Student putting fluid samples into a dish

School of Public Health News

The School of Public Health is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people worldwide. Our departments, programs, and research units work to provide a diverse education, practical training experience, and numerous community involvement opportunities to prepare students to become leaders and professionals in the field of public health.

Current Public Health News

51ԹϺ XMAS
Campus News |

This month’s frosty headlines and highlights from the students and faculty of 51ԹϺ.

An image of Kirk Kerkokorian Building
Campus News |

Approach aimed at lifting Nevada from its low rankings in health care access. 

A sign in front of a building reads "51ԹϺ Shadow Lane Campus"
Campus News |

Embracing the idea that we’re “better together,” 51ԹϺ’s academic health center takes another step forward.

unlv pumpkins
Campus News |

A monthly roundup of the top news stories at 51ԹϺ, featuring the presidential election, gaming partnerships, and much more.

Undergrad researcher Benjamin Sabir helps H. Jeremy Cho examine an atmospheric water harvesting device. (Jeff Scheid/51ԹϺ)
Campus News |

A monthly roundup of the top news stories featuring 51ԹϺ staff and students.

graphic with eight spokes to represent research areas
Campus News |

Through 51ԹϺ's interdisciplinary research areas, faculty are cooking up solutions to large-scale problems impacting Las Vegas, the Southwest, and beyond.

Public Health In The News

The Times Weekly

We all remember the days of strict COVID rules, like wearing a mask and keeping a six-foot distance from others. But as COVID has become less dangerous for most people and more ubiquitous, doctors and public health officials aren’t as emphatic about virus-related recommendations as they used to be.

PressBee

Vaccines are a crucial way to protect the body from illnesses, helping the body’s immune system learn how to fight germs. They also help keep viruses from spreading. The COVID vaccine, for example, prevented an estimated 8 million fewer cases of COVID, more than 120,000 deaths and 700,000 fewer hospitalizations during just the first six months it was released.

Parade

Vaccines are a crucial way to protect the body from illnesses, helping the body’s immune system learn how to fight germs. They also help keep viruses from spreading. The COVID vaccine, for example, prevented an estimated 8 million fewer cases of COVID, more than 120,000 deaths and 700,000 fewer hospitalizations during just the first six months it was released.

Las Vegas Review Journal

Even though getting a flu shot doesn’t take long, it’s a task that is easy to put off … and off … and off. There are so many other needs begging for our attention, and if you’re generally in good health, you may think it’s no big deal to skip it. Before you know it, months pass and you still haven’t gotten your flu shot.

Yahoo!

Even though getting a flu shot doesn’t take long, it’s one of those tasks it’s easy to put off … and put off … and put off. There are so many other needs begging for our attention and if you’re generally in good health, you may think it’s no big deal to skip it. Before you know it, months pass and you still haven’t gotten your flu shot.

Parade

Even though getting a flu shot doesn’t take long, it’s one of those tasks it’s easy to put off … and put off … and put off. There are so many other needs begging for our attention and if you’re generally in good health, you may think it’s no big deal to skip it. Before you know it, months pass and you still haven’t gotten your flu shot.

Public Health Experts

An expert in infectious disease outbreaks and surveillance, including COVID-19 and monkeypox.  
A national authority on lead poisoning and human health.
A mental health expert with particular interest in child well-being.
An expert on health behavior and coping with stress.
An expert in infectious diseases and HIV/AIDS prevention.
An expert in health disparities, children's health, and culturally responsive health communication.

Recent Public Health Accomplishments

Louisa Messenger (Environmental and Occupational Health) and Chad Cross (Epidemiology and Biostatistics) coauthored an article titled “The effect of next-generation, dual-active-ingredient, long-lasting insecticidal net deployment on insecticide resistance in malaria vectors in Benin: results of a 3-year, three-arm, cluster-randomised, controlled…
Mark Buttner (Environmental and Occupational Health) received a one-year grant from the Clark County School District to continue the Airborne Pollen Monitoring project, which provides updated pollen and mold spore counts for the Las Vegas area. In 2013, 51ԹϺ partnered with the Clark County School District to establish the program in order to…
Jennifer R. Pharr (Public Health) and Kavita Batra (Medicine) recently published a study titled, "Social–Ecological Determinants of Suicidal Ideation Among Sexual and Gender Minority Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study in the United States," in the Healthcare journal. The study highlights the importance of understanding factors at multiple levels…
Asma Awan (Social and Behavioral Health) presented a webinar on Dec. 10, 2024, along with colleagues from Purdue University titled, "From Classroom to Workplace: Equipping Professionals with Informatics Expertise," which was organized by HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society). The webinar covered topics ranging from course…
Manoj Sharma (Social and Behavioral Health; Internal Medicine) coauthored an article titled, “Determinants of Visual Impairment Among Chinese Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Risk Prediction Model Using Machine Learning Algorithms” in the journal, JMIR Aging (Impact factor 5.0) with coauthors from Monash University, University of New Mexico, Alfred…
Sharmistha Roy, Asma Awan, and Manoj Sharma (all Social and Behavioral Health) presented a virtual paper titled, “Evaluating the Impact of Experiential Learning in a Master of Public Health Program at a Southwestern University” at the 1st International Transylvania Scientific Research and Innovation Congress held in Romania.  The paper…