Health Promotion

Dr. Kaumudi Joshipura

Co-Director, Sahyog Dean, & Susmita and Subroto Bagchi Professor of Public Health, Ahmedabad University

Dr. Kaumudi Joshipura is the Dean of the School of Public Health and the Susmita and Subroto Bagchi Professor in Public Health at Ahmedabad University. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Harvard Chan School of Public Health. She completed a Master’s degree in Biostatistics and a Doctorate in Epidemiology from Harvard University. She has served as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Endowed Chair and Director of the Center for Clinical Research and Health Promotion (CCRHP) at the University of Puerto Rico.

Dr. Joshipura’s research (H-index 66) focuses on modifiable lifestyle factors (risk and preventive) for cardiometabolic and other non-communicable diseases across the lifespan. She has mentored numerous students and faculty and led several projects funded by US NIH and other entities, including cohort studies, a randomised controlled trial, and a mentoring grant. Her recent work combines research and health promotion in relation to hurricane preparedness, and COVID-19.

She has served on several editorial boards and is currently the inaugural Chief Editor for an open-access Frontiers journal. She has served as an advisor to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Association of Periodontology (AAP), and the World Health Organization (WHO). She also served on the American Public Health Association Climate and Health Equity advisory committee.

Her work prioritises identifying and promoting preventive measures that are free, low-cost, or cost-saving, and that can be adopted widely and globally. To this end, she has started a global public movement, VMove, to help individuals and organisations incorporate physical activity daily. VMove, launched at a TEDx talk, aims to reduce the risk of several chronic diseases by promoting “CreActivity” (creative physical activity) in different settings to enable people to overcome barriers, change norms and move more throughout the day in a fun manner, and encouraging everyone to help spread and lead the movement. She has also written songs to translate research into action (to reduce sedentary time and single-use plastic). Dr. Joshipura’s interdisciplinary research has garnered global attention and has been featured in CNN, Newsweek, Forbes, Prevention, UK Telegraph and others. Her passion lies in advancing human and planetary health through integrating innovative research, education and a commitment to promoting health, especially of the underserved.

Dr. Sahil Hebbar

Co-Director, Sahyog Senior Wellness Coordinator, SEWA

Dr. Sahil Hebbar is a physician with a blend of medical expertise and management education, bringing 13 years of experience in healthcare consulting and hospital management to his role. Currently serving as the Wellness Program coordinator at the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) and Co-director for the Sahyog Centre, Dr. Hebbar’s career reflects a commitment to improving healthcare systems globally.

Dr. Hebbar has collaborated with providers across diverse regions, including the United States, India, Singapore, and Kuwait. His extensive experience has equipped him with in-depth knowledge of healthcare strategy and business operations, with a focus on quality improvement, cost reduction, and health IT implementation.

Driven by a passion for making a difference in healthcare delivery, Dr. Hebbars expertise extends beyond traditional medical practice, encompassing a holistic understanding of healthcare dynamics and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. In his current role, Dr. Hebbar remains committed to leveraging his skills and experiences to address the unique healthcare challenges faced by marginalized communities. His collaborative approach and commitment to social impact underscore his belief in the power of inclusive healthcare to transform lives and communities.