Our Journey
April 26, 2022
In this video, Executive Director Jessica Collins and Founder Frank Robinson talk about the evolution of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts.
The goal of this video is two-fold. First, to help people understand who we are and what we do. Second, to increase awareness about public health more generally.
Public health is so much more than medicine and vaccines. It's bringing together diverse sectors and communities to develop solutions. It's identifying inequities and working to address the root causes. It's evaluating programs and initiatives to help ensure they have their desired impact. It's collaborating with the communities that we serve to identify needs and solutions.
Learn more about our history.
share this
Related Articles
We're excited to share several new resources featuring findings from the 2025 Springfield Prevention Needs Assessment Survey. Explore data on youth mental health, substance use, protective factors, and other issues affecting the health and well-being of Springfield youth. 2025 Snapshot of Youth Health in Springfield (infographic) 3 Tips For Parents & Guardians to Prevent Youth Substance Use (infographic) Youth Substance Use Prevention for Parents & Guardians: Learnings from the 2025 Springfield Prevention Needs Assessment Survey (infographic) Supporting Youth and Preventing Substance Use (slide deck)
We are pleased to announce that the Youth Health Data Hub of Western Massachusetts is now live! The Hub is designed to help communities better understand youth experiences, learn from one another, and turn information into action. The Hub was shaped by prevention coalitions, schools, community organizations, public health professionals, legislators, young people, and many other partners across Western Massachusetts. We are deeply grateful to the countless individuals who shared their time, expertise, and perspectives throughout its development. The idea for the Hub emerged several years ago through our work on the Western MA Youth Mental Health Roadmap , when young people and community partners identified a need for better access to data, evidence-based strategies, and examples of work happening across the region. In response, the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, with support from The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, convened a regional advisory group and worked collaboratively to bring this vision to life. The Hub brings together interactive data, research, prevention and promotion strategies, and examples from across the region. We view it as a living resource and will continue to expand it over time. We hope it becomes a shared space for learning, collaboration, and collective action that helps all young people in Western Massachusetts thrive. Learn the many ways you can get involved. Explore the Hub: YouthHealthDataHub.org
