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Latest news and updates

Latest news and updates

Study suggests warming climate may push rice beyond historical heat thresholds

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Rising temperatures due to global climate change may mean trouble for Asia’s major rice-producing regions. University of Washington researchers, using satellite maps, agricultural records, archaeological data and climate projections, estimate that by the end of this century the land area exceeding these temperature limits could expand to an unprecedented and unsustainable level. Jade d’Alpoim Guedes, an archaeologist, UW associate professor of anthropology and co-author of the study, recently explained what this research means for the future of rice and food…

Gaps in care persist after emergency treatment for behavioral health conditions

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A new UW Medicine study shows that primary care follow-up after emergency department visits for mental health and substance-use conditions remains very low. Analysis of Washington Medicaid data found only 11% to 14% of patients received a related primary care visit within 30 days. The findings highlight persistent gaps in care coordination despite efforts to improve behavioral health access. The study reviewed more than 860,000 claims and found emergency departments often serve as key safety nets for patients without routine…

Study warns of growing tsunami risk as Arctic glaciers retreat

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A new study by researchers from the University of Washington and the University of Calgary details how a landslide‑generated tsunami narrowly missed areas of heavy tourist activity in Alaska’s Tracy Arm Fjord in August 2025, highlighting rising environmental risks linked to climate change. The early‑morning collapse of a mountainside recently exposed by glacial retreat produced a 481‑meter tsunami that stripped vegetation from surrounding slopes but caused no injuries because no vessels were present at the time. The analysis finds that…

Autumn 2023 Tier 1 pilot awardees report final project findings

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The Population Health Initiative awarded 12 Tier 1 pilot grants in autumn 2023 to interdisciplinary teams of University of Washington researchers completing studies on topics like mental health, housing affordability, maternal health and HIV/AIDS. These teams represented eight UW schools and colleges, as well as several community-based partners. The projects have now concluded, and the teams are reporting final findings and outcomes across a range of population health challenges. Highlights from these projects are summarized below:

Spring 2025 Tier 3 pilot awardees report midpoint project updates

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The University of Washington Population Health Initiative awarded four Tier 3 pilot grants in spring 2025 to interdisciplinary teams of population health researchers. The goal of these awards was to support faculty and PI-eligible staff in creating follow-on opportunities for impactful projects that had developed preliminary data or realized proof-of-concept and were seeking to scale their efforts and expand the scope of their work. The funded projects addressed pressing challenges in the areas of youth mental health, opioid use disorder,…

New study links pollinator loss to risks for nutrition and livelihoods

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A new multi‑institution study featuring researchers from the University of Washington finds that the global decline of insect pollinators poses a growing threat to human nutrition, health and livelihoods. The research provides the first detailed evidence linking pollinator loss to reduced crop yields and diminished access to essential nutrients in people’s diets. Working in 10 smallholder farming communities in Nepal, researchers tracked insect pollinators, crop production and family diets over a year, demonstrating that pollinators directly support both nutrition and…

Winter 2024 Tier 2 pilot grant awardees share their final project findings

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The UW Population Health Initiative awarded six Tier 2 pilot grants in winter 2024 to interdisciplinary teams of University of Washington researchers seeking to generate preliminary data or establish proof of concept needed to pursue follow-on funding and scale their research efforts. These projects brought together researchers from seven different UW schools and colleges, along with several community-based partners, to address topics ranging from improving the well-being of service providers and children to enhancing the management of chronic conditions. Having…

Awardees of autumn 2024 Tier 1 pilot research grants report final project outcomes

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The Population Health Initiative awarded 14 $25,000 Tier 1 pilot grants in autumn quarter 2024 to interdisciplinary University of Washington research teams to investigate pressing population health challenges. These projects span a wide range of priority areas, including health equity, behavioral health, clinical care access and community-engaged research. The purpose of Tier 1 pilot grants is to support researchers in laying an interdisciplinary foundation for future work and generating proof-of-concept findings. The funded projects have made meaningful progress, advancing early-stage…

Initiative jointly funds spring 2026 Innovation Gap Fund project with CoMotion

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Pouring water into glass on a blue background

The University of Washington Population Health Initiative, in partnership with CoMotion, has announced the joint award of a $75,000 Innovation Gap Fund grant to a research team led by Mari Winkler, associate professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering. This funding will support TheraT, a project that advances the University of Washington’s vision of improving population health while also aligning with the CoMotion Innovation Fund’s goal of enabling research with sustainable commercial or social impact. TheraT is developing a drinkable hydrogel…

Study finds unsecured firearms more common in homes of older adults with cognitive decline

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A new University of Washington–led study finds that older adults experiencing cognitive decline that interferes with daily activities are more likely to live in homes with unsecured firearms. The research analyzed survey data from nearly 4,500 adults age 65 and older across seven U.S. states. About one‑third of respondents reported having a firearm in or around the home, with ownership rates similar among those with and without cognitive symptoms. However, individuals whose confusion or memory loss affected daily activities were…