Evolution of Population Health Within US Schools of Medicine and Academic Medical Centers

Schools of medicine are increasingly focusing on efforts beyond the immediate needs of individual patients and addressing the needs of whole populations. This study examined the characteristics of population health departments and related programs within, and affiliated with, schools of medicine and how these programs address the schools' educational, clinical care, research, and service missions. Structured reviews of school of medicine websites were used to identify population health departments and related programs. An on-line survey was distributed to a subset of these programs to capture details on their activities and organizational characteristics. The authors convened leaders of population health programs to elaborate on core themes. Of 154 school of medicine websites reviewed, 37 (24%) had affiliated population health programs, including 28 (18%) with distinct departments of population health. Departments reported a variety of teaching activities related to undergraduate medical education, graduate degree programs, and certificate programs addressing a variety of population health domains including public health, health administration, epidemiology, biostatistics, informatics, and research methods. Research was a core activity for most departments with significant support coming from federal funding, with many playing major roles in clinical and translational research institutes and cancer centers. Most departments had research, data sharing, and other collaborations with affiliated health systems. All departments engaged in community service activities, including activities supporting the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Population health programs are playing an increasingly important role in the teaching, clinical care, research, and community service missions in schools of medicine and academic medical centers.