In the News
Dr. Helen Chu: CDC vaccine panel purge threatens public health | Northwest Asian Weekly
A leading infectious disease expert and one of the nation’s foremost COVID-19 researchers has voiced deep concerns about the recent overhaul of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Following her abrupt removal from the panel on June 9, Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, fears that the new members, many of whom have a history of anti-vaccine rhetoric, could undermine the integrity of U.S. vaccine policy and public health guidance at a critical moment.
RFK Jr. fires ‘Washingtonian of the year’ from CDC vaccine panel | The Seattle Times
Many vaccine scientists and researchers are still in disbelief over how quickly the future of their field has shifted in the last week. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
WA doctor among those fired in RFK Jr.’s purge of vaccine panel | Washington State Standard
Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, a leading voice in the COVID-19 pandemic, said she’s worried about where the panel will head from here.
The HHS transformation | POLITICO
In his first few months on the job, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has moved to upend the people and processes that have guided decision-making about vaccines. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
RFK Jr's vaccine panel overhaul sparks chaos, uncertainty about access | The Washington Post
Staff who provide data to the vaccine panel have been pushed aside, according to health officials, raising doubts about the availability of coronavirus and other vaccines. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
The ACIP fallout | POLITICO
Days after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. purged the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s panel of vaccine experts and appointed eight replacements, officials are bracing for the impact on vaccination access and public health. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
Vance, Rubio peddle fiction that 88% of foreign aid doesn’t go overseas | The Washington Post
The vice president and secretary of state twist a statistic issued under the Biden administration — and pretend it’s new. Dr. Steve Gloyd, professor of global health and health systems and population health, and adjunct professor of epidemiology and family medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
'Brain drain' begins at UW as researchers consider moving abroad | KUOW
The UW is facing the prospect that hundreds of millions of dollars in expected federal grants will not come this year. Longstanding research dollars have become tenuous and American scientists are feeling undervalued. For some, a future abroad seems more stable and certain.Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is mentioned.
Q&A with ousted CDC vaccine adviser Helen Chu | STAT
Q&A with Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, on the termination of ACIP members and future vaccine policy.
Volunteers needed for key UW malaria vaccine trial | Northwest News Radio
A new long-lasting malaria vaccine has reached clinical trial stage and volunteers are needed for the UW research. Dr. Scott McClelland, professor of medicine, of global health, and of epidemiology at the UW, is interviewed.
A UW COVID expert on the latest federal vaccine recommendations | KUOW
The Trump Administration’s health policies are upending years of advice about COVID vaccines. Since they’ve been available, experts have recommended the shot to almost everyone. The vaccines are safe and they work. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is interviewed.
WA vaccine scientists push back against FDA changes around COVID shots | The Seattle Times
Seattle vaccine experts were surprised and confused by the country’s apparent new direction around updated COVID-19 shots, which top officials at the Food and Drug Administration revealed Tuesday and appears to restrict availability to older adults and people at higher risk for severe disease. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
Understanding your food’s expiration dates and preventing waste | KIRO 7
We’ve all done it. Sometimes, we wish we hadn’t: the “smell test” with food in our fridge and pantry. Shoppers may be considering buying less food to ensure certain items don’t go bad before they get a chance to eat it. Anne Lund, teaching professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.
The best and brightest young scientists are looking beyond the US as cuts hit home | NBC News
Top scientists are cutting staff at their labs. Postdocs are leaving the country. Here's how the Trump cuts are playing out at the UW. The UW's Jack Castelli, doctoral student of medicine in the UW School of Medicine; Jennifer Adair, adjunct research associate professor of laboratory medicine and pathology in the UW School of Medicine; David Baker, professor of biochemistry in the UW School of Medicine and director of the UW Institute for Protein Design; Mari Ostendorf, professor of electrical and computer engineering; Dr. Alex Greninger, assistant director of the Clinical Virology Laboratory at the UW School of Medicine; Dr. Anna Wald, professor of medicine, of epidemiology and of laboratory medicine and pathology in the UW School of Medicine; Jakob von Moltke, associate professor of immunology in the UW School of Medicine; Dustin Mullaney, doctoral student of biology; Henry Mangapalli, doctoral student of laboratory medicine and pathology in the UW School of Medicine; Kristin Weinstein, a doctoral student of immunology in the UW School of Medicine; Nelson Niu, doctoral student of mathematics; and Arjun Kumar, doctoral student of bioengineering, are quoted.
