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New study maps where surplus fish could help meet nutrition needs in vulnerable communities

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A new University of Washington study funded by the Population Health Initiative has identified vulnerable communities on the West Coast where surplus fish could help meet nutritional needs. An interdisciplinary research team of students, faculty and staff from the College of the Environment and the School of Public Health first mapped nutritionally vulnerable populations along the West Coast. By overlaying fisheries data, they were then able to pinpoint hot spots where large amounts of uncaught or unused fish could potentially…

Initiative announces summer 2019 Applied Research Fellows

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The Population Health Initiative today announced the award of six Population Health Applied Research Fellowships to four graduate and two undergraduate students. In partnership with the University of Washington’s Center for Studies in Demography & Ecology, the Applied Research Fellowship program was launched this year to equip students with data analysis, critical thinking and team science skills that will enable them to effectively tackle complex population health challenges and become future leaders in the field The cohort of students selected…

Winning papers announced for 2019 Population Health Library Research Awards

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The Population Health Initiative has awarded Population Health Recognition Awards to four students participating in the 2019 Library Research Award for Undergraduates. Award winners were chosen based on the quality of their writing, innovativeness of their research hypothesis and how well they connected their work to the theme of population health. This award was created in 2017 in partnership with the UW Libraries. It is open to undergraduate applicants from all three campuses. Submitted projects were completed for either UW…

New survey shows UW students face food and housing insecurity

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Preliminary data from a recent survey of food and housing insecurity at the University of Washington’s three campuses shows that about one-quarter of students have worried recently about having enough to eat and an estimated 190 students may lack a stable place to live. Results of the online survey are still being finalized. However, an early look provides estimates of the numbers of students who could be considered homeless, who rely on food banks or skip meals, and for whom…

UW research measures air traffic pollution around Sea-Tac Airport

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Research led by the University of Washington’s Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences is measuring air traffic pollution around Sea-Tac Airport to understand potential health effects on nearby communities. The research team is measuring the geographic reach of aircraft-related air pollution exposures, distinguishing ultrafine particle emissions from aircraft versus those from cars and trucks. Ultrafine particle exposure has been linked with adverse cardiovascular and respiratory health effects. The team is also studying ultrafine particle levels in areas with high…

The impact of societal attitudes, political rhetoric on immigrants’ health

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New research from the University of Washington School of Social Work argues that the current political climate, and debates over issues such as a border wall, become part of the environment that influences the health of immigrants to the United States. The study co-authored by assistant professor Jane Lee (pictured) identifies the “sociopolitical context” of immigration and how this contributes to health-related behaviors. Specifically, a lack of clarity for immigration policies, when combined with experiences of discrimination and animosity from…

Awardees announced for 2019 undergraduate research recognition awards

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Twelve undergraduate students participating in the 2019 Undergraduate Research Symposium have been awarded Population Health Recognition Awards for their innovative and well-presented population health research work. This award was created as a partnership between the Population Health Initiative and the University of Washington’s Undergraduate Research Program in 2017. As was the case in prior years, this year’s competition was open to students from all three campuses who are presenting at the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium on Friday, May 17, 2019….

Discrimination and PTSD may lead to increased preterm births among African-American women

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New research from the University of Washington’s School of Social Work has connected racial discrimination to PTSD, and thus to preterm birth. African-American women are nearly twice as likely to give birth prematurely as white women. These births often coincide with low birth weight, and together are linked to other developmental delays and health effects believed responsible for almost one-fifth of infant deaths nationwide. The trend holds up regardless of socioeconomic factors, according to this study. The study’s findings led…

Initiative awards 2019 graduate student conference travel funds

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The Population Health Initiative today announced the funding of 16 Graduate Student Conference Travel Awards. A total of 30 applications were received for these awards, which are intended to further the academic, research or professional goals of graduate students as they strive to become the next generation of leaders in population health. Funding requests of up to $1,500 were accepted from graduate and professional students on all three UW campuses who were currently enrolled in a degree program and had…

Improving the health of homeless youth and their pets

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The University of Washington and Washington State University are working with New Horizons Ministries and Neighborcare Health to provide health care and veterinary care to young adults experiencing homelessness – and their pets. Many people experiencing homelessness have pets, but the animals can be a barrier to health care as owners may not want to leave their dogs or cats while visiting a clinic. Enter the new One Health Clinic in downtown Seattle, which welcomes two- and four-legged patients for…