Discovery Service and Justice Initiative
The Discovery, Service, and Justice Initiative was established to advance the mission of Harvard Medical School by addressing both emerging and persistent health challenges. Grounded in the values of pluralism, equity, and inclusion, the initiative embraces the richness of diverse perspectives and experiences as essential to improving health outcomes. Through a focus on the social determinants of health, inclusive leadership in academic medicine, and transformative health policy, the initiative seeks to promote equity, foster belonging, and serve all populations with integrity and purpose.
DSJ events focus on four areas:
- History and Context
- Culture and Environment
- Health Equity
- Leadership and Skills Development
2025 – 2026 Discovery Service and Justice Lecture Series: Community Health
Inspired by the 2025 Boston Community Health Collaborative’s Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), the 2025 – 2026 Discovery Service and Justice Lecture Series will explore four critical themes shaping community health: Housing (affordability, quality, and homelessness), Economic Mobility (including income inequality and employment), Healthy Food Access and Food Security, and Access to Care. In alignment with Harvard Medical School’s mission to alleviate suffering and improve health and well-being for all through excellence in teaching, discovery, and service, each session will foster dialogue around the systemic forces impacting individuals and communities.
Webinars
The Intersection of Food and Health
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 pm
This discussion will examine how nutrition-related disparities impact public health, policy, and medical care. Through expert-led discussions, it will highlight strategies to improve equitable access to nutritious food and promote well-being in all communities.
The Intersection of Housing and Health
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Watch the recording.
Housing affordability, quality, and stability are deeply intertwined with health outcomes across Boston, with residents in high-cost or substandard housing facing elevated risks of chronic stress and illness. The Boston Public Health Commission’s recent Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) highlights that addressing housing insecurity is essential to advancing health equity and reducing disparities in life expectancy and disease burden across neighborhoods. This session will focus on the intersection of housing and health, emphasizing how stable, equitable housing is essential to the holistic well-being of people and the communities in which they reside.