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Idaho attorney general asks US Supreme Court to allow ban of gender affirming care for minors | KREM

February 21, 2024

Idaho's attorney general is asking the highest court in the U.S. to allow the state to ban gender affirming care for minors. Diana Tordoff, a doctoral student in epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


Philadelphia health officials are tracking a measles outbreak: What to know | ABC News

January 9, 2024

The city health department said there were eight confirmed cases as of Monday. The UW's Dr. Indi Trehan, associate professor of pediatrics in the School of Medicine and adjunct associate professor of global health and epidemiology, is quoted. This story is written by Dr. Angela Zhang, a pediatric resident in the UW School of Medicine.


Traffic exhaust could increase blood pressure, UW study finds | The Seattle Times

December 1, 2023

Even brief exposure to highway pollution could cause significant increases in blood pressure, a new study from the UW has found, adding to a growing body of work correlating vehicle exhaust with negative health outcomes. Dr. Joel Kaufman, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences, of epidemiology and of medicine, is quoted.


Does your commute give you high blood pressure? It might be the traffic pollution | NBC News

December 1, 2023

A new study provides some evidence that suggests sitting in traffic could help trigger medical conditions such as heart attacks and strokes, though more research is needed to establish clear links. Dr. Joel Kaufman, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences, of epidemiology and of medicine, is quoted.


Air pollution can cause an increase in blood pressure | KNKX

November 30, 2023

A new study from researchers at the UW finds that air pollution on the roadway causes an increase in travelers blood pressure. Dr. Joel Kaufman, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences, of epidemiology and of medicine, is quoted.


Like a high-sodium diet: traffic pollution can cause rise in blood pressure study | The Guardian

November 30, 2023

Study finds the spike in blood pressure can last up to 24 hours and may contribute to cardiovascular problems. Dr. Joel Kaufman, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences, of epidemiology and of medicine, is quoted.


Rush-hour traffic in Seattle increases blood pressure, but not for the reason you think | KUOW

November 29, 2023

A new study suggests that ultrafine particles circulating on and near congested freeways a toxic mixture of exhaust from tailpipes, brake and tire wear, and road dust increases blood pressure, which could lead to other health problems. Dr. Joel Kaufman, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences, of epidemiology and of medicine, is quoted.


Traffic pollution has an immediate impact on blood pressure | Earth.com

November 29, 2023

A study from the UW offers new insights into the health risks associated with air pollution from congested city roadways. The findings reveal the direct impact of traffic pollution on blood pressure. Dr. Joel Kaufman, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences, of epidemiology and of medicine, is quoted.


Sitting in traffic triggers a blood pressure surge that lasts 24 hours | New Atlas

November 28, 2023

Inching forward bumper to bumper on a highway when youre on the way to an appointment, or worse, the airport, is enough to spike anyones blood pressure. But researchers have found that a blood pressure surge occurs independent of external stressors, and it could be due to the poor air flowing into the car from surrounding traffic. Dr. Joel Kaufman, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences, of epidemiology and of medicine, is quoted.


Surprisingly large effects from breathing traffic fumes inside your car | Newsweek

November 28, 2023

Both short- and long-term exposure to air pollution have been linked to a wide range of diseases, including strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, diabetes, obesity and even Alzheimer's, according to the World Health Organization. Dr. Joel Kaufman, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences, of epidemiology and of medicine, is quoted.


Supreme Courts devotion to gun rights faces a challenging test | The New York Times

November 6, 2023

The justices will hear arguments on Tuesday on whether the government can disarm people subject to restraining orders for domestic abuse. Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, professor of epidemiology at the UW, is mentioned.


More Washington kids get the measles vaccine, thanks to a rule change | KUOW

August 30, 2023

More school kids in Washington state have been getting vaccinated against measles. Thats because, after measles outbreaks in 2019 including a major one in the Portland/Vancouver area legislators tightened who could opt out of the shots. Julia Bennett, doctoral student in epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


A vending machine in Seattle that dispenses the morning-after pill | KUOW

August 3, 2023

Theres a new kind of vending machine on the UW campus. It sells pregnancy tests, tampons, tylenol and the morning-after pill for $12.60, packaged in purple and white boxes. Taylor Riley, doctoral student in epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


Mass shooting rates by US state | NBC News

July 27, 2023

Washington, D.C., and Louisiana had the highest rates of mass shootings per capita from 2014 to 2022, while Hawaii and North Dakota were the only two with zero. Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


Rise of emergency contraception vending machines on college campuses | USA Today

July 24, 2023

At least 39 colleges and universities across 17 states have implemented emergency contraception vending machines on their campuses, including in some places that have largely banned or restricted abortion access. This move is gaining steam in schools located in or near contraceptive deserts areas that lack reasonable access to health centers.Meghan Eagen-Torkko, associate professor of nursing at UW Bothell, and Taylor Riley, doctoral student in epidemiology at the UW, are quoted.


