MPH

October 14, 2026

Rosa Weyula

Rosa Weyula earned her MBChB from the University of Nairobi School of Medicine in Kenya. She is passionate about using epidemiological methods and data-driven research to address health challenges, particularly cardiometabolic diseases, multimorbidity, and the intersection of infectious and noncommunicable diseases. She currently works as a Research Assistant at the START Center at the University…

October 13, 2026

Interplay of Demographic Factors, Behavioral Factors, and Chronic Disease Status with Diabetes and Tooth Loss

Tooth loss is associated with type 2 diabetes, but the extent to which demographic, behavioral, and health factors influence this association remains unclear. To evaluate this association, the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data for 26,152 Washington State adults who provided information on variables of interest was analyzed. Participant characteristics were summarized by…

Associations between Diabetes, Metformin, and Second Breast Cancer Among Women with Prior DCIS

Background: Women with a history of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) face a higher risk of second breast cancer, yet little is known regarding the association of type 2 diabetes and metformin use and risk of second breast cancer among women with a history of DCIS. Methods: We conducted a population-based nested case-control study within…

Genomic Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Spillover Between Humans, Poultry and Cattle on U.S. Dairy Farms

BackgroundHighly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b is driving the most severe global panzootic on record, affecting wild birds, poultry, and—since 2024—dairy cattle. The detection of influenza A in cattle marked the first such event in ruminants and raised urgent questions about new interspecies transmission pathways and spillover risks to humans. This thesis applies…

Motivations of Pregnant Women Initiating HIV PrEP within Antenatal Care in Western Kenya

AbstractVertical HIV transmission remains a significant public health challenge in high-burden settings, where maternal HIV infection during pregnancy and breastfeeding account for nearly one-third of new paediatric infections. HIV incidence doubles during the perinatal period due to biological vulnerability and ongoing behavioral risks, including partners of unknown or positive HIV status. The World Health Organization…

Associations of Social Media Use Frequency with Sadness or Hopelessness among U.S. Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System

Background: Adolescent mental health problems, including persistent sadness or hopelessness, are major public health concerns in the United States. Recent increases in adolescent mental health problems coincide with the near-ubiquitous adoption of social media. The relationship between social media use frequency and adolescent mental well-being is complex, with varying existing theories, such as the “Goldilocks…

Dietary Habits and Colorectal Cancer: Fruit, Vegetable, and Red Meat Consumption and Early- vs. Later-Onset Diagnosis

The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EoCRC) has risen over recent decades,particularly among younger adults. Shifts in dietary patterns across generations are hypothesized to contribute to this trend, yet few studies have evaluated whether associations between diet and age at CRC onset vary within a shared generational context. Using a case-case design, we analyzed data…

Saying “Yes” to PrEP: PrEP acceptance among urban MSM at a Seattle public sexual health clinic

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is extremely effective at preventing HIV, but uptake has been below targets. PrEP acceptance and uptake are commonly examined through hypothetical acceptability and active use, but the act of accepting a PrEP recommendation from a clinical provider is under-studied. This cross-sectional study used patient survey data and health records from the Public…

Indirect Maternal Mortality Due to Malaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Malaria is a major contributor to indirect maternal mortality in endemic regions. However, the magnitude of the effect of pregnancy on malaria-associated mortality and the role of malaria infection in maternal mortality remain uncertain. This study aimed to review the evidence and quantify the impact of pregnancy on the risk of malaria-associated death and…

A Nationwide, Population-Based Cohort Study of Epilepsy Incidence in Patients with Post-Stroke Aphasia

Abstract Introduction: Post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) affects 2–20% of stroke survivors. Post-stroke aphasia is associated with a further increase in this risk. Identifying factors associated with developing PSE potentially could guide targeted interventions in future trials. Methods: We utilized Taiwan’s National Health Insurance claims data to identify individuals aged 18 years or older who were hospitalized…