News & Events Page

March 4, 2026

A Changing Picture of Teen Sexuality Puts UW Study on JAH’s Distinguished Dozen

Teenage sexuality in the United States is shifting. A study by University of Washington Department of Epidemiology PhD candidate Kendall Lawley and colleagues at UW and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) titled “Trends in Sex of Sex Partners and Sexual Identity Among US Adolescents, 2015–2021,” (CDC) tracks the shifts in both sexual identity and sexual behavior among American high schoolers….

January 20, 2026

Can Redeveloping Vacant Land Reduce Neighborhood Violence?

In many cities, vacant lots are part of the everyday landscape. For people living nearby, these spaces can symbolize neglect and raise real concerns about safety. A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) examines what happens when vacant lots are redeveloped—and whether that change affects violence in nearby neighborhoods. The study was…

December 9, 2025

Would You Use a Digital Vaccine Record? Here’s What Washingtonians Decided

When Washington State launched its digital vaccine verification tool, WA Verify, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was designed to make sharing proof of vaccination faster and more convenient. But how did Washington residents actually feel about using it, and what shaped their willingness to adopt digital public health tools? A new study collaboration between the University of Washington Department of Epidemiology and the…

May 27, 2025

Using AI as a tool for Reducing the Clinical Burden in Cancer Care in Sub-Saharan Africa

Some countries in sub-Saharan Africa report just one oncologist per 3,000 cancer patients, a stark contrast to the United States, where the ratio is closer to 1 per 300 in urban centers, and 1 per 1,000 patients in rural areas. These disparities reflect the limited clinical capacity available to meet the region’s growing cancer burden….

May 21, 2025

Educators offer strategies for implementing weight-inclusive approach in dietetics training

A new paper published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, co-authored by University of Washington Department of Epidemiology faculty member Cristen L. Harris, offers practical strategies for program directors and educators to use as a framework for incorporating weight-inclusive approaches into their dietetics education programs. These recommendations follow another paper Harris co-authored in August 2024, which presents the case for moving…

April 7, 2025

Colorectal Cancer and Gut Microbiome: How Fusobacterium nucleatum May be Involved in Disease Progression

The human body harbors trillions of microbes that are responsible for a myriad of essential functions, known as the microbiome. The bacteria that make up the microbiome can be beneficial, aiding digestion, supporting immune systems, and influencing gut, heart, and brain health. However, some bacteria can be harmful and contribute to disease. A recent study…

September 5, 2024

Q&A with Fulbright Scholar and Epi MPH Claire Rater

Claire Rater holds Master’s degrees in Epidemiology and Social Work and was awarded a Fulbright scholarship for the 2024-2025 term. Her research is on rural health management of snakebite envenoming in the Andean mountain range. Colombia, home to the world’s most diverse reptile population, including the highest number of venomous snakes, provides the backdrop for…

June 18, 2024

How Operational Research Improved Tuberculosis Care in Zambia

Local improvements in TB care impacted policy and research nationwide

May 29, 2024

More out-of-state patients seek abortions in Washington

More out-of-state women, largely from Texas and Alaska, are traveling to Washington state to obtain an abortion than was the case before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the constitutional right to abortion, according to research published today in JAMA Network Open. The study tracked the number of abortions performed at the Cedar River Clinics, a large…

April 16, 2024

Lessons in Public Health Collaboration from Washington State’s Prison Outbreaks

Outbreaks in correctional settings are complex and resource intensive because pathogens, especially respiratory ones, can spread quickly in these often crowded and poorly ventilated spaces. Incarcerated individuals often have a higher prevalence of underlying health conditions compared to the general public, which puts those living in these settings at an increased risk for severe health…