Some not-so-hidden truths about Seattle grocery stores | The Seattle Times
While “food desert” might lead people to think there’s something inevitable about certain communities lacking access to healthful food, “food apartheid” argues that these inequities are the result of intentional choices, and can be changed. Jessica Jones-Smith, associate professor of epidemiology and of health systems and population health at the UW, is quoted.
Is it safe to color eggs this Easter amid bird flu outbreaks? | Fox News
Experts recommend cooking eggs and poultry products fully before consuming. Dr. Anna Wald, professor of medicine, of epidemiology and of laboratory medicine and pathology in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
Tick habitat is spreading in Washington — stay safe when venturing outdoors | The Columbian
Centers for Disease Control says blood-sucking critters are on the rise almost everywhere in the U.S., including Washington. Alex Eisen, a graduate student of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.
One of the country's leading Alzheimer's projects is in jeopardy | NBC News
A pause to NIH funding has researchers scrambling for contingency plans at the UW’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. The center’s brain bank is preserving more than 4,000 brains for research. Dr. Thomas Grabowski, professor of radiology and of neurology in the UW School of Medicine and director of UW Medicine's Memory and Brain Wellness Center; Dr. C. Dirk Keene, professor of laboratory medicine and pathology in the UW School of Medicine; David Baker, professor of biochemistry in the UW School of Medicine and director of the UW Institute for Protein Design; Dr. Rachel Bender Ignacio, assistant professor of medicine at the UW School of Medicine; and Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert, vice dean of research and graduate education in the UW School of Medicine, are quoted.
An uptick of ticks in Washington? Study of trail reports to help track sightings | Tri-City Herald
Tick sightings are on the rise in Western Washington, according to research conducted by Alex Eisen, a doctoral student of epidemiology at the UW. Thanks to Eisen, there’s now a system to help track where people are encountering ticks on trails across the state.
The flu is still going around Washington. It’s not too late to get your shot | KUOW
To date, at least 296 people in Washington state have died of the flu since the fall. But it’s not too late to get the shot if you haven’t already. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
Bacterial vaginosis may be helped by male partners being treated, study says | The Washington Post
Bacterial vaginosis affects nearly one in three women of reproductive age. A study adds to evidence it is sexually transmitted, offering a new way to reduce recurrence. Jennifer Balkus, clinical associate professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.
Why the NIH cuts could have a "devastating impact" on medical research | KUOW
The National Institutes of Health announced they would immediately slash four billion dollars of funding for research institutes across the country. This would directly impact at least 70 research facilities in Washington State. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is interviewed.
Dr. Helen Chu was ready for Covid — now she's preparing for the next pandemic | KUOW
It’s been nearly five years since the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a worldwide pandemic. One of the first researchers to document its community spread was Dr. Helen Chu with UW Medicine. Now, Dr. Chu’s team has a new study called SeaPrep up and running in Seattle, that’s meant to help us prepare for the next pandemic. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is interviewed.
‘No Room’: Washington hospitals overwhelmed by ‘worst flu season since 2009′ | KIRO 7
Respiratory virus season is sweeping across the nation, and Washington hospitals are struggling to meet the need. Dr. Scott Lindquist, affiliate professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.
