COVID-19’s indirect effects are claiming more lives than we realize
January 26, 2022 Social isolation, economic insecurity, barriers to health care access – Gillings epidemiologists have found that these indirect consequences of the pandemic are claiming lives that are not being reported in COVID-19 surveillance data, especially among populations of color and young people.
Energy inequity is an urgent public health issue, as Bronx fire illustrates
January 19, 2022 A new national analysis of United States household energy spending found that 16% of the country lives in energy poverty — defined as spending more than 6% of household income on energy bills. More than 5.2 million households living above the Federal Poverty Line still face energy poverty, and this struggle disproportionately burdens Black, Hispanic and Native American communities.
Provider recommendations boost likelihood of COVID-19 vaccination
January 14, 2022 People who receive COVID-19 vaccine recommendations from their doctor or health care provider are more likely to get vaccinated, according to a report from the CDC that includes research from Dr. Noel Brewer.
The pills to fight COVID-19
January 12, 2022 There are new weapons in the war against COVID-19: antiviral pills that fight the virus before it multiplies and causes major damage.
Study shows COVID-19 vaccines provide lasting protections
January 12, 2022 A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that, despite breakthrough infections, COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing hospitalization and death. The findings support the use of boosters to provide ongoing protection.
Survival probability is deciding factor in American perceptions of COVID-19 triage
January 4, 2021 Americans believe that scarce beds in hospital intensive care units should be given to COVID-19 patients who have the highest chances of survival, according to new research led by UNC-Chapel Hill.
Mental health crisis among public health professionals requires urgent action
December 21, 2021 Public health workers are facing a mounting mental health crisis as they encounter prolonged challenges in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Responding to this crisis should be a top priority for public health leaders, according to a new article by Drs. John Wiesman and Ed Baker.
Four-year study highlights complexity of diabetes health inequities
December 21, 2021 A recent article published online by the journal Diabetes Care aims to untangle racial and ethnic health disparities that affect youth and young adults with Type 1 diabetes.
Annual Water and Health Conference convenes global experts to learn and share the latest on water
December 2, 2021 The Water and Health Conference hosted by the Water Institute at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health has become the world’s largest annual international conference on water and health. This year’s conference, which was held virtually for the second time ever, brought together stakeholders from 122 countries around the world to advance their shared goal of increased access to water, sanitation and hygiene worldwide.
Checking in with COVID-19 Gillings Innovation Labs
November 24, 2021 Five of the COVID-19 research projects funded through a special round of Gillings Innovation Laboratory awards (GILs) have now been completed, and the two remaining are expected to wrap in early 2022. Their work has been critical in influencing local and global pandemic response efforts through policy, practice and community engagement.
