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.

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

College names 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award recipients

On Sept. 17, the 2025 CPH Outstanding Alumni Award will be presented to Robsan Halkeno Tura (21PhD) from 12:30 to 1:20 p.m. in room C217 CPHB. Join us for a discussion and Q&A session. Lunch will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. James Skogsbergh (82MA) will be presented the award at Hancher Auditorium on Sept. 25 during the 46th Annual Samuel Levey Healthcare Leadership Symposium. Published August 22, 2025

Save the date: Native youth and healing symposium Sept. 16 and 17

The Native Center for Behavioral Health is hosting an upcoming symposium focused on inter-generational healing, culturally grounded interventions, and trauma-informed leadership. Published August 21, 2025

Natoshia Askelson comments on the importance of back-to-school vaccinations

Natoshia Askelson, professor of community and behavioral health, recently talked about vaccinations and their role in keeping kids healthy as they return to school. (Radio Iowa) Published August 14, 2025

Afifi part of research collective supporting rehabilitation services

Rima Afifi, professor of community and behavioral health, is a member of Limb & Life, an international collective of researchers dedicated to describing pressing challenges in rehabilitation services, especially in prosthetic and orthotic care, in Gaza. Published August 5, 2025

UI research funding advances health, science, community resilience

University of Iowa scholars secured support for more than 2,300 projects in fiscal year 2025, pursuing research aimed at developing cancer treatments and patient care, advancing brain science and mental health, and building healthier and more resilient Iowa communities. External funding to the UI was $705.6 million in fiscal year 2025, which ended on June 30. (Iowa Now) Published July 24, 2025

UI College of Public Health receives funding to expand maternal and child health curriculum

The University of Iowa College of Public Health has received funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to continue to expand and strengthen its maternal and child health curriculum. The Maternal and Child Health Public Health Catalyst Program is led by William Story, associate professor of community and behavioral health. Published June 4, 2025

Videos: Students share about their experiential learning experiences

Meet two of our students: Bhavana Sirimalle, a soon-to-be Master of Public Health graduate, and Ella Mucciolo, a student in community and behavioral health. Both recently shared some insights about their experiential learning experiences and how they were able to turn knowledge into action. Published May 14, 2025