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Latest news and updates

Latest news and updates

Study shows Washington’s Hepatitis C plan boosted screening while cutting costs

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A University of Washington–led study found that Washington state’s hepatitis C elimination initiative significantly expanded access to testing and treatment while reducing costs per patient over time. Although total hepatitis C–related healthcare costs initially increased after the program launched in 2018, they later declined even as screening rates rose and more cases were identified. The initiative combined widespread screening, reduced barriers to care and discounted purchasing of antiviral medications, making treatment more accessible across the state. Researchers analyzed insurance claims…

Spring 2023 Tier 1 pilot awardees report final findings from funded projects

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The University of Washington Population Health Initiative awarded nine Tier 1 pilot grants in spring 2023 to interdisciplinary teams completing exploratory research in areas ranging from disaster planning to mental health to workforce development. These teams represented 10 of the UW’s schools and colleges. Each project has now reached its respective midpoint and are reporting progress in the following areas:

Initiative announces selection of summer 2026 Social Entrepreneurship Fellows

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The Population Health Initiative announced the selection of four graduate fellows for the summer 2026 cohort of the Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship program, which is run in partnership with the Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship and CoMotion. The four fellows will spend 10 weeks over the summer producing innovative solutions and contributions to support the work of preexisting, multidisciplinary projects developed by University of Washington researchers. The students selected for this summer’s program are: Name Project School Program Cris Resto Nuestro Valor…

Initiative announces summer 2026 cohort of Applied Research Fellows

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The Population Health Initiative announced the selection of three graduate students and two undergraduate students as the 2026 cohort of the Applied Research Fellowship program. Launched in 2019, the Applied Research Fellowship was created – and continues to be run – in partnership with the University of Washington’s Center for Studies in Demography & Ecology. The program’s goal is to offer students data analysis, critical thinking and team science skills that will help them solve complex population health challenges on…

UW study finds disease-causing tapeworm in Washington coyotes

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A University of Washington study has found the parasitic tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, which can infect dogs and humans, in more than one‑third of coyotes tested in the Puget Sound region, marking the first detection of the parasite in a wild host on the contiguous U.S. West Coast. Previously rare in North America, the tapeworm has been spreading for about 15 years and can cause severe, potentially fatal disease characterized by cancer‑like cysts in the liver. While coyotes can carry the…

UW awarded Gold STARS rating for sustainability performance

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The University of Washington has earned a Gold rating from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), a recognition it has maintained since first participating in 2012. Administered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, STARS ratings are valid for three years and are based on self-reported assessments across academics, operations, planning and engagement. The STARS data helps inform the University’s Sustainability Action Plan, first adopted in 2020 and now being updated for completion by…

Warming winters bring new avalanche risks to the Pacific Northwest

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A new University of Washington study finds that climate warming is likely to complicate avalanche forecasting across the Pacific Northwest by increasing rain‑on‑snow events that create unstable ice crusts within snowpacks. While avalanche forecasters in warmer, maritime regions like western Washington are accustomed to these conditions, colder inland areas such as Eastern Washington, Idaho and Montana may face greater risk as their snowpacks begin to resemble coastal patterns. Using 25 years of regional data and climate simulations, researchers found that…

Honorees announced for 2026 undergraduate research recognition awards

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The University of Washington Population Health Initiative today announced the 27 students who received Population Health Recognition Awards in conjunction with the 2026 Undergraduate Research Symposium. The awardees represent undergraduate researchers from the University of Washington’s Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma campuses. These awards recognize 22 outstanding student-led research projects that demonstrate strong relevance to population health and excellence in both innovation and presentation. The selected projects span a wide range of disciplines, including biology, the humanities, engineering, psychology, architecture and…

Four proof-of-concept grants awarded to interdisciplinary teams of UW researchers

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The University of Washington Population Health Initiative announced today the award of four Tier 2 pilot grants to teams representing researchers from four different University of Washington schools and colleges as well as several community-based partners. A total of $265,000 was awarded in this grant cycle, supported by funding from the Initiative along with additional matching contributions from schools, colleges, departments and UW Global. “We received an impressive range of innovative project ideas in response to our funding call,” said…

Universal free school meals linked to lower childhood blood pressure

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Universal free school meal programs, introduced through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), have shown broad benefits for students, including improved nutrition and academic outcomes. A new University of Washington-led study adds another benefit: lower rates of high blood pressure among students in participating schools, with an 11% net decrease over five years. Researchers suggest that healthier school meals and reduced stigma around participation may drive these improvements. These findings come as cuts to food assistance programs threaten access to CEP,…