News & Publications
2012 News Archive
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Study Finds Common Medications Can Affect Memory in the Elderly
(Science Daily, 11/6/2012)
Common medication to treat insomnia, anxiety, itching, or allergies
can have a negative impact on memory or concentration in the elderly,
according to a new study by a team of researchers that included Ryan
Carnahan, CPH clinical assistant professor of epidemiology.
Read more...
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CPH Researchers Part of UI Team Awarded for Genetics Work
(Genome Web, 11/7/2012)
CPH faculty members Kai Wang, Jian Huang, and Kelli Ryckman were part
of a University of Iowa team that was awarded second place in a worldwide
competition called the Clarity Challenge. The contest, sponsored
by Boston Children's Hospital, challenged researchers to interpret the
genomes of families whose children have undiagnosed diseases. The UI
team was lauded for taking a unique approach in returning
unanticipated genetic results.
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UI Study Reveals Antibiotic Resistant Bugs in Wildlife
(The Daily Iowan, 10/30/2012)
Research findings published this month revealed methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been found in wild animals for the
first time by TARA SMITH, a University of Iowa associate professor of
epidemiology. "We knew that it could move between humans and animals,
but no one had looked in wild animals, and that's why we did the
study," Smith said.
Read more...
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Smith Research Team Finds MRSA in Wildlife
(Science Now, 10/18/2012)
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been found in
wildlife, according to a new study led by TARA SMITH, associate
professor of epidemiology. The researchers isolated MRSA in two
rabbits and a shorebird that came into the Wildlife Care Clinic, which
rehabilitates injured or orphaned animals, at Iowa State University in
Ames.
Read more...
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Hamann Named Recipient of Best Student Paper Award
Cara Hamann, doctoral candidate in the Department of Epidemiology, has
been named the recipient of the Best Student Paper Award with the
Injury Control and Emergency Health Services (ICEHS) section of the
American Public Health Association. She will be recognized at the
ICEHS Awards Banquet at the APHA meeting in San Francisco on Oct. 30.
Read more...
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Field Gives Keynote Address at International Radon Symposium
On Oct. 15, Bill Field, professor of occupational and environmental health,
presented the keynote address for a joint meeting of the
Council of Radiation Control Program Directors and American
Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists at the International
Radon Symposium in Las Vegas, Nev. The title of Field's keynote
presentation was "Communicating Radon Risks to Health Care Professionals."
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UI Collaborates with Gambian University on Public Health Programs
(All Africa, 10/8/2012)
The University of The Gambia (UTG) has launched two master degree
programs in public health in collaboration with the University of
Illinois and the University of Iowa. EDRISA SANYANG, an MPH student
from The Gambia, will coordinate the programs. CPH alumnus REX KUYE
(PhD '05), head of the UTG public health department, said the two
programs were conceived locally to address the growing health
concerns in the country.
Read more...
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Events Explore Ethical, Social, Scientific Issues of Genetics Research
The field of genetics research received a boost at the University of
Iowa when the provost announced in 2010 the hiring of a cluster of new
faculty across campus to pursue genetics research. This fall, several
events are planned to engage the larger campus and community in
the challenging ethical, social, and scientific issues raised by
genetics research.
Read more...
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Lynch Comments on Lack of Radon Testing in Schools
(KCRG, 10/5/2012)
The state of Iowa mandates that owners of child care facilities test
for radon every other year, but there is no statute on the books for
K-12 schools regarding radon screening or mitigation. CHUCK LYNCH, CPH
professor of epidemiology and a member of the Iowa Radon Coalition,
would like to see that changed. "If I were a parent and my child was
exposed to a carcinogen in schools, I'd like them to do something
about it," he said.
Read more...
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Aquilino, Hamann Receive Delta Omega Honors
Mary Aquilino, CPH associate dean and clinical associate professor of
community and behavioral health, was named runner-up in the Delta
Omega Innovative Public Health Curriculum Award contest. Cara Hamann,
a doctoral student in epidemiology, was selected to present at the
National Delta Omega Society Student Poster session at the American
Public Health Association meeting in October.
Read more...
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Tharp Comments on New Obesity Report
(The Gazette, 9/18/2012)
A new report by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation says 54 percent of Iowans will be obese in 18 years
absent a significant change in diet and exercise habits. "Preventing
someone from becoming obese is a lot easier than treating them after
they become obese," said KATIE THARP, CPH clinical assistant
professor, but she warned it will take a more sustained effort to be
as successful as anti-smoking campaigns launched in the 1960s.
Read more...
