Department of Social and Behavioral Health News
Housed in the UNLV School of Public Health, the Department of Social and Behavioral Health consists of faculty who engage in research and develop and evaluate community-based programs that promote health and disease prevention. Our students learn to identify high-risk behaviors or trends in specific populations, as well as propose solutions that aim to improve overall public health in communities.
Current Social and Behavioral Health News
A monthly roundup of the top news stories at UNLV, featuring the presidential election, gaming partnerships, and much more.
News highlights featuring UNLV students and staff who made (refreshing) waves in the headlines.
A collection of news stories highlighting UNLV’s dedication to community and research.
The Outstanding Faculty Award winner has spent over 40 years helping us understand health behavior.
The research expert recently received a $3.5M grant to conduct a study on LGBTQIA+ caregivers of dementia patients and their experiences.
Manoj Sharma receives Community Engagement Award for his work to provide access and delivery of health care to marginalized groups.
Social and Behavioral Health In The News
A total of 15 cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) or Sleeping Sickness reported in 2024 thus far in the United States is causing alarm because this disease is very rare in the US. Prior to 2024 the previous cases were in 2015 and were very few. It is a viral disease caused by mosquito bite and can have very serious sequelae. Typical mosquitoes that are infected with EEE include Aedes, Culex, and Coquillettidia. EEE virus is sustained in nature through a cycle between the Culiseta melanura mosquitoes and birds.
Every year the United States reverts its time by one hour in Fall and forward in Spring. This year daylight saving time (DST) ends on November 3, 2024. This shift hurts health in several ways. The impact is more pronounced in Spring and Fall is somewhat less troublesome. However, both time adjustments are problematic.
More than a dozen researchers collaborated on a report for Lancet that deems gambling as a public health threat on the same level as alcohol and tobacco. Manoj Sharma is a professor of social and behavioral health at UNLV who worked on the Lancet’s commission and explains the findings. He speaks with host Carolyn Beeler.
A recent report by The Lancet Public Health Commission has brought to the forefront the growing debate on the epidemic of gambling worldwide. The Report estimated that 46.2% of adults and 17.9% of adolescents had engaged in gambling of some sort in the previous year at the global level.
Diabesity is a term used to describe the blending of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The adverse health effects of these two conditions have commonalities. The term was first coined by Sims and colleagues in the 1970s, to highlight the close connection between type 2 diabetes and obesity. This condition is also referred to as obesity-dependent diabetes.
How does one overcome a drug addiction? Dr. Manoj Sharma explains the impact of drug dependency and how to tackle it.