US gun violence rates at historic highs ahead of July 4th holiday | USA Today

June 29, 2023

The U.S. witnessed five mass shootings each Independence Day on average over the past decade more than on any other day of the year. In that time, there have been more than 50 shootings in which four or more people were hit by gunfire on July 4th, according to an analysis of Gun Violence Archive data by researcher James Alan Fox of Northeastern University in Boston. Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, professor of epidemiology at the UW, is referenced.


Rise in fatal shootings in Seattle prompts new police task force | Axios Seattle

June 26, 2023

Fatal shootings in Seattle are up 20% year over year, with 18 people dead of gunshot wounds in the first five months of 2023 compared to 15 deaths during the same period last year. Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


Plan B to land in vending machines on WA college campuses | The Seattle Times

June 21, 2023

On the first floor of the University of Washingtons main undergraduate library, one vending machine stands out. Instead of bags of chips and candy, the shelves are stocked with emergency contraception, pregnancy tests and over-the-counter pain medications.Taylor Riley, doctoral student in epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


This man created our best chance of stopping the next pandemic but now he is under attack - why? | The Telegraph

June 14, 2023

A database holding the genetic codes to the world's most deadly viruses has fallen victim to petty jealousies and institutional squabbling. Trevor Bedford, affiliate associate professor of genome sciences and of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


Plan B vending machines becoming college campus staples | Axios Seattle

June 5, 2023

College campuses nationwide are installing vending machines to distribute emergency contraception such as Plan B. The UW is mentioned and Taylor Riley, doctoral student in epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


New research project aims to reduce asthma cases in Duwamish valley | KUOW

June 1, 2023

Asthma is nearly four times more common among children in Seattle's Duwamish valley than in the rest of King County. A new research project aims to close that gap. Anjum Hajat, associate professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


Should we think of gun violence as a 'disease'? These epidemiologists do | KUOW

May 11, 2023

Epidemiologists study diseases the ways they spread and how we can combat them. Its all in the interest of protecting public health. Now, more epidemiologists will be studying the many health impacts of gun violence. The UW's Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, professor of epidemiology, and Julia Schleimer, doctoral student of epidemiology, are quoted.


End of COVID emergency highlights US weakness in tracking outbreaks | The Washington Post

May 9, 2023

When the COVID public health emergency ends May 11, American labs, hospitals and state health departments will likely report less comprehensive data to the CDC. That will make it more difficult for the agency to protect Americans. David Fleming, clinical associate professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


Seattle's soda tax reduces soda consumption | KUOW

May 3, 2023

A new Seattle audit shows the costs and health benefits of the city's soda tax. Soda consumption by lower income families did go down after the Seattle tax went into effect, but it also went down in nearby cities that do not have the tax. Jessica Jones-Smith, associate professor of epidemiology and of health systems and population health at the UW, is quoted.


UW researchers say their prevention program could reduce gun violence deaths in children | ABC News

April 13, 2023

A group of researchers led by Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, professor of epidemiology at the UW, think their community-based prevention program could help reduce the number of kids who die from gun violence. Their work can be implemented by community members not lawmakers. Margaret Kuklinski, associate professor of social work and co-author of the research paper, is quoted.


Dianne Feinstein's shingles diagnosis What to know about the rash caused by a virus | Fox News

March 10, 2023

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the oldest sitting member of the Senate, is reportedly recovering at home after a recent hospitalization secondary to the viral infection called shingles.Roughly one out of every three people in the U.S. will develop shingles in their lifetime, according to the CDC.Dr. Anna Wald, professor of medicine, epidemiology and laboratory medicine and pathology at the UW, is quoted.


What is the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Washington? | KING 5

March 8, 2023

The last mask mandate is set to end in less than a month for those in Washingtons health care facilities. It comes as health officials say COVID-19 rates are continuing to decline, and the federal government prepares to end its pandemic response declaration this May. So where do things stand now with the virus in Washington and can we let our guard down? It's a question on many people's minds as the pandemics impacts evolve locally.Gerard Cangelosi, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.


