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Epidemiology News Archive

• The Borders of Scientific Communication: Supporting Health Researchers from Developing Countries in Publishing Their Work

  For decades, health researchers from the US and other developed countries have traveled to developing countries, extracted data, and returned home to publish their findings in respected journals. But, with funders like the NIH requiring direct collaboration with in-country researchers, this model has shifted in recent years. To support researchers in developing countries, Ella August, clinical assistant professor of epidemiology, launched the Pre-Publication Support Service (PREPSS), which helps researchers from developing countries prepare their original manuscripts for acceptance to peer-reviewed journals.

  Wed, 16 May 2018 00:00:51 -0400

• Researchers Visit Guatemala to Explore Collaborative Opportunities

  Cervical cancer has a high survivability rate when diagnosed and treated early, but among women of reproductive age in Guatemala, it is the leading cause of cancer-related death. In December, a delegation from the School of Public Health went to Guatemala to learn more about cervical cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment and to explore collaborative opportunities for faculty and students with local and regional institutions.

  Thu, 03 May 2018 00:01:08 -0400

• Low Iron, Vitamin B12 Reserves Linked to Behavior Concerns in Young Boys

  Significant iron deficiency and low blood levels of vitamin B12 in boys around age 8 are associated with behavior problems when they get to middle school, according to new research from Bogotá, Colombia, led by Eduardo Villamor, professor of epidemiology at the School of Public Health.

  Fri, 27 Apr 2018 13:22:07 -0400

• Wealth Loss After 50 Can Be Deadly

  According to a University of Michigan study, adults in their 50s and older who suffer a catastrophic loss of wealth have a 50-percent higher risk of dying than those who do not have such loss. The effect can last for two decades, and whether participants are very wealthy or have only modest savings makes no difference.

  Thu, 05 Apr 2018 16:11:32 -0400

• Mexican Americans With Midlife Stroke May Have Worse Outcomes Than Non-Hispanic Whites

  Mexican Americans with midlife stroke may have significantly worse 90-day outcomes, compared with non-Hispanic whites, according to a study led by Lynda Lisabeth, professor of epidemiology.

  Fri, 09 Mar 2018 13:00:21 -0500

• Rotavirus Transmission Influenced by Temperature, Water Movement

  Climate in the tropics has a larger influence on transmission of the sometime deadly rotavirus than previously shown, University of Michigan researchers have found. Using sophisticated modeling, School of Public Health researchers showed communities that draw water from large, slow-moving or stagnant sources in cooler seasons have more transmission of the virus than those that access free-flowing water.

  Fri, 09 Mar 2018 12:44:25 -0500

• University of Michigan Tops Research Universities for Fulbrights

  University of Michigan faculty scholars received 12 Fulbright grants for the 2017-18 academic year, including three from the School of Public Health--the most of any research university in the nation. The grants fund the scholars' research or teaching overseas for six to 12 months.

  Fri, 23 Feb 2018 15:42:23 -0500

• Women Fare Worse Than Men After a Stroke

  Women tend to have a tougher time recovering from a stroke than men do, though the reasons aren't completely clear, researchers say. Lynda Lisabeth, professor of epidemiology, shares some possible explanations.

  Thu, 08 Feb 2018 16:57:00 -0500

• Researcher Develops Resources to Promote Critical Thinking, Build Professional Skills with Epidemiology Writing Assignments

  Most epidemiology students graduate having mastered the art of the 10-page research paper, but what happens when many of these students enter the workforce and suddenly have to write funding proposals, public health advisories, and even social media posts? Ella August, clinical assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, explores this question in the latest issue of the Journal of Public Health.

  Mon, 05 Feb 2018 16:00:43 -0500

• Four Michigan Public Health Faculty Named Professors of Global Public Health

  In January, the University of Michigan School of Public Health welcomed its second cohort of University of Michigan Professors of Global Health. The professorships, approved by the Board of Regents and effective January 1, and are held for three years.

  Mon, 29 Jan 2018 16:00:00 -0500

• WDIV Interview with Arnold Monto: Inside the Flu Epidemic

  This year's flu season is shaping up to be the worst in years. Arnold Monto, professor of epidemiology, talks to WDIV about the severity of this flu season, vaccine effectiveness and flu treatment.

