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UMass Boston and Boston SPHERE Launch High School Public Health Initiative

lite News Desk 2 min read

At a glance

  • UMass Boston seniors will teach health topics in three Boston high schools.
  • The program is the first workforce project under the Boston SPHERE coalition.
  • Boston SPHERE includes over 30 academic and research institutions.

A new partnership announced on September 21, 2026, brings together UMass Boston, the Boston Public Health Commission, and Boston SPHERE to address public health workforce development in local schools.

This initiative involves UMass Boston seniors from the Urban Public Health program interning and teaching at Roxbury Prep, Boston Prep, and Academy of the Pacific Rim high schools during the fall semester. The students will cover sexual health and other public health subjects as part of their practical training.

Boston SPHERE, which stands for Strengthening Public Health-Academic Partnerships in Education, Research, and Equity, is a coalition launched by the Boston Public Health Commission and includes more than 30 academic and research organizations. The new high school program marks the coalition’s first workforce development project.

Students chosen for this program applied in spring 2026 and will undergo training in adolescent health, health education, facilitation, community engagement, and public health practice. This preparation is designed to equip them for their teaching roles in the high schools.

What the numbers show

  • The Urban Public Health program at UMass Boston started in 2022 and currently enrolls 65 students.
  • Enrollment in the program is expected to exceed 100 students in fall 2026.
  • A March 2026 national survey found 35% of public health workers reported increased burnout since 2024.

In spring 2027, the UMass Boston seniors will deliver culturally responsive, evidence-based health education to high school students, under the supervision of Boston Public Health Commission staff. This approach aims to provide practical experience for the students while supporting health education in Boston schools.

The Boston SPHERE coalition includes institutions such as Mass General Brigham, Boston Medical Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Beth Israel Lahey Health, Harvard, MIT’s Broad Institute, Boston University, Northeastern, Tufts, Fenway Health, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The coalition’s three main goals are to diversify the public health workforce, speed up the application of research and technology, and address health disparities.

The Urban Public Health undergraduate program at UMass Boston was launched in 2022 and currently includes students in their second, third, and fourth years. Program growth is anticipated, with enrollment projected to surpass 100 students in the coming academic year.

A national survey conducted in March 2026 among nearly 5,000 public health workers indicated that burnout has increased since 2024, especially among those aged 35 and younger. The survey also found that 31% of younger workers planned to leave their organizations within a year, and 25% reported fewer advancement opportunities since 2024.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.

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