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Latest news and updates

Latest news and updates

UW breaks ground on new health sciences education building

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The University of Washington has broken ground on a new Health Sciences Education Building where students will learn integrated patient care in an integrated training facility. The 100,000 square-foot, four-story, $100 million, fully modern facility received $70 million from the Washington state Legislature. The new building is designed around flexible spaces that allow for 21st-century teaching techniques, including high-tech learning facilities used for computer simulation, mock treatment labs and an ultra-modern Anatomy Lab Suite with virtual anatomy capabilities. The facility…

Initiative-supported project decontaminates N95 respirator masks using ultraviolet light

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A University of Washington-led team has developed a box that decontaminates N95 respirator masks using ultraviolet light. This box supports the reuse of masks for first responders, who need the masks to protect themselves from COVID-19 and are concerned about shortages. The research group is currently building and distributing boxes to first-responder stations across King County. The box uses UVC radiation, the highest energy of the three types of UV rays. The team’s box, which looks like a microwave and…

How can we recover from a health crisis during a climate crisis? Five UW experts weigh in

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Bicyclists on the Arboretum Trail

The COVID-19 pandemic, catastrophic on many levels, has starkly exposed the structural, social, economic and political factors that prevent equitable health outcomes for people around the world. While communities everywhere grapple with the devastating losses of life, livelihoods and connection, another catastrophe is well underway. Climate change continues to devastate the health and well-being of people all over the planet. To commemorate the opening of the UW’s new Hans Rosling Center for Population Health, we asked five of the University’s…

UW psychologists share tips on relationships during the pandemic

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Months into the pandemic, as restrictions loosen and more people venture out, families and friends may confront differences over what’s necessary, safe or comfortable. So many questions and choices: Attend a child’s birthday party? Host a backyard barbecue? Meet for a drink? Hug a relative? Decline, and you risk hurt feelings; accept, and you may expose yourself and your loved ones to risk, increase the risk for your community, and feel judged by others in the process. All are natural…

Summer 2020 Social Entrepreneurship Fellows develop strategic roadmaps for UW innovations

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The Population Health Initiative’s summer 2020 Social Entrepreneurship Fellows Program concluded in August with the fellows presenting their findings to students, faculty and staff from schools and colleges across campus. The fellows spent 10 weeks working on population health innovations developed by University of Washington researchers to determine how these innovations could be financially sustainable while also having a substantial societal impact. The Social Entrepreneurship Fellows Program was developed in 2019 by the Population Health Initiative – in partnership with…

Applied Research Fellows develop tool to explore population changes in King County

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The 2020 Population Health Applied Research Fellows concluded their 10-week program to produce small area population forecasts at the Census tract and Health Reporting Area levels by sex, race, ethnicity and five-year age groups for King County from 2020 to 2045. Their findings, which were presented to staff from a variety of King County departments, Washington State’s Office of Financial Management and the Puget Sound Regional Council, will help fill a crucial information gap faced by policymakers and stakeholders about…

Eleven new members named to initiative executive council

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Nine new faculty, one graduate student and one undergraduate student have been named to the 30-member Population Health Initiative executive council by President Ana Mari Cauce. They are: Becky Alexander, professor of Atmospheric Sciences, College of the Environment Jennifer Bacci, assistant professor of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy Kyle Crowder, professor of Sociology, College of Arts & Sciences Jonathan Posner, professor of Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering Gundula Proksch, associate professor of Architecture, College of Built Environments Anita…

Systemic inequalities also impacts plant and animal life in cities

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New research led by the University of Washington found that social inequalities, specifically racism and classism, are impacting the biodiversity, evolutionary shifts and ecological health of plants and animals in our cities. For example, several studies the authors included found fewer trees in low-income and racially minoritized neighborhoods in major cities across the U.S. Less tree cover means hotter temperatures and fewer plant and animal species. The project, which examined more than 170 published studies and analyzed the influence of…

Generous gift to College of Education bolsters effort to diversify education workforce

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The University of Washington College of Education has received a $6 million anonymous gift earmarked to bolster diversity in the education workforce, which is a key driver in ultimate K-12 student success, especially for students of color. The gift will expand financial support – including tuition assistance, textbooks and more – for recruitment of teacher candidates from diverse backgrounds, including candidates of color and those who are multilingual. In addition, the gift provides professional learning and supports to enhance retention…