The Division of Population Health Sciences (DPHS) includes the Institute for Circumpolar
Health Studies, the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, an undergraduate minor in Public Health, and the Master of Public Health program. Advancing health sciences through the educational opportunities of academic
training, research, and community service to improve the well-being of the diverse
peoples of Alaska and the circumpolar north.
Population health sits at the intersection of medicine and public health spanning
the social sciences. Population health explores the social factors that influence
health using an evidence based approach and community engagement to reduce disparities,
measure health needs and implement effective health innovations.
Academic Programs
Set up a successful career in health education and health promotion, public and community
health, disease prevention, rehabilitation, or health care delivery.
Vanessa Hiratsuka from CHD and Britteny Howell from DPHS are the new Co-Directors for UAA’s National Resource Center on Alaska Native Elders. Britteny Howell shares her journey into geriatrics.
Fabrice Evengue is an epidemiologist with the Department of Defence. “I investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury.”. He got his start in public health at UAA, graduating in 2015 with a Master of Public Health in Health Practice.
As the demand for sustainable and organic insulation solutions continues to grow Philippe Amstislavski, Ph.D. and professor of Public Health is working on an innovative multidisciplinary project that could solve Arctic communities building insulation issues.
Faculty members from the Division of Population Health Sciences held a reception to celebrate their graduating Spring class. Friends and family were invited to mark a milestone for students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science (BSHS). Faculty held gold balloons that spelt out 2023 and posed with their students.
When Summer Sweet started at UAA, she was drawn to public health. “I think it’s important to recognize the idea of environmental health, human health and animal health-everything around us as a whole.”. Sweet graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences 2022 and now puts her skills to work at UAA as a staff member.