April 8, 2024

By Emily Gallagher

From April 1-4, 2024, the Dornsife School of Public Health (DSPH) community celebrated National Public Health Week (NPHW) by hosting special events that explored various public health topics.

Each year, National Public Health Week (NPHW), created by the American Public Health Association (APHA), celebrates public health’s successes, highlights new approaches to solving our most pressing challenges, and involves organizations across the country. The 2024 NPHW theme was "Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health."

DSPH Centers, Offices, and student-led public health organizations including the Student Government Organization, Undergraduate Student Government Organization, Collective Resilience Fellows, and more each organized events.

On Monday, the DSPH Office of Education and Dean's Office hosted an Overdose Prevention and Reversal Training event led by the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction from the City's Department of Public Health. They covered some background information about opioids, the overdose crisis nationally and locally here in Philadelphia, how to recognize and respond to an overdose, and practical training on how to administer Naloxone (Narcan).

On Tuesday, the Collective Resilience Fellows scheduled a workshop on empathetic listening which was facilitated by trained professionals from the Center for Hunger-Free Communities. This workshop aimed to help attendees deepen connections and build practical skills for meaningful relationships. Organizers shared, “in a world often overwhelmed by the noise of daily life, this event offered a sanctuary for individuals to share their thoughts and feelings openly, free from judgment.”

The following day, the Hunger-Free Communities’ Building Wealth and Health Network led a Sisters with Passion and Purpose event. All female-identifying members of the Drexel and Philadelphia communities were invited to join this peer-led group focused on promoting love, healing, and authentic support among womxn.

Later in the afternoon students, staff, and faculty attended the Dornsife Awards & Reception. This lively ceremony and reception held at Nesbitt Hall was an opportunity to acknowledge and applaud the award recipients.

On Thursday, an engaging speed networking event called Public Health Connect welcomed individuals from all backgrounds and expertise levels. Organizers aimed to bring together professionals, students, and public health enthusiasts from diverse fields to foster collaboration, exchange experiences, and establish valuable connections. Attendees had the chance to meet Drexel’s beloved therapy dogs as well.

To top off the week, there was a film screening of the documentary Invisible Corps In Officio Salutis in Service of Health, a documentary that explores the history and role of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service who are dedicated to solving public health challenges in the United States and globally. The viewing culminated with a Q&A panel consisting of active duty and retired USPHS officers.

Learn more about NPHW

Next year, NPHW will kick off on April 7, 2025.