  Wed, 24 Jan 2018 11:06:02 -0500

• Sioban Harlow Recognized for Excellence in Research

  The University of Michigan School of Public Health has recognized Sioban Harlow, professor of epidemiology and of obstetrics and gynecology, with the 2018 Excellence in Research Award. The annual award recognizes outstanding scholarly or creative activity from Michigan Public Health faculty in basic or applied research that helps fulfill the school's mission.

  Tue, 23 Jan 2018 13:33:56 -0500

• This Flu Season, Don't Forget About Tamiflu

  Despite recent controversies about its effectiveness, clinicians should not forget about using the antiviral Tamiflu to help shorten the course of influenza among patients during the coming flu season. Arnold Monto, MD, professor of epidemiology, talkes to MedPage Today about how antivirals may be more important than ever this flu season with an influenza vaccine that may not be as effective.

  Wed, 17 Jan 2018 17:02:17 -0500

• Dangerous Falls in Middle Age: What's Sight Got to Do with It?

  Falls among middle-aged people are an underreported issue, according to University of Michigan researchers. Now, they're probing the connection between falling and poor vision as a way to prevent injury.

  Fri, 03 Nov 2017 14:31:29 -0400

• Understanding Epigenomics: How Environmental and Social Factors Affect Our Genes' 'Instruction Book'

  Faculty members at Michigan Public Health are leading the way in analyzing environmental and social factors along with epigenetic data to identify people and communities at risk for preventable diseases. Eventually, this research will lay the groundwork for targeted, precision health interventions and policies, social support, and communications that create better health outcomes both for individuals and on a population level.

  Wed, 01 Nov 2017 13:19:35 -0400

• Better targeting in prevention could help curb TB infections in low-income, low-HIV countries

  Treating members of a household known to be infected with tuberculosis could prevent more new cases than screening and treating the community at large, according to an analysis led by Jon Zelner, assistant professor of epidemiology at the School of Public Health.

  Fri, 20 Oct 2017 17:00:37 -0400

• Interactive web tool shows potential impact of tobacco policies

  University of Michigan researchers and the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET) lung consortium have created an interactive Tobacco Control Policy tool geared toward decision-makers and public health professionals.

  Wed, 27 Sep 2017 08:43:16 -0400

• Three Michigan Public Health researchers receive Fulbright awards

  Two School of Public Health faculty and one post-doctoral researcher have received Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards that will take them overseas to do research during the 2017-2018 academic year.

  Thu, 07 Sep 2017 15:27:11 -0400

• Not just hot flashes: Research reveals need to address range of symptoms in midlife women

  When women reach "a certain age" they expect some typical symptoms that signal their journey through menopause. New research led by Sioban Harlow, professor of epidemiology, shows symptoms often cluster, and how they do so can suggest who is at risk for health problems and which women likely will experience healthy aging.

  Thu, 27 Jul 2017 09:05:34 -0400

• Can the new leader of WHO save the agency? Prof. Monto shares his thoughts

  Arnold Monto, professor of Epidemiology, and other public health experts reflect on the election of Former Ethiopian health minister Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as director-general of the WHO.

  Tue, 30 May 2017 16:31:39 -0400

• Can Handling Money Spread Germs?

  Emily Martin, assistant professor of Epidemiology, talks to the Wall Street Journal about the germs that lurk in the nooks and crannies of dollar bills.

  Mon, 22 May 2017 10:15:56 -0400

• Tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in Mexico is expected to reduce obesity, diabetes

  The current 10 percent tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in Mexico should reduce obesity in the country by 2.5 percent by 2024 and prevent up to 134,000 new cases of diabetes by 2030, according to a new study co-led by researchers at the University of Michigan.

  Thu, 18 May 2017 09:47:07 -0400

• Karvonen-Gutierrez receives NIH K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award

  Carrie Karvonen-Gutierrez, assistant professor of Epidemiology and core faculty member in the Center for Midlife Science at the School of Public Health, has been awarded a five-year NIH K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award for her research use of metabolomics for early detection of osteoarthritis risk.

  Thu, 04 May 2017 16:13:15 -0400

• Study: Mexican-Americans Receive Less Intensive Stroke Rehabilitation

  A new pilot study reports that Mexican-American stroke survivors are less likely to receive inpatient rehabilitation than non-Hispanic whites. It's the next step for University of Michigan researchers examining stroke disparities.

