At UCI Public Health, our 15 Areas of Excellence give focus to our research efforts and form the foundations of the field of public health. Developed to meet the needs of our ever-changing public health landscape, our Areas of Excellence represent the primary areas of contribution and service to UCI, our local communities, and beyond.
Bioethics involves interdisciplinary training in addressing moral and ethical issues that arise in both the public and private sectors. Scholars in this discipline grapple with complex challenges in the fields of public health, clinical medicine, regulatory affairs, and more while working to propose solutions. Bioethics is a broad field that encompasses a full range of topics including the ethical implications of stem cell research, abortion, medical aid-in-dying, organ transplantation, and more.
Cancer control and screening aims to prevent and manage cancer to ensure that all people live healthier, longer lives. Within public health, it also focuses on the community health needs of diverse and underrepresented populations who face disparities in the burden of disease. At UCI Public Health, we harness the power of community-based research to understand and address cancer health inequities, including tobacco prevention, cancer early detection, and survivorship.
Chronic diseases account for some of the nation’s leading causes of death and drivers of trillions in annual health care costs, though many of them are preventable. Public health tackles a wide range of chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and more by designing interventions that reduce risky behaviors and promote healthy ones. Some of the many interventions that our public health experts have spearheaded include programs to reduce tobacco and alcohol use, improve nutrition, and promote physical activity.
Climate change is a global threat that requires a robust, interdisciplinary, and urgent response. UCI Public Health is committed to preserving the future of our planet by addressing this pressing issue and training the next generation of leaders in the intersection of public health, environmental science, sustainability, policy, governance, and more.
Experts in infectious disease work to prevent the spread of illnesses caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. As novel diseases emerge like COVID-19, ebola virus, and H1N1 influenza, this area of public health research and practice has become critical to the health and well-being of populations around the world. Our infectious disease experts work with partners in the U.S. and across the globe to respond to emerging threats by modeling disease transmission, developing strategies to reduce antimicrobial resistance, and promoting risk-reducing behaviors.
Environmental hazards come in many forms, from extreme events like natural disasters to toxic substances like heavy metals, chemicals in consumer products, air pollutants, and radiation, all of which threaten human health and well-being. Public health aims to assess these hazards through related disciplines like toxicology, inhalation science, dosimetry, and more.
In today’s interconnected world, our global health challenges are more complex than ever. Global health aims to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats around the world like HIV and tuberculosis, malaria and parasitic diseases, food and water insecurity, antibiotic resistance, and vaccine-preventable illness. Our global health experts work with health systems around the globe to build capacity and strengthen critical public health services for the world’s most vulnerable populations.
In today’s interconnected world, our global health challenges are more complex than ever. Global health aims to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats around the world like HIV and tuberculosis, malaria and parasitic diseases, food and water insecurity, antibiotic resistance, and vaccine-preventable illness. Our global health experts work with health systems around the globe to build capacity and strengthen critical public health services for the world’s most vulnerable populations.
Experts in health policy and management use a broad set of leadership and analytical skills to understand the impact of health policies on public health, as well as the economic, social, and behavioral determinants of health. Interdisciplinary in nature, the field focuses on examining the structure and financing of health systems and services to inform equitable public policy at the local, state, national, and global levels.
At UCI Public Health, we work directly with communities to assess the quality and effectiveness of healthcare delivery and its impacts on population health. By partnering with community groups on critical research projects, we can better understand community needs and improve the delivery of care in a way that is more equitable and sustainable for all.
At UCI Public Health, we work directly with communities to assess the quality and effectiveness of healthcare delivery and its impacts on population health. By partnering with community groups on critical research projects, we can better understand community needs and improve the delivery of care in a way that is more equitable and sustainable for all.
Women and children around the world still lack access to critical health services, education, and basic needs like clean air and water, making maternal and child health one of the most pressing public health issues of our time. Our experts in this area work to address the structural barriers that contribute to inequities in child and maternal mortality around the world, recognizing that many of the diseases our women and children face are largely preventable with proper public health measures.
Mental health is a public health issue at its core. It encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It determines how we interact with others, manage stress, and progress through each life stage, all of which can have profound impacts on our overall health by increasing the risk of disease. Our experts address disparities in mental health and work to dismantle many of the barriers to care that place, vulnerable groups, at disproportionate risk.
