Redefining what is meant by ultra-processed foods

Posted on October 7, 2026

A recent report from the University of Washington offered a more practical and operational definition of ultra-processed foods was developed by a panel of experts in nutrition, food science, policy and legal fields. The lack of a clear definition of what an ultra-processed food is has made it difficult to regulate on a legislative level and continues to create confusion for people evaluating their own diets. Co-chaired by Jim Krieger, clinical professor emeritus of health systems and population health at…

Autumn 2025 pilot awardees report progress in their projects

Posted on September 29, 2026

The University of Washington Population Health Initiative awarded eight, $25,000 Tier 1 pilot grants to interdisciplinary teams of UW researchers in autumn 2025. Together, these teams represent 10 UW schools and colleges, along with several community-based partners, and are pursuing projects in areas such as child health, mental health and engagement with nature. The goal of the Initiative’s Tier 1 grants is to help researchers build an interdisciplinary foundation for future proof-of-concept projects. Since receiving their awards, each team has…

University of Washington Applied Research Fellowship team publishes findings on access disparities in King County parks

Posted on September 22, 2026September 28, 2026

The 2025 Population Health Initiative Applied Research Fellowship Project (ARFP) team recently published their spatial analysis findings on access disparities in King County parks in Case Studies in the Environment. The project team, which consisted of three University of Washington graduate students and two undergraduate students, was led by Jessica Godwin, a research scientist with the UW Center for Studies in Demography & Ecology. The 10-week project was in collaboration with stakeholders from King County Parks and the King County…

Summer 2026 Social Entrepreneurship Fellows develop strategic roadmaps for UW innovations

Posted on September 16, 2026

The Population Health Initiative’s Summer 2026 Social Entrepreneurship Fellows Program concluded in August with a showcase in which fellows presented their findings to students, faculty and staff from schools and colleges across the University of Washington. Over 10 weeks, the fellows worked on population health innovations developed by UW researchers, evaluating pathways to financial sustainability while maximizing societal impact. Developed by the Population Health Initiative in partnership with the Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship and CoMotion, the Social Entrepreneurship Fellows Program…

Twelve new members named to the Population Health Initiative executive council

Posted on September 10, 2026

President Robert J. Jones has named 12 new representatives to the 30-member University of Washington Population Health Initiative executive council. The council serves as the internal governing body for the Population Health Initiative. The 12 representatives who are beginning their terms during the 2026-27 Academic Year are: Audrey Dorélien, associate professor of Sociology, College of Arts & Sciences Victoria Fang, clinical professor of Medicine, School of Medicine Katherine Foster, associate professor of Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences Barbara Goff,…

Study suggests warming climate may push rice beyond historical heat thresholds

Posted on September 2, 2026

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

Posted on August 26, 2026

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

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: