improve population health. move business forward.
At idea hub, we build collaborations between organizations and Boston University School of Public Health to accelerate innovations in population health and meet business needs.
Who we are
We are public health professionals who help companies partner with faculty experts to solve the world’s most challenging public health problems.
We initiate ambitious projects, incubate innovative solutions, and integrate those solutions around the globe.
What we offer
We offer access to world-renowned public health experts, unique research data, customized training programs, connections to 300+ public health faculty and 4,000 faculty across Boston University, and highly skilled graduate and doctoral students. Every collaboration is different—let’s discuss how we can meet your company’s needs.
Access to world-class research
Can Cleaner Classroom Air Help Kids Do Better at School?: a Partnership with Boston Public Schools
BUSPH’s Patricia Fabian and Boston Public Schools lead innovative research monitoring classroom air quality to shape healthier learning environments.
Ernst & Young and BUSPH collaboration: Focusing on health equity to build better online health resources for women
Focusing on health equity within women’s online health environments can engage those most in need and improve a business’s bottom line. EY has teamed up with the Boston University School of Public Health to provide actionable steps on building better online resources for women.
Extreme heat may affect younger adults more than seniors
Through OptumLabs data, researchers found days of extreme heat were associated with a higher risk of emergency department visits for any cause, heat-related illness, renal disease, and mental disorders among all adults, but the strongest association was among those 18-64.
Fertility in older women and oral contraceptive use
Women are waiting longer to have children, however research into factors associated with modern fertility has been scarce. Dr. Wise investigates patterns of oral contraceptive use and ovarian reserve biomarkers that help to predict fertility.
Mobile health interventions reduce healthcare costs and improve diabetes management
Annual expenses for young people with diabetes is over $1.8 billion. Dr. Wang uses mobile health interventions that enhance parent and child diabetes self-management to reduce this cost burden. Her research informs new technologies in the management of chronic conditions.
Students Collaborate with Starbucks to Track COVID Policy Changes
Through a partnership with Starbucks and SPH idea hub, students tracked COVID policies affecting retail businesses and restaurants for employees to reference as they facilitate store re-openings and implement safety protocols unique to each of their cafes.
Google data shows effect of COVID-19 social distancing policies
What COVID-19 policies actually work? A collaboration between BUSPH and Google researched which government policies work best in preventing the spread of the disease.
Easing implementation of government policies within public housing
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development mandated all public housing units be smoke-free by 2018. Dr. Daniel Brooks and his team worked to create a toolkit for 2,700 public housing units to adapt to smoke-free regulations.
More from idea hub
Identifying genetic variants and the role they play in predisposing people to Alzheimer’s disease can help researchers better understand how to treat the neurodegenerative condition for which there is currently…
Clinical knowledge about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has come a long way, but there is still much to learn about this neurodegenerative disorder caused by repeated head injuries over time.…
School of Public Health student Megan Ryder earned first place in the 2024 BU Climate Innovation Challenge for her proposal for a community-driven tree planting initiative designed to curb Boston’s urban heat island…