News from the School of Public Health

Dr. Jennifer D. Roberts, Assistant Professor in Kinesiology, has dedicated her research to the built environment and its impact on physical activity. In her recent publication in Medium, titled "Central Park: Black Bodies Green Spaces, White Minds," Dr. Roberts provides insight on "the historical and contemporary use of white privilege for the exclusion of black bodies from green spaces in the United States."

The University of Maryland School of Public Health is proud to award its highest honor, the Distinguished Terrapin Award, to four outstanding members of the SPH community. Each honoree was selected for their professional and philanthropic contributions as well as for their service to the school and/or advancement of one of the dean’s strategic priorities.

As we enter Pride month, we feel anguish, grief, and anger at the slaying of Black lives and the police brutality against them. We condemn these racially-motivated acts of violence, the systems that allow violence to persist with impunity and the ongoing legacy of racial injustice in America. Perpetrators of anti-Black violence must be held accountable and justice must be served. 

A new multinational consortium of scientists, led by Professor Amir Sapkota, in the University of Maryland School of Public Health, is developing innovative solutions to reduce the burden of diarrheal disease caused by extreme weather events in Taiwan, India, China, Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam and Indonesia.

The University of Maryland Prevention Research Center’s work advancing the mental health of LGBTQ+ persons embraces intersectional perspectives and recognizes that the struggle of any oppressed people is a struggle for all of us. This year, we enter Pride month amidst nationwide civil unrest and uprising. Thousands of people from all walks of life have taken to the streets to express their anguish and outrage over the perpetual injustice faced by Black persons in the United States, specifically at the hands of law enforcement.

In the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd, the University of Maryland School of Public Health is compiling and sharing messages of solidarity, resources for learning more about the impacts of institutionalized racism and opportunities to take action to fight injustice, discrimination and systemic racism. The following list will be updated to include recommendations received by students, faculty and staff. To suggest a resource for inclusion, please email sph-comm@umd.edu.