UW biostatistician part of global team aiming to protect at-risk groups, improve population health

Two new large clinical trials engaging more than 6,000 people at high risk for acquiring HIV infection aim to determine whether an injectable medication, given only about every eight weeks, has effectiveness in reducing the risk of HIV infection that is similar or superior to that of a daily antiretroviral pill known as Truvada.

Several faculty members of the School's Department of Biostatistics are actively involved in leading the research for preventing the spread of HIV, including James Hughes, Peter Gilbert and Barbra Richardson. To mark World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, we highlight their efforts to improve population health.

Bruce Weir, professor of biostatistics at the University of Washington School of Public Health, has received a four-year, $1.6 million award from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to develop new statistical methods to describe the genetic structure of populations in a way that encompasses their evolutionary history.

Daniel Enquobahrie, from the University of Washington School of Public Health, received the 2017 Loretta P. Lacey Academic Leadership Award for excellence in teaching and leadership in maternal and child health (MCH). The award was presented by the Association of Teachers of Maternal and Child Health at an event in Atlanta on Nov. 5.

The University of Washington’s Latino Center for Health has moved to the Department of Health Services within the School of Public Health.

A paper by Christian Helfrich, from the University of Washington School of Public Health, received the Stanford Medicine WellMD Center’s inaugural Physician Well-being Article Award. The paper reports on the association of staffing and workload with odds of burnout among primary health care providers for veterans.

Researchers have identified differences in tumor characteristics and survival in women diagnosed with de novo stage IV metastatic breast cancer compared to those with recurrent metastatic breast cancer, according to a study published in the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.

Research shows that dirty air can impair breathing and aggravate various lung diseases. Other potential effects are being investigated, too, as scientists examine connections between toxic air and obesity, diabetes, and dementia.

Now add to that list psychological distress, which University of Washington researchers have found is also associated with air pollution. The higher the level of particulates in the air, the UW-led study showed, the greater the impact on mental health.

At the UW School of Public Health, we value the unique perspectives and experiences veterans and military-affiliated students bring to our diverse learning environment. In honor of Veterans Day, on Nov. 11, here are stories of five of our current student veterans and their passions for public health.

An estimated 3 million adult American handgun owners carry a firearm loaded and on their person on a daily basis, and 9 million do so on a monthly basis, new research indicates. The vast majority cited protection as their primary reason for carrying a firearm.

New research from 26 global institutions, including the University of Washington School of Public Health, points to climate change as a looming public health emergency. But experts also note that an accelerated response over the last five years has created “clear and unprecedented opportunities for public health.”

Spending more time outdoors in nature, particularly in green spaces such as gardens, is tied to better mental health and fewer sleepless nights, according to new research from an international group of scientists.

Lead exposure during adulthood may cause persistent deficits in certain forms of learning and memory, according to a new study from the University of Washington School of Public Health.

India Ornelas, associate professor of health services at the University of Washington School of Public Health, has received $3 million from the National Institutes of Health to test an innovative program aimed at reducing mental health disparities among Mexican immigrant women.

Lucio G. Costa, a professor in the department of environmental and occupational health sciences at the University of Washington School of Public Health, will receive $350,000 a year for five years from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to study the links between traffic-related air pollution exposure and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Patrick Heagerty, of the University of Washington School of Public Health, has received $2.8 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to lead the data coordinating center for a study of non-drug approaches for preventing chronic low back pain, which could lead to reduced opioid use.

As a doctoral student at the University of Washington School of Public Health, Bradley Wagenaar laid the foundation for a career in global mental health research and implementation science.

Studies have shown that most breast cancer survivors who don't die of their cancer may die from other conditions, such as heart disease, that could be managed through lifestyle changes or screening.

To prevent this, cancer patients receive a survivorship care plan after treatment ends to track their health status and long-term care needs. However, some experts question whether this strategy is effective, while others are concerned about reaching the most vulnerable survivors, such as those who live in rural areas.

Some experts believe 100 percent fruit juice should be included in dietary policies, such as taxes on sugary drinks. However, a new study from the University of Washington School of Public Health and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has found that fruit juice in moderation does not cause high blood pressure or diabetes in adults.

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence makes its first-ever donation for gun violence prevention research to the UW School of Public Health