Healthy people, healthy planet
Healthier communities make healthier people. The University of Washington is at the forefront of addressing the interconnected factors that influence how long and how well we live, from climate change and poverty to systemic inequities and access to medical care. In partnership with community organizations, the UW transforms research into concrete actions that improve and save lives across the country — and around the world.
What is population health?
Population health is a broad concept encompassing not only the elimination of diseases and injuries, but also the intersecting and overlapping factors that influence health. The UW’s Population Health Initiative is defined by three major pillars: human health, environmental resilience and social and economic equity. Our work addresses the challenges that arise where these pillars intersect.
Latest news
Early Fall Start 2023 course will explore social entrepreneurship and population health in IndiaJanuary 31, 2023
Ocean drilling help scientists home in on the link between tectonic forces and earthquake cyclesJanuary 26, 2023
Winter quarter seminar series focuses on data science methodologies in population healthJanuary 23, 2023
Spotlight on key issues
Poverty and childhood health
Your early years set the stage for your life. Children who live in poverty have less access to medical care, nutrition and high-quality early education — the foundations for lifelong health. Learn how the UW is working to understand the ripple effects of childhood poverty — and using that research to create better futures for all children.
Location and lifespan
How long we live is affected by where we live. Learn what the UW is doing to understand why people in some regions of the United States and the world have a shorter expected lifespan, and how the University is using that research to improve the length and quality of everyone’s lives.
Maternal health
For many women around the world — including here in the United States — having a baby isn’t as safe as it should be. Learn what the UW is doing to better understand what causes disparities in pregnancy risks and use that research to improve the health of mothers everywhere.
The Hans Rosling Center for Population Health
The Hans Rosling Center for Population Health ushers the UW into a new era of collaboration and solutions for healthier populations. With spaces for collaborative group work, active learning, offices and training for global partners and multidisciplinary work in population health across the UW, the Rosling Center is a hub for addressing critical issues like poverty, equity, health-care access, climate change and government policy.