UW Department of Epidemiology

10/14/2026

On the latest episode of Health Cascades, Kelsey Conrick, postdoctoral researcher from Epi's Center for Fi***rm Injury Prevention discusses her program Pathways 2 Safety to support patients and medical providers with tools to protect people in moments of crisis.

Health Cascades · Episode

10/13/2026

Wildfire smoke can pose serious health risks, and its effects may differ from pollution from other sources. In Prevention, UW Epidemiology faculty Joan Casey explains how wildfire smoke can affect health, who may be most vulnerable, and when to take precautions based on air quality. https://buff.ly/SX0TYmb

New evidence suggests wildfire smoke is particularly harmful. Luckily, there are ways to stay safe.

10/12/2026

UW Epidemiology Professor Helen Chu discusses Washington’s early respiratory virus season and questions surrounding the new mRNA flu vaccine, including access and vaccine guidance.

A new and improved flu vaccine is available for adults 50 and over this year, using mRNA technology for the first time. Insurance coverage is up in the air.

10/12/2026

What legal options do families have after a fatal workplace disaster? Joel Kaufman, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences, of epidemiology and of medicine explains the history and limitations of Washington's workers' compensation system as the family of a worker killed in the Longview paper mill disaster seeks to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.

10/05/2026

Flu is peaking unusually early in the Pacific Northwest, with cases of H1N1 increasing in the community.

UW Epidemiology Professor Helen Chu spoke with KNKX about what may be driving the early surge, why this timing is unusual for the region, and what people should know about flu vaccination and evidence-based guidance. https://buff.ly/8Ms7Rl1

Public health leaders are urging people to get a flu vaccination and to check with their health provider about vaccine options.

09/22/2026

Calling practitioners and academic partners! Learn how the University of Washington's SEAL Team expands workforce capacity, supports public health priorities, and creates meaningful student learning experiences through academic-practice partnerships. Register today! https://buff.ly/6efhhEa

09/22/2026

Calling public health practitioners and academic partners! Learn how the University of Washington's SEAL Team expands workforce capacity, supports public health priorities, and creates meaningful student learning experiences through academic-practice partnerships. Register today! https://buff.ly/kqxSCW4

09/21/2026

A new $500,000 gift from the Erick Shirley Foundation for Mental Health will help expand Pathways 2 Safety, a University of Washington program working to prevent fi***rm su***de.

Led by Kelsey Conrick of UW Epidemiology’s Center for Fi***rm Injury Prevention, Pathways 2 Safety trains community behavioral health providers to have conversations with patients about fi***rms and collaboratively develop safety plans during times of crisis. The program has already trained 600 providers and students with support from an initial $250,000 gift from the Foundation.

The new funding will help bring the program to additional behavioral health agencies, adapt training for mobile crisis response, and support continued interdisciplinary work.

Pathways 2 Safety trains community behavioral health providers on how to support patients in crisis.

09/15/2026

Congratulations to UW Epidemiology faculty Alison Fohner, Sarah Lindström and Nicholas L. Smith on their recent NIH R01 successes.

Fohner and Lindström each had R01 funding renewed, while Smith received two R01 grants, including one in collaboration with emeritus faculty member Bruce Psaty.

Together, these awards represent sustained investment in important epidemiologic research and highlight the impact of work being done across our department. https://buff.ly/gCRHPE1

Alison Fohner, Nicholas L. Smith and Sara Lindström have secured new awards or competing renewals, supporting research spanning dementia, cardiovascular disease, cancer genetics and more. These...

09/01/2026

The federal government is cracking down on potent kratom-related compounds, but what happens next?

UW Epidemiology professor Caleb Banta-Green, director of the Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology and Research at the Addictions, Drug and Alcohol Institute, told CNN that people who depend on potent kratom-related compounds could face withdrawal or turn to riskier alternatives following the DEA’s new ban. https://buff.ly/8rdQVzE

The US Drug Enforcement Administration has made three synthetic versions of a kratom compound Schedule I substances on an emergency basis.