Dear UCI campus community:

In an increasingly interconnected world, public health issues are often complex and require innovative thinking. Traditional methods of public health practice may fall short in achieving a prosperous, equitable, and healthy world. Instead, we must inspire methods that serve the community by partnering with the community.  

In every aspect of public health, from policy to environment to disease prevention, community-academic partnerships have far-reaching impacts on health equity, as featured in the OC Register.

In early October, the research team behind Dean Boden-Albala’s family-based, hypertension prevention study SERVE OC (Skills-based Educational strategies for the Reduction of Vascular Events in Orange County)—including faculty, staff, and undergraduate, MPH, and PhD students—hosted lunch at a local micro-farm for participants in the study’s intervention group. The event included a farm tour of SALSA (Santa Ana Locally Supported Agriculture Community Food Hub) in three languages (English, Spanish, Vietnamese), a compost workshop, and an opportunity to plant seedlings. Program in Public Health faculty Bruce Albala and Matthew Landry, whose research focuses on nutrition; community health workers from Latino Health Access and partners from Radiate Consulting; and special guests Evelyn Gonzalez of Northgate Markets and Gladys Sanchez, Oscar Magana, Christian Rendon, and Angel Navarro of El Sol Academy joined the families to learn about the challenges and successes they experience around nutrition and food security.

SERVE OC not only supports families in meeting their cardiovascular health goals but creates key opportunities for the study team, community partners, local government leaders, and participating families to work together at the structural level to impact policy change on important topics, such as food security, that impact their health. 

Bridging the gap between academia and the community

One of the most crucial and final steps in a successful community-based participatory research project is to disseminate the findings back in the community. Karen Lincoln, professor of environmental and occupational health, and team hosted a community forum from their Sleep Tight and Express Yourself studies with the research participants, community members, partner organizations, and other researchers. Full Article >> 

Community-engaged neurological interventions are lacking against the burden of disease among diverse communities

Bernadette Boden-Albala, professor of health, sociey, and behavior, uncovered gaps in neurologic-intervention studies incorporating community engagement practices which signal a wake-up call for future researchers working on reducing the burden of neurological diseases on nearly 6.5 million people. Full Article >>  

Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Cancer Prevention Researcher Dr. Sora Tanjasiri

In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Sora Park Tanjasiri, a cancer prevention researcher and professor of health, society, and behavior, answers vital questions on breast cancer screening guidelines to combat the disease that affects 3.8 million U.S. women. Full Article >>  

Empowering parents with knowledge about vaccines

With flu season upon us, Suellen Hopfer, associate professor of health, society, and behavior, explores the importance of childhood vaccination and addresses common concerns to help parents make informed decisions going into the 2023 flu season. Full Article >> 

Exposure to extreme heat associated with adverse health outcomes for pregnant women

Jun Wu, professor of environmental and occupational health, found that pregnant women exposed to extreme heat in Southern California had an association with severe maternal morbidity and cardiovascular events during labor and pregnancy. Full Article >>  

Doctoral student takes public health research to a community-level

Doctoral student, Athena Corral Carlos, and Bernadette Boden-Albala joined a volunteer team to visit Ensenada, Mexico to provide general healthcare like blood pressure measurements and eye exams and collect data that would shed light on disparities impacting a rural town. Full Article >> 

Wednesday, November 8 | Noon to 2 p.m. | Sue Gross Auditorium

Join us for our fall Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series. This upcoming quarter, we will feature a keynote lecture by UCLA's Julienne Bower, PhD, on the interactions between psychology and the immune system in cancer patients and survivors.

Casual reception to follow lecture. Hosted in partnership with the UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Are you interested in participating in a professional development panel for our students?

Professional Development Panel
To be Scheduled: January - June
Deadline: January 8th, 2024
Contact: Rocio Gonzalez (rociot1@uci.edu)

We are looking for community partners ready to engage in the community by participating in panels, professional development, and mentorship opportunities. Please view our deadlines and community partner interest survey below! 

Master of Public Health, Graduate Practicum
Session: January - June
Deadline: January 8, 2024

Undergraduate Practicum
Session: September - August
Deadline: Year-Round Options