In this issue of our Community Connections newsletter, we spotlight the transformative power of community-driven research and engagement. In our increasingly interconnected world, the most impactful and sustainable solutions arise when we actively involve those we aim to serve. This approach is especially crucial within research, where working with the community rather than merely in the community can lead to more meaningful and lasting change, especially in achieving health equity. 

As a testament to this approach, just in the past year, UC Irvine Public Health students, through their practicum experience, have amounted to nearly 49,000 hours of service to the community through a network of trusted organizations of more than 136 sites. Many of these sites hire our students who become valuable members of their organizations. We all share the same vision of fostering the next generation of our public health workforce and improving the health and well-being of our society.  
 
The inspiring stories of students and faculty who have made significant impacts through community-centered research and practice are described below. Join us as we celebrate the spirit of partnership and... 

Let's create change together, one community at a time.

CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF ORANGE COUNTY
Intern turned researcher bridges data analytics and public health for pediatric patients

MPH student, Jenny Cho, turned her data analytics internship into a research position as a data scientist supporting critical pediatric projects at CHOC’s Research Institute.

TEAM KIDS
Newest practicum site works with public health students to build community

Team Kids joined the UCI Public Health practicum site family and students help with programming that encourages elementary-aged students to build community and provide service. 

UCI HUMAN RESOURCES
Serving a community close to home – the UCI community

Two-time Anteater alumna, Lira Islam, MPH, kick started her career at UCI Human Resources and can be credited with improving and expanding the UCI Lactation Support Program.

CALIFORNIA'S CENTRAL VALLEY
Study findings discover suboptimal food pantry nutrition environments in San Joaquin Valley during the pandemic

Nutrition policy expert, Denise Payán, co-authored a study that calls for improved operations and outreach of food pantries, a vital source of accessible nutritious food and other health-related resources, in the San Joaquin Valley.

SOUTH LOS ANGELES
Does tobacco product exposure where Black and Latiné youth live, work, and play increase their risk of tobacco-related health disparities?

Jason Douglas will lead a study that looks at whether proximity to smoke shops have an effect on tobacco product use among Black and Latiné youth.

SAN DIEGO BORDER REGION
Closing the U.S./Mexico Border During COVID-19 Increased HIV Transmission

Tetyana Vasylyeva examined HIV prevalence and transmission dynamics among people who inject drugs in the U.S./Mexico border region during the COVID-19 pandemic and found increased cross-border HIV clusters.