7 Shocking Ways The Emory Global Health Institute Is Reshaping The World In 2025
The Emory Global Health Institute (EGHI) is not just an academic center; it is a critical nexus of research, education, and practice, actively shaping the global health landscape in 2025 and beyond. Operating from the global health hub of Atlanta, EGHI leverages its unique position to connect students, faculty, and international partners to tackle the world's most complex and pressing health challenges, moving far beyond traditional classroom learning to deliver tangible, life-saving impact on the ground.
As of late 2025, the Institute continues to solidify its role as a premier interdisciplinary force, uniting the expertise of the School of Medicine, the Rollins School of Public Health, Oxford College, and other Emory University units. Its current work focuses on translating cutting-edge science—from artificial intelligence to implementation science—into equitable health solutions for vulnerable populations worldwide, making its recent projects essential knowledge for anyone tracking the future of global public health.
EGHI Leadership, Foundation, and Core Mission
The Emory Global Health Institute’s formidable reputation is built on a foundation of visionary leadership and a clear, action-oriented mission. The Institute’s structure is designed to foster multidisciplinary collaboration across Emory University’s nine schools and numerous centers.
- Founder: Dr. Jeffrey P. Koplan, a former Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), established EGHI to create an interdisciplinary university-wide platform for global health engagement. The annual Jeffrey P. Koplan Global Health Award recognizes outstanding contributions in the field.
- Current Director and VP for Global Health: Dr. Rebecca Martin serves as the Vice President for Global Health and Director of the Emory Global Health Institute. Dr. Martin brings extensive experience from her career as a CDC global health veteran, driving the Institute's focus on advancing global health equity and understanding power imbalances in health systems.
- Core Mission: To improve health around the world by supporting Emory University faculty, students, and staff in their work at the intersection of education, research, and practice. EGHI acts as a bridge-builder, connecting diverse leaders and learners to empower communities.
- Interdisciplinary Reach: Key collaborative units include the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory School of Medicine, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, and the Emory College of Arts and Sciences.
The 7 Most Significant EGHI Initiatives and Global Impacts in 2025
The Emory Global Health Institute's activity in 2025 demonstrates a strong pivot toward leveraging technology and implementation science to achieve health equity. These seven initiatives represent the Institute's most current and impactful work on the global stage.
1. Leading the AI Revolution in Maternal Health
One of the most groundbreaking areas of current EGHI research is the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address critical health disparities. The Institute’s work is closely linked to the new Center for AI in REproductive health (CAIRE) at Emory. Researchers, including Nasim Katebi and Reza Sameni, are currently advancing AI-driven tools specifically for midwives in low-resource settings, such as Guatemala.
This initiative involves developing a new AI tool that allows local midwives to spot and record abnormalities in pregnant women, a crucial step in preventing maternal mortality. This is part of a broader push by the Emory Maternal Health Research Center of Excellence to increase both the quality of and access to care, while simultaneously working to mitigate bias in AI tools—a key ethical challenge in global health technology deployment.
2. Hosting the CUGH 2025 Global Health Conference
In a major testament to its standing in the global health community, Emory University, with EGHI as a central player, welcomed participants to the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) 2025 conference. Hosting this prestigious event positioned Atlanta as a temporary global health crossroads, allowing Emory to showcase its deep-rooted partnerships with local institutions like the CDC and The Carter Center.
The conference focused on a range of critical themes, with Dr. Rebecca Martin playing a key role in discussions on the future of global health. This event served as a vital platform for students, faculty, and global health leaders to discuss the evolution of global health and the role of technology in advancing health equity.
3. The BREAKTHROUGH Center for Cancer Screening in Kenya
EGHI is actively engaged in combating non-communicable diseases through its support of the BREAKTHROUGH Center (Enhanced BReast and cErvical cAncer screening in Kenya THROUGH implementation science research and training). This major project, often linked to the Treatment | Research | Expert Education (TREE) programs, focuses on implementation science to develop and scale up effective cancer screening and treatment methods in East Africa.
The initiative is crucial because it not only provides enhanced healthcare services but also builds a base of local Kenyan healthcare workers and research experts. This sustainable, capacity-building approach, often supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is a hallmark of EGHI’s commitment to long-term global health impact.
4. Fostering the Next Generation of Global Health Leaders
A core component of the Institute’s mission is the development of future leaders through experiential learning. The flagship Global Health Scholars Program, which includes the Field Scholars Awards Program, provides financial and technical support for multidisciplinary student teams.
Since 2008, this program has enabled students from the School of Medicine, Rollins School of Public Health, and Oxford College to engage in priority global health research during the summer. These scholars work in collaboration with in-country peers and Emory faculty, linking academic study with practical field experience in communities around the world.
5. Deepening Partnerships with Atlanta’s Global Health Ecosystem
EGHI’s location in Atlanta, a major global health crossroads, is a significant advantage. The Institute maintains robust, long-standing collaborations that enhance its global reach and topical authority. Key partners include:
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with which Emory has a deep, ongoing relationship, including work with the Emergency Response and Recovery Branch.
- The Task Force for Global Health, a non-profit organization that works on disease eradication and control.
- The Carter Center, founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter, focusing on human rights and disease elimination.
- CARE International, with which Emory and the CDC have collaborated on initiatives like the CARE–CDC Health Initiative.
- International organizations such as UNICEF and the International Medical Corps.
6. Broadening Research Focus Beyond Infectious Disease
While infectious diseases like HIV, Malaria, and Tuberculosis (TB)—with the notable work of the Emory TB Center and extensive Vaccine Research—remain critical areas, EGHI has expanded its focus to cover a wider spectrum of public health issues.
Current research priorities and focus areas now include:
- Chronic Disease: Addressing the rise of non-communicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries.
- Exposome: Studying the cumulative environmental exposures that influence health outcomes.
- Refugee & Immigrant Health: Tackling health challenges in today’s political and climate-driven displacement crises.
- Health Equity: A cross-cutting theme ensuring that research and practice explicitly address social determinants of health.
7. Utilizing AI for Hospital-Acquired Infection Prevention
Beyond maternal health, EGHI-affiliated researchers are also applying AI to hospital-based issues. A new AI tool is being deployed to support best practices in preventing the spread of dangerous hospital-acquired infections, such as C. difficile (C. diff). This project exemplifies how the Institute is translating advanced computational science into immediate, practical solutions for health systems both domestically and internationally, ultimately improving patient safety and resilience in clinical environments.
The Future of Global Health: EGHI’s Continuing Impact
The Emory Global Health Institute remains a dynamic engine for change, consistently demonstrating its commitment to its founding principle: uniting diverse disciplines to solve complex problems. By focusing on interdisciplinary education, cutting-edge implementation science, and robust partnerships with international organizations, EGHI is equipping the next generation of global health practitioners with the skills needed to navigate a world of shifting health challenges. From the field-based learning of the Field Scholars Awards Program to the high-level policy discussions at the CUGH 2025 conference, EGHI’s influence is profound and continues to grow, ensuring that its work is at the forefront of global health impact for years to come.
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