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.
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.
Mental health may impact how quickly men connect to HIV care, study in Cameroon finds
January 10, 2022 Research conducted in Cameroon demonstrates that people living with HIV who are initiating care commonly exhibit symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Among men, screening positive for a mental health disorder was associated with entering care with more advanced HIV symptoms — meaning men who are struggling with their mental health may wait longer to get tested for HIV or begin treatment.
Study links fewer steps per day, slower movement with decreased odds of weight gain in Hispanic/Latinos
January 9, 2022 In a new study, UNC researchers found surprising results upon examining relationships between number and speed of steps per day and six-year changes in obesity among participants in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.
