Could nutrient cocktails play a role in diminishing addiction, reducing adverse effects of substance abuse?
May 19, 2021 Using illicit drugs can disrupt a person’s metabolism and impact neurological and behavioral function. Experts at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute have shed new light on this link, and the biological clues they’ve uncovered could lead to the development of nutrition therapies that could diminish addiction and reduce the harmful effects of substance abuse.
CDC grant expands COVID-19 vaccination to doctor’s offices, targeting hard-to-reach populations
May 18, 2021 Researchers with the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention will use centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant to help doctor's offices across North Carolina take a shot at COVID-19 vaccination.
NIH to extend funding for nutrition and obesity research at UNC through 2026
May 10, 2021 The UNC Nutrition Obesity Research Center has received a grant from the National Institutes of Health to fund another five years of work providing support and expertise to scientists studying the role of nutrition and obesity in public health.
For a healthier world, target ultra-processed foods
April 15, 2021 In a new paper, Gillings School researchers -- together with partners in Mexico, Chile, South Africa and Brazil -- share what their research has shown works worldwide to shift nutritional landscapes. And they express an urgent call to cull the upswing in unhealthy food intake that is leading to chronic illnesses.
South African beverage tax has reduced purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages
April 8, 2021 A new study shows that South Africa’s 2018 tax on sugary beverages led to a reduction in purchases of the beverages, which could mean purchasers are consuming less excess sugar and fewer calories.
Tucker, Lo represent Gillings School as MLK Scholarship finalists
March 20, 2021 Two undergraduate students represented the Gillings School in the running for the 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship at UNC-Chapel Hill. Aneesha Tucker was the scholarship winner, receiving $2,000. Amy Lo was one of two runners-up, earning $1,500.
COVID-19 creates challenges and improvements to care for youth with diabetes around the world
March 2, 2021 For pediatric diabetes clinics worldwide, the pivot to telemedicine during the pandemic has been challenging, but it has also presented opportunities for improved care, according to a new study led by Gillings School nutrition researchers.
Research on nutrition-related policy and practices in Kenya identifies a pathway to reduce disease
March 1, 2021 Danielle Doughman coauthored an article published in PLOS One that reports on research in Nairobi, Kenya, to assess government policies to support access to, knowledge about and consumption of healthy food in Kenya and suggest actions the government can take to improve them.
Study shows Latino families more likely to have purchased toddler milk
February 25, 2020 Though multiple national health organizations recommend against giving toddler milk – a nutrient-fortified drink for children ages 12 months to 3 years that often contains added sugars – to young children, a new study suggests Latino families may be at particularly high risk for purchasing the product.
Gillings researchers receive $4.4M to reduce inequities in heart and lung disease
February 22, 2021 Heart and lung disease are leading causes of illness and death in the United States, and the disease burden is unequal across groups defined by race/ethnicity, sex and/or gender, and socioeconomic status. Numerous programs have been proven to reduce heart disease, but too often they are not put into practice in the communities where they are most needed.
