The negro health problem is one of the “white man's burdens,” and it is by no means the least of those burdens. […] It is undoubtedly true that the negro race has deteriorated physically and morally since slavery times. In some ways, he is perhaps more intelligent, but freedom has not benefited his health, nor improved his morals. There is more sickness and inefficiency and crime among them now than before the war.

Right now, two pandemics are happening simultaneously: COVID-19 and systemic racism. These issues have driven a conversation across several divisions in society, including the environmental health sciences (EHS) research community, according to an article published in May 2021. 

The University of Maryland Prevention Research Center (UMD-PRC) endorses the May 19th statement of support for transgender and nonbinary Terps from UMD leadership, including UMD President Darryll J. Pines, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Georgina Dodge, Vice President for Student Affairs Patty Perillo, and Director of Athletics Damon Evans.  

Congratulations to Sara Hatfield '22, Grace Deleon '21 and Veeraj Shah '21, who received the University of Maryland Do Good Institute's 2021 Do Good Medallion!

The Do Good Medallion recognizes undergraduate and graduate students for their extraordinary commitment to social impact and innovation and efforts to bolster the University of Maryland's impact as the nation's first Do Good Campus.

Our Happiness and Wellness Initiative shares "Some Good News" from the SPH and our extended community. You can submit your own good news by email to: happyandwell@umd.edu. Sacoby Wilson, an associate professor in the Maryland Institute of Applied Environmental Health, is transforming his academic knowledge and social justice work into his own backyard. Read more on what Sacoby has done to provide the food needs for his family and what he has planned to fully utilize the entire yard in ways that intersect with food justice; food, energy and water nexus; food and land as culture; food sovereignty and more. 

In 2020, the University of Maryland granted employees administrative leave to observe Juneteenth. This day of celebration and reflection commemorates the end of slavery in the United States—two and a half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the resilience and recognize the fabulousness of the LGBTQ+ community and its diverse perspectives, experiences and contributions to society and to movements for equality and justice for all.  

Alice Munkhoff Horowitz PhD '92 believes strongly in the power of health literacy to address health inequalities. And with a new gift pledged over five years, Dr. Horowitz will ensure that the Rima E. Rudd Dissertation Research Award in Health Literacy can continue to support the next generation of researchers who advance the science of health literacy.