Ashwin Vasan

Ashwin Vasan is the commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. A primary care physician, epidemiologist, and public health expert, he has nearly 20 years of experience working to improve physical and mental health, social welfare, and public policy for marginalized populations here in New York City, nationally and globally. Since 2014, he has served on the faculty at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, and continues to see patients as a primary care internist in the Division of General Medicine at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. 
 

A resident of Keaton Beach works to recover their belongings from their home after Hurricane Helene passed through the Florida panhandle.
Urbanization

Climate and Health: Global Problems, Local Solutions

by Ashwin Vasan

For effective approaches to combat climate change, world leaders should look to cities like New York

An AIDS ribbon hangs from the North Portico of the White House.
Governance

Retreat from Global HIV Fight Puts U.S. Health At Risk

by Ashwin Vasan

With news that HIV/AIDS funding is stalled, Congress should remember the AIDS epidemic and commit to funding PEPFAR