Dear Rutgers Health Community,  

In 2021, the Rutgers University President’s Task Force on Carbon Neutrality and Climate Resilience presented a Climate Action Strategic Plan, overseen by the Office of Climate Action, with the goals of achieving carbon neutrality before 2041 and to help achieve national net-zero greenhouse gas emissions no later than 2050. This plan was the product of a culmination of nearly two-years of effort by a universitywide group of faculty, staff, and students. From these efforts, Climate Action Groups were formed; each of the ten groups focus on a particular part of the university, from campus and culture areas to university operations.  

This issue of the Health Hub focuses on sustainability within Rutgers Health and the strides being made to mitigate climate change. From groundbreaking research in nanoplastics in water bottles to the formation of a Rutgers Health Climate Action Working Group, we have much to celebrate as well as much work to be done.  

While this newsletter focuses on the positive work happening here at Rutgers Health, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the various challenges facing academia and health care in our country and the world right now. I urge you to continue to trust in our values, believe in our research and each other, continue to work for the common good and reflect on the great work you are doing to care for our communities. Every day, I am grateful to you and the many ways you contribute to advancing our mission of making New Jersey and the world well.   

I hope you enjoy this issue. 

 Warm regards, 

Brian L. Strom, M.D., M.P.H.   

Chancellor, Rutgers Health  

Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Rutgers University 

Leave Single-Use Plastic Bottles in 2024 

Perhaps it’s time to ditch your single-use plastic bottles. Phoebe Stapleton, associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, co-authored a groundbreaking study that revealed the alarming amount of tiny plastic fragments — known as nanoplastics — found in bottled water. While this research is ahead of policymakers and regulators, you can take proactive steps to start making changes.

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Environmental sustainability isn’t a major factor influencing meat consumption decisions for most Americans, despite increasing awareness of the climate impacts of red meat production, according to researchers at the School of Public Health. 

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Be a Part of Rutgers Giving Days March 13: Give a Gift of Health and Hope

Rutgers Giving Days, an exciting 48-hour giving campaign, is coming soon. Join your Rutgers Health community as we unite as one on two very special days, March 12 and 13. This year marks the 10th anniversary of this very important fundraising event. Together we’ll support values important to you and the Rutgers Health community: advancing life-changing research, fostering well-being, and delivering compassionate care. 

Learn More Now 

HPV Awareness and Vaccination Campaign Begins on Rutgers—New Brunswick Campuses

Gearing up for HPV Awareness Month, Associate Vice President for Student Health Noa’a Shimoni and other public health and communications experts are seeking to improve reported vaccination rates in the Rutgers student population. This initiative incorporates key insights from student focus groups and a health communications class at the School of Communication and Information (SCI) to tailor their messaging and target subpopulations at Rutgers—New Brunswick.

In a new video, School of Communications Senior Aidan Faraone interviewed Shimoni and School of Public Health Dean Perry Halkitis about HPV in a special PSA for students.