETS
It Starts Here: Your Health is Our Mission
Climate Action Starts Here: Championing Resilience for Health
Health Equity Starts Here: Optimizing Health for All
Advocacy Starts Here: Amplifying Voices for Public Health
The Future of Public Health Starts Here: Strengthening the Public Health Workforce
UMD SPH Events
WeFitDC Community Activation
Join us on Monday, April 7th from 12-2pm during National Public Health Week for a community activation led by the trainers of WeFitDC! Kick off National Public Health Week by getting your fitness on and connecting with your community. The community activation will take place in the SPH matted gym.
Register here to let us know you plan to attend!
Virtual "Ask Me Anything" Panel
Please join us for an "Ask Me Anything" virtual panel discussion featuring the 2025 SPH Alumni Network's Public Health Engaging and Emerging Leaders (PHEEL) Awardees on Monday, April 7th at 12pm.
Panelists:
Andrew Anderson BS, MPH, PhD ’19 (Health Services)
Chandria Jones, PhD '14 (BCH)
Leena Malayil, PhD '19 (Toxicology)
Dane De Silva, PhD '20 (Maternal & Child Health)
Other Awardees:
Renee D. Carter-Perpall, MPH '21 (Public Health Practice & Policy)
Akeem Henry BS '19 (PHSC)
Lauryn Perpall, MPH '22 (Public Health Practice & Policy)
World Health Day Celebration
This event will focus on the intersection of Global Health & Justice, with discussions on funding, key barriers to progress, and the role of higher education in shaping global health.
You’ll hear from a diverse group of experts sharing insights on empowering the Global South, engaging diaspora communities, and exploring actionable solutions for global health, climate, and justice.
Don't miss out—RSVP today to secure your spot! https://forms.gle/Lxcqo26nrjFiC5To8
We look forward to your participation!
When: Monday April 7th, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Location: Gloria S. Friedgen Lounge (Room 2236), School of Public Health, UMD
*Lunch will be provided
Public Health Practice Day
Practice Day will be a full day of poster sessions, flash presentations, and panels celebrating public health practice at the School of Public Health from 1-7 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! The event will end with a panel of students who have received scholarships through the Office of Public Health Practice & Community Engagement to talk about their practice and a networking session of students and employees.
Poster Session (1-3pm)
The poster session will take place from 1-3pm on Tuesday, 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 3/25. 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.
Flash Presentations (3:30-4:30pm)
Flash presentations will take place from 3:30-4:30pm on Tuesday, April 8th in SPH 0303, SPH 0305, and SPH 1301. 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.
Public Health Practice Panel & Networking (5-7pm)
Public Health Practice Day will conclude with a panel of Robin Mockenhaupt Scholarship recipients and networking with prospective internship site and employers from 5-7pm on Tuesday, April 8th in the Lynn Reilly Faculty & Staff Lounge in SPH.
Come enjoy some light refreshments and scope the public health practice potentials!
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning in Global Health
Hear about the crucial role that data plays in global health, Carla Xavier-Lee (Executive Director) and Daniel Lee (Chief Growth Officer) from XL Strategic Information LLC will discuss the innovative use of AI in areas including data collection and management. Time will be allotted for Q&A so bring any and all questions.
UMD students can register through Handshake.
Coffee, Croissants & Connections
Get ready for an exciting and energizing event, undergrads! The Public Health Science (PHSC) Program, in collaboration with the Student Engagement Initiative (SEI), is thrilled to invite you to our signature Coffee, Croissants, and Connections event! This is the perfect chance to meet, mingle, and build meaningful connections with campus partners who are eager to share their current and upcoming involvement opportunities with you.
Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 10th, from 1 PM - 3 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!
Register here to let us know you plan to attend!
Documentary Screening
Join award winning documentarian, Chris Scheuler, in the screening of his latest documentary about misinformation and vaccine hesitancy from 7-9pm on Thursday, April 10th in SPH 2236.
In the age of social media, we can all be fooled by misinformation in many ways. “Vaccination from the Misinformation Virus” explains how to overcome our bias to understand why vaccines are safe, crucial to community health and save millions of lives annually. With an overview of how viruses spread, how we contain them and a brief history of the development of vaccines, the program includes information about how vaccines work and their future uses. In addition to a documentary the project includes short videos for health professionals to use when explaining these issues to those who have concerns.
Register here to let us know you plan to attend!
Effective Public Health Communications
Please join us on Friday, April 11th from 9am-12pm in SPH 1301 during National Public Health Week for a master class on effective communications.
