Fielding Notes | Dean's Corner 10.6.26

We depend on community to thrive. Whether preventing illness through the use of vaccines or sharing responsibilities at home and in the workplace, we welcome community. 

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a report stating that about half of adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness — and the physical consequences of isolation are considerable. For individuals, “poor or insufficient social connection is associated with increased risk of disease, including a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke.” And for communities, “well-being, including (but not limited to) public health, community resilience when natural hazards strike, community safety, economic prosperity, and representative government” are important.

In public health, we collaborate to build a healthier world. And as fall quarter progresses, I encourage each of us to prioritize community in ways both professional and personal. Collaborate, share, listen, and join in. 

And what an incredible community we have here at UCLA Fielding! I hope I’ll see many of you at our upcoming Fall Welcome event for students, staff, faculty, and alums. And there are so many more ways to spend time together here on our campus and beyond. Visit the Tongva Basket Weaving Garden at the botanical garden on our block or UCLA’s Sculpture Garden with colleagues or join events hosted by the Gabrielino/Tongva Nation on Indigenous Peoples Day (October 12) which include a land acknowledgement, proclamation, and potluck.

Increasing equity and building a healthier tomorrow require us to take meaningful action today. And to do so together. After all, public health is the ultimate team sport.