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Alumnus Lynch Creates Eye Glasses Redistribution Program
As a University of Iowa medical student in 2006, Jeffrey Lynch, MD,
MPH ('06), volunteered in Peru where he witnessed local residents
sifting through boxes of donated eyeglasses, trying them on, and
looking back to their families for approval. "Who knows if the lenses
were even in the ballpark of their prescription," he says. In 2011,
during his ophthalmology residency at St. Louis University, Lynch
created ReSpectacle, a nonprofit organization that collects used
eyeglasses and distributes them to underserved individuals in the
United States and abroad.
Read more...
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Snetselaar Promotes Engagement as UI Faculty Council President
(The Daily Iowan, 9/11/2012)
LINDA SNETSELAAR said she will bring a new theme of engagement and
continuation of collaboration among colleges in her new role as the
president of the UI Faculty Council and Faculty Senate. Snetselaar,
who is a CPH professor of epidemiology, hopes to change the way
research is done to contribute to a healthier lifestyle in
communities.
Read more...
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Field Comments on Bill Aimed at Reducing Radon Exposure in Schools
(The Daily Iowan, 9/13/2012)
A bill introduced Thursday by Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, is aimed at
detecting and ending radon exposure in Iowa schools. BILL FIELD, CPH
professor of occupational and environmental health, said that right
now schools are hesitant to test for radon because of the costs
associated with fixing the problem. Radon can seep through the
foundations of buildings and can be costly to fix, but many times the
problem isn't so expensive, he said.
Read more...
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Michael Pentella discusses diagnosing latent tuberculosis in the 21st century.
Read more…
http://www.labmatters-digital.com/aphl/summer2012#pg21
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Saftlas Comments on Study's Findings Regarding Abortion, Abuse
(LifeNews.com, 9/5/2012)
A new study finds women who seek abortions are more likely to report
abuse. "In our study, almost 14 percent of women receiving an abortion
reported at least one incident of physical or sexual abuse in the past
year," says AUDREY SAFTLAS, CPH professor of epidemiology. "These
findings strongly support the need for clinic-based screening with
interventions. These high-risk women need resources, referrals, and
support to help them and their families reduce the violence in their
lives."
Read more...
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UI Injury Prevention Research Center Receives $4.2 Million Grant Renewal
The University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center has received
a five-year, $4.2 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention to continue its work of controlling and preventing
injuries, especially in rural communities.
Read more...
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Free Conference and Hansen Lecture to Address Childhood Obesity
A free half-day conference at the UI College of Public Health on Sept.
13 will bring together state and national experts, along with
community leaders, to focus on best practices for youth-oriented
health and wellness strategies. Mary Story, PhD, RD, the recipient of
the 2012 Richard and Barbara Hansen Leadership Award and Distinguished
Lectureship, will speak on "Child Obesity Prevention: Environmental
and Policy Changes to Improve Healthy Eating and Reduce Excess Weight
Gain."
Read more...
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Study Finds Flu in Healthy-Looking Pigs at State Fairs
(CIDRAP, 8/15/2012)
Testing of a sampling of pigs shown at the Minnesota State Fair during
the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic revealed that 19 percent of them were
infected with flu viruses, even though they looked healthy, according
to a new study. The study was conducted by researchers from several
institutions, including the University of Iowa Center for Emerging
Infectious Diseases.
Read more...
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Pentella Invited to Join CDC Campylobacter Forum
(Lab Link, 7/31/2012)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently invited
MICHAEL PENTELLA, associate director of the State Hygienic Laboratory
and CPH clinical associate professor of epidemiology, to join a group
that is developing a best practices document for the diagnosis of
Campylobacter. The Campylobacter bacteria can cause foodborne
illnesses through contaminated food and water. An estimated 2.4
million persons are affected each year.
Read more...
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UI Alumni Association to Honor Beane Freeman
Twelve notable alumni and friends selected by the UI Alumni
Association will be honored at the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Awards
luncheon June 9 at the Levitt Center for University Advancement.
Recipients include CPH alumna Laura Beane Freeman (MS '99, PhD '03),
who will be honored with the Distinguished Young Alumni Award.
Read more...
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Field Receives Brody Award for Faculty Excellence
The University of Iowa has named Bill Field, professor of occupational
and environmental health in the College of Public Health, as one of
three recipients of the 2012 Michael J. Brody Award for Faculty
Excellence in Service to the university and the state of Iowa.
Read more...
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Murray Named President-Elect of American Society of Human Genetics
(The Gazette, 5/12/2012)
The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) has elected JEFF MURRAY,
MD, professor of pediatrics, epidemiology, nursing, and biological
sciences at the University of Iowa, to serve as the society's
president starting Jan. 1, 2013.
Read more...
