Harness Big Data for Health, Well Being and the Environment
New UNC study quantifies $562M in financial risk from Hurricane Florence using novel modeling approach that evaluates risk of mortgage default and property abandonment
March 31, 2023 A new study from Carolina researchers estimates $562 million in previously unquantified financial risks arising from property value changes and uninsured flood damages in eastern North Carolina as a result of Hurricane Florence.
Leveling up diagnostics for social good
January 26, 2023 Dr. Sean Sylvia is collaborating on a digitized way to make diagnostic training more accessible for health care providers with a new app called “CollectiveGoodMD,” which aims to test and grow diagnostic skills through gamification and peer-sourced knowledge.
Study links N.C. hog feeding operations to acute gastrointestinal illness
November 23, 2022 North Carolina’s rapidly growing human population is nearly matched by the number of hogs, which at nine million, makes N.C. one of the highest hog producers in the country. Examining the health impact of large hog operations on nearby communities, a group of UNC researchers found significantly elevated rates of acute gastrointestinal illness — with the greatest impact on rural, Black and American Indian populations.
Could an app help scientists understand wildfire smoke’s impact on cognition?
August 16, 2022 With help from the brain training app Lumosity, environmental health scientists found that adult attention spans are significantly lower in the hours and days after exposure to fine particulate matter and wildfire smoke. This finding was especially prominent in the western U.S., where wildfires have been increasing.
Gillings faculty complete innovative Round 6, COVID-19 GILs
August 12, 2022 Gillings faculty have recently completed four GILs, including two from Round 6 of GIL funding and two from the special COVID-19 round of funding. The results of their work have furthered our understanding of energy storage, brain health, environmental exposures, viral transmission, pandemic response and more.
Risk of death rises as climate change causes nighttime temperatures to climb
August 8, 2022 Mortality rates from excessively hot nights caused by climate change are predicted to increase up to 60% across three countries by the end of the century, according to a new study that includes climate research from Dr. Yuqiang Zhang at the Gillings School.
Urban hospitals see rising admissions from rural Medicare patients
July 15, 2022 Medicare patients may be bypassing rural hospitals altogether and traveling longer distances to seek care at urban hospitals, according to new research from Hannah Friedman and Dr. Mark Holmes.
UNC research identifies genetic variations linked to brain activity, mental health
May 27, 2022 Researchers have uncovered 45 common genetic variations that could help health care providers better understand the genetic factors that impact behavioral and mental health and identify those who may be at higher risk for neurological disorders.
Greater diversity in genetic studies helps researchers uncover new insights
April 13, 2022 Researchers from Penn State and the Gillings School identified 42 regions of the genome related to health and growth by examining data from Hispanic/Latino individuals.
NIH funds $2.8M Gillings research on personalized messaging for weight management app
February 17, 2022 A new grant from the National Institutes of Health will help researchers at the Gillings School develop personalized messaging strategies that nutrition apps can use to nudge users toward modifying behavior to meet their goals.
