Study warns of growing tsunami risk as Arctic glaciers retreat

Posted on August 18, 2026

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

Posted on August 12, 2026August 12, 2026

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:

New study links pollinator loss to risks for nutrition and livelihoods

Posted on July 28, 2026

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

Posted on July 21, 2026July 22, 2026

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

Posted on July 14, 2026

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

Posted on July 7, 2026

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

Posted on June 24, 2026

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…

Initiative announces awardees of spring quarter 2026 Tier 3 pilot research grants

Posted on June 8, 2026

The University of Washington Population Health Initiative has announced the award of two Tier 3 pilot grants to interdisciplinary teams of UW population health researchers. This round of awards includes researchers from four UW schools and colleges—Arts & Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Public Health—as well as several community-based partners. The total value of this funding round is approximately $335,000. “These projects exemplify the kind of innovative, collaborative work needed to improve population health,” said Ali H. Mokdad, the university’s chief…

Winning papers announced for 2026 Population Health Library Research Awards

Posted on June 3, 2026

Four University of Washington undergraduates have been selected as recipients of the 2026 Population Health Library Research Awards, the Population Health Initiative announced today, recognizing their exceptional academic research. Established in 2017, the Population Health Library Research Award program is a collaboration between the Population Health Initiative and the University of Washington Libraries. It is open to undergraduate students across all three UW campuses, with eligible projects completed either for academic course credit or through the Undergraduate Research Program. Award…