Research funded through a $3.4 million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) seeks to transform our understanding of the transmission of Lyme disease and other tick-borne pathogens.
Research
Study from U of M School of Public Health selected as “Editor’s Choice” by Women’s Health Issues
A study from researchers at the U of M School of Public Health (SPH) has been selected by editorial staff at the prestigious Women’s Health Issues journal as its Editor’s Choice selection for the November/December 2022 edition. The SPH study focused on the uneven distribution of maternal illness and death in the U.S., with some populations bearing substantially greater risk, including Medicaid-insured individuals, rural residents and Black and Indigenous patients.
New study finds dramatic growth in undergraduate public health degree conferrals over the past two decades
Recipients of undergraduate degrees in public health are highly diverse, with more than 80 percent being women and 55 percent from communities of color. However, after graduation, only about 10 percent of degree recipients are currently choosing public sector employment opportunities.
SPH Assistant Professor Manka Nkimbeng receives career development NIH grant to focus on immigrant health
Researchers find 2.8% of pregnancies were exposed to opioids
New study of opioid use among pregnant people finds that 2.8% of pregnancies were exposed to opioids. Lead researcher Ruby Nguyen says “the findings of this study can be useful in future efforts to reduce opioid use during pregnancy and limit the negative consequences of fetal exposure to opioids.”
Research shows public health agencies are critically understaffed
The researchers provide peer-reviewed evidence that to meet a minimum level of public health needs, local and state health departments across the country need to hire 80% more FTEs over pre-pandemic levels.
By analyzing online digital footprints, researchers seek early indicators of cognitive impairment
Researchers will examine how the linguistic, syntactic, or behavioral markers of digital footprints could provide early evidence of cognitive impairment and dementia.
Researchers to develop a Genomic Data Commons, a central hub for sharing and harmonizing genomic data
The Genomic Data Commons will provide a local genomic data hub and set of analytic tools that will be useful for a variety of researchers throughout the University of Minnesota
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.
Study finds that growth in hospital-pharmacy contracts to distribute discounted drugs is poorly aligned with community need
Research from Associate Professor Sayeh Nikpay found that hospitals are contracting with pharmacies to offer discounted drugs through a safety-net program in areas where patients who rely on the program are less likely to reside.
Adolescent use of muscle-building supplements linked to later steroid use and other issues
The study co-authored by Professor Dianne Neumark-Sztainer found that young people who used protein supplements were also two to five times more likely to use steroids.
Medicaid expansion had little effect on preventing the closure of hospital obstetric services
Research from Assistant Professor Caitlin Carroll found that expansion reduced hospital closures, but only among hospitals that did not have obstetric units.
