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UW Epidemiology

@uwepidemiology.bsky.social

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The University of Washington Department of Epidemiology

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UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · Apr 8

Thinking about getting your MPH, MS, or PhD in Epidemiology?
Join our Zoom info sessions! Learn about the application process, degree options, funding, and more. Register for a session between April and July: epi.washington.edu/admissions/

Admissions

We're thrilled that you're interested in learning about the Department of Epidemiology's academic programs offered at the University of Washington School of Public Health. UW Epi provides foundational...

epi.washington.edu

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UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · 2d

New research finds wildfire smoke now kills 41,000 Americans a year. "Wildfire smoke may be more toxic than common forms of pollution,” says UW Epi’s Dr. Joel Kaufman, underscoring growing concern about air quality and climate-related health risks.

Wildfire Smoke Now Kills 41,000 Americans a Year, Study Finds

FRIDAY, Sept. 19, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Every summer, hazy skies and the smell of burning wood remind Americans that wildfires affect far more than just the c

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UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · 5d

New CDC vaccine recommendations are stirring confusion among older adults and providers.

Experts warn that unclear guidance could lower vaccination rates and drive up costs—just when public health can least afford it.

How New Vaccine Guidelines May Put Older Adults At Risk

Warnings about the dangers of vaccines from senior government officials inevitably will lead to more unnecessary sickness and death, especially among older adults.

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UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · 11d

TOMORROW: Collrane Frivold will defend her dissertation: "Associations between influenza vaccination during pregnancy and outcomes related to maternal influenza disease, infant anthropometry/growth, and cost-effectiveness in Nepal." Good luck tomorrow, Collrane! Event details: buff.ly/6e269Ri

UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · 11d

What’s a micro-pantry? Small, volunteer-run pantries & fridges that provide 24/7, local access to food. UW and partners are piloting smart sensors to reduce waste and improve access. UW Epi’s Marie Spiker is studying how communities use micro-pantries to guide this model forward.

Seattle to launch first connected network of community food micro-pantries

Seattle is piloting the nation’s first connected network of community food micro-pantries. Powered by UW-led smart sensor research, the project will fight hunger, cut food waste, and improve...

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University of Washington School of Public Health @uwsph.bsky.social · 12d

The UW SPH undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs are now accepting applicants for the 2026-27 academic year. Join us in-person for the SPH Community Open House and meet with dept and program advisors!
📍 Hans Rosling Center
📅 October 1 | 11 am – 2:30pm
🔗 RSVP: forms.office.com/r/c1SgCxQ0Yr

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UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · 17d

To all our UW Epi alumni, new and seasoned, your journey continues with us. Reconnect, network, and stay informed by joining our alumni community! buff.ly/dIEhC3h

Stay Connected

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UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · 19d

UW Epi's Helen Chu and Janet Baseman make up two of the School of Public Health's three leadership positions as Associate Dean for Research and Associate Dean for Public Health Practice!

New UW SPH leaders appointed for 2025-26 academic year | UW School of Public Health

The UW School of Public Health welcomes new leadership to support our shared work of co-creating health equity with our communities.

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Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH @drjenbalkus.bsky.social · 24d

“The risk of missing a case of hepatitis B is so significant that I just can’t imagine why we would delay a vaccine that is proven to be helpful and efficacious,” Dr. Brenna Hughes @acog.org & @idsog.bsky.social member. Important context for ACIP tomorrow. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/h...

C.D.C. Vaccine Advisers May Limit Hepatitis B Shots for Newborns

www.nytimes.com

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UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · Sep 9

All 17 voting members of the CDC’s ACIP were dismissed in June, including UW’s infectious disease Dr. Helen Chu. She warns that shifts in how vaccine evidence is reviewed could affect safety, access, and disease control. More from her Q&A:

Q&A: Dr. Helen Chu on vaccine safety and recommendation changes in the U.S. | UW School of Public Health

Epidemiology Professor Dr. Helen Chu discusses recent changes to vaccine recommendations.

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UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · Sep 3

Back-to-school season in WA brings higher risks of flu, RSV, COVID & other infections. UW’s Dr. Helen Chu reminds parents: vaccines protect not only your child but their classmates, teachers & community. Stay current this fall.

Get your family vaccinated for back-to-school

Autumn brings kids back into school classrooms and also heralds rising rates of the flu, COVID and other viruses. Infectious disease expert Dr. Helen Chu expressed concern that this year…

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UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · Sep 2

UW Epidemiology's Dr. Helen Chu speaks on the potential impact of COVID-19 supplies under the federal guidelines for this year's COVID vaccines.

FDA approves new COVID vaccines

The newest COVID-19 shots have been approved, but recommendations won't be for all Americans 6 months and older.