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Snetselaar Offers Tips for Healthy Eating
(liveWELL, 5/3/2012)
Don't like veggies? Having a hard time finding recipes sized for one
person? Professor LINDA SNETSELAAR, director of the CPH Nutrition
Center, offers several tips for making it easier to eat healthfully.
Read more...
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Two CPH Students Receive Outstanding Teaching Assistant Awards
The UI Council on Teaching has named epidemiology doctoral student
Erin Reynolds and biostatistics doctoral student Stephanie Kliethermes
recipients of 2012 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Awards. They are the
first College of Public Health graduate students to be recognized with
this university-level award.
Read more...
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Today: Lipkin to Present "Microbe Hunting"
The 2012 Hsu-Li Distinguished Lecture in Epidemiology will be
presented by W. Ian Lipkin, MD, director of the Center for Infection
and Immunity and John Snow Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia
University's Mailman School of Public Health. The lecture is open to
all and will take place at 4 p.m. today in N110 CPHB.
Read more...
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Field: EPA Has 'Thrown in the Towel' on Radon
(Stateline, 4/2/2012)
Under the president's proposed budget, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency would cut almost $2 million from its radon program,
bringing spending below $2.2 million. "The EPA has thrown in the towel
on radon," says CPH Professor BILL FIELD. "The EPA [is] not informing
Congress of the risk posed by radon, which is often orders of
magnitude higher than the other carcinogens they regulate."
Read more...
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Field: EPA Has 'Thrown in the Towel' on Radon
(Stateline, 4/2/2012)
Under the president's proposed budget, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency would cut almost $2 million from its radon program,
bringing spending below $2.2 million. "The EPA has thrown in the towel
on radon," says CPH Professor BILL FIELD. "The EPA [is] not informing
Congress of the risk posed by radon, which is often orders of
magnitude higher than the other carcinogens they regulate."
Read more...
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State Health Registry Issues Cancer in Iowa 2012 Report
The latest annual report on cancer in Iowa estimates 6,400 Iowans will
die from cancer and 17,500 new cancers will be diagnosed this year,
according to the "Cancer in Iowa: 2012" report released March 28 by
the State Health Registry of Iowa, based in the University of Iowa
College of Public Health.
Read more...
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Cancer Report Receives Broad Media Coverage
(Multiple Sources, 3/25/2012)
The College of Public Health hosted a news briefing March 28 for the
release of the annual "Cancer in Iowa" report produced by the State
Health Registry of Iowa. Numerous media outlets covered the report and
its focus on lung cancer.
Read more...
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Smith Team Studying Staph in Rural Iowa
(Superbug - A Wired Science Blog, 3/29/2012)
At the recent International Conference for Emerging Infectious
Diseases, TARA SMITH give an update on an ongoing study of human MRSA
and MSSA, dubbed SIRI for "Staph in Rural Iowa." With much more work
to go, the team can say this much, Smith said: "We are seeing
livestock-associated staph in this cohort, we are seeing it in spouses
as well, and we are seeing that carriage of staph turn into
infections."
Read more...
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Cancer in Iowa: 2012' News Briefing set for March 28
A briefing on the annual Cancer in Iowa report issued by the State
Health Registry of Iowa, based in the University of Iowa College of
Public Health, will be held on March 28 in N120 CPHB.
Read more...
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Peek-Asa Receives "Women of Influence" Award
On March 8, Corinne Peek-Asa, CPH professor of occupational and
environmental health and associate dean for research, received a
Corridor Business Journal's 2012 Women of Influence Award.
Read more...
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Smith Part of House and Senate Briefings on Antibiotic Use
(Bradenton Herald, 3/6/2012)
On Thursday the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest
and the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future led a series of
briefings for House and Senate staff on the inappropriate use of
antibiotics in animal agriculture. The briefings involved a panel of
leading infectious-disease physicians and health experts, including
TARA SMITH, CPH assistant professor of epidemiology.
Read more...
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Call for Abstracts: Great Plains Emerging Infectious Diseases Conference
Oral and poster presentation research abstracts are now being accepted
for the Great Plains Emerging Infectious Diseases Conference April
27-28. Up to two research abstracts may be submitted. There are a
limited number of spots available for those interested in providing a
15-minute oral presentation. Abstracts submitted for oral
presentations that are not selected for a talk will automatically be
considered for the poster session. Monetary awards will be conferred
upon the top three student presentations (oral or poster). Abstracts
due by 5 p.m. on March 23.
Read more...
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CEID Contributes to Study of MRSA Strain in Food Animals
(Health Canal, 2/23/2012)
A strain of the potentially deadly antibiotic-resistant bacterium
known as MRSA has jumped from food animals to humans, according to a
new study published in the online journal mBio. The study focuses on
MRSA CC398, a strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Researchers at 20 institutes, including the Center for Emerging
Infectious Diseases (CEID) based in the UI College of Public Health,
collaborated to study 89 genomes from humans and animals spanning 19
countries and four continents.
Read more...
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Smith Says Antibiotic-free Doesn't Mean Free of Pathogens
(Huffington Post, 2/11/2012)
A number of studies indicate that the use of antibiotics in livestock
may be contributing to a rise in drug-resistant infections in both
animals and people. However, "[a]ntibiotic-free doesn't necessarily
mean that the meat is going to be free of antibiotic resistant
pathogens," said TARA SMITH, CPH assistant professor of epidemiology.
"Safe handling practices are just as relevant for antibiotic-free
raised meats and meats grown conventionally."
Read more...
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Wallace: More Can Be Done to Help People with Chronic Diseases
(American Medical News, 2/13/2012)
More can be done to help people live better with chronic illness, said
ROBERT WALLACE, MD, who chaired an Institute of Medicine committee
that wrote a report on public health efforts to address the health and
social needs of people with chronic disease. "Unfortunately, lots of
people have more than one chronic illness," said Wallace, CPH
professor of epidemiology and director of the UI Center on Aging.
"When you look across the spectrum, a lot of the conditions that
people have may be less preventable but may be more intervenable."
Read more...
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Save the Date: Emerging Diseases Conference April 27-28
The first annual Great Plains Emerging Diseases Conference will take
place April 27-28 at the University of Iowa. This conference will
bring together public health professionals, researchers, faculty, and
students in microbiology, infectious diseases, and related fields
working in the Great Plains states. This year's keynote speaker will
be Dr. W. Ian Lipkin, MD, director of the Center for Infection and
Immunity and John Snow Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia
University's Mailman School of Public Health.
Read more...
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Smith's Research Found MRSA in Meat Labeled Antibiotic-Free
(Science, 1/30/2012)
A study led by TARA SMITH, assistant professor of epidemiology, found
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in both
conventional and antibiotic-free pork products. The source of the
MRSA on meat products is unknown. "It's difficult to figure out,"
Smith says.
Read more...
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Research on MRSA in Retail Meat Garners National Attention
(Multiple Sources, 1/21/2012)
Multiple news sources have reported on the study finding that retail
pork products in the United States have a higher prevalence of
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA) than
previously identified. The research was conducted by CPH Assistant
Professor TARA SMITH and colleagues and the Institute for Agriculture
and Trade Policy.
Read more...
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New Investigator Research Award Recipients Announced
Two University of Iowa faculty members have been awarded 2011-2012
College of Public Health-Carver College of Medicine New Investigator
Research Awards. The recipients are Padmaja Ayyagari, Ph.D., assistant
professor of health management and policy, and Kathleen Tharp, Ph.D.,
clinical assistant professor of epidemiology. The awards assist newly
appointed primary or joint faculty in the College of Public Health or
the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine to advance their
research activities.
Read more...
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UI study: High Levels of MRSA Bacteria in Retail Meat Products
Retail pork products in the United States have a higher prevalence of
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA) than
previously identified, according to new research by the University of
Iowa College of Public Health and the Institute for Agriculture and
Trade Policy.
Read more...
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Robinson Comments on Survey Showing Decline in Obesity
(The Wall Street Journal, 1/12/2012)
The percentage of Americans who are obese declined slightly from 2010
to 2011, according to a Gallup report released this week. JENNIFER
ROBINSON, a professor in epidemiology and medicine at the University
of Iowa's College of Public Health, has an explanation for the
decline: "Economics is driving this," she said.
Read more...
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Nutrition Center Introduces Eighth-Graders to Career Possibilities
Junior high students from West Liberty, Iowa, braved a snow storm on
Jan. 12 to travel to the University of Iowa, where they learned about
career opportunities in the health sciences. The College of Public
Health's Nutrition Center hosted a group of 19 students, who rotated
through four presentations on different career paths for dietitians.
View slideshow...
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New Dean of USD Medical School Is CPH Alumna
The University of South Dakota has named Mary Dekker Nettleman vice
president for health affairs and dean of the Sanford School of
Medicine, effective April 2. Nettleman, a nationally recognized expert
in several areas, including epidemiologic and health outcomes
research, earned master's degrees in preventive medicine and
epidemiology from the University of Iowa in 1993.
Read more...
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Department of Epidemiology December 2010 Alumni Newsletter (pdf)
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2008 Archived News Items ........................................................................................................................