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Latest news and updates

Latest news and updates

Initiative-supported UW Data Collaborative seeks to foster data sharing

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Fostering collaboration and data sharing is the impetus behind the new UW Data Collaborative (UWDC), initiated and hosted by the Center for Studies in Demography & Ecology and in partnership with the Population Health Initiative, Urban@UW and the Student Technology Fee program. The collaborative seeks to broaden the potential impact of high-security confidential and proprietary datasets by making them more widely available to the University of Washington research community — without compromising their security and confidentiality. The datasets include information…

UW names Population Health building after Hans Rosling

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Hans Rosling is known internationally for his captivating analysis of global health data, for discovering a paralyzing disease in Africa and explaining its socio-economic causes, and for his intense curiosity and life-long passion for educating students, world leaders and the public. Now, Hans Rosling — a Swedish doctor, statistician, author and professor — will be a name associated with the University of Washington’s transformative work in population health. Today, the UW Board of Regents approved naming the $230 million building…

Initiative-funded project seeks to apply AI to behavioral health

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Caregivers for children with chronic health conditions may experience symptoms of depression and sleep problems due to stress. To address this challenge, a tri-campus team of University of Washington researchers has developed CocoBot, a chatbot that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect how caregivers are feeling and suggest self-help options. A grant from the Population Health Initiative allowed the team to begin work on CocoBot in spring 2019. The first version should be ready in the spring of 2020 as…

Findings of Applied Research Fellows to help inform King County program changes

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The Population Health Initiative’s 2019 Applied Research Fellows spent 10 weeks this summer analyzing the impact of a program called First Steps, which provides wraparound maternity and infant services for low-income pregnant women in King County. Their findings, which were presented to staff and leadership of the Community Health Services Division (CHSD) of Public Health – Seattle & King County, will help inform CHSD’s plans for redesigning and refining its delivery of prevention-based services. CHSD is the largest provider of…

Pop-up galleries will visualize the bond between homeless humans and their pets

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A series of pop-up galleries featuring autobiographical photographs made by people experiencing homelessness with their pets will launch on Friday, October 4, 2019 in the University of Washington’s Red Square. The galleries, which will appear in public spaces around Seattle in October, will help illustrate the connections homeless people share with their companion animals. The events are being organized by the Center for One Health Research. The center also launched the One Health Clinic, providing one-stop health care and veterinary…

Air pollution can accelerate lung disease as much as a pack a day of cigarettes

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A new study co-led by the University of Washington found that long-term exposure to major air pollutants, and especially ozone air pollution that is increasing with climate change, accelerates the progression of emphysema of the lung. Emphysema is a condition in which destruction of lung tissue leads to wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath, and increases the risk of death. “We were surprised to see how strong air pollution’s impact was on the progression of emphysema on lung scans, in…

Social Entrepreneurship Fellows program creates business models for faculty projects

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The Population Health Initiative’s summer 2019 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 analyzing 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. R – L: Esborn, Dey, and Masciel. The Social Entrepreneurship Fellows Program was developed by the Population Health Initiative…

Initiative announces inaugural cohort for new humanitarian graduate certificate

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The Population Health Initiative today announced the admission of five students into the new Graduate Certificate in International Humanitarian Response. The certificate, which is offered through the University of Washington Graduate School, is intended to train an interdisciplinary group of UW graduate and professional students to become that next generation of leaders in international humanitarian response. The inaugural cohort of students admitted into the certificate program are: Name Degree Program Kim Baker Master of Public Health (Global Health Track) Stephen…

New study shows gun stores can help prevent suicides

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Firearms are commonly used and the most lethal means of suicide nationwide. A new University of Washington study has found that firearm retailers around Washington state are willing to learn about suicide prevention and to train their employees in how to spot and act on suicide warning signs. The findings from the survey of nearly 200 independent firearm retailers across the state demonstrate the potential for key community members to be proactive in helping to prevent people from taking their…

Assessing nature’s impact on mental health

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Interactions with nature are beginning to be recognized as one way to improve mental health. However, it has been difficult to identify ways to quantify these benefits in a useful manner for cities or organizations that want to integrate nature to improve mental health. A new study from an international team that included University of Washington researchers has created a framework for how city planners and municipalities around the world can start to measure the mental health benefits of nature…