Study estimates COVID-19 mortality rates in South Korea, shares modeling tool
April 21, 2020 In a pre-print study, researchers discuss the mortality burden of COVID-19 in South Korea — one of the first countries to report a case outside of China. They also share a mortality rate modeling approach that relies solely on publicly available data.
Accountable care organizations struggle to integrate social services despite commitment and effort
April 20, 2020 Many health care organizations that adopt an accountable care organization (ACO) model seek to offer services that improve patient outcomes by addressing social determinants of health, but new research shows many of these ACOs face challenges in incorporating these social services despite commitment and effort.
The Gillings Community Responds to COVID-19: Outreach to Vulnerable Communities
April 17, 2020 In Arizona, online MPH student Jeannie Hong is serving dual roles as a U.S. Public Health Service officer and a pharmacist for patients in a Native American and Alaska Native community. Nutrition graduate student Kayla Ferro and her peers are serving vulnerable homeless populations in the heart of Orange County. In Nevada, health behavior alumnus Peter Reed has collaborated on a statewide response plan to help older adults get the services they need while in isolation.
Four Gillings students recognized with E(I) Lab entrepreneurship and innovation awards
April 15, 2020 Four Master of Public Health students won awards for product innovations developed in response to current health care challenges as part of the fifth cohort of the Eshelman School of Pharmacy's E(I) Lab program.
New York only state to reduce income-based disparities in smoking, study finds
April 10, 2020 Lower-income Americans are more likely to smoke cigarettes than those who are more affluent. While the federal government and most states have set goals to reduce income-based disparities in tobacco use, only one state has lessened the gap.
Should mothers with COVID-19 be separated from their newborns?
April 9, 2020 In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, questions have arisen about how to prevent the transmission of the virus to newborns from mothers who are suspected or confirmed to be infected. Dr. Alison Stuebe has written a commentary in Breastfeeding Medicine addressing the risks and benefits of temporary separation.
The Gillings Community Responds to COVID-19: Mental Health, Environmental Guidance and Health Education
April 9, 2020 Health behavior alumnae participated in a hackathon to design a web platform to help people cope with the stress of managing COVID-19 information streams. Environmental scientists Dr. Mark Sobsey and Dr. Lisa Casanova have contributed to WHO guidelines on water and sanitation. Alumna Dr. Jennifer Platt is leading a health education initiative for people with alpha-gal syndrome who have COVID-19 questions.
Prevalence of pregnancy UTIs underscores need for better screening, treatment in low- and middle-income countries
April 7, 2020 Prenatal screening for urinary tract infections (UTIs) is standard practice in high-income countries because of the risk that untreated UTIs pose during pregnancy. But women in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) are still in need of screening and treatment that is accessible and accurate due to social and environmental risk factors that may contribute to the high prevalence of UTIs in pregnancy.
A new antiviral drug heading into clinical trials offers hope for COVID-19 treatment — in part because it can be taken as a pill
April 6, 2020 Scientists are hopeful that a new drug — called EIDD-2801 — could change the way doctors treat COVID-19. The antiviral shows promise in reducing lung damage, has finished testing in mice and will soon move to human clinical trials.
The Gillings Community Responds to COVID-19: Equipment, Emergency Response and Water Surveillance
April 3, 2020 Doctoral student Alex Gertner is teaming up with fellow students and experts across the UNC System to make PPE for health care workers in need. Alumna Pooja Jani is at the epicenter of a pandemic, helping to coordinate New York City's emergency public health response. Meanwhile, alumni Scott Meschke, Christine Stauber and Joe Brown are collaborating on ways to monitor wastewater to track the spread of COVID-19.
