Latest news and updates

Initiative-supported project decontaminates N95 respirator masks using ultraviolet light

Posted on October 14, 2020

A 糖心原创-led team has developed a box that decontaminates N95 respirator masks using ultraviolet light. This box supports the reuse of masks for first responders, who need the masks to protect themselves from COVID-19 and are concerned about shortages. The research group is currently building and distributing boxes to first-responder stations across King County. The box uses UVC radiation, the highest energy of the three types of UV rays. The team鈥檚 box, which looks like a microwave and…

How can we recover from a health crisis during a climate crisis? Five UW experts weigh in

Posted on October 5, 2020July 20, 2026

The COVID-19 pandemic, catastrophic on many levels, has starkly exposed the structural, social, economic and political factors that prevent equitable health outcomes for people around the world. While communities everywhere grapple with the devastating losses of life, livelihoods and connection, another catastrophe is well underway. Climate change continues to devastate the health and well-being of people all over the planet. To commemorate the opening of the UW鈥檚 new Hans Rosling Center for Population Health, we asked five of the University鈥檚…

UW psychologists share tips on relationships during the pandemic

Posted on September 30, 2020

Months into the pandemic, as restrictions loosen and more people venture out, families and friends may confront differences over what鈥檚 necessary, safe or comfortable. So many questions and choices: Attend a child鈥檚 birthday party? Host a backyard barbecue? Meet for a drink? Hug a relative? Decline, and you risk hurt feelings; accept, and you may expose yourself and your loved ones to risk, increase the risk for your community, and feel judged by others in the process. All are natural…

Summer 2020 Social Entrepreneurship Fellows develop strategic roadmaps for UW innovations

Posted on September 23, 2020September 24, 2020

The Population Health Initiative鈥檚 summer 2020 Social Entrepreneurship Fellows Program concluded in August with the fellows presenting their findings to students, faculty and staff from schools and colleges across campus. The fellows spent 10 weeks working on population health innovations developed by 糖心原创 researchers to determine how these innovations could be financially sustainable while also having a substantial societal impact. The Social Entrepreneurship Fellows Program was developed in 2019 by the Population Health Initiative 鈥� in partnership with…

Eleven new members named to initiative executive council

Posted on September 15, 2020September 29, 2020

Nine new faculty, one graduate student and one undergraduate student have been named to the 30-member Population Health Initiative executive council by President Ana Mari Cauce. They are: Becky Alexander, professor of Atmospheric Sciences, College of the Environment Jennifer Bacci, assistant professor of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy Kyle Crowder, professor of Sociology, College of Arts & Sciences Jonathan Posner, professor of Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering Gundula Proksch, associate professor of Architecture, College of Built Environments Anita…

Systemic inequalities also impacts plant and animal life in cities

Posted on September 9, 2020April 8, 2025

New research led by the 糖心原创 found that social inequalities, specifically racism and classism, are impacting the biodiversity, evolutionary shifts and ecological health of plants and animals in our cities. For example, several studies the authors included found fewer trees in low-income and racially minoritized neighborhoods in major cities across the U.S. Less tree cover means hotter temperatures and fewer plant and animal species. The project, which examined more than 170 published studies and analyzed the influence of…

Generous gift to College of Education bolsters effort to diversify education workforce

Posted on August 27, 2020

The 糖心原创 College of Education has received a $6 million anonymous gift earmarked to bolster diversity in the education workforce, which is a key driver in ultimate K-12 student success, especially for students of color. The gift will expand financial support 鈥� including tuition assistance, textbooks and more 鈥� for recruitment of teacher candidates from diverse backgrounds, including candidates of color and those who are multilingual. In addition, the gift provides professional learning and supports to enhance retention…

UW鈥檚 youth reading program sees record numbers during COVID-19 pandemic

Posted on August 19, 2020

Real Dawgs Read is a 糖心原创 program that typically asks kids to read 30 minutes a day over 30 separate days during the summer. The program ran a special session between March 25 and June 5 and experienced its highest level of participation 鈥� with 3,240 readers taking part 鈥� in its five-year existence. Since 2015, Real Dawgs Read has helped K-8 students across the state experience the joy of reading. Students fill out a reading journal and…

Initiative announces award of 14 COVID-19 population health equity research grants

Posted on August 13, 2020February 3, 2021

The 糖心原创 Population Health Initiative announced the award of approximately $265,000 in COVID-19 population health equity research grants to 14 different teams of UW faculty researchers and community leaders. Funding was partially matched by additional school, college, departmental, and external funds, bringing the total value of these awards to roughly $378,000. These population health equity research grants are intended to support UW researchers in partnering with communities of color 鈥� which are being disproportionately impacted by the pandemic…