Ohio University Global Health Initiative

05/13/2026

JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research in Mysuru, India is hosting OU Visiting Faculty member Maria Modayil and Associate Professor of Instruction Merri Biechler, along with a small group of students, for the next three weeks.

This exploratory visit offers a unique opportunity to learn about healthcare practices in India while building a foundation for an ongoing partnership focused on research, study away programs, and other collaborative initiatives. Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine; Ohio University College of Health Sciences and Professions Ohio University Department of Social and Public Health Ohio University Global Affairs

05/01/2026

Already an accomplished doctor and scholar, we congratulate Anara Zhumadilova, DDS, PhD on graduating today with a Master's of Global Health. Ohio University College of Health Sciences and Professions Ohio University Department of Social and Public Health Ohio University Global Affairs.

04/07/2026

154 million lives saved. 💉
That’s the impact of vaccines over the past 50 years—protecting children, families, and entire communities around the world.

Science isn’t abstract—it’s one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent disease and save lives.

👉 Learn more about the impact of vaccines:
https://www.who.int/news/item/22-09-2025-message-by-the-director-of-the-department-of-immunization--vaccines-and-biologicals-at-who---september-2025

👉 Watch:
Check out TED Talks like “How vaccines train your immune system” to better understand how they protect us.

👉 Take action in your everyday life:
• Talk to friends/family using facts from trusted sources
• Share verified health info (like from World Health Organization)
• Gently correct misinformation when you see it online

Together, we can protect more than just ourselves—we protect entire communities. 💙

04/07/2026

This World Health Day, we stand Together for science recognizing how evidence-based science improves health across people, animals, and the environment.

👉 Learn more about evidence-based health decisions:
https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2026

👉 Watch:
Explore TED Talks like “The danger of misinformation” to understand how false information spreads and how to stop it.

👉 Take action in your everyday life:
• Double-check sources before sharing health info
• Follow trusted organizations like the World Health Organization
• Pause before reposting—ask: Is this evidence-based?

Better information leads to better health for everyone. 💙

04/01/2026

Kick off Public Health Week with an inspiring conversation on the power of science and history!

Join us for “A Brief History of Public Health: The Antidote for Anti-Science” with Jacqueline H. Wolf, Professor Emeritus of Social Medicine at Ohio University.

🗓 April 6, 2026
⏰ 5:00 – 7:00 PM
📍 Walter Hall Room 135

Scan the QR code to register!

03/25/2026

The future of global environmental cooperation is shifting... are you part of the conversation?

Join us for the CIS Thursday Forum Roundtable: Navigating a New Era in International Environmental Diplomacy at Ohio University. Hear from leading scholars as they unpack major policy changes, climate negotiations, water conflicts, and the evolving landscape of international environmental peacebuilding.

📅 Thursday, March 26, 2026
⏰ 3:30–5:00 PM
📍 Schoonover Center 145

Don’t miss this timely discussion on the global forces shaping our environmental future. Plus attendees have a chance to win free books!

03/24/2026

🚨 2 Weeks Until No Sleep Til Kyiv 🚨

On April 7 at 7:00 PM, experience this powerful documentary about everyday citizens mobilizing humanitarian aid to Ukraine then stay for a panel on how our Ohio community is taking action.

🎟 Tickets: https://athenacinema.com/nosleeptilkyiv/

Proceeds support Cars for Ukraine & the Ohio University Health Delegation to Ukraine.

03/23/2026

This Thursday, join the World Health Organization for an important global conversation on health and migration.

Over 1 billion people are on the move worldwide—making it more critical than ever to turn commitments into real action for the health of refugees and migrants.

Be part of the Technical Launch Webinar of the World report on promoting the health of refugees and migrants, where experts will:
✔ Share key findings from the 2025 Global Survey
✔ Highlight progress and ongoing challenges
✔ Explore solutions for policy, programs, and collaboration

🗓 26 March 2026
⏰ 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM (EDT)
📍 Live-streamed globally from WHO Headquarters

Scan the QR code to register now!

03/12/2026

Announcement: Climate and Health Community of Practice Film Viewing
The Climate and Health Community of Practice invites faculty, staff, and students to join us for a special screening of the documentary Cooked: Survival by Zip Code.
This powerful film examines the intersection of climate crises, public health, and social inequity, highlighting how extreme heat events disproportionately affect vulnerable communities and what this means for health systems and community resilience.
Event Details
📅 Date: Monday, March 16
📍 Location: Walter Hall, Room 235
🕒 Popcorn & Drinks: 2:30 PM
🎬 Film Screening: 3:00 – 5:00 PM (EST)
This viewing provides an opportunity to reflect on the health impacts of climate-related events and to engage with colleagues interested in climate, health, and community resilience.
Attendance at this event is voluntary. The documentary explores topics that include systemic racism, social determinants of health, and climate-related disparities. These issues can involve complex perspectives and lived experiences. We ask that all participants engage in the discussion respectfully and thoughtfully, recognizing and valuing a diversity of opinions and viewpoints.
All faculty, staff, and students are welcome. We hope you will join us for this important conversation.

Ohio University HCOM Social Medicine Ohio University College of Health Sciences and Professions Ohio University Department of Social and Public HealthOhio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

In the summer of 1995, Chicago experienced an unthinkable disaster, when extremely high humidity and a layer of heat-retaining pollution drove the heat index up to more than 126 degrees. Cooked: Survival by Zip Code tells the story of this tragic heatwave, the most traumatic in U.S. history, in whic...

03/10/2026

🎬 Join us Tuesday, April 7 at 7:00 PM for a special screening of No Sleep Til Kyiv, an award-winning documentary about ordinary people who leave their pre-war lives to build a grassroots pipeline of critically needed humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

After the film, stay for a panel discussion highlighting how Ohioans including Ohio University faculty and students are working on projects that provide life-saving education and supplies.

💙 All proceeds benefit Cars for Ukraine and the Ohio University Health Delegation to Ukraine.

🎟 Get tickets here:
https://athenacinema.com/nosleeptilkyiv