In North Philadelphia, where health disparities often feel like an insurmountable challenge, Dr. Sarah Bass is leading transformative work that bridges academic research with real-world impact. As the director of the Risk Communication Laboratory at Temple University's College of Public Health, Dr. Bass has dedicated her career to creating community-centered health interventions, combining her background in health communication with a deep passion for public service.
Dr. Bass’s journey into public health began unexpectedly. Initially envisioning a career in corporate public relations, she soon found her calling in health communication, starting with a state role in West Virginia’s HIV program during the height of the AIDS epidemic. “I realized I wanted my work to mean something,” Dr. Bass recalls. This shift inspired her to pursue graduate and doctoral degrees at Temple University, where she remains a driving force in community-based public health research.
One of Dr. Bass’s most notable recent projects focused on increasing COVID-19 booster rates in the Kensington area of Philadelphia, a community facing significant health disparities. Working closely with local organizations like the New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC), HACE Community Development Corporation, and Esperanza, Dr. Bass’s team launched a comprehensive campaign blending community outreach and social marketing. Trained community health workers, many of whom live in the neighborhoods they serve, played a critical role. “They knocked on over 5,000 doors, distributed materials, and had conversations with residents about the importance of boosters,” Dr. Bass explains.
The campaign went beyond traditional outreach by incorporating Spanish-language radio ads, social media marketing, and community events, all tailored to the local context. The results were remarkable: nearly 36% of a study cohort who had previously avoided boosters got vaccinated, doubling the city’s average booster uptake rate.
Dr. Bass’s approach emphasizes sustainability. By empowering community organizations and health workers, her projects leave behind skills, resources, and relationships that endure beyond grant cycles. “These groups know their audiences the best and know what is and isn’t going to work. It’s important that we listen to them and be partners with them, rather than us using a top-down approach ,” she says, reflecting on the importance of building capacity within local agencies.
Dean Jennifer Ibrahim, Dean of Temple University’s College of Public Health, highlights Dr. Bass’s impact: “Dr. Bass exemplifies what it means to truly engage with communities to address their unique health needs. Her work doesn’t just solve problems—it empowers communities to take ownership of their health, creating lasting and meaningful change.”
In addition to her work in vaccine outreach, Dr. Bass has been deeply involved in HIV prevention, focusing on women and underserved populations. Collaborating with organizations like Prevention Point Philadelphia, she integrates interventions like PrEP education into existing services, ensuring that these programs are accessible and impactful for those most at risk.
Currently, Dr. Bass is exploring innovative approaches to health communication, including a social media campaign led by transgender women influencers to promote HIV prevention in Philadelphia and San Francisco. The initiative leverages micro-influencers to reach specific communities, blending cutting-edge digital strategies with a personal, localized touch.
For Dr. Bass, the reward lies in the connections she builds and the lives her work touches. “Public health is about more than just research,” she says. “It’s about meeting people where they are and creating solutions that work for them.”
Through her commitment to North Philadelphia and beyond, Dr. Sarah Bass exemplifies how academic expertise, community collaboration, and a passion for public service can create lasting change.