Evidence suggests COVID-19 is not transmitted through wastewater
Feburary 16, 2022 There is no proof that people can contract COVID-19 from wastewater, according to a report by Dr. Mark Sobsey published in the Journal of Water & Health.
Gillings students tackle maternal mental health in two equity-focused publications
February 15, 2022 Developing equitable policies to support mental health during the perinatal period — the months/years before and after birth — requires addressing the intersecting effects of racism, poverty, lack of childcare and inadequate postpartum support.
Looking at the impact of COVID-19 on exclusive breastfeeding in Kenya and beyond
February 14, 2022 An ongoing project reveals a perceived sense of milk insufficiency among mothers in Kenya due to food insecurity caused by the economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Abstract: February 14, 2022
February 14, 2022
COVID-19 vaccination higher in LGBT communities, CDC reports
February 4, 2022 Gay and lesbian adults are more likely to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and have confidence in the safety of vaccines than heterosexuals, according to a CDC report that features research from Dr. Noel Brewer. The data can help public health officials tailor education and outreach to further overcome barriers that prevent LGBT people from getting vaccinated.
Picture warnings on sodas? A promising tool to fight childhood obesity
February 1, 2022 A study in PLOS Medicine is the first to examine in a realistic setting whether pictorial health warnings on sugary drinks influence which beverages parents buy for their children. The findings are promising: The warnings reduced parental purchases of sugary drinks for their kids by 17 percentage points.
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.
UNC nutrition experts uncover structure of enzyme that could aid in disease treatment, prevention
January 25, 2022 Researchers at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute have uncovered the structure of the ALDH1L1 enzyme, which plays a critical role in predicting whether a person might be susceptible to metabolic diseases or cancer.
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.