Research will employ mobile health technology and focus on caregivers to address hypertension, and prevent stroke and cardiovascular disease in people with Alzheimer’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease related dementia, and mild cognitive impairment
Chronic Disease
Talking Alzheimer’s awareness with SPH’s Joseph Gaugler
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, and Professor Joseph Gaugler with the School of Public Health answers questions about what Alzheimer’s is, its symptoms and risk factors
Minor kidney function decline in young adulthood may be detrimental to kidney and cardiovascular health in later life
“These findings add to increasing evidence that maintaining healthy kidney function throughout one’s life is important for cardiovascular health and healthy life expectancy,” said lead study author Yuni Choi, a postdoctoral researcher at SPH.
Parsons earns American Cancer Society researcher award
Associate Professor Helen Parsons has received a 2022 ResearcHERS™ Rising Star Award from the American Cancer Society.
Combining data to identify potential causes and treatment targets of disease
Assistant Professor Sandra Safo received a grant from the NIH to develop methods and software for combining data from multiple sources that could identify potential molecular targets — or “biomarkers” — of disease, and identify disease subtypes.
International study shows risk factors in childhood are related to cardiovascular events in adulthood
Professor David Jacobs co-led a study that found children with only mildly elevated body mass index, blood pressure or lipids, and youth who start smoking may be at higher risk for adult cardiovascular disease.
Midlife body inflammation could lead to abdominal aortic aneurysms
The study by PhD student Romil Parikh suggests researchers identify nontraditional risk factors and treatments to reduce the possibility of developing AAA produced by midlife inflammation.
Switching to plant-centered diet reduces risk of cardiovascular disease for young and middle adults
The study, led by postdoctoral researcher Yuni Choi and Professor David Jacobs, showed that people who most frequently ate nutritionally-rich plant foods, and fewer nutritionally-poor plant foods and unhealthy animal products had a 52% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Breast cancer patients start treatment more often and sooner after intro of generic drugs
A study by recent graduate Xuanzi Qin (PhD ’20) found that women were more likely to begin breast cancer treatment after the introduction of generic aromatase inhibitors.
Obtaining specialist care may be harder for rural and lower-income Alzheimer’s patients
Associate Professor Sayeh Nikpay led the study that found specialized geriatric providers are more likely to see higher socioeconomic status and urban patients.
Faculty authors JAMA Oncology editorial on state healthcare rationing guidelines and cancer treatment
Professor Beth Virnig and Associate Professor Sayeh Nikpay think many state crisis standards of care guidelines were never written with a global pandemic in mind and may mistakenly limit or bar care for cancer patients.
Study to evaluate genetic underpinnings of smoking and nicotine dependence in American Indians and Alaska Natives
Assistant Professor Dana Carroll is studying how quickly American Indians and Alaska Natives metabolize nicotine, how it relates to their genetic makeup, and barriers that exist to using that information to improve health.