  Wed, 03 May 2017 10:12:39 -0400

• Public Health researchers awarded Graham Institute grants for sustainability projects

  Andrew Jones, assistant professor of Nutritional Sciences, received a three-year Transformation Grant from the Graham Sustainability Institute to support his research on the links between diet, human health and environmental change in Kenya and Vietnam. Epidemiology Professor Joseph Eisenberg also received a grant to train faculty and students in Ecuador on research methods to help vulnerable communities devise climate-change adaptation strategies and to share findings with public officials.

  Tue, 02 May 2017 13:37:16 -0400

• Richardson in the Boston Globe: How sarin gas kills you

  "It's a pretty demeaning way to die," said Rudy J. Richardson, a toxicology professor at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health. Your body loses control of a cascading number of voluntary and involuntary bodily functions, setting them into overdrive until your body can't handle it, and then "everything just pretty much shuts down."

  Fri, 07 Apr 2017 08:45:11 -0400

• Obesity in Early Pregnancy May Raise Child's Risk of Epilepsy

  Kids are more likely to develop childhood epilepsy if their mothers were overweight or obese early in pregnancy, according to a new study co-authored by Eduardo Villamor, professor of Epidemiology at the School of Public Health.

  Tue, 04 Apr 2017 10:06:06 -0400

• MLive: Zombies invade University of Michigan in public health drill

  The University of Michigan School of Public Health simulates a public health drill using zombies as a fun way to emphasize public health preparedness.

  Thu, 30 Mar 2017 11:35:00 -0500

• SPH Research: Mom's weight in early pregnancy associated with child's cerebral palsy

  ANN ARBOR--Being overweight or obese during pregnancy increases the chance of having a child with cerebral palsy, according to new research led by the University of Michigan School of Public Health and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.

  Wed, 08 Mar 2017 09:02:08 -0500

• SPH Experts Weigh in on This Year's Flu Vaccine

  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported today that the latest flu vaccine has been effective in preventing this year's viruses and cutting outpatient visits in half.

  Fri, 17 Feb 2017 13:29:31 -0500

• Cutting Salt Provides Health Boost for Kidney Patients

  Encouraging people with kidney disease to reduce their salt intake may help improve blood pressure and cut excess fluid retention, at least for a while, a new University of Michigan study suggests.

  Fri, 17 Feb 2017 13:20:51 -0500

• SPH Partnering on 'Urine as Fertilizer'

  Urine could be the sustainable fertilizer of the future. That's according to University of Michigan researchers who recently opened two unique restroom facilities that will help them test and refine the idea in the nation's largest study of its kind.

  Mon, 06 Feb 2017 16:03:13 -0500

• Examining Women's Bones During Menopause May Help Head Off Fractures

  Michigan Medicine researchers found bones age in very different ways, setting the groundwork for new ways to identify women at risk of bone fractures far in advance.

  Fri, 27 Jan 2017 12:37:05 -0500

• U-M Research: Indigenous Latin Americans prefer cervical cancer self-screening over medical facility exams

  Indigenous Latin American women prefer taking a test for cervical cancer at home by themselves rather than in a medical facility, a study of a Guatemala community shows. Cervical cancer is a disease associated with the human papilloma virus (HPV) that is preventable if detected in time. But it is one of the leading causes of death among women in Latin America, particularly in indigenous communities.

  Tue, 24 Jan 2017 12:15:30 -0500

• U-M Research: Lower premenopausal hormone levels associated with diabetes risk

  Premenopausal women with higher endogenous estradiol levels have a lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes in midlife as they transition through menopause vs. women with lower endogenous estradiol levels, according to an analysis of data from the SWAN study.

  Fri, 20 Jan 2017 15:49:19 -0500

• SPH Partners on New Poverty Solutions Initiative

  One project involves alerting low-income homeowners about an exemption to reduce their high property taxes. Another effort employs health care workers in neighborhoods to help residents take better care of themselves. These are among nine projects funded through new grant programs by Poverty Solutions, a new initiative launched by the University of Michigan to prevent and alleviate poverty.

  Wed, 18 Jan 2017 14:23:47 -0500

• Frenk delivers U-M commencement address, encourages grads to 'raise your sights' in times of change.

  University of Miami president and global health leader Dr. Julio Frenk implored University of Michigan graduates to "raise their sights" as they embark into a world that is undergoing a pivotal moment of change.

  Mon, 19 Dec 2016 11:47:51 -0500

• U-M Kidney Epidemiology and Cost Center: Earlier diagnosis and treatment of chronic kidney disease can improve patient outcomes, says Saran.

  According to an annual data report from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS), hospitalization and mortality rates for patients with chronic kidney disease continue to decline in the U.S.

