January 2026

Simmons MPH Monthly

Welcome to the January 2026

Simmons MPH Monthly

In the Simmons MPH Monthly, we share news, media, and other highlights important for public health and health equity. We aim to amplify voices and perspectives from the Simmons community and beyond. This month we're excited to share news from student's trip to Tennessee for a week-long immersion course on Rurality, Health, and Justice in the US South.

In The News

A few things we want to be sure you don't miss.

The World Health Organization responded to the United States’ notification of withdrawal, warning that the decision makes both the U.S. and the world less safe. Reflecting on decades of shared public health achievements—from smallpox eradication to pandemic preparedness—the WHO underscores what’s at stake for global cooperation, health security, and the future of collective responses to global health threats.
U.S. foreign aid is being reshaped in ways that will ripple through health systems worldwide. In this NPR report, the Trump administration has expanded the Mexico City policy, which bans aid to groups that provide abortion care, to include larger organizations that work across borders, such as U.N. agencies, not only nonprofits and charitable groups. The real-world consequences will be stark—from restricted reproductive health services to new limits on organizations serving women, LGBTQ+ communities, and marginalized populations.
Civic participation is a critical to health equity. From voting, to joining community organizing groups, to volunteering, civic participation builds social capital, expands social networks, and helps people feel a sense of purpose. In Minnesota, a long history of civic participation has been the backbone of resistance to the federal government. Minnesotans vote and volunteer almost more than in any other state, contribute support to a strong local media network to hold government accountable, and are simply "willing to show up and help."
Civil society groups around the world are focused on continued activities in the campaign to push for a treaty on business and human rights, currently in draft form. Human rights advocates, global unions call for the treaty to hold corporations accountable for human rights abuses that occur at any level of it's operations. Over the next two years, negotiations will become divisive as businesses push for limited reach of the treaty while civil society demand the treaty close loopholes and contain strong enforecability measures.

Media Corner

Some of our favorite articles, podcasts, and videos.

The podcast When We All Get to Heaven provides a profound look into the history of the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco, one of the first gay-affirming churches in the U.S., and its role during the height of the AIDS crisis. Through archival audio and intimate storytelling, the series explores how faith, activism, and community intersected as members faced profound loss while building spaces of care, resistance, and belonging.
With Axioms for Organizers, legendary organizer Fred Ross, Sr. breaks down his decades of grassroots organizing experience into a concise, pocket-sized guide for people doing movement-building work. From building trust and developing leadership to sustaining collective action, this guide provides practical insights for advocates, organizers, and public health leaders who are working to create systemic and structural change.
To start off the new year, The Intersection podcast's recent episode "From Resistance to Resilience," provided reflection on health equity successes in 2025 in the face of seemingly unprecedented attacks on public health and social justice. Guests also discuss how organizations can maintain hope, motivation, and be innovative as they continue the fight in 2026.
Ever wonder what you might be able to do with USD100 billion? Spend Bill Gates's Money gives you the chance to see how far one hundred billion dollars can go. From buying NFL teams to Big Macs, you might find it hard to offload that much cash!
Physician and global health advocate Ifeanyi Nsofor writes about Martin Luther King Jr.’s belief that health care is a fundamental matter of justice. Drawing on personal experience in Nigeria, the piece connects King’s moral vision to contemporary debates on universal health coverage, prevention, and primary care, underscoring why health equity remains central to social justice today.

Simmons MPH Immersion: Tennessee

In January, MPH students attended the week-long course "Rurality, Justice, and Health in the US South", lead by Professor Kristen Brewer. This "immersion" course took students to middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky and introduced them to the history, context, and challenges of the rural Southeast and its communities.

Students had the opportunity to learn from local community partners and practitioners in the field who work on issues of health equity and social justice every day, using innovative models to respond to complex, challenges. Students were able to examine up-close and personally the impacts of poverty and oppression on health and the importance of community-driven models of development and social justice.

On Our Radar

Events focused on health, wellness, equity and education.

February 4, 2026 | Virtual - Valpo Voices: Graduate Perspectives in Public Health

Valparaiso University Graduate Admissions is hosting a virtual event on February 4 for prospective students interested in pursuing a Master of Public Health. The event, Valpo Voices: Graduate Perspectives in Public Health, will feature insights from our faculty and current graduate students.

February 6, 2026 | 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm | Virtual | Housing Justice & Health Equity

A dynamic panel discussion featuring Simmons MPH graduates and housing justice advocates from across the US: Portland, ME; Somerville, MA; and Portland, OR. Panelists will dissect barriers to housing and housing security in their cities and examine the associated health inequities. The session will also highlight evidence-based programming and bold policy moves that can be implemented to guarantee the right housing and health for everyone.

February 11, 2026 | Zoom - IU McKinney Hall Center for Law and Health Virtual Grand Rounds

When hearing the words "environmental policy," many people think of protecting threatened species, like the spotted owl, the wolf, and the whales. Or they think of trees and parks and wilderness areas and being able to spend time outdoors. In fact, the nation's environmental laws—the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and others—are some of the most powerful tools we have to protect public health. Professor McCabe’s talk will explore the connection between the laws the US Environmental Protection Agency implements and our health and examine the public health impacts of past and more recent policy decisions.

February 11-13, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV, and Virtual - 2026 WINTER INSTITUTE: Advising Providers & AI in Health Care Conferences

Today's health care legal challenges don't exist in isolation. The AHLA Winter Institute 2026 brings together our most relevant conferences—Advising Providers: Legal Strategies for AMCs, Physicians, and Hospitals, and The Complexities of AI in Health Care—creating an opportunity to gain comprehensive insights that address the full spectrum of modern health care law.

February 19, 2026 | Time: 2:00-3:30 PM ET - Patient Safety Act Part 1: Steps to Maximize Privilege Protections and Improve Patient Outcomes

This two-part webinar explores the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (PSA). Part 1 will review key terms and definitions; emphasize the importance of a hospital's patient safety evaluation system (PSES) in maximizing the broad privilege protections under the PSA and in improving outcomes; and identify best practice steps in PSES policy development, including an example of a comprehensive policy.

February 23-25, 2026 | Nashville, TN - Long Term and Post-Acute Care Law and Compliance

This one-of-a-kind conference is focused solely on regulations, enforcement trends, and operational risks impacting skilled nursing, assisted living, and home health and hospice providers. Whether you're in the C-suite, legal department, or law firm, this conference delivers real-world guidance on managing liability, responding to audits and investigations, and building stronger compliance frameworks. Learn from case studies, connect directly with legal experts, and return with practical tools to enhance care delivery and reduce risk.

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