About UM SPH

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Mission Statement

The University of Michigan School of Public Health seeks to create and disseminate knowledge with the aim of preventing disease and promoting the health of populations in the United States and worldwide. We are especially concerned with poor, often minority populations, who suffer disproportionately from illness and disability. Among health science schools, we are unique in that we place a strong emphasis on disease prevention and health promotion, rather than on the treatment of existing illness. We aspire to be a crossroads of knowledge, where ideas and people from the biological, physical, social, and managerial sciences meet. The school employs integrated approaches to solving public health problems, and teaches and promotes the ethical practice of public health.

A Legacy of Achievement

In the past, public health measures have conquered diseases such as smallpox, measles, whooping cough, rubella, and tetanus. Michigan has played an historic role in such achievements. We are especially proud of our contribution to the control of polio through the work of Thomas Francis Jr. and Jonas Salk, who developed and tested their polio vaccine during their years with UM SPH. It was here in 1955 that the vaccine was declared "safe, effective, and potent." The 50th anniversary of that event was celebrated in April 2005.

Pioneering New Strategies

Currently, researchers at Michigan work in labs on viruses, parasites, and toxins; derive new techniques for analyzing data on health and illness; design epidemiological studies to track emerging diseases; develop strategies to alter behavior that predisposes one to health risks; help communities create the capacity to solve their own health problems; and pioneer health policy that gives greater access to health care and prevention services.

Our Commitment, Your Future

The University of Michigan School of Public Health is organized into five academic departments: Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Health Behavior and Health Education, and Health Management and Policy. We offer a full and flexible array of courses, programs of study, and concentrations to meet your academic and professional goals. Students benefit from the personal contact with excellent faculty, cutting-edge research, and state-of-the-art facilities. Welcome to Michigan!

About the Home Page Photos

UM SPH photos are mostly copyrighted and permissions-protected. Contact the Office of Communications with any questions or reproduction requests. Below are links for more information on many of the home page photo bar images.


Welcome from the dean	Annual faculty awards	Research centers	Topics: Flu


Give to support facilities	Preparedness (MI-CPHP)	Polio vaccine: 50 years	'Tsunami Tsummer'


Groundbreaking, 2003	Research resources	PHLI Ergopod workstation	'Student Volunteer' talk


On campus at Michigan	Schoolwide symposia	SPH & Hurricane Katrina	Careers/internships


Health communication	Mercury: in Arctic & wicks	For practitioners	Student field experience


Human Nutrition	SPH Experts List	Findings: Avian flu (PDF)	Findings: Dean Warner


Crossroads building	Graduation	Faculty research	PRC community garden

Video from Campus

Watch UM SPH's three-minute video introduction to the school, featuring students, alumni, faculty, Dean Ken Warner, and more.

If you have trouble viewing the video or want to order your own DVD, contact sph.inquiries@mich.edu.

What's Happening Now...

The Michigan SPH News & Events calendar lists current conferences, seminars, lectures, and events at the school.

The News Releases page has reports on faculty research findings and announcements from the school.

The Accolades page reports on achievements by and honors for various members of the school community.