The Division of Population Health Sciences (DPHS) prepares students to confront the
root causes of health challenges in 麻豆无码版 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.
Programs in the Division of Population Health Sciences
What is Population Health?
Unlike clinical care, which focuses on individuals, population health looks at the
big picture鈥攊mproving health outcomes across communities through policy, prevention,
and systems-level solutions. It includes:
Public Health: Promoting wellness, preventing disease, and advancing health equity.
Community Health: Strengthening local environments and connecting people to care and
resources.
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.
Human Services alumna Billie Slaikeu knows a thing or two about what it means to start over. A retired certified nursing assistant, Billie returned to school in her sixties after being inspired by her daughter鈥檚 experience with mental illness. She graduated with her bachelor鈥檚 degree in 2025.
When human services and social work alumna Cass Pook says she has always been a helper, she鈥檚 not just referring to her nature as an empathetic and compassionate listener. 鈥淐ulturally, it's in my DNA to be a helper,鈥 said Pook. 鈥淟ooking back on it throughout history, 100 or 200 years ago I would have been doing the same thing. I was born to be a social worker.鈥
After serving a year as the President-elect of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Yvonne Chase is now the president. Dr. Chase shares some of her vibrant background in human services that led her to UAA.
The Housing Action Summit in Anchorage featured a week of events that draw attention to Anchorage鈥檚 housing crisis. Faculty and staff from across UAA spoke to 麻豆无码版鈥檚 News Source about barriers some students face, including food insecurity and homelessness.
Researchers in our lab are working to solve the global plastic pollution problem by
developing insulation that is recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable.
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.