About the Population Health Spotlight Series

Hosted annually during the fall and spring months by Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health, the Population Health Spotlight Speaker series is an opportunity to hear about exciting public health research and practice happening locally, nationally, and globally with a focus on improving population health and eliminating health disparities.

Who Shapes Public Health Today?

The Dornsife School of Public Health’s 2026–27 Population Health Spotlight Series, “We Are All Public Health: The Many Voices and Pathways Shaping Public Health Today,” explores the many sectors, perspectives, and professional pathways that shape the health of populations in the U.S. and around the world.

Throughout the academic year, this hybrid seminar series will feature recognized leaders from a range of fields and professional spheres, including government, nonprofits, media, philanthropy, industry, and community organizations, whose work is influencing population health in meaningful ways.

Through thought-provoking presentations and conversations, speakers will share their work, experiences, and perspectives, illustrating the many ways professionals across sectors can contribute to protecting and improving the health of the public.

The series offers a unique opportunity to engage with leading voices, discover new approaches to today’s public health challenges, and broaden our understanding of what it means to work toward better population health.

Seminars are open to Drexel University faculty, staff, and students, as well as members of the broader Philadelphia community and audiences beyond the region.

Who Should Attend the Population Health Spotlight Series?

The Population Health Spotlight Series is a hybrid lecture series that is open to everyone. Those welcome to attend include:

• All faculty, students and staff in the Drexel University community
• Professionals from community-based organizations and government agencies involved in public health-related activities
• Media professionals who write about pressing public health concerns
• Individuals interested in the urban and global health more broadly

Population Health Themes In Recent Years

Our 2025-2026 theme was "The Next Public Health: Rethinking Health Communication for a Changing World." With misinformation, uncertainty, and discord shaping public discourse, effective communication has never been more critical. The series brought together leading voices in health communication to present their research, experiences, and insights on how to foster trust, convey evidence, and engage diverse audiences.

"Spotlight On Infectious Disease Prevention, Prediction, and Perspectives" was the theme of the Dornsife School of Public Health 2024-25 Population Health Spotlight series. The series was a collaboration between Dornsife and Drexel’s College of Medicine. The series was funded in part by the Dr. Elias “Eli” Abrutyn Memorial Lecture Fund. Dr. Abrutyn (1940 – 2007) was an infectious disease expert and former associate provost and associate dean of academic affairs at Drexel University College of Medicine.

"Health Equity and LGBTQ+ Health" was the theme of the Dornsife School of Public Health's 2023-24 Population Health Spotlight series. Many structural and systemic factors impact the health of LGBTQ+ people, creating health-related challenges and disparities. Recent legislative actions across the United States have further amplified these impacts and have highlighted the need to address LGBTQ health as a core component of population health and health equity. Invited speakers discussed a range of pressing issues related to LGBTQ health and discuss implications for policies and action.

In 2022-23 Dornsife welcomed experts from across the field of public health to speak on the theme of "Public Health at a Crossroads." The series explored challenges in addressing emerging and ongoing threats to population health, rethinking public health approaches to address threats to health and health equity, and important lessons from the pandemic.

Learn more about all upcoming events at the Dornsife School of Public Health.