News and Events

Lunch & Learn

"Narrative and Power: Can Journalism Shape Public Health?" With Ted Alcorn

The Lerner Center is excited to host award-winning reporter and Mailman SPH Associate Ted Alcorn, who will speak about journalism's power, and its limits, in shaping health outcomes, and will offer practical guidance for public health practitioners seeking to grow the reach and power of their own voices. 

Come join us in Room 532, ARB, from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm on Wednesday, March 11th. 

The Lerner Center is hosting a Health Messaging Competition, and all Columbia Mailman students are invited to enter!

Health Messaging Student Competition

Promoting Positive Behavior change to Advance Public Health for All

Submission Deadline: March 31, 2026 by 5PM

Share your creativity and passion to improve public health for all! Students are asked to create a health communication product (e.g. video, GIS mapping, data visualizations, social media posts, podcast, poster, etc) and campaign designed to promote behavior change that advances public health for all. Topics may include: nutrition and food security, physical activity, tobacco cessation, disease prevention, environmentalism, mental health, and more!

Finalists will be awarded monetary prizes and will be entered into a multi-school, “Lerner Centers Health Messaging Student Competition,” in which submissions will be judged alongside products from students at Syracuse University and the CUIMC Integrative Therapies Program. Additional prizes will be awarded to top winners. 

To register, please email Olivia Cull at ohc2103@cumc.columbia.edu. 

Health Messaging Student Competition Award Ceremony

Date and Time TBD