SDSU Joins National Effort to Strengthen Public Health

The College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) is part of a publicly accessible, nationwide webinar highlighting SDSU’s partnership with the Health and Human Services Agency of San Diego County to advance public health education, workforce development, and health equity. 

San Diego State University is part of a nationwide webinar co-hosted by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and the Public Health Foundation (PHF), two nonprofit organizations representing public health agencies and academic-practice collaboration across the United States.

As a leading public research university and home to one of the country’s top schools of public health, SDSU brings a strong research foundation and community-engaged approach to ASTHO’s and PHF's work in advancing health equity and public health workforce development.

SDSU was invited to participate because of its innovative academic-practice partnership with the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA).

"SDSU’s partnership with HHSA reflects our commitment to public service, growing a strong public health workforce, and the translation of research into policy and practice," said Amy Bonomi, dean of the College of Health and Human Services. "We are honored to have our work highlighted by ASTHO as a model of academic-practice collaboration helping shape the future of public health."

The national webinar, to be held virtually on Thursday, April 24, from 2-3 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) will highlight how SDSU and HHSA formalized their partnership and how they continue to collaborate to strengthen public health education, workforce development and community health outcomes. Registration is available online.

In addition to Bonomi, panelists are:

• Nicole Magnuson, director of the Live Well Center for Innovation & Leadership, SDSU and HHSA's formalized academic-practice partnership
• Kimberly Giardina, deputy chief administrative officer for the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency

"SDSU’s inclusion in this national dialogue underscores its role as a leader in public health innovation and its deep commitment to meaningful, equity-driven partnerships that serve to advance health in our communities," Bonomi said.

In 2022, SDSU and San Diego County announced the creation of the Live Well Center for Innovation and Leadership, strengthening the connection between academia and practice. The five-year agreement connects researchers, students, and community partners in efforts to address countywide health issues related to child well-being, aging, and housing insecurity as well as championing public health workforce needs.

"Through this collaboration, SDSU will continue to contribute to critical national efforts addressing today’s most pressing public health challenges -- from pandemic preparedness to environmental health and chronic disease prevention," Bonomi said. "We are pleased to be able to share our innovative model nationwide."