University of Memphis School of Public Health 3rd Hackathon

Innovate for Health: Empower Youth for Digital Health and Well-Being

April 29, 2025 - The hackathon was an innovative initiative aimed at assisting youth in developing out-of-the-box solutions to address public health challenges of the 21st century. This platform brought together youth’s ideas on how pressing public health problems could be addressed across diverse local and global settings.

Sixteen teams, comprising over 80 students, presented final project pitches focused on empowering youth in the realm of digital health and well-being. The celebratory event took place on May 5th and featured student pitch presentations, awards, and remarks from SPH leadership. Faculty, families, teachers, students, and community members were in attendance.

The hackathon taught students the skills to think about solving public health problems, not just identifying them. Through workshops, students received expert feedback on innovative and sustainable solutions. This year’s theme, which focused on investing in youth as a movement, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3): Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages.

The School of Public Health challenged participants to harness their creativity and technological skills to address pressing health issues affecting today’s youth. The hackathon was not just about finding solutions — it was about empowering the next generation to become innovators in the digital health space.