February 19, 2021
Individuals with spinal cord injury regain hand and arm function with new treatment
A new treatment developed by researchers from the University of Washington Center for Neurotechnology has helped individuals with spinal cord injuries recover hand and arm mobility. The treatment combines traditional physical therapy with a non-invasive method of stimulating nerve cells in the spinal cord. Findings show that research study participants recovered hand and arm function for…
February 17, 2021
Study finds sexual harassment claims seen as more credible if made by ‘prototypical’ women
A new UW-led study finds that women who are viewed as “conventionally attractive” and act feminine are viewed as more credible when making accusations of sexual harassment than those who do not fit the prototype. The study was inspired by the #MeToo movement, prompting the researchers to investigate the notion of credibility and its implications…
February 11, 2021
Nominate “unsung heroes” in population health for recognition in the Hans Rosling Center
The University of Washington has announced an exciting opportunity to recognize and celebrate a diverse array of leaders in population health through the honorific naming of 18 spaces – including classrooms, meeting spaces and terraces – in and around the university’s new Hans Rosling Center for Population Health. Nominations of individuals or teams who should…
February 10, 2021
UW research team works to detect COVID-19 in wastewater
A team of University of Washington researchers are examining wastewater samples to identify and monitor COVID-19 infections on a community level. By measuring the amount of viral RNA and comparing it to the number of molecules usually present in human waste, researchers can determine the approximate percentage of people with COVID-19 in a community. The…
February 9, 2021
Initiative-funded COVID-19 rapid response grantees report final results
The University of Washington Population Health Initiative funded 21 COVID-19 rapid response grants to faculty-led teams in April 2020. Since April, the interdisciplinary project teams have made significant progress towards understanding and mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 on multiple facets of life. The projects are now closing out, and highlights of each one are shared…
February 4, 2021
Utilizing community pharmacists to provide a coordinated response to epilepsy care
Epilepsy is among the most common neurological diseases, affecting an estimated 50 million people worldwide. Within Washington state, approximately 75,000 live with epilepsy. Though treatments exist, epilepsy care is often fragmented and uncoordinated. This directly impacts individual and population health outcomes, leading to significant health and socioeconomic disparities. In recognition of this critical population health…
February 3, 2021
Spring course seeks improvements to population health via social entrepreneurship
The Population Health Initiative is partnering with the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance and the Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship to offer a five-credit undergraduate course, “Improving Population Health through Social Entrepreneurship,” in spring quarter 2021. The course will support students in developing a fundamental understanding of social innovation and the role that social…
February 1, 2021
New research finds COVID-19 increases mortality rate among pregnant women
Findings from a University of Washington-led study demonstrate that COVID-19 increases the mortality rate among pregnant women, marking pregnant women as a high-risk and vulnerable group. Researchers from the UW School of Medicine found the mortality rate for pregnant mothers infected with COVID-10 was 13 times higher than those who were not pregnant. The study…
January 29, 2021
More rigorous fisheries management measures lead to healthier fish populations
A new study led by Michael Melnychuk of the UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences confirms that greater investment in fisheries management systems leads to better outcomes for fish populations. Melnychuk and a team of international researchers analyzed the management practices of nearly 300 fish populations. Utilizing an international database on the status of…
January 27, 2021
Research reveals how a neighborhood impacts risk of getting COVID-19
New research from the University of Washington Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences examines how geography, income and race influence the likelihood that people in King County test positive for COVID-19. The study reveals that 89% of neighborhoods with the highest COVID-19 rates had a greater proportion of people of color than the overall…