Virtual Water and Health Conference gives new platform to necessary WaSH conversations
November 24, 2020 For the first time since it was established in 2009, the UNC Water Institute held the 2020 Water and Health Conference online. The conference saw record attendance as it brought together experts and policymakers from around the world to examine the latest trends and evidence to inform policy and practice in water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH).
Antibody cocktails at low doses could be more effective at treating COVID-19
November 20, 2020 Pairs of antibodies may be more effective than single antibodies at preventing and treating COVID-19, according to a new study by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and The Rockefeller University in New York.
AJPH editorial: Populism threatens the public health response to COVID-19
November 13, 2020 In an editorial published in the American Journal of Public Health, doctoral candidate Caitlin Williams and Dr. Benjamin Mason Meier write that populist policies have hindered public health responses to COVID-19 and could have lasting consequences on health and human rights.
Common SARS-CoV-2 mutation may be more susceptible to vaccine
November 12, 2020 A new study published in Science confirms that the D614G spike mutation allows the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 to replicate faster, outcompete and transmit more easily between hosts compared to the original virus. However, the mutation that enabled this strain to spread so quickly around the globe may also make it more susceptible to a vaccine.
Class of 1970 celebrates 50 years of reproductive empowerment
October 27, 2020 This year marks the 50th anniversary of the graduation of the class of 1970 from the UNC School of Public Health. The accomplishments of remarkable alumni from that cohort exemplify the School's spirit of public health education and innovation over the past 50 years.
WaSH deficiencies identified in response to COVID-19 require urgent attention
October 19, 2020 A recent review that features work from the UNC Water Institute has shown that deficiencies in water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) strategies are limiting our ability to fight the pandemic.
Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will make managing droughts more complicated
October 16, 2020 Near-term concerns about the impact the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will have on water availability for Egypt and Sudan are unlikely to materialize, but drought preparedness will require careful coordination, suggests research published by researchers from five major universities.
Viewpoint: Unhealthy food needs prominent warning labels
October 14, 2020 The United States should require prominent warning labels on front-of-product packaging to alert consumers when food products contain high levels of unhealthy nutrients, according to a recent JAMA Viewpoint article co-authored by Gillings School faculty member Marissa Hall.
UNC research uncovers evidence of human susceptibility to emerging coronavirus strain in swine
October 12, 2020 New research from the Baric Lab suggests that an emerging strain of coronavirus known as swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV) may have the potential to spread to humans as well.
As COVID-19 highlights obesity’s harms, clear labels on unhealthy foods emerge as key strategy to improve nutrition
October 2, 2020 A new guide offers a roadmap for countries seeking to adopt front-of-package nutrition labels.