Enhanced primary care for people with mental illness could improve service use and quality
April 19, 2021 Research from the Department of Health Policy and Management suggests that a new enhanced primary care model shows promise to improve the quality of health services provided to people with serious mental illness and reduce their hospital visits.
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.
Billboard and storefront ads for cannabis linked to problematic use by teens
April 8, 2021 Adolescents who frequently see billboard or storefront advertisements for recreational cannabis are more likely to use the drug weekly and to have symptoms of a cannabis use disorder, according to a new study in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
Manga and team upending understanding of safe sanitation
April 8, 2021 Dr. Musa Manga is working with the Water Institute to investigate how human waste is returned to the environment in Tamil Nadu, India. Early results are upending much of what we thought we knew about safe sanitation practices.
Brown investigates link between sanitation infrastructure and health in rural U.S.
April 8, 2021 Gillings School alumnus and faculty member Dr. Joe Brown is investigating the prevalence of sanitation-related pathogens in low-income communities in rural Alabama.
Chalachala works to improve maternal health and family planning in the DRC
April 6, 2021 Jean Lambert Chalachala has a calling: to improve the human condition. As a clinician and public health expert, the Gillings School alumnus has found ample opportunities to do just that – working in surgery, hospital administration, epidemic and crisis management, lactation support, family planning and more.
“Geography of risk” impacts analysis of racial inequities in COVID-19 deaths
April 5, 2021 In a new commentary, Gillings School epidemiologists call for an approach to monitoring COVID-19 data that compares risks across racial and ethnic demographics in order to create a more equitable response to the pandemic.
Testing boundaries of post-vaccination life
March 29, 2021 A clinical trial at U.S. college campuses, co-led by Dr. Audrey Pettifor, will test if COVID-19 vaccines prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
What is an innovation champion — and how can we support them?
March 23, 2021 Dr. Christopher M. Shea of the Department of Health Policy and Management proposes a new model of research on implementation champion impact, with the ultimate goal of disseminating evidence-based tools for health system leaders to support champions within their organizations.
