Planetary Health research has taught us that our dismantling of nature’s intricate and fragile web is an urgent threat to human health and wellbeing. “Environmental” problems—climate change; biodiversity loss; pollution of air, water, and soil; terrestrial and marine system degradation—are expanding at a pace and scale that demands urgent action and transformative innovation across nearly every dimension of human activity from food and energy systems to manufacturing and the built environment. The Institute for Planetary Health was created to build a bridge connecting JHU’s vibrant community of faculty, staff, and students to work together in accelerating discovery and activating solutions to safeguard health on a rapidly changing planet.
Learn More about the InstituteThe Institute is advancing Planetary Health research, education, policy, and practice across Johns Hopkins University. By bringing faculty and students together across disciplines and divisions to work on collaborative projects, the Institute will help the University play a lead role in moving the field of Planetary Health forward. We envision numerous workstreams as diverse as designing Planetary Health cities, working with the Indigenous health community to explore the intersections with Indigenous determinants of health, and working with nurses and physicians to green health care and communicate the Planetary Health emergency to patients, colleagues, and communities. In education, the Institute will help integrate Planetary Health competencies into nursing, medical, public health, and undergraduate curricula. Collaborations with the policy community at Hopkins and the engineering, AI, and data science communities will lead to innovations in policy, technology, and practice.
Learn MoreThe Institute for Planetary Health removes obstacles to cross-disciplinary collaboration. We plan to offer support for workshops and convenings (including at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington DC), development of research proposals, new Planetary Health course development, and connection to the global Planetary Health community through the Planetary Health Alliance. In addition, we will organize monthly dinner seminars for affiliated faculty and special events and retreats on Planetary Health topics. Over time, we seek to provide seed grants for research and support for postdoctoral fellows connected to Planetary Health research hubs.
Learn More About Our Programs7/15/25: New Commentary Connecting Planetary Boundaries & Planetary Health
Experts from the Planetary Boundaries and Planetary Health communities have co-authored a new commentary in The Lancet, calling for a unified platform to address the human health impacts of Earth system changes.
6/16/25: JHIPH’s New UNDP Partnership: Building a Livable Future for All
The partnership will focus on leveraging Planetary Health insights and expertise to advance sustainable development, including health and well-being, democratic governance, and climate and disaster resilience.
5/20/25: Congratulations School of Nursing Planetary Health Graduates
Congratulations Sonya Alivio and Cristina Watkins—the first two graduates of the DNP Executive/MPH Dual Degree Program to focus their doctoral projects on Planetary Health.
5/16/25: 2025 Planetary Health Nexus Award Recipients
We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2025 Planetary Health Nexus Awards!
5/1/25: JHIPH Year-One Impact Report
We are delighted to present the first annual report of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health!
1/28/25: Seydina Fall’s Vision for Planetary Health Cities
Seydina Fall, Faculty Co-director for JHIPH’s Innovation and Implementation program, embarked on travels across Asia that deepened his global perspective on urban revitalization.
As a member of our community, you’ll receive updates on the latest news, events, and insights related to the growing Planetary Health movement at Johns Hopkins University and beyond.
Apply for a Graduate Fellowship with the Ecological Design Collective
The Ecological Design Collective (EDC) is hiring two graduate student Fellows for the 2025–26 academic year.
We're hiring! Please check out JHIPH’s open positions and share them with your networks.
JHIPH collaborates with a range of student-led groups focused on Planetary Health across JHU.
Connect with the Global Community
Join worldwide networks of changemakers dedicated to advancing planetary health.
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6/16/25: Planetary Health Cities Symposium
The symposium will focus on embedding Planetary Health principles into urban development, with the aim of creating more sustainable and livable cities of tomorrow.
4/23/25: Cross-Disciplinary Education Gathering Recap
On April 23rd, the Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health hosted a Cross-Disciplinary Planetary Health Education Gathering aimed at strengthening connections among JHU faculty, JHIPH, and PHA, and co-creating strategies for the integration of Planetary Health into JHU courses.
4/3/25: April Planetary Health Dinner Recap
In April, JHIPH welcomed JHU faculty, staff, and students for the final Planetary Health dinner of the academic year.
4/23/25: (Y)our Power/Our Planet: An Earth Day Conversation on Environmental Action
Join us for an engaging Earth Day event featuring expert panelists in sustainability across Maryland.
Join us to celebrate Earth Day with tabling activities, food, prizes, and more on Keyser Quad!
3/4/25: March Planetary Health Dinner Recap
In March, members of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health community gathered to explore how Planetary Health can inform research and interventions for emerging infectious diseases, focusing on vector-borne diseases.