Lupus, RA tied to higher risk for adverse obstetric, birth outcomes | HealthDay

February 24, 2023

Women with rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus and their infants experience higher rates of adverse obstetric and birth outcomes, according to a study published in Arthritis Care & Research. Dr. Namrata Singh, assistant professor of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.


Herpes can be devastating but treatment and testing remain scant | The New York Times

February 21, 2023

Herpes is extremely common: The World Health Organization estimates that 3.7 billion people live with HSV-1, some oral and some genital. And cases where HSV-1 spreads to the genitals during oral sex have sharply increased over the past two decades. Dr. Anna Wald, professor of medicine, epidemiology and laboratory medicine and pathology at the UW, is quoted. Dr. Christine Johnston, an associate professor of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is mentioned.


Lower your risk for dementia by spending time in nature | The Washington Post

February 2, 2023

Spending time in nature even as little as two hours a week has been linked to several health benefits. It seems to support healthy aging and has been associated with, among other things, improved cognitive function, blood pressure, mental health and sleep. Now, a study of nearly 62 million Medicare beneficiaries suggests that nature may also help protect against the risk of developing certain neurodegenerative disorders. Anjum Hajat, associate professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


Almost 8,000 US shootings attributed to unseasonable heat study | The Guardian

December 16, 2022

Almost 8,000 shootings in US cities in recent years were attributable to unseasonably warm temperatures, according to a new study. The researchers said the work suggested the climate crisis could be contributing to increased gun violence by pushing temperatures beyond the normal ranges. Shootings were already known to peak in summer, when people are outside more and when heat can increase aggression. But the new research took account of the season and showed that above average temperatures at any time of year increased the risk of shootings. Vivian Lyons, a graduate student in epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


Gender-affirming care tied to improved mental health | Discover Magazine

December 12, 2022

In late 2021 and early 2022, several studies dug deep into the mental health benefits of gender-affirming care and found that these treatments greatly reduce depression and suicidal thoughts in trans teens and young adults. Its well known that this population is particularly vulnerable to mental health issues. In fact, LGBTQ youth are more than four times as likely as their peers to attempt suicide, and trans and nonbinary youth are the most vulnerable within this community, according to a national survey of nearly 34,000 LGBTQ youth by the nonprofit Trevor Project. Thats why medical professionals and scientists have argued that supporting such care would be lifesaving, benefitting the health and wellbeing of thousands of trans youth. Diana Tordoff, a doctoral student in epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


How to get connected and fight food insecurity | The Seattle Medium

December 8, 2022

With the holidays and the new year ahead, you may be looking for ways to help in a meaningful way. Relieving food insecurity, especially because of the recent inflation and economic recession, is one major area you can contribute. According to a survey done by the Urban Institute, 21.4% of adults in the United States reported not having reliable access to affordable food within the last 30 days in June 2022. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in October reported that food prices in the Seattle area have risen 11.5% over the last year. Marie Spiker, assistant professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


No, COVID is not 'airborne AIDS' but what it does to your immune system is still scary | Salon

December 2, 2022

From a biological standpoint, it's remarkable how an unassuming virus like SARS-CoV-2 conquered the globe. In just three years, it's caused roughly 640 million COVID infections internationally, according to the World Health Organization, although this is almost certainly a stark underestimate. Arjee Restar, assistant professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


Young kids who breathe polluted air in high-poverty areas can fall behind in school, study finds | The Washington Post

November 30, 2022

Young children living in neighborhoods with high rates of poverty are more likely to be exposed to many different air pollutants, and that can harm their development during early childhood, according to a study published Tuesday. The childrens increased exposure to air toxins during infancy can reduce reading and math abilities and cause them to fall behind for some, the effect is equivalent to losing an entire month of elementary school. UW's Dr. Catherine Karr, professor of pediatrics and environmental and occupational health sciences in the UW School of Medicine; and Anjum Hajat, associate professor of epidemiology, are quoted.


Handgun owners carrying daily in US doubled in 4 years; self-protection cited as main reason: study | Fox News

November 28, 2022

Twice the number of Americans were carrying handguns daily in 2019 compared to 2015, according to a new study published this month. Around 6,000 gun owners carried handguns every day in 2019, up from 3,000 in 2015, according to a study from the American Journal of Public Health. The number of respondents to the online survey who said they had carried a gun in the last month also nearly doubled, from 9 million to 16 million. Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


Six million Americans carried guns daily in 2019, twice as many as in 2015 | The Guardian

November 28, 2022

An estimated 6 million American adults carried a loaded handgun with them daily in 2019, double the number who said they carried a gun every day in 2015, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Public Health. Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


Number of people carrying handguns doubles in 4 years | Axios Seattle

November 21, 2022

The number of U.S. adult handgun owners carrying a loaded weapon almost doubled in a four-year period, according to a new study by the University of Washington. Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


Number of Americans carrying handguns on their person doubled | KNKX

November 18, 2022

In 2019, roughly 6 million Americans carried a handgun on their person every day. That's an estimate from a new study in the American Journal of Public Health, and it's double the estimate in 2015. Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, professor of epidemiology at the UW, is interviewed.


