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

A portait of former UNLV defensive lineman, Ammir Aziz, throwing a football.
Business and Community |

Former UNLV lineman Ammir Aziz uses his experience to block suicide in young people of color through the nonprofit The Defensive Line.

A football on a football field.
Business and Community |

School of Public Health's partnership with the nonprofit addresses mental health issues in Southern Nevada.

Josh Hawkins, UNLV
Campus News |

News highlights featuring UNLV students and staff who made (refreshing) waves in the headlines.

woman holding tall coffee mug that says home means nevada
People |

The native Nevadan and triple alumna is devoted to making our community better through the Nevada Institute for Children's Research & Policy.

woman wearing black UNLV hoodie and glasses
People |

The 30-member team under the direction of Abby Wood took special care after Dec. 6 to repair damage to the Student Union.

students in spring
Campus News |

News highlights starring UNLV students and faculty who made local and national headlines.

Public Health In The News

KTNV-TV: ABC 13

The number of confirmed cases of West Nile virus in Clark County has risen again as mosquitoes positive for the virus are found in 44 Southern Nevada zip codes.

IndiaCurrents

Fatima* (name changed upon request) and Salman* are new immigrants to the United States. They have a son Idris, in fourth grade, who is having a difficult time in school. His teacher, during the parent-teacher meeting, pointed out that he has difficulty reading aloud, has slow belabored reading, is poor with spelling, and is finding it hard to learn in school.

KLAS-TV: 8 News Now

UNLV and the Las Vegas Raiders are coming together to create a program focused on empowering middle school girls through flag football. Other groups in the Las Vegas valley are using sports to boost body image and mental well-being. Grit, no fear, and getting the job done on a football field.

IndicaNews

Depression, which is characterized by sustained deep feelings of sadness and melancholy, and bipolar disorder which is marked by mood swings between extreme elation and severe depression are two distinct but serious causes of disability. Both require correct diagnosis and distinct treatments. Bipolar illness usually starts in the early 20s but on average takes 8-10 years, often longer, for a correct diagnosis. Needless to say, this delay prolongs the agony of the patient and increases the negative sequelae for the patient and their families. Depression usually starts in adulthood but can occur at any age.

Las Vegas Sun

By 2030, the U.S. population of LGBTQ+ adults over age 50 is expected to reach 7 million. As this community grows, the need to address housing disparities in our state becomes more evident. Elders who live in urban areas, such as Las Vegas, face significant housing challenges due to lack of affordable options, fear of discrimination, social isolation, and socioeconomic and health disparities.

Homes & Gardens

If you've notice pea-sized brown bugs on your plants that are leaving holes from munching, it could be kudzu bugs. Closely related to stink bugs, kudzu bugs are plant munchers that will feed on everything from foliage to vegetables.

Public Health Experts

An expert on public health, and its relations to food, physical activity and community design.
An expert in infectious disease outbreaks and surveillance, including COVID-19 and monkeypox.  
An expert in health disparities, children's health, and culturally responsive health communication.
An expert on issues regarding healthcare policy and strategic management.
An expert on parasites, as well as the biology and control of ticks, mites, and other insects. 

Recent Public Health Accomplishments

Manoj Sharma (Social and Behavioral Health; Internal Medicine) co-presented a poster titled, "Improving pediatric atopic dermatitis care: Online intervention in Mississippi," at the Children’s Hospital of Mississippi Pediatrics Research Meeting held in Jackson, MS on July 19, 2024 with co-presenters from University of Mississippi Medical Center.…
Louisa Messenger (Environmental and Occupational Health) co-published an article on "Invasive Anopheles stephensi in Africa: insights from Asia" in the journal Trends in Parasitology. Anopheles stephensi is a highly competent urban malaria vector species, endemic in South Asia and the Persian Gulf, which has colonised eight countries in sub-…
Manoj Sharma, Mohammad Sohail Akhter, and Asma Awan (all Social and Behavioral Health) presented a paper titled, “Salient lessons from a state-wide process evaluation of health disparity efforts using the RQFSM model in the United States,” at the II. Bilsel International Kibyra Scientific Research Congress, which was held in Burdur, Turkiye…
Ann Vuong (Epidemiology and Biostatistics) co-published an article titled, "Gestational exposure to environmental chemicals and epigenetic alterations in the placenta and cord blood mononuclear cells," in the journal Epigenetics Communications. Exposure to environmental chemicals such as phthalates, phenols, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons…
Manoj Sharma (Social and Behavioral Health; Internal Medicine) presented an interdisciplinary paper titled, “Legitimizing Self versus Other Conflict in Digital Space: Analyzing User’s Online Comments about Afghan Refugees in U.S. Media (2016-2022),” in collaboration with a Fulbright Professor, Maneesh Pandeya at the 3rd International…
Jason Flatt (Social and Behavioral Health) contributed to a guest column about how "Inclusive housing empowers the LGBTQ+ community to age with dignity," published in the Las Vegas Sun. The U.S. population of LGBTQ+ adults over age 50 is expected to reach 7 million by 2030. As this community grows, the need to address housing disparities in our…