Dr. Robert Dubrow stands as a distinguished figure in public health, notably for his significant contributions to epidemiology and, more recently, his pivotal role in addressing the health challenges posed by climate change. Emeritus Professor Dubrow’s career is marked by a deep commitment to education, research, and public service, making him a respected voice in both academic and public health spheres.
For many years, Doctor Dubrow dedicated his expertise to Yale School of Public Health, where he profoundly influenced generations of students. His tenure included teaching core courses like Principles of Epidemiology I and II, sharing his extensive knowledge and passion for the field. His commitment to education was further exemplified during his service as the School’s inaugural Associate Dean for Academic Affairs from 2007 to 2010. The Yale School of Public Health recognized his exceptional teaching abilities by awarding him the Distinguished Teaching Award three times, in 2002, 2007, and 2012, solidifying his legacy as an impactful educator.
Doctor dubrow’s initial research focus was centered on critical public health issues such as cancer, HIV, and the complex interplay between them. He built a robust body of work in these areas, contributing valuable insights to the understanding and control of these diseases. However, recognizing the urgent threat of climate change, doctor dubrow shifted his focus in 2015 to what he identified as the paramount public health challenge of our time.
This pivotal shift led doctor dubrow to become the Founding Faculty Director of the Yale Center on Climate Change and Health (YCCCH). Under his leadership, YCCCH has grown into a leading institution dedicated to mitigating the health impacts of climate change. Serving as Faculty Director until June 2024, and now as Co-Faculty Director, doctor dubrow has guided YCCCH in its mission to employ research, education, public health practice, and policy engagement to protect human health from climate change and its drivers. The center actively collaborates with academic institutions, government bodies, and civil society organizations to achieve local, national, and global impact, with a strong emphasis on integrating social justice into all its initiatives.
Currently, doctor dubrow’s research is particularly focused on the adverse health effects of heat and air pollution, both of which are exacerbated by climate change. His work extends to vulnerable regions, as evidenced by his collaboration on a project aimed at establishing an early warning system for dengue fever in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region. Furthermore, through a partnership between YCCCH and the Connecticut Department of Public Health, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, doctor dubrow is contributing to building local health department capacity to address the health risks associated with heat and air pollution within the United States. His broader interests also encompass the complex issues surrounding air conditioning’s benefits and harms in a changing climate, the specific challenges of climate change and health in the Caribbean, and the critical health equity dimensions of climate change.
Doctor dubrow’s expertise and insights are also disseminated through influential platforms like The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, to which he has contributed as a co-author for the annual reports from 2019 to 2024. Through his extensive research, leadership at YCCCH, and ongoing dedication to public health education, doctor dubrow continues to be a vital force in addressing the urgent health challenges presented by climate change.
