Rising Temperatures, Rising Health Risks: Experts Offer Climate Solutions

Wen Public Health climate scientists are pioneering solutions to the challenges of a hotter planet, from mitigating urban heat risks in vulnerable communities to lessening the health-damaging effects of scorched skies and contaminated waters. A central strategy is empowering affected populations through collaborative research.

This approach ensures that scientific findings translate directly into tangible improvements in community well-being, including better preventive guidance, policy recommendations, and treatments. READ MORE

SPECIAL EARTH WEEK SEMINAR
Is there a path to healthy and sustainable diets for all?
Wednesday, April 23 | 11– 12 p.m. | Zoom Webinar

The world is facing a health crisis due to increasing rates of obesity and diabetes, and the consequences of this pandemic will accumulate over the coming decades. Simultaneously, climate change is accelerating and is already having devastating effects that will undermine our ability to feed the world’s growing population.

Come to a guest lecture, featuring Dr. Walter Willett, Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, as he discusses diets in our changing planet.

ACCOLADES

Wen Public Health ranked the #27 graduate school of public health by U.S. News & World Report

Wen Public Health, jumped 19 spots to No. 27 among more than 215 schools and programs of public health. They now sit at #17 among all public schools and programs of public health. READ MORE

HEALTH EQUITY SPOTLIGHT

Majority of eligible Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders didn’t receive mental health care, food assistance during pandemic

Though Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI) experienced negative mental health and economic impacts during the pandemic, for a range of reasons, available assistance programs and resources were underutilized, according to a new report spotlighting how COVID-19 affected NHPIs in California.

The report, co-written by Brittany Morey, which was based on a survey of more than 900 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander adults in California between January 2024 and May 2024, found that about 1 in 3 NHPI adults (33.9%) reported needing mental health care in the prior year for help with stress, depression, or emotions. And 17% of NHPIs reported avoiding or delaying needed mental health care in the previous 12 months. READ MORE

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT
Study uncovers link between historic redlining and increased risk of gestational diabetes

A new study, led by Jun Wu and Wajeeha Umer, reveals a connection between historic redlining and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The research, published in Diabetes Care, shows that pregnant individuals living in formerly redlined neighborhoods are significantly more likely to develop GDM. READ MORE

HONORS & AWARDS
Global health researcher recognized for impact & reach

Tetyana Vasylyeva, a global health researcher, whose work focuses on studying the effects of the war, and the disruption it causes to health care services and to people’s lives, has been recognized by the UC Irvine Faculty Assembly. READ MORE

IN THE COMMUNITY
Researchers share insights from the Tustin Hangar Fires

Left to right, Alana LeBrón, Dele Ogunseitan, and Shahir Masri appeared on a panel at Translational Science 2025 to discuss the 2023 Tustin Hangar fire and further analyze the critical needs and gaps in public communication, disaster management, and health equity, offering a case study for the broader implications of similar disasters amid a changing climate. READ MORE

IN THE MEDIA

"Over time, eating lots of sugar can make it harder for the body to process insulin properly, which can lead to diabetes. Diets high in added sugars can elevate unhealthy fats and reduce HDL cholesterol—our ‘good’ cholesterol—both of which increase the risk of heart disease."

Matthew Landry, for Parade.com on April 16

All Media Hits

HAPPENINGS
Retaining Immigrant Health Coverage in California
Thursday, April 24 | 12– 1 p.m | Zoom

An informative virtual event where policymakers, researchers, health advocates, and healthcare professionals will describe key issues on the topic and strategies/recommendations to retain immigrant health coverage in California.

Hosted by the California Initiative for Health Equity & Action & Insure the Uninsured Project.

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 22,
to support our students.

By supporting the Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health during UC Irvine's annual Giving Day, you would be supporting our students today through scholarships or research funding. Consider a gift that will play a crucial role in our students’ ongoing success and future accomplishments.

GIVE TODAY TO SUPPORT TOMORROW