In Network Designing for Health: Matthew Trowbridge, MD | Physician, Public Health Researcher, and Associate Professor | Evidence based design in healthcare
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Dec 9, 2025 
Matthew Trowbridge, MD, a public health researcher and associate professor at UVA, shares insights on the intersection of design and healthcare. He reveals how the built environment shapes health and behavior, emphasizing aesthetics and inclusivity. Trowbridge discusses the UVA Medical Design Program, highlighting the importance of teaching design thinking to foster empathy and interdisciplinary collaboration. He also delves into how AI can enhance rapid prototyping in medical education and the long-term impact of healthcare architecture on community values.
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Built Environment Shapes Health
- The built environment is a major public health determinant that shapes behaviors and chronic disease risk.
- Designing places for activity, food access, and reduced car dependence changes long-term population health.
CDC Childhood Sparked Public Health Path
- Matthew grew up in CDC communities and was inspired by public health leaders while living abroad.
- That upbringing made large-scale public health work feel like a normal path for a physician.
Design Explains Chronic Disease Drivers
- Teaching environmental health at Emory revealed that built environment evidence explained chronic disease drivers.
- Structural design choices like car-dependent development and food deserts directly affect activity and diet.