SPH in the News

Professor Craig Spencer writes that Americans have been too quick to condemn the field of public health, overlooking its massive achievements in the 1900s and also during the recent pandemic.

Nearly a decade into going mainstream, a grass-roots movement’s message has gotten lost in a marketing frenzy and a rush for drugs to lose weight.

For more than 14 million people in the US, cannabis use disorder is a major life disruption. Professor Jane Metrik says a new drug to help reduce use shows promise.

Professor of epidemiology Erica Walker weighed in for this comprehensive article for the New York Times.

Professor of epidemiology Joe Braun discusses his study about the low birth rate effects of toxic PFAS “forever chemicals.”

Where does COVID-19 fall among the deadliest viruses of all time? Professor Jennifer Nuzzo breaks down the ways we measure the danger of a virus, as well as the factors that made COVID different from previous outbreaks.

Professor Beth Cameron writes that Americans should be worried—and hopeful—that the Biden administration has announced the end of the Covid-19 public health emergency.

Professor Alexandra Collins is studying Rhode Island’s local drug supply and the risks posed by the addition of the animal tranquilizer Xylazine.

Pilot Projects Include Narrating Climate Futures, Supporting Infodemics Managers and Building Hyperlocal Models for Health Communication

Professor of health services, policy and practice David Meyers weighs in on the differences in patient experience between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

The American Public Health Association Meeting and Expo, November 6 - 9, 2022

Rhode Island's mobile methadone vans are the first of their type in the US. Dr. Francesca Beaudoin says they're an effective way to increase access to necessary medication, especially for those without housing or transportation.

The Brown School of Public Health launches a new center dedicated to studying and preparing for pandemics.

On the Rhode Island Report podcast, Professor Claire Wardle says she remains hopeful that younger generations will figure out how to cut through the conspiracy theories, doctored photos, and lies.

A study by Brown researchers and colleagues estimates that the COVID-19 deaths of 1,464 Montanans—about 1 in 3—could have been prevented if every eligible adult had been vaccinated. “Montana is a very good example of a state that has seen consistent under-vaccination, and as a result, every third life could have been saved,” said study co-author Professor Stefanie Friedhoff.

“Every country, whether they have a case or not, is stepping up to do the things that are necessary for containment: vaccinating populations at risk, making testing widely available, investing in therapeutics,” says William Goedel, an epidemiologist and assistant professor at the Brown University School of Public Health

In this opinion piece, Professor of Epidemiology Jennifer Nuzzo weighed in on some of the questions New York Times readers have on how to navigate this phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Assistant Professor of Epidemiology William Goedel offered commentary on how state and city governments are trying to spread awareness of monkeypox while avoiding stigmas.

“A lot of people have been asking about vaccine hesitancy, because of COVID, and that’s not what we’re seeing at all,” Amy Nunn told 12 News. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand for this service.”

The health effects of chemical pollutants called “forever chemicals” are becoming indisputable, says epidemiologist Joseph Braun.

Assistant Professor of Epidemiology Erica D. Walker, founder of Brown Community Noise Lab, discusses how traffic noise exposure can be harmful to people's health.

Professor of epidemiology David Savitz offered commentary on veterans' exposure to chemicals in bases where burn pits were used.

A companion is a surrogate family member — news-provider, anxiety-reducer, FaceTime operating system-fixer, an eyes and ears to daily life. Their presence relieves loneliness and depression, as lethal as other chronic health conditions, says the study’s author, Jennifer Nazareno, assistant professor at Brown University School of Public Health.

Assistant Professor of Health Services Policy and Practice Alyssa Bilinski discussed how rapid tests are an effective tool to combat the spread of Covid-19.

Despite astronomical suicide attempt rates among the trans community, a slew of anti-trans legislation has been proposed across the US. Researchers, including Professor Jackie White Hughto, say that banning gender-affirming medical care for kids and teens will have dire consequences.

Jennifer Nuzzo on how lessons from the COVID response could help us contain monkeypox.

Senior Director of Content, Strategy and Public Affairs at the School of Public Health Stefanie Friedhoff offered commentary on Novavax's new protein-based COVID-19 vaccine.

It’s important to ask questions that go beyond basics, says Dr. Vincent Mor, professor of health services policy at the Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research at Brown University School of Public Health.

Professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice Amal Trivedi led a study that investigated outcomes of veterans who received disability benefits compared with veterans who did not qualify for them.

“Overall, the people who’ve been coming through with Covid are much, much less sick than they were even this winter,” said Dr. Megan Ranney, an emergency physician at Brown University. “It feels like almost a different disease for folks, with the exception of people who are really old, who are unvaccinated or who are immunosuppressed.”

"When responding to a pandemic, assisted living communities need their own preparedness plans," says Kali Thomas. "The guidance that's provided for nursing homes needs to be tailored specifically to this population."

“We felt a lot of the clinical factors were being addressed, but we wanted to get in on the ground floor and make a difference in what we thought was going to be a very pressing public health problem,” Francesca Beaudoin, MD, PhD, told The Nation’s Health.

“Although the reported number of cases in the U.S. is now over 100,000 per day, the real number is clearly orders of magnitude higher,” Brown University School of Public Health epidemiologist Mark Lurie told The Journal. “We are clearly experiencing the next wave; who among us doesn't know multiple people who have been infected during this wave?”

Associate Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences Eric B. Loucks describes the two steps to get a person started in mindfulness: focused attention and open monitoring.

As fatal overdoses reach a record high, Rhode Island becomes the first state in the country to legalize harm reduction centers, where people can use illicit drugs under the supervision of trained staff. Rhode Island PBS Weekly speaks to Brandon Marshall about how these centers work.

How does a set of misleading videos online turn into a dangerous health crisis... all in the span of three days? Claire Wardle discusses the real life consequences of misinformation online.

Dr. Jha, the new White House coronavirus response coordinator, has built a reputation as a gifted communicator, but there is much more to the job.

In the US, 73 percent of white Americans owned a home in 2019, compared to 42 percent of Black Americans. But in Rhode Island, 62 percent of all residents owned a home in 2019, compared to just 34 percent of Black Rhode Islanders.

“The paradigms around willpower don’t work,” said Dr. Judson Brewer, an associate professor in behavioral and social sciences at the Brown University School of Public Health who has studied mindful eating practices. “You have to start by knowing how your mind works.”

The findings about the causes and characteristics of overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic may be used to inform policies that could lower death rates even after COVID-19 is under control.

Do the hospitals near you require staff vaccinations? Help us track hospitals’ decisions on vaccine mandates.

Facilities that serve single types of skilled nursing patients —and a payment system that differentiates and reimburses accordingly—would improve care for seniors and benefit providers, according to preeminent long-term care researcher Vincent Mor, professor of health services, policy and practice.

A team of researchers in the Center for Gerontology & Healthcare Research has identified the factors that put nursing home residents at highest risk of dying from COVID-19. The study informs prevention practices and provides insight on ways to reduce fatality rates in this vulnerable population.

Brown University’s Graduate Student Council and Counseling and Psychological Services are collaborating on new programming to address graduate student mental health needs.

A research team led by Brandon Marshall, an associate professor of epidemiology at Brown University's School of Public Health, found a 25 percent increase in fatal opioid overdoses after periods of freezing temperatures compared to days with an average temperature of 52 degrees. One possibility is that opioid use and exposure to cold weather could combine to create a negative biological effect, said William Goedel, a doctoral student at the School of Public Health, who spearheaded the analysis.