AI could make it harder to establish blame for medical failings, experts say
Professor of Health Policy and Management Derek Angus, MD, MPH, said it was important that funding was made available for the performance of AI tools in healthcare to be properly assessed, with investment in digital infrastructure a key area. “One of the things that came up during the summit was [that] the tools that are best evaluated have been least adopted. The tools that are most adopted have been least evaluated.”
Christine McClure received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Point Park University
Christine McClure, a senior research scientist in the Department of Health Policy and Management, was honored with a 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award from her alma mater Point Park University.
More than 300 people gathered at Pitt’s Health Sciences Alumni Weekend
Graduates from across the University’s six schools of the health sciences returned to campus to connect with their alma mater community.
Pittsburgh doctors bring real medicine to Emmy-winning drama 'The Pitt'
For two Pittsburgh-based health professionals, when "The Pitt" took home five Emmys this year, the moment wasn’t just a win for television — it was a triumph for accuracy in storytelling, thanks in part to their real-world experiences "The Pitt" brought to the screen. Beth Hoffman, assistant professor of behavioral and community health sciences, who collaborated with producers on the show, said, “When medical dramas work with experts, they can improve public understanding of health, reduce misinformation, and even influence policy. 'The Pitt' shows that entertainment can also be education.”
Meet Matt Hutchinson
Matt Hutchinson has a way of making mental health support feel approachable, personal and even lighthearted. As the embedded therapist at Pitt Public Health, he blends clinical expertise with a genuine passion for helping students navigate the ups and downs of life.
Jean Nachega inducted into the Congolese Academy of Sciences
Jean B. Nachega, MD, PhD, MPH, tenured associate professor of infectious diseases and microbiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, has been formally inducted into the Académie Congolaise des Sciences (ACCOS), the Congolese Academy of Sciences.
UPMC identifies key health priorities
In a partnership between UPMC Western Maryland and the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, a recent community health needs assessment identified significant health needs for the healthcare system. The key findings were a need to promote chronic disease awareness and prevention for issues including heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Also identified was improving local access to primary, behavioral health and specialty care providers, decreasing the need to travel outside the area.
Outbreak detection system saves lives
Alexander Sundermann, DrPH, assistant professor of infectious diseases and microbiology, discusses the development of an advanced outbreak detection system that leverages whole genome sequencing and machine learning to identify hospital-acquired infections more quickly and accurately. During a two year trial at UPMC, the system prevented numerous infections and deaths, while also significantly reducing healthcare costs. The findings suggest that broader implementation of this technology could greatly enhance patient safety and infection control in healthcare settings.
Map shows highest health insurance premium rises by US state
Coleman Drake, a professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the University of Pittsburgh, told Newsweek that "increases in premiums caused by the expiration of enhanced subsidies will cause millions of marketplace enrollees to become uninsured because they will no longer be able to afford health insurance. These coverage losses will be largest among lower income enrollees, as they are the most sensitive and vulnerable to premium increases."
Pitt, Kentucky and Yale awarded latest NIH funding to study derailment impacts
The University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health was awarded $440,000 of the $10 million research initiative that was announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services earlier this year to assess and address the long-term health outcomes stemming from the 2023 East Palestine derailment.
Strong family support helps kids with obesity build hope and lifelong health
Mary Ellen Vajravelu, assistant professor of pediatrics and epidemiology, studies and treats childhood obesity, especially as it impacts diabetes. She's found that a good approach to treating the condition — one that works over time — includes family support, healthcare education and tools, and listening skills.
Unfiltered: What “Big Vape” viewers really think
Buried in hundreds of social media comments is a candid record of how people think and feel, often in ways that surveys and focus groups can’t capture. Pitt Public Health’s Beth Hoffman, PhD, and Arpita Tripathi, MA, used this material for their study of the Netflix docuseries “Big Vape: The Rise and Fall of Juul,” analyzing YouTube comments to understand how viewers responded to the series and the broader conversation around vaping. Their findings appeared in the September 19 issue of JMIR Formative Research.
COVID-19 vaccination: Pitt Public Health experts answer your questions
Although the federal public health emergency ended in 2023, COVID-19 continues to evolve and affect health worldwide. The virus remains part of our daily lives and still poses risks, especially for people vulnerable to severe illness. Vaccination remains a key tool for protecting individuals and communities, much like with influenza.
Undergrads embrace public health at Pitt
The University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health is proudly celebrating the rapid growth and success of the Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) program Since its launch in 2022, the program has expanded to a current enrollment of 499 students, including both internal and external transfers. In April 2024, the first class of nine students graduated, with a second graduating class of 35 students in May 2025.