Headlines featuring UW SPH people and research.
SPH in the News
April 21, 2025
The Seattle Times
While “food desert” might lead people to think there’s something inevitable about certain communities lacking access to healthful food, “food apartheid” argues that these inequities are the result of intentional choices, and can be changed. Jessica Jones-Smith, associate professor of epidemiology and of health systems and population health at the UW, is quoted.
April 15, 2025
Fox News
Experts recommend cooking eggs and poultry products fully before consuming. Dr. Anna Wald, professor of medicine, of epidemiology and of laboratory medicine and pathology in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
April 15, 2025
The Columbian
Centers for Disease Control says blood-sucking critters are on the rise almost everywhere in the U.S., including Washington. Alex Eisen, a graduate student of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.
April 13, 2025
The Washington Post
Ozone exposure early in life raises the risk a child will develop asthma and wheezing by age 4, a recent analysis found. Logan Dearborn, a doctoral student in environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
April 7, 2025
KXLY
University researchers are worried recent federal budget cuts could put their agriculture-focused programs at risk. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has seen major cuts to its funding under the Trump Administration. Christopher Simpson, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
March 28, 2025
Scientific American
The National Institutes of Health has canceled grants for research on diversity, Covid-19 and vaccines. Climate scientists are hoping their work won’t be next — but fear it could be. Kristie Ebi, professor of global health and of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
March 15, 2025
Inside Climate News
A handful of U.S. researchers joined a critical meeting on climate and cities this week in Japan. “For me, this process is so important that if I had to self-fund, I would,” said one. Kristie Ebi, professor of global health and of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
March 13, 2025
The Urbanist
Last week, Seattle’s new committee of Federal Administration and Policy Changes met for the first time to discuss both current and potential civil rights impacts of the new Trump administration on the residents of Seattle. The UW’s Ellen Graham, a doctoral student in biostatistics, and Arjun Kumar, a doctoral student in molecular and cell biology, are quoted.
March 7, 2025
Scientific American
Scientists and supporters rallied in cities across the U.S. and Europe to protest dramatic funding cuts and other attacks from the Trump administration. Abraham Flaxman, associate professor of global health and of health metrics sciences at the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, is quoted.
March 6, 2025
The Washington Post
Bacterial vaginosis affects nearly one in three women of reproductive age. A study adds to evidence it is sexually transmitted, offering a new way to reduce recurrence. Jennifer Balkus, clinical associate professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.
February 27, 2025
Associated Press
As President Donald Trump’s administration looks to reverse a cornerstone finding that climate change endangers human health and welfare, scientists say people just need to look around because it’s obvious how bad global warming is and how it’s getting worse. Dr. Howard Frumkin, professor emeritus of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
February 20, 2025
Chronicle of Higher Education
The first several weeks of the second Trump White House have given higher education a severe case of vertigo. Dr. Howard Frumkin, professor emeritus of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
February 17, 2025
The Seattle Times
After President Donald Trump canceled a report on the state of nature in the United States, the scientists working on it — many from the Seattle area — say they’ll continue their work and build on it. Phil Levin, professor of practice in environmental and forest sciences at the UW; Dr. Howard Frumkin, professor emeritus of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW; Devon Pena, professor of anthropology at the UW and Josh Lawler, professor of environmental and forest sciences at the UW, are quoted.
February 14, 2025
The Guardian
In Zimbabwe, USAID provided funding of up to $360 million to support health and agriculture programs. Clinics have been forced to close as a halt in funding impacts the country’s donor-dependent health sector. The UW’s International Training and Education Center for Health, I-TECH, is mentioned.
February 14, 2025
The Urbanist
A recent study of identical twins illustrated the value of living in a walkable neighborhood, showing a strong correlation between walkable neighborhoods, time spent walking and positive health outcomes. Simply put, it appears that people tend to lead healthier lives in walkable neighborhoods. Dr. Andrew L. Dannenberg, an affiliate professor of urban design and planning and of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
February 13, 2025
KUOW
The National Institutes of Health announced they would immediately slash four billion dollars of funding for research institutes across the country. This would directly impact at least 70 research facilities in Washington State. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is interviewed.
