Heartland Center request for pilot project proposals

The Heartland Center for Occupational Health and Safety announces the availability of funds to support pilot projects. Research projects must be related to one of the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) sector areas and pertain to an occupational health or safety issue. Applications will be accepted through March 1, 2024. Published November 28, 2023

New UI research center focuses on climate resilience

The University of Iowa’s College of Public Health received a $6 million grant to fund a new research center and aid in climate adaptation planning, or how to adjust to the effects of climate change, across the Midwest. The center is led by Brandi Janssen, clinical associate professor of occupational and environmental health. (Daily Iowan) Published November 14, 2023

Submit a poster abstract to the Public Health Conference of Iowa

The 2024 Public Health Conference of Iowa is now accepting student poster abstracts. The conference will be held March 26 and 27 in Des Moines. The deadline for submission is Monday, Jan. 29. Published November 8, 2023

National Injury Prevention Day is Nov. 18

National Injury Prevention Day 2023 is Saturday, Nov. 18. Join the UI Injury Prevention Research Center as we “shine a green light” on injury prevention along with our partners across Iowa and the U.S., including Injury Free Coalition for Kids, University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Learn how to get involved in this day of action. Published November 7, 2023

Agricultural injury prevention important year-round

Agriculture is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. Tabitha Kuehn, outreach coordinator of Iowa’s Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, said tractor rollovers and grain entrapment are the leading causes of fatalities in Iowa’s agriculture industry. (Daily Iowan) Published November 7, 2023

Gerr comments on the repetitive strain injury epidemic

Repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome among office workers gained a lot of attention in the 1980s and 1990s, but perhaps distracted from the far more serious concerns of other workers. “We engage in a disease-du-jour mentality that is based on idiosyncratic factors, such as journalists being worried about computer users, rather than prioritization by the actual rate and the impact on employment and life quality,” said Fredric Gerr, UI professor emeritus of occupational and environmental health. (The Atlantic) Published November 2, 2023

Goerdt honored with Lifetime Achievement Award at safety conference

Congratulations to Tammi Goerdt, director of continuing education and outreach for the Heartland Center for Occupational Health and Safety, who recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Midwest Women in Safety Conference. Published November 1, 2023

Connect with the college at APHA in Atlanta

Planning to attend the APHA Annual Meeting in Atlanta? View a list of CPH presentations, find our exhibit booth, and attend the CPH alumni and friends reception on Nov. 13.  Published October 25, 2023

Thorne discusses sustainable sources of energy

Peter Thorne, professor of occupational and environmental health, says a major approach to combat climate change is mitigating and reducing the release of more greenhouse gases by switching to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric power. (Daily Iowan) Published October 25, 2023

Baker, Pentella part of partnership to develop rapid tests for diarrheal diseases

Kelly Baker, associate professor of occupational and environmental health, and Michael Pentella, clinical professor of epidemiology and director of the University of Iowa State Hygienic Lab, are part of a partnership with a Wisconsin company to develop new rapid tests to identify diarrheal diseases. The new testing could help rural areas and developing countries identify disease outbreaks more quickly as well as expediting treatment for patients. (The Gazette) Published October 20, 2023