  Thu, 08 Dec 2016 14:01:17 -0500

• Perceived long-term job insecurity puts pressure on older workers, finds U-M study.

  The long-term threat of getting a pink slip is giving some older workers the blues. Employees believing for multiple decades that they will lose their jobs leads to heightened levels of fear and distress, a new University of Michigan study suggests.

  Thu, 08 Dec 2016 13:57:46 -0500

• Mortality, hospitalization rates continue declining for kidney disease patients, notes Saran.

  Hospitalization and mortality rates for patients with chronic kidney disease continue to decline in the U.S., according to an annual data report from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS). Hospitalization rates among end-stage renal disease patients decreased to 1.7 admissions per patient per year, as compared to 2.1 in 2005, or a reduction of 19%. In addition, mortality rates continue to decrease for dialysis and transplant patients, falling by 32% and 44%, respectively, since 1996.

  Tue, 06 Dec 2016 13:36:37 -0500

• LiveScience: Age of first stroke is getting younger; study by Li and colleagues.

  Strokes are striking people in the U.S. at younger ages, a new study finds.

  Wed, 30 Nov 2016 09:02:08 -0500

• Need a mumps booster? Boulton weighs in on this important disease.

  The Arkansas Department of Health is investigating whether the mumps vaccine is less effective against the type of mumps contracted by hundreds of people during the past three months.

  Mon, 28 Nov 2016 15:14:02 -0500

• CDC Deputy Director Schuchat and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Oshinsky headline 75th anniversary symposium, Nov. 18.

  The University of Michigan School of Public Health celebrates its 75th Anniversary in the 2016-2017 academic year. As part of the celebration, each department in the school has been assigned a month during the academic year to stage special events that mark the anniversary. November 2016 is the month for the Epidemiology Department. We invite you to join us for this special event connecting the "Past, Present, and Future of Epidemiology" on Friday, November 18, 2016.

  Wed, 16 Nov 2016 17:28:52 -0500

• Are cranberries a cure for UTI's? Read Foxman's comments in this NYT article.

  Misconception: Drinking buckets of cranberry juice can cure, and even prevent bladder, infections. Actually: You may enjoy the taste (see: vodka) but it won't cure and, probably, won't prevent recurrence.

  Mon, 31 Oct 2016 08:33:48 -0400

• SPHers present at APHA annual meeting in Denver, Oct. 29-Nov. 2.

  APHA presenters listed below include faculty, staff, and students of UM SPH. Presentations may include non-UM SPH presenters.

  Mon, 31 Oct 2016 08:06:50 -0400

• U-M celebrates World Polio Day: SPH and Rotary partner to light up iconic Rackham Building, October 24, 7-10 pm.

  U-M Celebrates World Polio Day SPH and Rotary partner to light U-M iconic Rackham Building October 24, 2016 6:45 PM - 10:00 PM Lawn area adjacent to Burton Tower and across from Rackham Graduate School Building Sponsored by SPH and Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Contact Information: Terri Mellow, twm@umich.edu Cost: No charge

  Fri, 21 Oct 2016 16:43:48 -0400

• WDIV: Monto offers what to expect from flu season this year. (VIDEO)

  ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Flu cases have started popping up here and there around southeast Michigan. Does that mean we're in for an early flu season? Not necessarily. "I would say by the end of October, beginning of November, we'll know if it's going to be an early season," said Dr. Arnold Monto, from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

  Wed, 19 Oct 2016 09:27:32 -0400

• Michigan Daily: SPH symposium recognizes former dean Ken Warner.

  The University of Michigan School of Public Health held a day-long symposium Monday honoring former dean Ken Warner's work on tobacco control and population health.

  Tue, 11 Oct 2016 11:05:59 -0400

• Poverty: U-M launches initiative aimed at finding solutions.

  The University of Michigan has launched a new initiative to address one of humanity's most critical and seemingly intractable problems: poverty. Called Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan, the initiative will explore and test models to ease the effects of poverty and broadly share that knowledge. The initiative will work with community groups and support active-learning options for students.

  Thu, 06 Oct 2016 08:19:29 -0400

• U-M study: Women who enter menopausal transition early should expect symptoms to persist longer.

  When it comes to their monthly periods, many women might be inclined to say, "Bring on the menopause," once they are through with childbearing, in hopes to be free of periods and worries about pregnancy.

  Wed, 28 Sep 2016 15:55:01 -0400