Charlton discusses Iowa’s increasing cancer rate

Among the issues Iowa lawmakers are aiming to address this legislative session, one has become a clear focal point: the state’s increasing cancer rate. Mary Charlton, director of the Iowa Cancer Registry, said some of the most effective forms of legislation lawmakers could bring forward are bills addressing controllable risk factors of cancer. (The Gazette) Published February 17, 2025

Iowa study examines older adults’ driving errors and crash risk factors

A recent study by College of Public Health researchers looked at the relationships between older drivers’ driving errors and two important crash risk factors: vehicle actions and traffic control devices. Published February 14, 2025

Pentella discusses bird flu, influenza, and testing

Michael Pentella, clinical professor of epidemiology and director of the State Hygienic Laboratory, recently discussed bird flu, testing for influenza, and Iowa's current high level of influenza activity. (Daily Iowan) Published February 11, 2025

Iowa researchers map areas in Iowa at risk for house fires

Fires and burns are among the 10 causes of preventable injury deaths in the U.S., resulting in over 3,400 deaths every year. A University of Iowa research team investigated if serious house fires in Iowa repeatedly occur in the same areas and whether underlying factors, such as social vulnerability, are connected to these fires. (IPRC blog) Published February 11, 2025

Self-Care and Staying Grounded

Grace Gerdts 2nd-year PhD student, Epidemiology If I am being honest, I have written multiple versions of this article. In my first few versions, I resorted to my typical nature of light-hearted joking to help mitigate the difficulty of talking about mental health. But as this semester moves on, I have been finding it harder […] Published February 1, 2025

Recognizing the Impact of Black and African American Heroes in Public Health

As we celebrate Black History Month, the Epidemiology Student Association cherishes the achievements and contributions made or being made by these pioneers who share our vision to improve public and personal health through innovative research, education, and outreach. This is not an exhaustive list of all the contributions Black and African American public health advocates […] Published February 1, 2025

Last-Minute Epi Valentines

 Published February 1, 2025

February Student Spotlight

Joy Edeh Program: MS, 2nd-year Hometown: Enugu State, Nigeria Field(s) of interest: Maternal and Child health, social and environmental exposures, and chronic disease/life course epidemiology Topic or title of MS preceptorship project: The evaluation of a Targeted Screening Program for Congenital Cytomegalovirus in Infants Who Fail Newborn Hearing Screening in Iowa Quickfire Queries: Ranking must-haves […] Published February 1, 2025

February Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Shoshannah Eggers Hometown: Iowa City, IA Alma mater: University of Wisconsin – Madison Field(s) of research: Environmental Epidemiology, Microbiome Research, Maternal and Child Health, Neurological Health Across the Lifespan Topic or title of current project(s): Associations between various environmental chemical exposures and the human microbiome at several sites (gut, oral, vaginal, urinary) Quickfire Queries: […] Published February 1, 2025

Hamann comments on bill to ban handheld phones while driving

A bill to ban handheld phones while driving is moving forward in the Iowa Legislature. Cara Hamann, associate professor of epidemiology, says a comprehensive ban can improve safety. (Axios) Published January 24, 2025