College of Health News

Bright sun over alaskan flag Read More

UAA researchers are defining what ‘hot weather’ means in Alaska

 |  Chynna Lockett  |  , , ,

Alaska is prepared to handle harsh winter weather, but climate change has triggered a new threat – heat. Micah Hahn with the Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies (ICHS) is teaming with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Alaska branch to develop the state’s first hot weather warning system based on the local temperature threshold.

Donna Aguiniga, Matthew Cuellar and Mary Dallas Allen smiling, standing in front of trees Read More

UAA’s School of Social Work $1.2 million Department of Education grant will fill school social worker shortage in Alaska

 |  Catalina Myers  |  , , , ,

UAA's School of Social Work received a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to address the need for Alaska social workers in a K-12 setting. The School-Based Social Work Education and Network Development program (SSWEND) aims to graduate a cohort of 31 fellows by 2026 who will increase the amount of school-based mental health service providers in high-needs schools.

people holding sheets in woods for tick drag Read More

Researchers identify new tick species Alaska

 |  Chynna Lockett  |  , , ,

Historically, ticks haven’t been a problem in Alaska. But factors like climate change and tourism have created a welcoming environment for new species that can transmit illnesses to humans. Micah Hahn with the Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies is tracking them. “Our work over the past six years is to understand the baseline–where we are with the ticks that exist in Alaska.”

Philippe researching fungus Read More

Alaskan innovators awarded $2.5M grant to bring fungus-based insulation solution to global communities

 |  Vicki Nechodomu  | 

As the demand for sustainable and organic insulation solutions continues to grow Philippe Amstislavski, Ph.D. and professor of Public Health is working on an innovative multidisciplinary project that could solve Arctic communities building insulation issues.

Moose standing in front of trees Read More

UAA research finds antibiotic-resistant microbes lurk in poop of Anchorage moose

 |  Alaska Beacon  |  ,

Like other animals in the wild, the big animals that roam Alaska’s largest city are carrying bacteria that cannot be killed by commonly used medicines.