RFK Jr. says government ignores chronic disease, but that's misguided | NBC News
In his testimony this week, Kennedy claimed that infectious diseases receive far more federal funding than chronic diseases. Government records suggest the opposite. Dr. Joel Kaufman, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences, of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
When is Tamiflu worth taking? | TIME
The flu is always a nasty foe—and it’s particularly vicious this year. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been at least 12 million flu infections since the fall in the U.S., leading to 160,000 hospitalizations and 6,600 deaths. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
Opinion: Wear a helmet, don’t drink and ride: the preventable perils of e-scooters | The Seattle Times
"There’s no question the use of e-scooters comes with significant safety risks, especially when it comes to head injuries. Unfortunately, helmet use has been almost nonexistent. As their use has soared, e-scooter-related injuries continue to rise," writes Dr. Beth Ebel, professor of pediatrics in the UW School of Medicine. Xinyao De Grauw, research scientist in the UW School of Medicine, is mentioned.
The United States is leaving the World Health Organization — what could that mean for Spokane? | The Spokesman-Review
As of President Donald Trump’s first day back in office Monday, the United States is leaving the World Health Organization. Some local experts think such a move might leave Spokane and the United States unprepared for the next pandemic. Dr. Carey Farquhar, professor of global health, epidemiology and medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
UW study aims to spot the next pandemic before it spreads | KNKX
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus was probably spreading in the community well before the threat was identified. UW researchers say they want to be better prepared for the next pandemic and are launching a multiyear study that could provide advance warning of disease outbreaks. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is interviewed.
Driving away from wildfires can be harrowing — here’s what to do | The Washington Post
Fire safety experts urge drivers to maintain clean air filters and leave keys behind if they have to flee. Dr. Joel Kaufman, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences, of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
UW awarded grant for COVID study to be led by researcher Helen Chu | Northwest Asian Weekly
Researchers at the UW School of Medicine have been awarded a five-year grant from the CDC n to study the spread of influenza, RSV, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses in communities. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is mentioned.
UW Medicine launches five-year study of respiratory illnesses as flu, bird flu cases rise | KIRO 7
UW Medicine is currently conducting a five-year study that will monitor and help us learn more about the spread of COVID-19, RSV, and other respiratory-related illnesses. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
Is it safe to eat eggs amid bird flu outbreaks? | Fox News
A registered dietitian shares cautions about eating soft-boiled or 'runny' eggs while avian flu persists. Dr. Anna Wald, professor of medicine, epidemiology and of laboratory medicine and pathology in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
With RFK nomination, Washington state health leaders brace for local impacts | KUOW
President-elect Donald Trump has named Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, a choice that worries some Washington state leaders, largely because of his position on vaccines. They anticipate funding cuts and increased vaccine skepticism under the next administration, and want to ensure local vaccination programs are safeguarded from a political shift. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
Millions of people below 50 have this incurable, often asymptomatic, STD | Fox News
Genital herpes simplex virus, or HSV, is at a global high — and it can be transmitted without symptoms. Dr. Anna Wald, professor of medicine, epidemiology and of laboratory medicine and pathology at the UW, is quoted.
Sen. Patty Murray opposes RFK, Jr.; promotes vaccines | Seattle's Child
Washington’s growing vaccine hesitancy discussed during Seattle UW Medicine roundtable event. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is mentioned.
Patty Murray, at UW Medicine, sounds alarm on RFK Jr. and vaccines | The Seattle Times
Putting the nation’s leading anti-vaccine activist in charge of the massive federal department overseeing America’s sprawling system of health care, disease control and medical research would “set our country back in a way that I cannot fathom,” U.S. Sen. Patty Murray said Friday at a UW Medicine facility in Seattle. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
WA is getting whooped by whooping cough | KUOW
Whooping cough is making a major comeback in Washington state. The bacterial disease is most dangerous to babies, and many who get it require hospitalization. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is interviewed.
