2022 Bloomberg American Health Summit Convenes Government Leaders & Public Health Experts in Philadelphia to Address Nation’s Most Pressing Health Challenges

November 22, 2022

Public Health

Summit to take place December 6 at the Loews Hotel in Philadelphia, hosted by the Bloomberg American Health Initiative, a program at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Speakers include Michael R. Bloomberg; CDC Director, Rochelle Walensky; Governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham; New York State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Mary T. Bassett; Former Philadelphia Mayor, Michael A. Nutter

Members of the media are invited to attend in-person

Baltimore, MD & Philadelphia, PA – The 5th annual Bloomberg American Health Summit on December 6, 2022, will bring together practitioners, innovators and policymakers from around the country who are working to address a number of national and global public health challenges unfolding at an unprecedented scale. These pressing issues include the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, the overdose epidemic, adolescent mental health, and gun violence. With this backdrop, the importance of local public health efforts has never been greater, and this year’s summit will help raise best practices from communities to a national level.

“Across the country, communities are suffering from a toxic mix of health crises – including COVID-19, gun violence, drug overdoses, and the obesity epidemic – which continue to shorten life expectancy and diminish the quality of life for millions of Americans,” said Michael R. Bloomberg. “The good news is we can make progress on all of these challenges if public health leaders have a seat at the table. The Bloomberg American Health Summit brings together innovative policymakers, researchers, and government officials to share approaches on how to address these challenges.”

The event will be held in-person, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. EST at the Loews Hotel in Philadelphia. The theme “Public Health: On Location,” will examine the importance of local public health efforts in shaping national policies and solutions. It is being hosted by the Bloomberg American Health Initiative, created in 2016 with a $300 million gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the world’s leading school of public health. The Initiative was developed to tackle five core issues that deeply challenge the nation’s health: addiction and overdose; adolescent health; environmental challenges; obesity and the food system; and violence. The Initiative’s work builds on a dynamic nationwide network committed to harnessing data and developing new approaches to public health that will ensure a healthier future for all Americans.

Through a series of on-stage conversations, the event will highlight successful local efforts, explore implications for national policy, and explore opportunities to continue improving equity and access to quality healthcare.

Select speakers include:

Dr. Kiara Alvarez, Bloomberg Assistant Professor of American Health, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Dr. Mary T. Bassett, New York State Commissioner of Health
Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, MPH, Health Commissioner, Philadelphia Department of Public Health
Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg LP, 108th Mayor of New York City and WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases & Injuries
Dr. Robert D. Bullard, Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy and founding Director of the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice at Texas Southern University
Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, MS Commissioner, New York State Office of Addiction Services & Supports
Ronald J. Daniels, President, Johns Hopkins University
Lisa Heinzerling, Justice William J. Brennan, Jr., Professor of Law, Georgetown University
Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor of New Mexico
Dr. Ellen J. MacKenzie, ScM, Dean, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Michael A. Nutter, Former Mayor, City of Philadelphia
Dr. Josh M. Sharfstein, Director, Bloomberg American Health Initiative
Michelle Spencer, Associate Director, Bloomberg American Health Initiative
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Panel topics include:

Reducing Gun Violence, Policy, and Prevention
Investing in Opportunity Youth
The Connection Between Food Policy, Equity, and Health
The U.S. Supreme Court and Public Health
Addiction and Overdose: Raising the Standard of Care, Justice, and Equity
The Pursuit of Environmental Justice

This year’s summit will also feature public health interventions happening in Philadelphia and other communities as key examples of the power community-based public health initiatives can wield at both the local and national levels.

The Summit will feature the work of Bloomberg Fellows, who now number 269 and come from 41 states, Washington, D.C., and one territory. This growing network of scholars, educators, and practitioners are demonstrating every day the value of using the tools of public health to help shape healthier communities across the nation. The Bloomberg Fellows Program is a groundbreaking initiative that provides world-class public health training to individuals in organizations tackling critical challenges facing the United States. Fellows receive a full scholarship to earn an MPH or DrPH degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

“This summit aims to recharge the batteries of public health,” said Dr. Josh Sharfstein, Bloomberg American Health Initiative Director. “The inspiration and connections in Philadelphia will make a difference all across the country.”

Press registration:

For press interested in attending, please contact Stacy Montejo, SMontejo@powelltate.com to register for credentials by Monday, December 5.

About the Bloomberg American Health Initiative:
The Bloomberg American Health Initiative was developed to tackle five core issues that deeply challenge the nation’s health: addiction and overdose; adolescent health; environmental challenges; obesity and the food system; and violence. The Initiative’s work with faculty, fellows, and collaborating organizations is building a dynamic nationwide network committed to harnessing data and developing new approaches to public health that will ensure a healthier future for all Americans. Learn more here: Bloomberg American Health Initiative.

About Bloomberg Philanthropies:
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 941 cities and 173 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a pro bono consultancy that works in cities around the world. In 2021, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $1.66 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Media Contacts:
Gina Davis, Bloomberg American Health Initiative, +1 443-789-0620 or gdavis71@jhu.edu
Stacy Montejo, Powell Tate, +1 202-585-2025 or SMontejo@powelltate.com