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HERBERT WERTHEIM SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN LONGEVITY SCIENCE

Academic Year ’20-’21 Annual Report

The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at UC San Diego was established on Sept. 19, 2019 to leverage the university’s existing research strengths and building on a rich history of public health and preventive medicine to advance wellbeing and social justice for all. The founding of the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health also elevates the university’s public health curriculum, as it cultivates the next generation of diverse public health professionals and leaders through innovative and transformational programs including a preventive medicine residency and bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. The 2021 Annual Report is a window to the school’s strategic acumen and a look towards its discerning future.

Transforming Public Health

Leveraging its existing research strengths and building on a rich history of public health and preventive medicine, UC San Diego established the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science as the next logical step in the evolution of public health programs while also cultivating the next generation of public health leaders and making an impact in prevention.

A blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
Dr Herbert Werthheim and his wife Nicole pose for the camera.
Orange and yellow flowers with the Geisel Library in the background.
Dr. Cheryl Anderson headshot.

Charting a Strategic Path

David A. Brenner, MD, Vice Chancellor of Health Sciences, outlines his vision for transforming public health at UC San Diego and the selection of a gifted leader who could change how we understand health equity and how we think about our community’s health.

The Promise of Public Health

Cheryl A.M. Anderson, PhD, founding dean of the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, describes how the school’s first year, and perhaps its future, was shaped by the university’s vision and unanticipated events including the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-racism movements.

An aerial view of the La Jolla shoreline, including Scripps Pier.
A masked Dr. Cheryl Anderson speaks to students behind a podium.
The exterior of the Sanford building.
Two researchers study a computer screen in a science lab.

21st Century Science

UC San Diego has a rich history of embracing collaboration to prevent disease and advance scientific discovery, dissemination and implementation. And, by encouraging collaboration over competition, the newly established Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science is transforming the university’s ability to apply multidisciplinary approaches to contemporary public health challenges.

Educating Outside the Box

With seven education programs, the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science is cultivating the next generation of diverse public health professionals and leaders through innovative and transformational education programs including bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees as well as a preventive medicine residency.

Orange and yellow flowers with the Geisel Library in the background.
Two students speak with a UC San Diego welcome event coordinator under a blue tent.
A blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
A woman speaks to a family at the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan.

Built to Serve

At the heart of public health is protecting and improving the health of entire communities. As the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science was being primed for its first academic year, the school was ready to address health behaviors responsible for the most common chronic diseases. But the school quickly pivoted tackling more pressing issues, like the COVID-19 pandemic that overwhelmed communities, using a 21st century approach to public health.

Division Highlights

When the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science was established on Sept. 19, 2019, programs were categorized into five divisions. While these divisions may focus on a particular discipline, the range of academic programs are multidisciplinary. Here we highlight the accomplishments of the divisions for the school’s first academic year – ’20-’21.

An aerial view of the La Jolla shoreline, including Scripps Pier.
A group of 11 Biostats PhD students smile for a group portrait.
The sun sets beneath Scripps pier in La Jolla.
Masked students hold up their UC San Diego notebooks.

Advancing Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at UC San Diego began its first academic year in October 2020 with a core mission of “radical hospitality and inclusivity,” centering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in its approach to public health research, education, and service.

Grants and Honors

Recognizing our outstanding staff.

Long exposure creates a blur of traffic below the UC San Diego Gilman Bridge at night.
Mike Lamonte and John Bellettiere smile for the camera. A woman in the middle holds the American Heart Association Paul Dudley White International Scholar Award.