WA reports nearly 1,200 whooping cough cases so far this year | The Seattle Times
This year could shape up to be the worst year for whooping cough Washington has seen in over a decade. Dr. Helen Chu, professor of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted, and Collrane Frivold, doctoral student in epidemiology, is mentioned.
Opinion: Whooping cough vaccine vigilance is slipping in WA | The Seattle Times
"This week, the Washington State Department of Health reported that so far this year 1,099 cases of whooping cough have been reported compared to just 45 at the same time last year," write Dr. Helen Chu, professor of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, and Collrane Frivold, a doctoral student in epidemiology at the UW.
Taxing sweetened drinks decreases consumption in lower-income households by 50% | Scripps News
The researchers say this result could suggest that taxing helps reduce health disparities and promotes healthier choices. Jessica Jones-Smith, associate professor of epidemiology and of health systems and population health at the UW, is quoted.
Oppressive state laws raise mental health risks for trans people | HealthDay
There's a strong association between a state's policies and laws around the rights of transgender people and the mental health of transgender residents, a new study shows. Arjee Restar, assistant professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.
Opinion: Violence intervention programs need time to demonstrate impact | The Seattle Times
"Amid racial injustices laid bare in COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, police violence and community turmoil, governments started to invest in a different kind of public safety strategy. This approach capitalizes on community insights and relationships and focuses on healing and prevention rather than punishment," co-write the UW's Kristian Jones, assistant professor of social work, and Julia Schleimer, doctoral student of epidemiology.
Rates of anxiety doubled among transgender Americans since 2014 | HealthDay
The rate of self-reported mental distress and depression among American adults who identify as transgender or gender-diverse (TGD) more than doubled between 2014 and 2022, an analysis of federal health data reveals. Arjee Restar, assistant professor of epidemiology at the UW, is mentioned.
A grieving Seattle community considers ways to keep Garfield kids safe | The Seattle Times
Gun violence cast a particularly dark shadow over their spring. In between school plays, prom and graduation, two Garfield students were shot. Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.
Heat wave can put hearts into ‘oxygen debt,' lab experiment shows| STAT
When temperatures soar, so do heart attacks. Now, a lab experiment explains just how temperatures climbing into Fahrenheit’s three-digits can cause ischemia and potential heart attacks, all while international efforts to limit long-term warming seem like they’re running out of time. Dr. Joel Kaufman, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences, of epidemiology and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
Washington has become ‘safe haven for people seeking abortions,’ study finds | KIRO 7
A new study, published in JAMA Network Open this week, has found that since the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade, Washington has seen a 50% increase in out-of-state patients seeking abortions. Dr. Emily Godfrey, associate professor of family medicine and of obstetrics and gynecology in the UW School of Medicine, and Taylor Riley, doctoral student in epidemiology at the UW, are quoted.
Rise in out-of-state patients for abortion in Washington state | HealthDay
Following the fall of Roe v. Wade in the summer of 2022, there's been a surge in women from as far away as Texas and Florida traveling to Washington state to have a legal abortion, new data shows. Dr. Emily Godfrey, associate professor of family medicine and of obstetrics and gynecology in the UW School of Medicine, and Taylor Riley, doctoral student in epidemiology at the UW, are quoted.
Washington state abortion clinics see rise in out-of-state patients | KOIN
After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Washington state has seen an increase in out-of-state patients seeking an abortion than before the high court struck down the case, according to a University of Washington study. Dr. Emily Godfrey, associate professor of family medicine and of obstetrics and gynecology in the UW School of Medicine, and Taylor Riley, doctoral student in epidemiology at the UW, are quoted.
Out-of-state abortions have risen in Washington since 2022 | KUOW
The number of out-of-state women coming to Washington for abortions went up after 2022, when national protections for abortion care ended, according to a new assessment. Taylor Riley, doctoral student in epidemiology at the UW, and Dr. Emily Godfrey, associate professor of family medicine and of obstetrics and gynecology in the UW School of Medicine, are quoted.