division of population health sciences
The Division of Population Health Sciences (DPHS) prepares students to confront the root causes of health challenges in Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ and across the circumpolar North. Through a blend of education, research, and community partnership, DPHS empowers students to create lasting change in population health and to lead efforts that strengthen the well-being of communities statewide and beyond.
Unlike clinical care, which focuses on individuals, population health looks at the big picture—improving health outcomes across communities through policy, prevention, and systems-level solutions. It includes:
Join us to make an impact that goes beyond treating illness to help build healthier communities from the ground up.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Meet the public health challenges of an aging society, including providing competent care in medical settings and essential community resources and end-of-life support.
Set up a successful career in health education and health promotion, public and community health, disease prevention, rehabilitation, or health care delivery.
Meet the challenges of the diverse and complex field of public health, with a particular focus on the needs of Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ and the Circumpolar North.
NEWS & Stories
Micah Hahn, M.P.H., Ph.D., associate professor of environmental health in UAA’s Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies, is the principal investigator and a co-author on a scientific paper published last month in the journal Environmental Research: Health.
For Pamela Thomas, health begins with connection--connection to family, community, culture, land, and the systems that shape our everyday life.
In May 2026, the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies (CAAS) proudly co-sponsored the Pathways to Recovery Conference hosted by the State of Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ’s Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention (OSMAP).
Professor of Public Health Dr. Virginia "Jenny" Miller is retiring after 18 years with UAA
Monica Roe has built a remarkable career that bridges rural health care and children’s literature, drawing on her decade of experience as a physical therapist in remote Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ. Now completing her Master of Public Health at UAA, she explores disability, community resilience, and access through both research and storytelling. Her journey highlights the power of curiosity, mentorship, and embracing unexpected opportunities.
INSTITUTES, CENTERS, AND PROJECTS
Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies
The CAAS was established by the Board of Regents in 1972 to address the problem of substance misuse in Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ.
Our team works to understand the shifting sociocultural landscape for aging adults and identify service needs to facilitate healthy aging-in-place.
Researchers in our lab are working to solve the global plastic pollution problem by developing insulation that is recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable.
Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies
Housed under the Office of Research, ICHS partners closely with us while conducting applied research that supports public health and offers valuable research experience for students.
Contact Us:
Phone: (907) 786-6545
Email: dphs@alaska.edu
UAA Div. of Population Health Sciences
UAA Professional Studies Building
2533 Providence Dr., Suite 206
Anchorage, AK 99508
Mailing Address:
UAA Div. of Population Health Sciences
3211 Providence Dr., PSB 206
Anchorage, AK 99508
