UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences

09/01/2026

Opening today: applications for our grad programs in Environmental Health Sciences for 2027-28! Apply by December 1 for priority admission. Change your life and your community with research into cannabis worker safety, infectious disease prevention and more. More details at the link in our bio!

08/25/2026

Congratulations to fearless public health advocate Lianne Sheppard on her retirement after 33 years on the faculty of UW DEOHS and UW Department of Biostatistics!

“Throughout her career, Lianne has exemplified scientific integrity, strengthened the connection between science and public policy, and devoted herself to mentoring the next generation of environmental health scientists," said DEOHS Professor and Chair June Spector. "Her impact on our field, our department, and the many people she has mentored will be felt for years to come.” Read more: https://deohs.washington.edu/news/fearless-public-health-advocate-retires

Photos:
1. Lianne Sheppard celebrates her retirement. Credit: Karen Levy.
2. Sheppard, Bruce Lanphear and Rachel Shaffer at the Seattle Glyphosate Symposium. Credit: Elizar Mercado.
3. Magali Blanco, Sheppard and Rachel Shaffer at the joint meeting of the International Society of Exposure Science and the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology in 2025. Courtesy of Sheppard.

University of Washington School of Public Health

08/20/2026

In light of the recent earthquakes in Colombia and Venezuela, our Center for Disaster Resilient Communities is sharing a Spanish-language resource for public health practitioners about the health impacts of earthquakes: https://cdrc.uw.edu/resources/natural-hazards-factsheets/

Debido a los recientes terremotos en Colombia y Venezuela, nuestro Centro para Comunidades Resilientes ante Desastres (Center for Disaster Resilient Communities) comparte un recurso en español dirigido a profesionales de la salud pública sobre los efectos de los terremotos en la salud: https://cdrc.uw.edu/resources/natural-hazards-factsheets/

Photo: Pereira, Colombia after the 2026 Colombia earthquake. Credit: World Central Kitchen.
University of Washington School of Public Health

08/17/2026

6 simple things you can do to limit your exposure to microplastics, from Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, professor in DEOHS and UW Medicine:

✅ Take off your shoes when you enter your home to avoid tracking microplastics into the home.
✅ Keep dust in your home to a minimum, as dust particles can contain microplastics.
✅ Try to drink from glass and stainless steel bottles when possible.
✅ Store your leftovers in glass Tupperware instead of plastic.
✅ Don’t reheat your leftovers in plastic containers.
✅ Don’t use plastic in cooking or food preparation (such as plastic cutting boards, spatulas or mixing bowls)

Here’s what you can do.

08/06/2026

5 UW experts, including our faculty members Elena Austin and Edmund Seto, told UW News how they navigate wildfire season. Get more tips at the link in the comments! 🔥💨😷

University of Washington School of Public Health Washington State Department of Labor & Industries University of Washington News

08/03/2026

It takes just three simple steps to protect your health during wildfire smoke events.

Read more about the health impacts of wildfire smoke: https://deohs.washington.edu/news/risk-real

Tips for choosing a HEPA air cleaner: https://deohs.washington.edu/news/hepa-air-cleaners-could-prevent-deaths-wildfire-smoke

07/28/2026

DEOHS faculty member Marissa Childs examined the recent record-breaking levels of air pollution from wildfire smoke around the U.S. for the The New York Times. Explore the map below:

Many towns and cities recorded their highest readings of one pollutant, known as PM 2.5, in 20 years.

07/23/2026

Struggling to afford food? You're not alone, according to the results of the latest Washington State Food Security Survey (WAFOOD6) from the University of Washington, WSU Pullman and the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

“Our findings show that Washington households continue to feel the impact of rising prices,” said DEOHS Professor Jennifer Otten. “What is especially concerning is that nearly seven in ten food-insecure WAFOOD6 households reported cutting back on the quantity or quality of food that they eat and this is a reminder that food inflation is not just an economic issue, but also a health and wellness issue.”

University of Washington School of Public Health UW Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health

Washingtonians struggle to afford food amid rising costs and uncertain federal support, according to new survey from UW, WSU and WSDA

07/21/2026

Emily Do, a 2026 BS in Environmental Public Health graduate, spoke with The Daily about our department's top ranking in U.S. News and World Report: the University of Washington is #2 in the U.S. (and #1 among U.S. public universities) in public, environmental and occupational health!

07/14/2026

Congratulations to DEOHS Associate Teaching Professor Emily Hovis on receiving the 2026 DEOHS Outstanding Faculty Award from our students!

Despite days filled with teaching, research and committee service, and evenings and weekends running a farm, she always makes time for her students. She meets with each of her many mentees weekly, and has even been known to bring them her own farm-raised pork and eggs when they are having a bad week.

Read more from the students who nominated her, Mariah Rubin, Gracie Hively, Natalia Stamatatos and Hannah McKinley, at the link in the comments.