New numbers from University of Washington show more adults carrying handguns daily | KIRO 7

November 17, 2022

A study from the University of Washington shows that the number of adult handgun owners in the U.S. who carried a loaded gun doubled from 2015 to 2019. The study also found that states with less restrictive carrying regulations had a larger proportion of handgun owners who carried guns. In those states, about one-third of gun owners reported carrying in the past month, while in states with more restrictive regulations, only about one-fifth did.


'Untreatable' STD superbug that causes infertility and miscarriage is a 'silent spreader' | The Mirror

September 29, 2022

A new "silent-spreader" sexually transmitted disease which can cause infertility is feared to be evolving into a possible 'superbug'. Scientists are worried that mycoplasma genitalium also known as M. genitalium or M. gen. has so far proven to be resistant to antibiotics, with the medical community calling for more screenings for the disease. Lisa Manhart, a professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


Doctors urge more research into little-known STI linked to infertility in men and women | NBC News

September 26, 2022

Doctors are urging more research into a little-known sexually transmitted infection that may be more common than thought. Lisa Manhart, a professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


Like humans, a dog's odds for dementia rises with age | HealthDay

August 29, 2022

Much like humans, dogs can develop dementia as they age and that risk climbs by half with every extra year of life in a dog's golden years, new research shows. Sarah Yarborough, research scientist of epidemiology at the UW, is referenced.


Dog dementia risk increases 52% annually after age of 10 | New York Post

August 26, 2022

Dogs older than 10 are at risk of developing a neurodegenerative condition called Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, also known as doggy dementia, a new study reveals. Sarah Yarborough, research scientist of epidemiology at the UW, is referenced.


Dementia will affect most dogs if they live long enough | Earth.com

August 25, 2022

As dogs age, their brains undergo decline, just as happens with humans. This can lead to the condition known as canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD), which is characterized by changes in awareness and behaviour, and a gradual loss in the ability to remember or learn new things. It is a common disorder among senior dogs, with around one out of every three dogs over the age of 11 showing at least one clinical sign of the condition. By the age of 16, almost all dogs suffer from aspects of this doggy dementia. Sarah Yarborough, research scientist of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


Dogs risk of dementia increases by half every year | National Geographic

August 25, 2022

Memory loss and cognitive decline are common enough for aging dogs, just as they are for humans. But in extreme cases, scientists say, dogs can experience something called canine cognitive dysfunction, or CCD for short. Other symptoms can include disrupted sleeping patterns, loss of spatial awareness, and new and unusual behaviors. Sarah Yarborough, research scientist of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


Will your dog get dementia? A large new study offers clues | The New York Times

August 25, 2022

The risk of canine cognitive dysfunction, a.k.a. doggy dementia, is far greater in dogs who dont get enough exercise, researchers found. Their risk factors echo some in humans, whose homes they share. Annette Fitzpatrick, research professor of epidemiology, of family medicine and of global health at the UW, is quoted.


New study finds sweetened beverage tax benefits low-income households | Northwest News Radio

August 24, 2022

Five years after Seattle passed a tax on sweetened beverages, research finds lower income households are benefitting from the tax. A study from the UW is referenced.


COVID-19 trends haven't budged for weeks, and no one knows what's next | CNN

August 10, 2022

The United States seems to have hit a COVID-19 plateau, with more than 40,000 people hospitalized and more than 400 deaths a day consistently over the past month or so. It's a dramatic improvement from this winter -- there were four times as many hospitalizations and nearly six times as many deaths at the peak of the first Omicron wave -- but still stubbornly high numbers. Trevor Bedford, affiliate associate professor of genome sciences and of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.


Study underscores that exposure to air pollution harms brain development in the very young | Inside Climate News

August 8, 2022

For years, researchers have known that air pollution can worsen such respiratory conditions as asthma in children. But a recently released study has shed new light on how exposure to airborne pollutants can also affect the developing brains of the very young. Yu Ni, UW postdoctoral researcher in epidemiology, and Catherine Karr, professor of pediatrics at the UW School of Medicine, are quoted.


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