Population Science & Policy's Recent COVID-19 Research

September 14, 2020

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A Publication and News Update

The following newsletter provides a glimpse into some of the Department of Population Science and Policy's recent projects and research focused on COVID-19. Our faculty and staff have been working diligently to learn more about the pandemic's impact on central and southern Illinois.

Even in a virtual environment, our collaborations and partnerships have been more important than ever as we navigate this new reality. We encourage our friends, partners and supporters to contact us with any thoughts, questions or potential collaborations.

We want to hear how COVID-19 has impacted you, your work, and your community. Contact us at PSP@siumed.edu. We hope to hear from you soon.

COVID-19 Publications

The Department of Population Science and Policy (PSP) is proud to share the following COVID-19 research:

Population Science and Policy Chair Dr. Vohra joined a national group of health care leaders to author an article in the New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst: Innovations in Care Delivery titled “Best Practices for a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for Health Systems.”

Epidemiology and Biostatistics Division Chief Wiley Jenkins, Graduate Assistant Rebecca Bolinski, Graduate Assistant Johnny Bresett and Research Project Coordinator Brent Van Ham’s article, “COVID-19 During the Opioid Epidemic – Exacerbation of Stigma and Vulnerabilities” appeared in The Journal of Rural Health.

Assistant Professor Eric Adjei Boakye and Epidemiology and Biostatistics Division Chief Wiley Jenkins contributed to an article titled “Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Head and Neck Cancer Survivors” in The Journal of the Sciences and Specialties of the Head and Neck.

Assistant Professor Nicole Summers-Gabr’s article, “Rural-Urban Mental Health Disparities in the United States during COVID-19," was published in Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy. Read more about her work in the following Psychology Today interview, which will be reprinted in a COVID-19 Mental Health Handbook created by the Humanitarian Disaster Institute.

PSP in the News

Dr. Vohra was a guest on St. Louis Public Radio’s St. Louis on the Air program to discuss the ways COVID-19 is widening existing health disparities in rural regions. Listen to the interview here.

The Department of Population Science and Policy was included as an example of a rural leadership program by RURALEAD, an initiative to strengthen leadership in rural communities.

PSP Epidemiology and Biostatistics Division Director Wiley Jenkins discussed the impact of COVID-19 for individuals who inject drugs in deep southern Illinois in a Chicago Tribune article.

PSP and Hillsboro Community Child Development Center shared brain development activities from the Little Leaps project with The Journal-News. Stay tuned for more installments of this series!

Now Recruiting

The Department of Population Science and Policy is growing! We are looking for talented, dedicated individuals to join our interdisciplinary team and assist with meeting our mission of understanding and advancing the health, development and wellness of residents in central and southern Illinois.

We are seeking individuals with master’s degrees, PhDs and MDs/DOs who have backgrounds in community health, health policy, epidemiology, health services or related fields. View our vacancies at www.siumed.edu/jobs or contact Heather Whetsell for more information.

Connect With Us

Population Science & Policy

201 E. Madison Street

Springfield, IL 62702

(217) 545-7939

psp@siumed.edu