Message From the Chair
I am honored to lead the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health (PopFam) at a time of profound global change. Significant demographic shifts and rapid technological innovations are reshaping society and impacting health disparities - introducing new challenges but also creating space to reimagine what is possible for advancing health equity. At the same time, widening inequality, escalating conflicts, and the intensifying climate crisis are not only deepening poverty but also exacerbating these disparities - presenting unparalleled challenges to global public health that reverberate across our communities and around the world.
Our Department is deeply committed to human rights, equity, and social justice, and is dedicated to advancing population and family health through innovative research, transformative education, and impactful community and policy engagement. We have been at the forefront of pioneering new frameworks and scientific solutions that safeguard population health and address pressing issues such as the rising generation, an aging society, increased migration, gender disparities, rapid urbanization, and the critical intersection of health with climate change. As an interdisciplinary scholar, I will focus on expanding our capacity for collaborative, cross-disciplinary research and teaching that generates actionable knowledge to improve health and well-being, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized, while developing innovative approaches in population science and public health solutions that promote demographic resilience.
PopFam is investing in bold, exceptional leaders who are redefining what’s possible in public health - today and for generations to come. It is my priority to grow our educational and training programs and to equip the next generation of public health leaders with critical thinking skills, hands-on experience, and ethical grounding necessary to drive change in their communities and globally. Our curricula are always evolving - integrating the latest scientific advances and experiential learning opportunities - ensuring that our students are prepared to meet both current and emerging public health challenges.
One of my goals is to create a vibrant environment for our talented team of faculty, scientists, educators, practitioners, and students as they innovate and develop solutions, generating critical evidence to address the most urgent challenges of our era. Collaboration is vital to our mission, and I am dedicated to fostering robust partnerships within our university, with communities in New York City and the U.S., and with global policymakers, practitioners, and funders. These partnerships are crucial for enriching our research and educational endeavors, ensuring that our solutions are relevant and responsive to the populations we serve, creating lasting impacts.
As we celebrate PopFam’s 50 years of innovation and impact, I look forward to a new chapter of excellence in research, education, and service – advancing health and well-being for communities in New York City, across the U.S., and throughout the world.
In solidarity,
Thoai D. Ngo, PhD, MHS
Harriet and Robert H. Heilbrunn Professor and Chair