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Researchers Find Nicotine Use Increased Self-Harm Ideations Among Young Adults

New research finds that cigarette/e-cigarette use directly increases the risk of suicidal ideation among young adults. Among 16–23-year-olds in Texas who reported nicotine use, researchers found that current use of e-cigarettes was associated with a 30% increase in the odds of suicidal ideation while being a current cigarette smoker was associated with a 47% increase in the odds of suicidal ideation. 

Associate Professor Anna V. Wilkinson, PhD, with the Department of Epidemiology, served as the first author of the study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research

Professor Melissa Harrell, PhD, senior author of the study, and team collected data from 2,329 young adults across the state of Texas who reported nicotine use in the last 30 days and provided information on suicidal thoughts, consideration, or planning of self-harm. You can read more about the new research here.

EPIDEMIOLOGY FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS

Researchers Find Nicotine Use Increased Self-Harm Ideations Among Young Adults

Department of Epidemiology Assistant Professor and Center for Health Equity faculty member Ryan Ramphul, PhD, along with co-author Assistant Professor Abigail Zamorano, MD, McGovern Medical School, recently published a paper in Fronts in Public Health: "Spatiotemporal Analysis of HPV Vaccination and Associated Neighborhood-Level Disparities in Texas—An Ecological Study."

Their research highlights the significant geographic and demographic disparities in HPV vaccination rates across Texas. HPV vaccination coverage rates differ depending on the community's income level, with lower-income areas achieving higher success rates. 

By understanding these disparities, we can better tailor public health initiatives to improve vaccination coverage, particularly in underserved communities, and reduce the risk of HPV-related cancers.

Other authors include Department of Biostatics and Data Sciences Associate Professor Cici Bauer, PhD, Epidemiology PhD student Manali Desai, MD, and Environmental & Occupational Sciences PhD student Saswati Upadhyay, MPH.

New Research Spotlights the Double Burden of Malnutrition


A new study from researchers, including

Augusto César F. De Moraes, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology, studied the double burden of malnutrition (DBM), a condition in which malnutrition coexists with overweight, reflecting a new layer of malnutrition. This multicenter cross-sectional study included 1152 adolescents (12 to 17 years old) from four Brazilian cities.

Researchers found that the prevalence of DBM among Brazilian adolescents was high, and contrary to expectations, sleep duration, screen time, and physical activity levels were not associated with the double burden of malnutrition.

You can read more from the study in the journal Children 2024.

EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDENT NEWS

Meghna Lama's Summer Service Project


Epidemiology MPH student Meghna Lama has kicked off her service project supported by The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship. Meghna has distributed journals for refugee women to track their mental health through a tailored program to provide support.

"This collaboration with the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship and Amaanah Refugee Services has enabled me to use this project as my practicum for my coursework. I am committed to providing great deliverables and making a significant impact through this incredible opportunity."

School of Public Health Welcome Week

Welcome Week Events

Welcome Week events are open to all students, faculty, and staff.

Please visit the events calendar for information and virtual and SPH campus information.


Getting to Know Handshake

Monday, August 26


Alumni Panel

Tuesday, August 27


Coffee with Faculty

& Resource Fair

Wednesday, August 28


Practice Starts Now & Get PHIT

Thursday, August 29



EPIDEMIOLOGY ALUMNI

Epidemiology Alumna Competes at the Paris Olympics 2024


We’re very excited to cheer on UTHealth Houston School of Public Health alumna Gabby Thomas, MPH, at the 2024 Paris Olympics as she competes in the 200m sprint. She previously won bronze in the 200m and silver in the women's 4x100m relay at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Tune in to watch Thomas compete in the first round on Sunday, August 4.


UPCOMING EVENTS

APHA 2024

Annual Meeting & Expo


October 27 - 30

Registration Now Open


Mark your calendars for the registration opening for the upcoming APHA Annual meeting and expo in Minneapolis, MN, on Oct 27 - 30.


Registration Link

TEPHI

MODULE 207: OUTBREAK


Aug 1, 2024

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Zoom Link


 This module offers an overview of how to determine and conduct an outbreak investigation in a healthcare setting by implementing infection prevention strategies, ensuring patient and staff safety, and maintaining public health standards.

For More Information &

Registration: Link

The Cupboard


Thursday, August 1

Wednesday, August 14

Thursday, August 15

Wednesday, August 28

Thursday, August 29


12:00 pm - 3:00 pm


The Cupboard is a no-cost food resource

for students and staff who may

need assistance.




Location: SPH Building, B-04

Email: TheCupboard@uth.tmc.edu

Healthier Texas Summit


Austin, TX

October 10 - 11


Join The University of Texas System at the Healthier Texas Summit 2024 in Austin, TX, on Oct. 10-11, where Texas' health champions rally to drive change! Explore cutting-edge sessions, gain CE credits, and connect with leaders in public health and wellness.


Information and Registration Link

EPIDEMIOLOGY NOTES

Open Calls, Applications, Abstracts, and Conference Participation Opportunities Now available on SharePoint.

Calls for applications, abstracts, and conference participation opportunities are now published and shared on the School of Public Health SharePoint Site.

If you would like to share such opportunities, you will be responsible for submitting participation opportunities through SharePoint. Additional details will follow in the coming weeks.

Questions regarding this change can be directed to SPH-Communications@uth.tmc.edu.

Stay in the Loop with Epidemiology! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to catch up with EPI news, events, and more!

Calling all Epidemiology alums! Epi in the News would like to include alum updates and news to feature in our monthly spotlight! Please email Jana Satterwhite, Communications Specialist, to be considered for our upcoming newsletters.

Reminder: For more information on how to handle media requests, see the UTHealth Houston HOOP policy hereIf you are contacted by the media, please call the UTHealth Houston Media Relations team on the hotline, 713-500-3030 - someone is available 24/7. Deb Lake is the designated School of Public Health contact. Always choose to call the hotline for immediate assistance.

SUBMISSIONS AND NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

All campuses are encouraged to submit items for consideration for the monthly Epi newsletter. Please feel free to submit your items to sphehges@uth.tmc.edu.