Welcome to the March 2012 issue of HSPH Update, an e-letter for friends of Harvard School of Public Health.
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Red meat consumption linked to increased risk of mortality
A new study from HSPH researchers has found that red meat consumption is associated with an increased risk of total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality -- adding to the growing body of evidence of the health risks of eating high amounts of red meat. The results also showed that substituting other healthy protein sources, such as fish, poultry, nuts, and legumes, was associated with a lower risk of mortality. Read more
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Sleepless in America
 America's sleep deficit is damaging long-term health, according to experts from HSPH and Harvard Medical School who participated in a March 6, 2012 panel sponsored by The Forum at Harvard School of Public Health. Watch the webcast photo: Aubrey LaMedica
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Harvard Humanitarian Initiative investigates abuses by Kony and LRA
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Jocelyn Kelly conducts interviews in Africa.
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You may have heard about the Kony 2012 viral video advocating for the arrest of Joseph Kony, fugitive leader of the militant group the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). The Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI), building on its extensive work documenting human rights abuses in central Africa, is gathering evidence on the destabilizing effect that the LRA has had on the region to help policy makers determine how best to help survivors of these atrocities. To learn more, read an interview with Jocelyn Kelly, director of HHI's Women in War program, and visit the Women in War Program webpage.
photo: Lindsay Branham for Discover the Journey
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Social networks and volunteering linked with good health worldwide
Much research has indicated that strong social networks and volunteering are linked with good health. But most of that research was done in western or developed countries. Now, HSPH researchers and colleagues have found that the association holds true the world over. Read more
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One in ten children face elevated risk of abuse, future PTSD, due to gender nonconformity
Children in the U.S. whose activity choices, interests, and pretend play before age 11 fall outside those typically expressed by their biological sex face increased risk of being physically, psychologically, and sexually abused, and of suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder by early adulthood, according to a new study led by HSPH researchers. Read more
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Working healthy snacks into
after-school programs
Nutritious snacks don't have to bust budgets, HSPH researchers conclude in a new study that analyzed the cost of foods served in YMCA after-school programs in four U.S. cities. While the prices of individual healthy snacks are typically higher than those of their processed-food counterparts, the researchers found simple strategies that made healthy snacks more affordable. Read more
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Using cell phones for public health
 Cell phones could be the next big thing in public health, says Nathan Eagle, adjunct assistant professor in HSPH's Department of Epidemiology. Eagle gave a recent talk about using cell phone data to track people's mobility -- which in turn could help predict the potential spread of disease. Or, to help prevent disease, cell phone users could be sent text messages about avoiding disease-ridden areas. Read more |
Alumnus Gerald Chan is 2012 Commencement speaker
Gerald Chan, SM '75, ScD '79, will be the Commencement speaker at this year's HSPH graduation ceremony on May 24. Chan, a venture capitalist and co-founder of the Morningside investment group, has dedicated his career to developing companies and technologies that improve public health. HSPH students chose Chan after they heard his compelling talk at the School last year on the key role the private sector can play in promoting the public's health. In January, Chan taught a popular Winter Session course on Change and Innovation in Public Health. Read more about Chan's background or his April 2011 talk.
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Help students
so they can
help others
As a doctor in rural Nigeria, Patience Ugwi, MPH '12, provided critical services. But for every child she treated, she wondered how many more she would never see. Being accepted to HSPH -- and receiving a grant of full tuition -- was a dream come true for Patience. Help open the doors to other promising students by making a gift today. As Patience said, "If you empower one person who can bring about change, it's not one person who is helped -- it's everybody."
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Videos: Voices From the Field
Watch videos of recent talks by
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