At the forefront of Public Health for over five decades, the National School of Public Health of NOVA University Lisbon (NOVA NSPH) has played a pivotal role in education, research, and innovation in Public Health, fostering knowledge and transforming health systems at both national and global levels.
Our work is built on a collaborative model that promotes an ecosystem of innovation and impact to address society’s emerging challenges, incorporating new models into daily practice, particularly in digital health.
Our impact extends beyond education. We create real change by training professionals equipped to transform health systems and improve population well-being. We value student-centered learning, integrated with cutting-edge research and a practice that connects innovation to action.
Our mission is clear: to train outstanding professionals, lead scientific discoveries, and actively contribute to the promotion of population health. NOVA NSPH stands out for:
The history of NOVA NSPH is marked by evolution and a commitment to the future. Since its creation in 1966 and its integration into NOVA University Lisbon in 1994, the School has consistently responded to the challenges of modern public health, combining tradition with a forward-looking perspective.
Whether in skill development, leading innovative projects, or building international networks, NOVA NSPH is today an essential reference and a key part of shaping health services. Every day, we work to transform information into impactful knowledge, preparing the next generations of leaders in Public Health.
Over its more than 50 years of existence, the National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH) has played a leading role in advancing Public Health. Our collaborative approach, combining scientific excellence with deep practical knowledge, has enabled us to train professionals, drive innovation, and face global health challenges with determination.
Through a well-established and diverse range of programs, NOVA NSPH offers student-centered education closely aligned with research and practice. Since its inception, the School has fostered the development of a highly skilled workforce distinguished by technical, scientific, and transversal competencies, capable of addressing the most complex public health issues across various sectors. In a constantly changing global context, these professionals work to strengthen community health, ensuring that health remains a cornerstone of social cohesion.
We conduct high-quality, impactful research with both national and international relevance. The School leads and participates in competitive research projects, fostering a research culture focused on addressing current and future public health challenges, emphasizing innovation and societal impact. A hallmark of NOVA NSPH is its ability to produce evidence that drives improvements in population health and well-being and strengthens health systems, with a priority on translating evidence into practical, adaptable, and replicable solutions across diverse real-world contexts, from local to global. Our mission is clear: to transform evidence into real, impactful interventions.
At NOVA NSPH, we are committed to serving the community through institutional cooperation and cross-sector partnerships. We aim to strengthen skills and lifelong learning while designing, implementing, and evaluating health interventions and policies, among other initiatives. We recognize that people make the difference, and we value our unique community of students, alumni, faculty, researchers, staff, and partners, who collectively strengthen the ENSP NOVA brand every day, a brand embedded in the DNA of health systems, both nationally and internationally.
Leading and innovating across the multidisciplinary dimensions of Public Health has always been, and will continue to be, a challenge. Public Health is experiencing significant growth, driven by urbanization, globalization, and the evolution of chronic and emerging diseases. Simultaneously, the proliferation of digital technology, AI, and big data has revolutionized societal development, with a profound impact on the public health sector.
NOVA NSPH seeks to leverage emerging challenges and opportunities to promote better and more equitable health, staying at the forefront of innovation and delivering creative and effective solutions to all stakeholders. We invite everyone to join us in using science, creativity, innovation, and technology to develop new approaches to solving the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. Come be part of this journey with us.
Explore, innovate, and grow at NOVA NSPH. Together, we can shape the future of public health. This is my invitation for you to join our community!
Sónia Dias, PhD
Dean at NOVA NSPH
