Promote Healthy People, Healthy Planet and Improve Care for All

Virtual Water and Health Conference gives new platform to necessary WaSH conversations

November 24, 2020
For the first time since it was established in 2009, the UNC Water Institute held the 2020 Water and Health Conference online. The conference saw record attendance as it brought together experts and policymakers from around the world to examine the latest trends and evidence to inform policy and practice in water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH).

Antibody cocktails at low doses could be more effective at treating COVID-19

November 20, 2020
Pairs of antibodies may be more effective than single antibodies at preventing and treating COVID-19, according to a new study by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and The Rockefeller University in New York.

The pandemic is impacting continuity of care for cancer survivors — especially women

November 20, 2020
By early June 2020, 34% of cancer survivors surveyed had canceled at least one doctor's appointment due to COVID-19. These cancellations are concerning, says Dr. Jessica Islam, who points out that female cancer survivors have been impacted the most, likely due to school and daycare closures.

Structural and systemic racism in health care system affects HIV care for Black women

November 19, 2020
For Black women in the southern United States, mistrust of the health care system that is grounded in structural and systemic racism is a key factor affecting participation in HIV prevention and treatment services, according to a recent study that includes research from Dr. Carol Golin.

Does air pollution increase women’s risk of dementia?

November 18, 2020
New study finds high levels of fine particle pollution in the air are associated with brain shrinkage patterns that are common in Alzheimer’s.

New CDC tool aims to help communities promote more physical activity

November 18, 2020
The new Active Communities Tool, developed by a team at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that included Dr. Kelly Evenson, is now available for use by communities seeking to improve the built environment to promote access to safe and convenient places for physical activity for people of all ages and abilities.

Common SARS-CoV-2 mutation may be more susceptible to vaccine

November 12, 2020
A new study published in Science confirms that the D614G spike mutation allows the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 to replicate faster, outcompete and transmit more easily between hosts compared to the original virus. However, the mutation that enabled this strain to spread so quickly around the globe may also make it more susceptible to a vaccine.

UNC partners with NCCU to enhance diversity in nutrition and obesity research

November 5, 2020
The UNC Nutrition Obesity Research Center's Pilot & Feasibility (P&F) Program has received funding to establish a process to increase the number of new investigators from underrepresented minority groups who become established investigators in nutrition and obesity research.

Planey pinpoints health disparities in COVID-19 testing and workers with disabilities

November 5, 2020
Geographic analysis can help identify those that are at higher risk of specific disparities due to social and geographic factors. Dr. Arrianna Planey is a co-author on two recent studies that used such analysis to identify potential health disparities in North Carolina and New York.

Researchers receive $900K+ in grants to investigate links between arsenic exposure, COVID-19 risk

October 30, 2020
Researchers in the UNC Superfund Research Program will use two new grants from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to research how exposure to arsenic and other environmental contaminants may contribute to SARS-CoV-2 infection risk and severity.