Reimagining American Health

Summit Overview

The third annual Bloomberg American Health Summit, held virtually December 9-10, brought together advocates, experts, and policymakers from across the country to discuss the multiple public health crises challenging our nation — from the COVID-19 pandemic, to racial injustice, climate change, and more.

Over two days, more than a 1,000 viewers tuned in to hear public health experts and Bloomberg Fellows discuss how to rebuild the nation’s health system and address racism through collaboration and a renewed focus on evidenced-based, action-oriented solutions.

The 2020 Summit received coverage by major news outlets, including CNN, Fox News, PBS NewsHour and Axios, and social mentions had a potential reach of more than 3.5 million.

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When you have a public health crisis, you need everyone pulling together in the same direction.

Dr. Anthony Fauci

NIAID Director

The fact is we are not going to be protected against other kinds of pandemics like this until we are protected against all of the negative social factors and protected against racism.

Dr. Lisa Cooper

Bloomberg Distinguished Professor

The Bloomberg American Health Summit is a welcome and timely reminder that respect for science, compassion for each other and the quest for excellence are enduring American values.

Susan Buchholz

Bloomberg Fellow, The Communities Project

2020 Bloomberg American Health Summit Videos

Additional 2020 Bloomberg American Health Summit Videos

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General

The Intersection of COVID-19 and Racial Inequality

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Distinguished Professor Dr. Lisa Cooper, Massachusetts Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel, and HeartSmiles founder and president Joni Holifield discuss with moderator Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Vice Dean for Faculty Dr. Keshia Pollack Porter how COVID-19 is the latest reminder of the longstanding inequities in American health care.
General

2020 Vision

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, World Central Kitchen Founder José Andrés, actor Sam Waterston, and Harlem Children's Zone president Geoffrey Canada discuss how to address five critical public health challenges with Bloomberg News Senior Health Care Editor Drew Armstrong.
Environmental Challenges

Climate Change & Health

In a new report, researchers at Trust for America's Health and Johns Hopkins examine how prepared states are to protect residents from the health impacts of climate change.
Violence

Reducing Violence as a Public Health Issue

Columbia University’s Dr. Charles Branas, Yale Law School professor Tracey Meares, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, and JHU Bloomberg Professor of American Health Daniel Webster discuss structural contributors to violence in the U.S. and what could be done to reduce it using public health approaches.
Adolescent Health

Wes Moore Discusses COVID and Racial Injustice

Robin Hood CEO Wes Moore discusses how COVID-19 and racial injustice impact adolescents with the Baltimore Sun’s Andrea McDaniels.
General

Fellows on the Front Lines

How Bloomberg Fellows are working on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.
Food Systems for Health

Building a More Equitable Food System During a Crisis

Johns Hopkins Assistant Professor of American Health Yeeli Mui discusses how the COVID-19 crisis can be used to build a more resilient and equitable food system with Center for Good Food Purchasing Co-Founder Paula Daniels.
Addiction & Overdose

The Intersection of Racism and Addiction Amid COVID-19

Center for Addiction Research and Effective Solutions Director Dr. Amanda Latimore, Yeshiva University Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law Professor Ekow Yankah, and National Harm Reduction Coalition Executive Director Monique Tula discuss how issues of racism and addiction intersect amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with Anka Consulting Managing Principal Kima Taylor.
Addiction & Overdose

Secretary Rachel Levine on Combatting the Opioid Epidemic

Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine discusses how to generate bi-partisan support for combatting the opioid epidemic during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Addiction & Overdose

Addiction & Overdose in Indigenous Communities

Translating Mixed-Methods Research in Addiction and Overdose to Policy and Practice in Indigenous Communities throughout the United States – a SCIBAR project led by Drs. Melissa Walls and Sean Allen at Johns Hopkins.
Adolescent Health

How Restoring Vacant Lots Could Improve Adolescent Health

A new SCIBAR project led by Dr. Kristin Mmari looks at how restoring and greening vacant lots in Baltimore City may improve the health of residents and reduce disparities.
Adolescent Health

Preventing Sexual Abuse in Youth Serving Organizations

A framework of best practices, re-built for modern times, that youth serving organizations large and small can adopt in their local settings to protect the children and teens in their care while continuing to provide them with safe places where they can thrive.
Violence

Addressing Systemic Racism in Our Communities

Initiative Associate Director Michelle Spencer discusses how racial equity must be woven into all aspects of public health and highlights new research on the racial composition of police departments and creating more equitable city infrastructure.
Environmental Challenges

The Impacts of Health in the Fight for Environmental Justice

OneMillionofUs’ Jerome Foster II, JHSPH Associate Professor Kristin Mmari, and Deep South Center for Environmental Justice Founding Director Dr. Beverly Wright discuss how environmental challenges impact health, especially among communities of color, with Bloomberg Fellow Julian Drix.

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This is a moment of truth for public health in America. 

Michael R. Bloomberg

Founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies
Three-term Mayor of New York City
Johns Hopkins University Class of 1964

Supporting a New Generation of Public Health Leaders Across the Country

The Bloomberg Fellows Program provides world-class public health training for individuals engaged with organizations tackling critical challenges facing the United States.

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