HEALTHY WORLD REPORT
FACULTY OF HEALTH | 2025
WELCOME TO THE 2025 ISSUE of the Healthy World Report. Guided by our vision to lead and partner for a healthy and just world, and by the priorities outlined in our 2024–28 Building a Healthy World for All strategic plan, this publication highlights the many ways our Faculty is advancing that mission.
This year, we celebrate Faculty of Health’s leadership in health equity from the launch of the Mad Studies Hub and research on income and health, to the arrival of a new Indigenous scholar enriching nursing education, and community‑engaged initiatives supporting Black youth navigating justice‑system‑related anxiety.
Our Faculty continues to build remarkable momentum as we prepare the next generation of health leaders through immersive global learning, the launch of our new co-operative education program in Health, youth mental‑health advocacy, and hands‑on training that brings theory to life.
We also showcase groundbreaking research shaping global health, including leadership on antimicrobial resistance policy, innovations that may simplify autism diagnosis, evidence‑based insights into cannabis retail and emergency healthcare, and internationally cited work advancing HIV/AIDS treatment and health equity. The Faculty of Health is further strengthening community well‑being through investments in anxiety research, innovative virtual simulations that support mental‑health solutions, and global partnerships promoting gender equity in sport.
We are also proud to recognize the inaugural recipients of the Faculty of Health staff award, whose dedication and impact enrich our community every day.
Looking ahead, we continue to advance plans for York’s new School of Medicine, an innovative, primary‑care–focused institution within the Faculty of Health designed to strengthen community health, expand interprofessional education, and address critical family medicine and generalist physician specialty shortages across the region. A milestone moment this year with the unveiling of the School of Medicine sign beside Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital which stands as a powerful symbol of this vision, supported by York Region’s extraordinary $25‑million investment and our shared commitment to preparing future physicians to deliver equitable, community‑centred care.
I hope you enjoy this report, and we invite you to join us in advancing a healthy and just 21st century world for all.
David H. Peters, MD, MPH, DrPH
Dean, Faculty of Health
Faculty of Health at a Glance
10,192
Undergraduate students
226
Full-time faculty
157
Researchers
$33M+
generated by Faculty of Health researchers annually
Advancing accessibility, equity, inclusivity, truth and reconciliation in our academic and research programs, spaces, operations and institutional culture.
New Indigenous scholar joins York’s School of Nursing
Kate Dunn, an Anishinaabe scholar from northern Ontario, was appointed assistant professor in the School of Nursing in 2024.
York U launches Mad Studies Hub, a new organized research unit
York study points to income as key to addressing health inequalities
York researcher tackles justice system anxiety in Black youth
Student Engagement & Impact
Enhancing our learners’ opportunity and capacity to succeed in their education through greater access, meaningful community engagement and experiential and work-integrated learning.
Health Co-operative Education
The Faculty of Health has launched an optional Co-operative Education (Co-op) program offering students the chance to gain paid, full-time work experience during their degree.
Global health simulation empowers tomorrow’s health leaders
York U student advocates for youth mental health
Neurorehabilitation course offers students real-world insights
Amplifying Research Impact
Leading innovators, collaborators, and changemakers in health research, education, and practice, locally to globally.
York U professor a rising star in epidemiology
Oghenowede Eyawo, associate professor in the School of Global Health, has earned global recognition as one of the world’s most cited researchers.
Informing Global Governance on Antimicrobial Resistance: The Global Strategy Lab’s Contributions to the Independent Panel for Evidence Against AMR
How individuals grasp an object may offer simpler diagnosis for autism spectrum disorder
Cannabis retail does not burden emergency rooms, York U study
Partnering for Positive Change
Strengthening ethical, respectful, collaborative, and reciprocal relations with governments, health organizations, community groups and alumni.
Beneva Anxiety Research Fund
York University’s Anxiety Research Fund, powered by Beneva’s $725,000 investment, supports innovative projects to improve assessment and treatment for anxiety, affecting one in five Canadians.
Virtual simulations developed at York U offer solutions for anxiety
York partners with global network to promote gender equity in sport
Seeing, Hearing & Supporting Each Other
Cultivating a healthy place to learn, teach, research and work through positive organizational policies, culture and supportive practices.
New awards recognize Faculty of Health staff for positive impact, outstanding contributions
Staff have earned recognition for their significant contributions that have a positive impact on the success of the Faculty, its students and its faculty members.
News
Awards & Recognition
Welcome New Faculty & Staff
Advancing Social Justice