Linda Neuhauser DrPH ’88, MPH ’77 is a clinical professor at UC Berkeley and co-principal investigator at Health Research for Action. For almost 30 years, she has dedicated her career to researching new approaches that use transdisciplinary, translational, and participatory theory and methods to improve health interventions. She has been instrumental in the School of Public Health’s pioneering role in developing community-based participatory research (CBPR). Examples of her work include state-wide parenting education and programs designed by factory workers in China.

On public health and the challenges we face

Public health in its broadest interpretation refers to all that affects the health of our planet. As such, it crosses all disciplines and sectors of society. It encompasses all that affects health, such as environmental factors, tax laws, education, architecture and the built environment, medicine, communication to the public, policies of all kinds, and politics. Given the breadth and depth of public health, one of the greatest challenges is to train future researchers/practitioners/policymakers in understanding all the factors that affect health and the most effect ways to work with people in different disciplines and sectors to solve problems.

A change to one U.S. policy that would transform public health

Institute a policy to reduce the ever-growing income inequality. This move resources from the rich back to society to be used more equitably. A major use of these resources would be to educate each child from day 1 and throughout life to make the best decisions that benefit everyone and the environment.

Movie of my life at SPH

Rocky (and its theme song ‘Chariots of Fire’). The movie’s message and our School’s is that although we face uphill battles in public health, they are winnable with smarts, courage, and perseverance.