Promote Healthy People, Healthy Planet and Improve Care for All
First-of-its-kind joint MPH degree tackles rural health challenges
November 22, 2021 The Gillings School, UNC Asheville and the Mountain Area Health Education Center will now offer a jointly conferred Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with a concentration in place-based health after the UNC System Board of Governors approved the program as a joint MPH degree. Graduates will now receive their diploma from both UNC Asheville and the Gillings School.
On the frontlines of the pandemic
November 17, 2021 As the COVID-19 pandemic began making an impact in the United States in March of 2020, Carolina alumnus Joseph Engeda found himself using his doctoral degree in epidemiology to respond and understand a growing threat.
In cities with poor sanitation, waste-borne diseases may also be spread through air
November 8, 2021 Microbes that cause many waste-borne diseases are present in air particles around areas that have open sewers, according to a new study. These pathogens have the potential to spread into the surrounding environment, putting local inhabitants at risk.
Positive social ‘nudges’ could encourage more providers to treat opioid use disorder
November 3, 2021 Positive social messaging can encourage more providers to seek training to administer medicine for opioid use disorder, which could lead to more patients gaining access to this life-saving treatment.
Cellular quality-control system identified as a culprit in coronavirus infection
November 1, 2021 MERS, caused by a coronavirus strain of the same name, holds clues for respiratory diseases like COVID-19.
NC prisons study finds better, safer outcomes with diversion program for mental, behavioral health
October 29, 2021 Researchers found that people experiencing incarceration in North Carolina who were assigned to a therapeutic diversion unit instead of restrictive housing were at least three times less likely to commit further infractions, harm themselves or require inpatient mental health treatment.
Financial incentives for COVID-19 vaccination are effective, finds evaluation of NC program by NCDHHS, NCCU and UNC-Chapel Hill
October 25, 2021 The $25 Summer Card pilot program operated by North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) was successful in encouraging COVID-19 vaccination, according to a published research letter by authors from NCDHHS, North Carolina Central University and the UNC-Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health.
Decarbonization strategies need broader consideration, coordination of energy technologies
October 20, 2021 Deep decarbonization strategies require broad approaches that provide complementary solutions for energy needs across multiple sectors, including electricity, transportation, agriculture, health and manufacturing. Dr. Noah Kittner is lead author on a new commentary that calls for researchers to work together to solve these interdisciplinary challenges.
Multiple-drug involvement in overdose deaths has risen in NC
October 14, 2021 Between 2015 and 2019, North Carolina saw an increase in overdose deaths that involved multiple drugs, highlighting the rapidly changing nature of drug overdoses in the state.
UNC awarded $11.7 million to help providers improve HPV vaccine communication, uptake among adolescents
October 6, 2021 Provider recommendations are key to increasing HPV vaccination rates. A new $11.7 million research initiative, led by UNC Gillings researchers, will equip health care providers with the support necessary to communicate about HPV vaccines more effectively.