Building early warning systems against pandemic threats
August 31, 2020 The nonprofit EcoHealth Alliance has announced its latest program: The Emerging Infectious Diseases Southeast Asia Research Collaboration Hub. This is one of a new group of research centers supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and faculty at the UNC Gillings School are key collaborators.
Mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 model provides new tool for COVID-19 discoveries
August 31, 2020 A new COVID-19 mouse model developed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill captures many of the features of human disease and has helped advance a vaccine candidate to clinical trial.
Gillings School to lead multi-year evaluation of NC’s Medicaid transformation
August 28, 2020 Faculty at the UNC Gillings School have entered into a $2.5 million contract for the current year with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The School will serve as the official evaluation center for the state’s landmark Medicaid transformation — a partnership that will have an incredible impact on public health in the state.
Obesity is a major risk factor for COVID-19 complications
August 26, 2020 A new analysis, led by the Gillings School's Dr. Barry Popkin, shows that obesity plays a major role in the severity of consequences experienced by people who become infected with the novel coronavirus.
Palmquist responds to COVID-19, advocates and supports best practices for infant and young child feeding during pandemic
August 25, 2020 Dr. Aunchalee Palmquist, assistant professor of maternal and child health at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, studies infant and young child feeding in emergencies and other situations of extreme adversity. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, her understanding of the information environment and needs allowed her to contribute expert guidance about best practices for perinatal mothers, infants and children where it is needed most.
Public health education needs a human rights focus
August 19, 2020 Three Gillings School students — representing the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels — and a faculty member co-authored a commentary in The Lancet Public Health on the future of human rights education within the field of public health.
Environmental sciences and engineering professorships usher in next century of interdisciplinary research, innovation
August 19, 2020 Appointments to two prestigious professorships in the UNC Gillings School of Global Health’s Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering underscore the department’s 100-year tradition of local and global impact. Dr. Jill Stewart has been named the Philip C. Singer Distinguished Professor of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, and Dr. Gregory Characklis, the W.R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor.
Peer support helps people cope — from police to veterans to those affected by COVID-19
August 18, 2020 In a recent journal article, Dr. Edwin B. Fisher shares findings on how telephone-based peer support can provide emotional and tangible resources for people at high risk for mental health problems. In an accompanying editorial, he discusses the additional problems callers are facing now due to the novel coronavirus.
Chatham Food Hub helps communities access local food during COVID-19 pandemic
August 18, 2020 The Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and UNC Health worked with Chatham County and N.C. State Extension partners to create a one-stop food hub at Bray Park in Siler City. The hub offers free meals and non-perishable foods for low-income customers as well as meals for purchase from local restaurants and farmers struggling to remain solvent during the pandemic.
Rapid funding aids COVID-19 research by top Gillings scientists
August 11, 2020 The innovative Fast Grants program, designed to fund important research rapidly, provides a combined $280,000 to Drs. Lisa Gralinski and Timothy Sheahan for COVID-19 research.