February 10, 2025
KIRO 7
Respiratory virus season is sweeping across the nation, and Washington hospitals are struggling to meet the need. Dr. Scott Lindquist, affiliate professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.
February 11, 2025
The New York Times
The first full draft of the assessment — on the state of America’s land, water and wildlife — was weeks from completion. The project leader called the study “too important to die.” The UW’s Dr. Howard Frumkin, professor emeritus of environmental and occupational health sciences, is quoted.
January 23, 2025
The Spokesman-Review
As of President Donald Trump’s first day back in office Monday, the United States is leaving the World Health Organization. Some local experts think such a move might leave Spokane and the United States unprepared for the next pandemic. Dr. Carey Farquhar, professor of global health, epidemiology and medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
February 4, 2025
The Seattle Times
Robert J. Jones, chancellor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , will be the UW’s next president. Jones and the UW’s Amy Hagopian, professor emeritus of health systems and population health, and UW Regent Blaine Tamaki, are quoted.
February 2, 2025
NBC News
In his testimony this week, Kennedy claimed that infectious diseases receive far more federal funding than chronic diseases. Government records suggest the opposite. Dr. Joel Kaufman, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences, of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
January 29, 2025
The Washington Post
Researchers say that long-term exposure to high levels of air pollution, particularly wildfire smoke, is linked to dementia. Joan Casey, associate professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
January 28, 2025
The New York Times
Influencers claim it helps with weight loss, digestion and more. We dug into whether that’s true. Judy Simon, clinical instructor of health systems and population health at the UW, is quoted.
January 27, 2025
The Seattle Times
"There’s no question the use of e-scooters comes with significant safety risks, especially when it comes to head injuries. Unfortunately, helmet use has been almost nonexistent. As their use has soared, e-scooter-related injuries continue to rise," writes Dr. Beth Ebel, professor of pediatrics in the UW School of Medicine. Xinyao De Grauw, research scientist in the UW School of Medicine, is mentioned.
January 27, 2025
Associated Press
Extreme temperatures — mostly heat — are projected to kill as many as 2.3 million people in Europe by the end of the century unless countries get better at reducing carbon pollution and adapting to hotter conditions, a new study says. Kristie Ebi, professor of global health and of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
January 14, 2025
The Washington Post
Fire safety experts urge drivers to maintain clean air filters and leave keys behind if they have to flee. Dr. Joel Kaufman, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences, of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
January 13, 2025
NPR
Tens of thousands of people are currently without power in California, Texas and Arkansas, as wildfires ravage the West and a winter storm hits the South. Research shows when the power fails, it also raises the risk of a host of health concerns — from gastrointestinal illness to heart attacks and even burns. Joan Casey, associate professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
January 10, 2025
Salon
Climate change is making wildfires more common and more severe. The pollution is killing us. Joan Casey, associate professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
January 9, 2025
Reuters
Multiple massive wildfires are raging in Los Angeles, blanketing the surrounding regions under a pungent haze caused by smoke carrying noxious gases and particulate matter that pose serious health risks. Joan Casey, associate professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
January 7, 2025
Fox News
A registered dietitian shares cautions about eating soft-boiled or ‘runny’ eggs while avian flu persists. Dr. Anna Wald, professor of medicine, epidemiology and of laboratory medicine and pathology in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
January 3, 2025
Oregon Public Broadcasting
A new study, led by researchers at the UW, has linked exposure to wildfire smoke with a higher risk of developing dementia. The study followed more than 1.2 million Kaiser Permanente Southern California members from 2008 to 2019. It also found that minority communities and those living in higher-poverty census tracts were more likely to be diagnosed with dementia than white or higher-income patients. Joan Casey, assistant professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is interviewed.
December 28, 2024
Axios
Seed oils are being targeted by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and influencers claiming they are linked to chronic illness and other health concerns. But many health experts say the oils are simply caught up in the real problem: Americans’ diet and overconsumption. Judy Simon, clinical instructor of health systems and population health at the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
December 10, 2024
STAT
Portugal has come a long way in a relatively short time. In 1950, life expectancy here was closer to 60, among the lowest for developed nations. In the U.S. that year, it was 70, stellar for the time and among the highest in the world. Today, the two countries have swapped places. Why? Dr. Stephen Bezruchka, associate teaching professor of global health and of health services at the UW, is quoted.
