NSF funds UNC scientists to explore potential COVID-19 aerosol transmission
August 3, 2020 In an effort to further our understanding of how COVID-19 is spread, the National Science Foundation has funded a team of researchers at the Gillings School, led by Dr. Barbara Turpin, to study the SARS-CoV-2 virus' potential for aerosol transmission.
Primary care providers have a role to play in the treatment of opioid use disorder
August 3, 2020 Policies have recently been expanded to encourage primary care providers to administer buprenorphine in the treatment of opioid use disorder – a strategy that appears to be effective according to a new study from researchers in the Department of Health Policy and Management.
Americans are consuming less sugar but more nonnutritive sweeteners
July 29, 2020 A new study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics shows that United States household purchases of foods and beverages containing caloric sweeteners declined between 2002 and 2018. However, purchases of products containing both caloric sweeteners and nonnutritive sweeteners increased.
Antibody research shows promise in fight against COVID-19
July 23, 2020 Based on positive results published as a preclinical study, potently neutralizing antibodies show promise as a therapy for preventing and treating COVID-19. The monoclonal antibodies were isolated from the blood of a couple from Wuhan, China, who were diagnosed with COVID-19.
UNC researchers discuss pitfalls of convenience samples for COVID-19 antibody testing
July 23, 2020 Drs. Alison Aiello and Bonnie Shook-Sa of the UNC Gillings School and Dr. Ross Boyce of the UNC School of Medicine published a viewpoint piece on the downsides of certain types of early SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence studies.
North Carolina Policy Collaboratory distributes $29 million for COVID-19 research
July 22, 2020 The North Carolina Policy Collaboratory funded 85 projects across 14 UNC System schools, including $6.1 million for COVID-19 research at the Gillings School and $1 million allocated to each of the six historically minority-serving institutions.
Department of Nutrition receives new funding to advance research, service related to COVID-19
July 22, 2020 Funding from the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute and Sanofi will allow the Department of Nutrition to continue research and service projects to study and address the effects of COVID-19 on several nutrition-related issues.
‘Missing Mayberry’: Graduate student explores how whiteness shapes perceptions of health in the rural South
July 21, 2020 Nationwide, communities are embroiled in conversations and protests around structural racism, including inequities in the qualities and outcomes of health care for people of color. Also mirroring the national situation, however, white people in rural North Carolina are experiencing increases in early death at greater levels than any other racial group in the state.
New recommendations seek to reduce consumption of sugar, alcohol in U.S. diets
July 15, 2020 Dr. Beth Mayer-Davis is part of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, which has released new recommendations that aim to reduce the overconsumption of added sugars and alcohol in American diets.
Leading maternal health advocacy groups tackle barriers to equitable maternity care for women and families of color
July 14, 2020 $4 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding will support COVID-19 related telehealth access and infrastructure for maternal health services.