Our world is interconnected in ways we are only beginning to understand. Chronic diseases, such as obesity, asthma, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and inflammatory bowel disease, among others, have increased in recent years, with many reaching epidemic proportions that exact a heavy burden on our patients, families, and communities. Parallel to the increased burden of chronic disease, our global environment is changing, whether it is our food, air, water, weather-related events or social connections. Such environmental changes in turn impact our health. The health of individuals is inextricably linked to the health and safety of our communities, environments, and broader societies. This complex web demands a new approach to public health—one that bridges broad disciplines, embraces cutting-edge technologies, and never loses sight of the human element at its core.

At the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, we are uniquely positioned to lead this charge. Our integration within one of New York City's most diverse health systems provides an unparalleled living laboratory for our students and researchers to explore these complex interdependencies. Here, the theoretical meets the practical, and ideas are transformed into real-world solutions that impact patients and communities.

Here at Mount Sinai, we embrace the complexity of modern challenges in public health in a large-scale, data-rich training ground. Imagine harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to predict and prevent disease outbreaks, or using big data to unravel the complex interplay between genetics and environment. Picture yourself at the forefront of exposomics, mapping how a lifetime of cumulative environmental exposures shapes human health. These are not distant dreams—they are the daily realities of our work at the Icahn School.

But technology alone is not enough. True progress in public health requires a deep understanding of the social fabric that shapes our well-being. That is why we place health equity at the heart of everything we do. From our classrooms to our community partnerships, we are committed to addressing the root causes of health disparities and working towards better outcomes for all.

To aspiring public health leaders: your passion, creativity, and dedication are needed now more than ever to contribute to this innovation ecosystem. At the School of Medicine, you will find a community of innovators, a springboard for ideas, and a platform to make a lasting impact on the world. We can build a future where everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the opportunity to live a healthy, fulfilling life. This is not just our mission—it is our calling.

Rosalind J. Wright, MD, MPH
Horace W. Goldsmith Professorship in Children's Health Research
Dean, Public Health
Chair, Department of Public Health
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai