Federal funding for research increases at the University of Iowa

The University of Iowa had another strong year for projects that will benefit Iowans, the country, and world thanks to an increase in federal funding for research and the number of proposals, grants, and contracts awarded in fiscal year 2018. The College of Public Health saw in increase in research dollars, up 15 percent or $5.8 million over last year, to $43.8 million in FY 18. (Iowa Now) Published July 19, 2018

International opportunity: Pulitzer Center Summer Reporting Fellowship

Are you interested in investigating and writing about global public health issues? If so, apply for the Pulitzer Center Summer Reporting Fellowship, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel abroad and further your understanding of a global health topic of your choice. Apply by Oct. 15, 2018, for the summer 2019 fellowship. Published July 16, 2018

Schools participate in Healthy Schools-Healthy Student project

Starmont Elementary School in Arlington, Iowa, is among 20 schools participating in the Iowa Department of Education's Team Nutrition Healthy Schools-Healthy Students Project. Natoshia Askelson, CPH assistant professor of community and behavioral health, is leading the evaluation of the project. (Oelwein Daily Register) Published June 28, 2018

The Complicated Costs of Caregiving

The wave of aging baby boomers means more families are taking on the financial and emotional load of caregiving. Published June 18, 2018

UI students, faculty make a difference in Mason City

The Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities is working with Mason City on roughly 20 projects throughout the community to make positive changes. Several UI groups are focused exclusively on the North End to improve the quality of life and the reputation of the neighborhood. As part of their work, a group of four public health graduate students explored stigma theory, which posits that stigma can lead to negative health outcomes. (Iowa Now) Published June 15, 2018

Novak comments on effects of immigration raids on communities

Workplace immigration raids have increased dramatically nationwide in 2018. Raids have a similar effect on a community as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or political violence, said Nicole Novak, a postdoctoral research scholar with the University of Iowa College of Public Health. "It breaks down the fabric of a community," Novak said. The immediate traumatic impact is especially intense for children, who are really developmentally vulnerable, she said. (Des Moines Register) Published May 31, 2018

Afifi named interim head of the Department of Community and Behavioral Health

Professor Rema Afifi has been appointed to serve as interim head of the college's Department of Community and Behavioral Health, effective June 1.  Afifi is an outstanding teacher and researcher who provides proven leadership in academic and practice arenas. She is currently leading the department's development of new strategic priorities, which makes her an ideal candidate to serve in this interim capacity. Published May 22, 2018

Worth participating in NIH Health Communications Internship Program

College of Public Health alumna Wensday Worth (18MPH) has been selected to participate in the Health Communications Internship Program with the National Cancer Institute in Rockville, Maryland. Published May 22, 2018

Study looks at effectiveness of gowns, gloves in infection prevention

Contact Precautions (CPs)--wearing gowns and gloves--are often used in the care of patients infected with resistant bacteria. A recent review analyzed 14 studies that described hospitals' experiences in discontinuing contact precautions for multidrug-resistant organisms. The researchers, including CPH doctoral student Grace Ryan, found no increase in infection rates in those hospitals after discontinuation of routine use of CP. (Science Trends)  Published May 18, 2018

UI partners with ‘All of Us’ research initiative

The National Institutes of Health recently launched a precision medicine study -- or a model that customizes individual health care based on genes, environment, and lifestyle -- called the All of Us Research Program. The UI was awarded a $3.6 million grant over a three-year period to inform the public of the study. "We're not enrolling (people into All of Us), we're just trying to facilitate an environment that might be conducive to more people enrolling," said Rema Afifi, CPH professor of community and behavioral health. (The Gazette) Published May 16, 2018