December 9, 2024
The Washington Post
Michal Freedhoff, EPA assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, said the bans will protect workers, consumers and residents from the chemical’s harms. Diana Ceballos, assistant professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
December 6, 2024
The Guardian
New research estimates a 32% increase in deaths of people under 35 if greenhouse gases not radically cut. Kristie Ebi, professor of global health and of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
December 5, 2024
KUOW
As a record number of baby boomers turn 65, the percentage of Americans living with some form of mental decline – severe enough to interfere with daily living – is expected to rise. A new study identifies wildfire smoke as another factor impacting dementia risk. Joan Casey, assistant professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is interviewed.
December 5, 2024
MyNorthwest
Imagine you’re at the doctor’s office worried about an illness, and the physician turns to his computer and pulls up Artificial Intelligence for a diagnosis. We’re not far from that happening and that could be a good thing, but it comes with pitfalls. The UW’s Dr. Gary Franklin, research professor of environmental and occupational health sciences; and Lucy Lu Wang, assistant professor in the Information School, are quoted.
December 3, 2024
KUOW
Since the late 1800s, logging has been a major industry in the Pacific Northwest, and its impact on the region’s economy and environment have been significant. Marissa Baker, assistant professor of environmental & occupational health sciences at the UW, is interviewed.
November 26, 2024
NPR
Breathing wildfire smoke can increase the risk of developing dementia. That’s the headline from a study published this week in the journal JAMA Neurology. Joan Casey, associate professor of environmental & occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
November 22, 2024
The New York Times
In southwestern Oregon, semi trucks loaded with logs snake along roads through dark, lush forests of Douglas fir. The logging industry has shaped and sustained families here for generations. Marissa Baker, an assistant professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
November 20, 2024
The New York Times
"As a virus scientist in South Africa, I’ve been watching with dread as H5N1 bird flu spreads among animals in the United States. The pathogen poses a serious pandemic threat and has been detected in over 500 dairy herds in 15 states — which is probably an undercount. And yet, the U.S. response appears inadequate and slow, with too few genomic sequences of H5N1 cases in farm animals made publicly available for scientific review," writes Tulio de Oliveira, affiliate professor of global health at the UW.
November 20, 2024
KUOW
Bird flu has spread at astonishing speed and with little discretion for what it infects. Since first emerging, the strain of H5N1 has infected wild birds, commercially raised chickens, seals, dairy cows, and, yes, even humans. Dr. Peter Rabinowitz, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences and director of the Center for One Health Research at the UW, is interviewed.
November 19, 2024
The New York Times
Their moment in the spotlight has arrived. Let’s take a look at their best qualities. Judy Simon, clinical instructor of health systems and population health at the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
November 17, 2024
USA Today
Dengue fever, a potentially fatal virus spread by mosquitoes, is sweeping across the Americas, breaking records with a skyrocketing rate of infections. Kristie Ebi, professor of global health and of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
November 14, 2024
KOMO News
KOMO News interviewed Professor Emeritus Amy Hagopian of HSPop on their system that more accurately fills in the gaps of assessing the size of the homeless population.
November 6, 2024
Science
Climate chamber experiments in older people offer conflicting answers. Kristie Ebi, professor of global health and of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
November 5, 2024
The Seattle Times
"This week, the Washington State Department of Health reported that so far this year 1,099 cases of whooping cough have been reported compared to just 45 at the same time last year," write Dr. Helen Chu, professor of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, and Collrane Frivold, a doctoral student in epidemiology at the UW.
October 28, 2024
USA Today
When buying deli meat in bulk, storing it in the freezer seems like a no brainer. But how long can it last in there, and how do you know it is safe to eat once thawed? Judy Simon, clinical instructor of health systems and population health at the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
October 24, 2024
KING 5
King 5 interview with Professor Peter Rabinowitz of DEOHS and DGH on the recent cases of bird flu in Franklin County
October 22, 2024
NBC News
Four cases in Washington farmworkers are the latest in a drumbeat of human infections across the U.S. as the virus continues to spread among farm animals. Dr. Peter Rabinowitz, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences and director of the Center for One Health Research at the UW, is quoted.