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UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · Sep 2

Thousands of leading scientists including emeritus professor of UW Epidemiology Dr. Elizabeth Halloran are warning Congress: budget cuts to federal research threaten America’s health, economy & global leadership.

Two Thousand Of America’s Top Scientists Warn Congress: Don’t Gut Research Funding

Open letter from 2,100+ National Academy members warns Congress of dire consequences from FY26 science budget cuts; organizers seek response.

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UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · Aug 26

"The reason why we want to give you a vaccine is not just to protect you but to protect those around you." Dr. Helen Chu backs AAP guidance, stressing protection for young children and community health.

Medical experts back COVID-19 vaccine for kids, despite split opinion

Medical experts are backing the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation to vaccinate kids against COVID-19, differing from the HHS and CDC's new guidelines.

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UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · Aug 25

“We don’t routinely see interventions that work that well.” #UWEpi professor Jessica Jones-Smith co-authored a new study that shows Seattle’s Fresh Bucks program boosts fruit & vegetable intake and improves food security among low-income households. buff.ly/5mVrV7k

UW research shows Fresh Bucks program improves fruit and vegetable intake, food security

A new study from the University of Washington shows that households enrolled in the City of Seattle's Fresh Bucks program experience a 31% higher rate of food security and consume at least three…

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UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · Aug 20

How does industrial air pollution impact community health? UW Epi professor Joel Kaufman's research highlights the need for better data on health risks from industrial emissions.

Manufacturing-dependent Cowlitz County is an industrial air pollution hotspot in WA

Some of the same industry that keeps Cowlitz County’s economy alive also makes the county an air-pollution hotspot, emissions data from the state, federal and private trackers reveals.

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UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · Aug 18

UW Epi professor Caleb Banta-Green was interviewed on @KUOW.org on Kratom and 7-OH, two controversial substances.

The country's got kratom on the brain. What is it exactly?

The FDA in late July announced plans to crack down on 7-OH, which is naturally found in kratom. We wanted to know more about both of these substances, so we checked in with a research professor at…

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UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · Aug 14

This Friday, Tanya Libby will be defending her dissertation: "Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage and antimicrobial resistance among Kenyan children discharged from hospital." Come out to show your support to Tanya! #EpiDissertation Event details: buff.ly/iZOdKyG

UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · Aug 13

Tomorrow, you are invited to Mark Fajans' MPH dissertation defense: "Improving Detection of Tuberculosis Disease Among Children." Good luck tomorrow, Mark! Event details: buff.ly/GnkNLL1

UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · Aug 12

Dengue fever is surging across the Pacific, the highest in a decade. UW Epidemiologist Joel Kaufman calls it "one of the first real disease-related phenomena we can lay at the foot of climate change." buff.ly/JqrCdYb

Rise in dengue fever outbreaks across the Pacific driven by the climate crisis, experts say

Samoa, Fiji and Tonga among the worst affected amid warning the disease and others will become ‘more common and more serious’ as the planet warms

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UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · Aug 6

Don't miss Lola Arakaki's #EpiDissertation defense on: Investigations of Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness! Come show your support tomorrow, August 7 at 11 a.m., and congratulations, Lola! Event details: buff.ly/ILwfBsN

UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · Aug 4

Tomorrow afternoon, Hiwot Zewdie will be presenting on "The urban environment and active living: the case of Bogota, Columbia." Best of luck, Hiwot! #EpiDissertation Event details: buff.ly/aZTWjVC

UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · Jul 29

Celebrating Dr. Susan Heckbert’s career, legacy, and contributions to public health and University of Washington as she retires after more than three decades on faculty in UW Department of Epidemiology and University of Washington School of Pharmacy. buff.ly/04riem2

UW Epidemiology @uwepidemiology.bsky.social · Jul 29

Celebrating Dr. Susan Heckbert’s career, legacy, and contributions to public health and the University of Washington as she retires after more than three decades on faculty in @uwepidemiology.bsky.social and @uwpharmacy.bsky.social

Read more: bit.ly/4l0csw8

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UW Medicine Newsroom @uwmnewsroom.bsky.social · Jul 9

Good news: From 2013 to 2022, the portion of Washington adults who reported storing household firearms securely rose from 34.9% to 48.8%. @uwepidemiology.bsky.social @uwmedicine.bsky.social

More Washington households store firearms securely - UW Medicine | Newsroom

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UW DEOHS @uwdeohs.bsky.social · Jul 24

Congratulations 🎉🎉 to Dr. Jerry Cangelosi on retiring after 13 years as a DEOHS professor and a recent term as associate dean for research in the @uofwa.bsky.social School of Public Health! He and his team developed a less invasive way to screen people for TB. deohs.washington.edu/hsm-blog/tak...

Taking down TB

Professor Jerry Cangelosi retires after 13 years on the DEOHS faculty

deohs.washington.edu

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