University of Washington School of Public Health

09/03/2026

A new study led by UW Department of Epidemiology alum Austin Hammermeister Suger, suggests hereditary cancer risk may be more interconnected than we think.

Analyzing genetic and health data from more than 729,000 people across the U.S. and U.K., researchers identified 33 genes where rare, damaging mutations were associated with increased risk across multiple cancer types. These findings help us understand how genetic mutations affect underlying biological processes and could inform new approaches to screening or patient care. Read more: https://epi.washington.edu/news/rare-gene-mutations-linked-to-risk-across-multiple-cancer-types/

Most people who learn they carry a mutation in the BRCA2 gene think of it as a breast and ovarian cancer gene. Angelina Jolie's 2013 public disclosure of her own BRCA mutation and her decision to...

08/26/2026

Dolly Parton’s many gifts to the world extend beyond music, culture and the arts. Dolly Parton will be remembered as a generous humanitarian and advocate.

08/25/2026

Dr. Judy Wasserheit, professor emeritus of UW School of Public Health and of UW Medicine, was elected to the Washington Academy of Sciences Board of Directors. The board guides the implementation of WSAS’s mission, sets its strategic priorities, and provides oversight.

Dr. Wassersheit has been a member of WSAS since 2008. An infectious disease physician and epidemiologist, Dr. Wasserheit played a central role in launching the UW Department of Global Health, DGH and served as chair from 2014-2022. She also served as co-director for the UW Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness. She was the founding chief of the U.S. National Institute of Health’s Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Research Branch, director of the CDC’s STD/HIV Prevention Program. Her work on epidemiological synergy between HIV and sexually transmitted infections has shaped prevention policy worldwide.

https://www.washington.edu/news/2026/08/12/10-uw-professors-elected-to-washington-state-academy-of-sciences/

Eleven faculty members at the University of Washington have been elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences while another was elected to the WSAS Board

08/21/2026

🐾 Come run or walk with the UW School of Public Health team at the 2026 Alaska Airlines this Oct. 18! This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow students, alumni, and our SPH community — all while supporting student scholarships!

Each member will receive a cool sweatband + swag. Sign up and join our team at our link in bio. Help us become one of the largest teams on campus again this year! Sign up before Sept. 10 for early bird pricing 💜

08/19/2026

Every episode of the Health Cascades podcast, we ask our guests to share a reason that is giving them hope in the landscape right now.

Here, students Maddie Ediger and Rahma Igbal from the Student Epidemic Action Leaders (SEAL) Team tell us what keeps them hopeful. Listen to the full episode on YouTube or Spotify, link in bio!

08/17/2026

The NPGH Fogarty Global Health Fellows LEADERs program is currently accepting applications from eligible U.S. pre- and postdocs, and LMIC postdocs interested in conducting 12-months of research at affiliated sites in low and middle-income countries.

Trainees receive a stipend, research funds, travel, and are supported by a team of mentors. Research opportunities are available in a variety of disciplines, including HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, cancer, neurology/nervous system disorders, cardiovascular & blood disease disorders, digestive and kidney diseases, diabetes, maternal & child health, mental health, and more! Applications are due September 15, 2026. Learn more and apply here: https://fogartyfellows.org/apply/

We will review all applications between September-November, conduct interviews in late September-mid October 2026 and update all on the status of applications by February 2027. Fellowships begin July 1.

08/12/2026

This past spring, the Washington State Department of Agriculture surveyed households to get a clearer picture of food insecurity families are facing. Marie Spiker, the survey's co-principal investigator and UW Department of Epidemiology faculty, shared that inflation and disruption to federal food assistance programs can lead to real physical and mental health impacts for families.

Here's how Tri-Cities interfaith effort is ensuring thousands of local families have someone to turn to for help. Read more: https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/politics-government/article316536730.html

08/07/2026

At the University of Washington, researchers study both how to mitigate and understand behavior and how air quality degrades as a result of burning blazes.

This summer, the U.S. has been inundated with wildfire smoke and as fires rage across the Pacific Northwest, UW experts in public health, fire science, forestry, air pollution and more share how they are navigating wildfire season. Read the Q&A with UW News here: https://www.washington.edu/news/2026/08/05/qa-as-smoke-blankets-washington-uw-experts-share-how-they-navigate-wildfire-season/ UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences

As fires rage and smoke smothers the Pacific Northwest, UW News sat down with five UW experts in fire science, forestry, air pollution and more to ask how they

08/04/2026

Here are some steps to stay safe during wildfire smoke. For newest updates, follow https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

07/31/2026

A new UW Medicine study found that one in four children in low- and middle- income countries experience shigella-related diarrhea severe enough to require medical care by the age of two. Unprecedented funding cuts to international organizations which facilitate vaccine availability and affordability in countries that need them most, mean many communities are left at risk.

Shigella bacteria causes shigellosis, an intestinal infection that leads to severe diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps and is linked to an estimated 100,000 deaths annually. Patricia Pavlinac, one of the paper's lead authors and faculty at the School of Public Health said these findings underscore the need for both global and local action to address the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections. Read more: https://seattlemedium.com/antibiotic-resistant-shigella-study/

Study highlights the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant Shigella infections in young children worldwide, urging for prevention and vaccine development.