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Pilot project seeks to destigmatize HIV, mental health in China through a mHealth intervention

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Death caused by HIV/AIDS has increased in China since 1990, with more than one million new infections occurring in 2020. People newly diagnosed with HIV often face mental health challenges such as depression, suicidal ideation and anxiety. Yet, because of discriminatory laws and attitudes towards the LGBTQIA+ community in China, newly diagnosed HIV-positive Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) are especially vulnerable to mental health complications. As a result, the state of their mental health can inhibit engagement with…

Initiative announces award of four winter quarter 2023 Tier 2 pilot research grants

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Four Tier 2 pilot grants were awarded today by the University of Washington Population Health Initiative to teams representing researchers from four different UW schools and colleges and multiple community-based partners. The total dollar value of these awards was approximately $295,000, which included $234,000 in funding from the initiative plus additional matching funds from different schools, colleges, departments and the Office of Global Affairs. “We continue to receive range of innovative, interdisciplinary project ideas to address pressing population health challenges…

Artificial intelligence can detect signs of mental illness via text message

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A recent study published in the journal of Psychiatric Services by UW Medicine researchers found that algorithms can detect red-flag language in text messages from people with serious mental illnesses as well as trained human evaluators. The team leveraged natural language processing to identify text messages with “cognitive distortions” that might otherwise slip past or go unnoticed by an overworked or undertrained clinician. These findings may lead to additional tools for clinicians and expanded avenues by which patients will be…

First-year students assess the population health of Seattle neighborhoods

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The Communities & Research project (CoRe) is an opportunity for incoming first-year students at the University of Washington to examine population health on a personal level. In interdisciplinary and collaborative groups, students analyze various factors impacting population health in different Seattle neighborhoods, all through the lens of their expertise, discipline and experience. For the second year in a row, UW First Year Programs and the Population Health Initiative have partnered to recognize the CoRe projects that go above and beyond…

UW experts establishing a “nurse navigation” position to help kids in criminal legal system

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A team of University of Washington experts and advisors are co-leading a science implementation project to help manage the healthcare of youth who are in juvenile detention. The project focus is a nurse navigation concept that incorporates conversations with community members on how to make health care more accessible for youth and their families. Researchers are interested in the progress of juvenile during their time while incarceration and also during their transition to the real world to help ensure those…

Data science seminar explores approaches to understanding respiratory virus transmission

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The University of Washington Population Health Initiative and eScience Institute offered a two-part seminar series, “Pop Health Data Science,” during winter quarter 2023 to explore the application of data science methodologies to improve population health. Dr. Helen Chu (pictured), an associate professor of medicine (allergy and infectious diseases), led the seminar, “Community-based approaches to understanding respiratory virus transmission,” on February 2, 2023. Chu focused her discussion on the integration between clinical and laboratory data from the Seattle Flu Study, which…

Pop Health Data Science seminar explores the burden of disease in the United States

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The University of Washington Population Health Initiative and eScience Institute offered a two-part seminar series, “Pop Health Data Science,” during winter quarter 2023 to explore the application of data science methodologies to improve population health. Dr. Ali H. Mokdad (pictured), the UW’s chief strategy officer for population health and professor of health metrics sciences, presented the inaugural seminar, “Burden of Disease in the United States,” on January 26, 2023. He explored the major drivers of health disparities as well as…

April event, May call for planning grants seek to engage UW climate change researchers

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Following the December 2022 Sparking Climate Connections Lightning Talks hosted by the EarthLab Advisory Board of Deans, the Population Health Initiative is launching efforts to support the University of Washington research community in launching new interdisciplinary collaborations that will take on pressing climate-related challenges. The Sparking Climate Connections Lightning Talks were a first-of-its-kind call to better envision the full picture of climate expertise at the UW. The Talks highlighted the work of more than 100 scientists representing 50 different units,…

Interdisciplinary convening explores the intersection of race, disability and technology

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An interdisciplinary group of University of Washington researchers came together on February 14, 2023 to discuss the intersection of race, disability, and technology. The goal of the convening was to learn about one another’s research areas and interests and to brainstorm and refine ideas of possible proposal topics within the intersections of race, disability and technology. This event was hosted by CREATE: Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology and Experiences in collaboration with the Paul G. Allen School…

Initiative awards four winter quarter 2023 Tier 1 pilot grants to UW research teams

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The Population Health Initiative has awarded four Tier 1 pilot grants to interdisciplinary teams representing researchers from the University of Washington’s College of Arts & Sciences, College of Education, School of Medicine, School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership (UW Tacoma) and School of Public Health, plus several community-based partners. The total award value of these grants is nearly $125,000, including school, department and unit matching funds. “We were excited to see the range of important, equity-related topics that emerged from…