Courtney Woods and the case of the contaminated current
February 25, 2021 Leaders from the Sampson County community in North Carolina welcomed Assistant Professor Dr. Courtney Woods into their local environmental justice efforts.
Gillings School News
Study shows Latino families more likely to have purchased toddler milk
February 25, 2020 Though multiple national health organizations recommend against giving toddler milk – a nutrient-fortified drink for children ages 12 months to 3 years that often contains added sugars – to young children, a new study suggests Latino families may be at particularly high risk for purchasing the product.
New dashboard estimates number of NC residents eligible for each vaccine phase
February 23, 2021 As North Carolina prepares to enter Phase 3 of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, the North Carolina Institute for Public Health has created a set of dashboards to assist local planning by providing valid population estimates for the phased distribution of the vaccine in the state.
Remembering Joan Gillings, who inspired thousands with her ‘can do, hands on’ approach
February 22, 2021 Joan Gillings passed away on February 18. Her name and her spirit will live on in the Gillings School of Global Public Health. “Joan was a force of nature, a wonderful leader in North Carolina and beyond,” says Dean Barbara K. Rimer.
Gillings researchers receive $4.4M to reduce inequities in heart and lung disease
February 22, 2021 Heart and lung disease are leading causes of illness and death in the United States, and the disease burden is unequal across groups defined by race/ethnicity, sex and/or gender, and socioeconomic status. Numerous programs have been proven to reduce heart disease, but too often they are not put into practice in the communities where they are most needed.
Diggs appointed Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
February 19, 2021 Pam Diggs has been named Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at insurer Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.
Experts report that phthalates impair children’s brain development, call for immediate action
February 18, 2021 In a peer-reviewed article published in the American Journal of Public Health, leading scientists and health professionals identify ortho-phthalates as neurotoxic chemicals that increase children's risks for learning, attention and behavioral disorders. In particular, prenatal exposures to phthalates can contribute to attention problems in children.
Regional variations in gut microbiota could contribute to varying health effects in China
February 18, 2021 Regional factors appear to play a significant role in the diversity of gut microbiota and could predict health effects in certain populations, according to the results of a research collaboration between UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC Charlotte and the National Institute for Nutrition and Health in Beijing, China.
Martinez receives Hanna Gray Fellowship for biomedical research
February 18, 2021 Dr. David Martinez, postdoctoral researcher at the Gillings School, is part of a cohort of 21 early career researchers who were named 2020 Hanna H. Gray Fellows by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Trainings focused on pain coping skills may also reduce depression linked with perceived discrimination among Black patients
February 16, 2021 Black patients are more likely than members of any other racial group to experience discrimination in health care settings — and discrimination has negative effects on mental health. A new study shows that over-the-phone training sessions focused on skills for coping with pain may reduce the association between discrimination experiences and depressive symptoms.