Pace University recently announced the launch of the Center for Global Health, an initiative focused on chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) and other communicable and non-communicable diseases in urban environments through research, advocacy, and education.
CRDs affect more than half a billion people worldwide, contributing to over 3.5 million deaths annually—yet they remain under-recognized in global health discussions. The Center for Global Health will address CRDs by supporting interdisciplinary research, increasing media engagement, and advancing policy advocacy.
Led by José Luis Castro ’88, World Health Organization (WHO) director-general special envoy for chronic respiratory diseases, the center will bring together experts across disciplines to drive meaningful change.
"Chronic respiratory diseases disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, yet they remain largely overlooked in health policy," Castro said. "Through research and advocacy, the Center for Global Health will elevate this issue on the global stage while working with communities to develop sustainable solutions."
The center will also be supported by Sonia Suchday, Ph.D., director of research and graduate education, who will oversee operations and ensure its integration into Pace’s academic and research initiatives.
“This initiative will allow us to address the intersection of health, environment, and social determinants in a meaningful way,” Suchday said. “By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, we can generate research that leads to actionable solutions for respiratory health challenges in urban settings. The center will also focus on other communicable and non-communicable diseases that are on the rise all over the world.”
With a strong foundation in psychology, biology, environmental sciences, law, health professions, and public health policy, Pace University is uniquely positioned to take a leadership role in addressing this global health challenge. Faculty and students will work together to tackle critical issues affecting communities in New York City and beyond, focusing on conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other chronic conditions.
“The Center for Global Health will provide new opportunities for our students and faculty to contribute to vital research and policy initiatives,” said Jonathan H. Hill, DPS, interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs of Pace University. “By addressing chronic respiratory diseases and other chronic diseases at both the local and global levels, we are reinforcing Pace’s commitment to innovation and public impact.”
The Center for Global Health aims to transform how CRDs are understood, reported, and addressed, ensuring these conditions receive the attention they deserve. In fact, a key priority is shifting the narrative through increased media coverage and public awareness.
In addition to raising awareness, the center will play a critical role in policy advocacy, offering expert guidance to legislative and parliamentary health committees to help integrate CRDs into national and global health strategies. In collaboration with WHO and other partners, it will provide research-backed solutions to reduce the impact of respiratory diseases on vulnerable populations.
Pace’s deep ties to the New York City community will enable meaningful engagement with local organizations, health care providers, and at-risk populations. The center will also provide hands-on opportunities for students, including research assistantships, internships, and participation in high-level policy discussions, preparing the next generation of public health leaders to tackle some of the most pressing global health challenges of our time.
As Pace University continues to expand its impact, the Center for Global Health represents a significant milestone in the institution’s commitment to research, education, and community engagement.
Since 1906, Pace University has been transforming the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, Pace offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, Sands College of Performing Arts, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.
On Monday, February 10, 2025, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University welcomed Professor Michael C. Dorf, Robert S. Stevens Professor of Law at Cornell Law School as the speaker for the 2025 Dyson Distinguished Lecture. His lecture was entitled: “Play in the Joints of the Religion Clauses and Law More Broadly.”
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University proudly co-hosted the New Directions in Environmental Law Conference (NDEL) held at Yale Law School in New Haven, CT on February 15, 2025. This year's conference analyzed changes and emerging issues in environmental law in a collaborative atmosphere. Organized by students from Haub Law, Yale Law School, Yale School of the Environment, and Vermont Law & Graduate School, the event featured insightful discussions on pressing environmental issues.
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University is proud to announce that Achinthi Vithanage, Associate Director of Environmental Law Programs & Professor of Law for Designated Service in Environmental Law at Haub Law, was named to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental Lawyers: The Green 500.