Webinar: the history and development of the HPV vaccine

The College of Public Health and Iowa Immunizes have launched a new webinar series celebrating two decades of cancer prevention, protection, and progress made possible by the HPV vaccine. The next webinar in the series is May 20, with a session on the development and history of the HPV vaccine. Published April 27, 2026

Shining a spotlight on rural veteran suicide

John Gautreaux, a PhD candidate in occupational and environmental health, says the structured environment of an undergraduate education shortly after his seven-year military service ended helped him as he reentered civilian life. Now Josh studies how veterans’ use of Veterans Administration (VA) services affects suicide rates during what is known as the “deadly gap”—the first year after a service member returns to civilian life, when veterans face an increased risk of suicide and substance use. Published April 23, 2026

IPRC members recognized with national SAVIR Awards

Cara Hamann and Ann Saba from the University of Iowa’s Injury Prevention Research Center (IPRC) were recently honored with national awards from the Society for the Advancement of Violence and Injury Research (SAVIR) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the field. Published April 22, 2026

Depth or Breadth? Navigating Funding Agency Strategies for Research Success

Explore the strategic trade-offs between focusing on a single funding agency or submitting to multiple sponsors, drawing on real-world experiences across career stages and disciplines with senior researchers. CPH Professor and Associate Dean for Research Hans‑Joachim Lehmler will be one of the panelists. Published April 22, 2026

In Memoriam: Chuck Hession

Charles "Chuck" Hession, College of Public Health alumnus (86MHA) and former Director of Accounting and Finance for the college, died at his home in Iowa City on April 15, 2026. A Celebration of Life will be held at Lensing Funeral Home on Thursday, April 30. Published April 21, 2026

What the research tells us about social media and teen mental health: a Q&A with Jonathan Platt

Social media is nearly ubiquitous in the lives of teens and young adults, raising concerns about its impact on mental health. While much of the public conversation has focused on how much time young people spend with social media, research increasingly shows that how social media is used and how platforms are designed matters far more.  Published April 21, 2026

Plugged In to Public Health: Food systems under pressure (Part 2)

In part two of this conversation, we continue our discussion with Hannah Shultz, shifting from rising food prices to the deeper policy and ethical questions shaping food access in the United States. This episode explores the debate around SNAP restrictions, including whether limiting certain food purchases actually improves health outcomes or instead reinforces stigma and inequity. We also examine how narratives around “healthy choices” often overlook broader structural factors, and what it means to approach food policy with dignity, autonomy, and real-world context in mind. Published April 20, 2026

VIDEO: Undergraduate experiential learning with Aden Baldridge

Third‑year public health student Aden Baldridge took his learning global through an experiential learning opportunity in South Africa. From community needs assessments to creating health education materials used by providers and policymakers, this experience went far beyond observation—it helped shape his entire career path. Published April 20, 2026

OEH student Caroline Powell charts what Iowa’s cancer rates mean to us 

Growing up in New York City, Caroline Powell surprised herself when her passion for public health led her to the fields of Iowa, studying peoples’ perceptions of cancer in agricultural communities. She’ll be the first to say, there’s a big gap between what people know about cancer, what they think they know, and how they act. Published April 20, 2026

Zahnd, Gronemeyer present cancer data in Montgomery County

Assistant Professor Whitney Zahnd and Audrey Gronemeyer from the Iowa Cancer Registry recently presented county-level cancer trends and prevention insights to Montgomery County as part of the Registry’s 99 Counties Project. The data highlighted elevated lung cancer rates tied to modifiable risk factors like tobacco use and radon exposure, underscoring opportunities for screening, prevention, and policy action across Iowa communities. Published April 17, 2026