Study looks at prevalence, treatment patterns of autism spectrum disorder
A new study from researchers at the University of Iowa shows that while autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is relatively prevalent among U.S. children aged 3-17 years, a large number of them don’t receive any type of treatment. The researchers looked at data from the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health and found that 2.8 percent of the 43,032 children in the survey had been diagnosed with ASD and 2.5 percent currently had ASD. Among the children with current ASD, 29.5 percent never received either behavioral or medication treatments. (Multiple sources) Published December 5, 2018
Miller named recipient of 2018 New Faculty Research Award
Aaron Miller, assistant professor of epidemiology, has been named the recipient of the 2018 College of Public Health New Faculty Research Award. Miller's project will examine Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) data to model delays in severe infection diagnoses related to injection drug use. Published November 29, 2018
Bao comments on rise of ADHD diagnoses in U.S.
A recent study finds attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses in children between the ages of 4 and 17 increased from 6.1 percent in 1997-1998 to 10.2 percent in 2015-2016. "This is a dramatic change," explains study researcher Wei Bao, an assistant professor in the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa. "ADHD was already a common condition in children in the past, and it is becoming even more common. Now 1 in 10 children are affected. This is really high." (WebMD) Published November 28, 2018
A century later, UI experts recall deadly flu outbreak, prepare for new flu season
In 1918, an especially virulent flu virus caused an estimated 20 million deaths worldwide. In Iowa, the virus forced quarantines, event cancellations, and a stern public health warning from the UI's then-president. CPH professors Michael Pentella and Christine Petersen comment on the epidemic and what the UI is doing in 2018 to track, study, and prevent influenza. (Iowa Now) Published November 8, 2018
Petersen contributes to new veterinary infection control and biosecurity guidelines
New guidelines published this month provide veterinary professionals with information and resources to prevent the spread of disease in their practices and implement protocols that protect both animal and human health. Christine Petersen, associate professor of epidemiology in the University of Iowa College of Public Health, served as a member of a national task force of experts that developed the guidelines on behalf of the American Animal Hospital Association. Published November 8, 2018
CHEEC accepting seed grant applications for environmental research
The University of Iowa Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination (CHEEC) is currently accepting applications for its FY2019 Seed Grant Program. CHEEC supports environmental health research relating to environmental toxins. Its mission is "to determine the levels of environmental contamination which can be specifically associated with human health effects." Proposals must be submitted by 5 p.m. Jan. 25. Published November 1, 2018
Study examines US diabetes prevalence
An estimated 8.5% of the U.S. adult population was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and 0.5% was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2016 and 2017, according to a study published in BMJ. "With the continuing improvement in treatment of type 1 diabetes, more children with this form of diabetes are expected to survive to adulthood," Linda Snetselaar of the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, and colleagues wrote. (Healio) Published October 26, 2018
Snetselaar honored with Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Medallion Award
Linda Snetselaar, CPH professor of epidemiology and chair of preventive nutrition education, was one of eight registered dietitian nutritionists presented with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' prestigious 2018 Medallion Awards on Oct. 21 in Washington, D.C. The awards recognize outstanding service and leadership in the Academy and the nutrition and dietetics profession. Published October 24, 2018
Lynch, Robertson, and Thorne honored with university awards
Each year, University of Iowa faculty and staff members are honored for their valuable contributions to the university's core mission of teaching, service, and research. Award recipients from the College of Public Health in 2018 were Charles Lynch (Michael J. Brody Award for Faculty Excellence in Service), Gayle Robertson (David J. Skorton Award for Staff Excellence in Service), and Peter Thorne (Board of Regents Award for Faculty Excellence). Published October 16, 2018
New grant supports cancer prevention and control in rural Iowa
Researchers at Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa have received a supplemental grant from the National Cancer Institute to address rural cancer prevention and control in Iowa. Mary Charlton, CPH assistant professor of epidemiology, and Anjali Deshpande, CPH clinical associate professor of epidemiology, will lead the project. George Weiner, director of Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, serves as principal investigator. Published October 11, 2018
