Community and Behavioral Health News

The latest news from the Department of Community and Behavioral Health at the University of Iowa College of Public Health.

Ebonee Johnson named an inaugural member of NAMI’s Scientific Advisory Council

Ebonee Johnson, assistant professor of community and behavioral health, has been named an inaugural member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness's (NAMI) new Scientific Advisory Council. Published October 13, 2025

Carol S. Gleich Development Award recipients announced

Congratulations to the latest recipients of the Dr. Carol S. Gleich Development Award! This award is available to faculty members and graduate students in the College of Public Health to support travel expenses to perform an official function at a national or international meeting. See the latest recipients. Published October 10, 2025

Connect with the college at APHA in Washington, DC

Planning to attend the APHA Annual Meeting in Washington, DC? View a list of CPH presentations, find our exhibit booth, and attend the CPH alumni and friends reception on Nov. 3. Published October 10, 2025

Askelson discusses vaccines at Iowa Ideas 2025

At a recent special event hosted by The Gazette, Professor Natoshia Askelson talked about the importance and safety of childhood vaccines. Published October 6, 2025

Afifi named 2025-26 UI Provost Faculty Fellow

The 2025-26 Provost Faculty Fellows will lead strategic initiatives focused on enhancing student learning, expanding mentorship opportunities, promoting faculty development, and advancing community-engaged teaching. Rima Afifi, professor in community and behavioral health, will serve as the faculty fellow for engaged teaching and scholarship. Published October 2, 2025

Native Center for Behavioral Health partners on new suicide prevention resource

Produced in partnership with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, this pocket guide is designed to support Native military-connected youth and families with information on identifying risk factors and protective factors, tips for talking with youth about suicide, and resources to seek further support or connect to the strengths of Native and military culture.  Published September 29, 2025

In memoriam: Professor Paul Pomrehn

Professor Paul R. Pomrehn passed away peacefully at his home on Sept. 6, 2025. He received an MD degree from the University of Iowa in 1975 and an MS degree from the UI Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health (now part of the College of Public Health) in 1979. He held numerous academic leadership roles at the UI and made significant contributions to training clinicians and practitioners in preventive medicine and community health. Published September 18, 2025

Alumni Q&A: Wensday Worth

From late-night study sessions to launching podcasts and organizing service days, Wensday Worth (18MPH) made the most of her time at Iowa — and she’s still making an impact today. Catch up with Wensday in this new alumni profile. Published September 16, 2025

Video: 2025 Student Day of Service

Community engagement is a core principle of public health work, and our incoming graduate students get to experience it first-hand before they ever spend a minute in the classroom. Published August 27, 2025

Askelson comments on religious exemptions for childhood vaccines

This fall marks the second school year where religious exemptions to vaccines are much easier to receive for students in Iowa, and Professor Natoshia Askelson says approximately 19,000 of Iowa school children aren’t vaccinated due to these exemptions. (KCRG-TV) Published August 25, 2025

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