Community health and the arts converge in Earth Day Provost’s Speaker Series event at Roanoke’s Taubman Museum

The Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke will open its doors for the Radford University Provost’s Speaker Series on Tuesday, April 22 with a special Earth Day presentation examining how art and the science of behavioral change can shape community health outcomes. 

Sallie Beth Johnson, Ph.D., MPH, will present “A Picture of Health: How We Can Create Thriving Communities Together” from 7-8 p.m. The event will include Johnson’s talk and a faculty and student photo exhibit showcasing the ways in which an individual’s surroundings promote health.

Johnson, chair of Radford’s Department of Public Health and Healthcare Leadership, will present how local environmental factors – air and food quality, gathering places and workspaces, and interpersonal relationships – are the forces that determine whether individuals thrive or struggle with chronic disease.

Drawing on her 25 years in community health, Johnson will share insights from her research and real-world examples of how communities across Virginia are improving health through programs, policy, and partnerships.

Admission to the event is free. Attendees can enter through the main museum entrance on Salem Avenue and follow signage to the room where the talk and exhibit will be held.

Parking recommendations can be found on the Taubman Museum website.