UH Population Health

Welcome to UH Population Health, an innovative “Consortium of Centers” driven by Public-Private Partnerships that turn research discoveries into real-world solutions to enhance population health.  Our work is powered by complexity theory, systems science, and translational science, and inspired by our vision to pioneer data-driven, population health research that transcends traditional boundaries. We aspire to be a catalyst for harnessing interdisciplinary, leading-edge science, immersive and learner-centric education programs, and for effective public-private partnerships. Join us to explore the intersection of research and real-world impact – where groundbreaking discoveries translate into lasting improvements in population health. Through bold innovation and unwavering commitment, we envision a future where every community thrives in well-being. 

What is Population Health?

Population health is a scientific discipline that shifts the focus from treating illness in individuals to proactively improving health outcomes across entire communities. A population health approach can transform how we think about health in several ways:

  • It’s data-driven and predictive: Population health uses data analytics to identify high-risk individuals to intervene early – sometimes even before they show symptoms – to forecast disease outbreaks, and tailor interventions to specific communities.
  • It addresses root causes: Population health digs deep to target key determinants of health such as transportation, housing, education, income, and access to nutritious food—factors that profoundly shape health outcomes.
  • It’s collaborative across sectors: Population health brings together public health agencies, private companies, schools, housing authorities, and more to create healthier environments.
  • It redefines success: Population health seeks to impact metrics like Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs), Healthy Life Expectancy (HALE):

In short, population health is novel because it’s not just about treating illness—it’s about building systems that keep people well.

Sign-up for the monthly newsletter, Mobilizing Population Health