Join documentarian, Chris Scheuler, for a half-day effective communications workshop designed to introduce the core principles of documentary/social change film-making, including project selection and basic production techniques.
Register here to let us know you plan to attend!
APHA Schedule of Events
Monday, April 7
2-3:30 p.m. ET - Kickoff Forum - Celebrating 30 Years of National Public Health Week
This forum to commemorate the 30th anniversary of NPHW will highlight the comprehensive impact of public health and will explore the future of public health by addressing "what's next." Join us online or in Washington, DC.
Tuesday, April 8
2-3 p.m. ET - Protecting the Health of People with Disabilities
Join us for an engaging webinar that will explore the potential impacts that federal actions taken earlier this year could have for people with disabilities. As advancements in inclusive policies and public health face challenges, this session will delve into how these setbacks disproportionately affect people with physical and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Wednesday, April 9
2-3 p.m. ET - #NPHWChat on Bluesky
Join APHA for our first chat on Bluesky to commemorate the 30th anniversary of National Public Health Week. Register to join us.
4-5 p.m. ET - The Future of Public Health: Voices from the Next Generation
Join us for an exclusive first look at new data from the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS), conducted by the de Beaumont Foundation. This engaging webinar will explore the experiences, perceptions and challenges of public health employees under 35 years old, offering both data-driven insights and personal stories.
Thursday, April 10
3-4 p.m. ET - Power in Partnership: Advocacy for a Healthier Future
Join us for an interactive NPHW session where we will imagine a better future for public health, and discuss how advocacy and partnerships can get us there. We will hear from Becca Boulos, Action Board Chair, Paloma Flores from the New Mexico Affiliate, and Will Dominie and Renae Badruzzaman from Human Impact Partners. Attendees will learn practical skills that will improve their advocacy and partnerships, and have the opportunity to share their vision for the future of public health.
Friday, April 11
2-3 p.m. ET - Building Resilience to Climate Trauma: A Public Health Approach to Mental Well-Being
Join APHA’s Center for Climate, Health & Equity for a free webinar co-hosted by Climate Mental Health Network exploring how climate trauma manifests, who is most affected, and why public health solutions are essential for building mental and emotional resilience. Experts will share insights on public health interventions, policies and practical tools including mindfulness-based strategies to help communities cope.
ASPPH Events
Tuesday, April 8
1-2 p.m. ET - Now More Than Ever: Inspiring the Next Generation of Public Health Leaders
In celebration of National Public Health Week, we invite you to join us for a thoughtful discussion titled, Now More Than Ever: Inspiring the Next Generation of Public Health Leaders.
This is a unique opportunity for current, future, and newly admitted public health students to engage with faculty and peers as we explore the significance of public health in a rapidly changing world.
Fellow students will share their stories about why they chose this field and how they plan to make a difference.
A passionate group of public health faculty will also share their expertise and engage in a dynamic conversation about the importance of public health and the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the profession. Don’t miss this chance to deepen your understanding, connect with others, and get inspired to contribute to this evolving work.
Key Takeaways:
Inspiration for the Future: The event will motivate students to join and continue their public health education and inspire them to make a lasting impact in the field as well as discuss strategies for supporting public health efforts.
Personal Stories from Students: Students will share their journeys into public health and their goals for making an impact.
Insights from Public Health Faculty: A diverse group of faculty will discuss current challenges and opportunities shaping the future of public health.
Thursday, April 10
Celebrate three decades of National Public Health Week with ASPPH in a webinar on April 10 from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET that will honor the past, address present challenges, and envision the future of public health. Since its inception by the American Public Health Association (APHA), National Public Health Week has been a cornerstone for recognizing the critical role public health plays in improving lives and communities—and a week of recognition ASPPH has long been proud to participate in.
This special 30th-anniversary webinar will spotlight the profound impact public health has had over the years, from eradicating diseases and extending life expectancy to building healthier, more resilient communities. Expert panelists will explore emerging challenges and share strategies to overcome them. Attendees will also collaborate to create a shared vision for the next 30 years, ensuring a thriving and equitable future for all.
Key Takeaways:
- Celebrate milestones and transformative achievements in public health
- Understand the ongoing and future challenges facing the field
- Learn how to advocate for and contribute to a stronger public health system
Who Should Attend:
Public health professionals, students, advocates, policymakers, and anyone passionate about the future of public health.
Let’s commemorate thirty years of National Public Health Week and inspire the next generation to continue the work of creating healthier communities everywhere.