National leaders in health, environment, and policymaking convene for inaugural Bloomberg American Health Summit

A group of prominent health experts, civic leaders, and national policymakers will speak during the inaugural Bloomberg American Health Summit held later this month in Washington, D.C. They will address some of the toughest issues facing public health in the U.S., including the opioid epidemic and gun violence.

Speakers include:

• Michael R. Bloomberg, mayor of New York City from 2002 until 2013, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies, and WHO Global ambassador for noncommunicable diseases
• Michael Botticelli, former direct of national drug control policy under President Barack Obama
• Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education
• Walter Isaacson, president and CEO of the Aspen Institute
• Gina McCarthy, former administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency and director of the Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment
• Marion Nestle, professor emerita of nutrition, food studies, and public health at New York University
• Josh Sharfstein, director of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative
• Leana Wen, president of Planned Parenthood and former commissioner of health for the City of Baltimore
• Tom Wolf, governor of Pennsylvania

The summit is hosted by the Bloomberg American Health Initiative, which works to address public health issues in the U.S. such as addiction and overdose, obesity and the food system, violence, risks to adolescent health, and environmental health issues. Created in 2016 with a $300 million gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the initiative has set out to train a new generation of professionals committed to improving public health nationwide.

"The summit comes at a critical time for public health in our nation," said Bloomberg. "Life expectancy in the United States has declined for two years in a row, a grim milestone last reached more than 50 years ago. I believe that the type of public health leadership and innovation we will see at the summit can help the nation change this trajectory—and help Americans live longer, healthier lives."

Other speakers will include Ronald J. Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins University; Ellen MacKenzie, dean of the Bloomberg School; Daniel Webster, director of the Center for Gun Policy and Research; faculty members from the Bloomberg School; and Bloomberg American Health Initiative fellows.

"The diverse, innovative group we are gathering will show how public health approaches—utilizing rigorous science; nontraditional partnerships; and a commitment to evidence, equity, and policy—can overcome obstacles and lead to groundbreaking solutions," said Sharfstein.

The Bloomberg American Health Summit will take place Nov. 29-30 at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C. Participation is by invitation only. The livestream of the event will be available online.