George Mason University College of Public Health

07/12/2024

Three MSW alumni, Kendall Barrett, Madeline Holden, and Harveen Pantleay, conducted field research on the impacts of ageism on healthcare quality and co-authored a published article on intergenerational mentorships for medical students. Through their experience, they successfully applied their education in their professional endeavors while also learning more about the growing field of gerontology. Learn more: https://ow.ly/8Hkk50SAxK4

07/09/2024

Congratulations to Katherine Scafide, for being honored with the Ann Burgess Forensic Nursing Research Award from International Association of Forensic Nurses for her revolutionary contributions to the field. She has spearheaded research on bruise and injury detection among all skin types, which has advanced equity in identifying and documenting injuries, especially among patients of color. Learn more: https://publichealth.gmu.edu/news/2024-07/george-mason-university-researcher-receives-international-recognition-contributions

07/08/2024

Health Informatics Professor Farrokh Alemi has received a National Institutes of Health grant to pilot a first-of-its-kind, evidence-based artificial intelligence tool to address the medication needs of Black and African American people with depression.

“There is a significant need to synthesize available evidence regarding antidepressant effectiveness and provide personalized treatment recommendations, and this project addresses a major gap in the management of Black and African Americans with depression,” said Alemi.

Learn more: https://publichealth.gmu.edu/news/2024-06/college-public-health-receives-nih-grant-pilot-ai-chatbot-african-americans-depression

07/06/2024

Congrats to Karen Trister Grace in the School of Nursing on her newest publication describing her editorial team's journey updating the language in their pregnancy-care textbook to be gender inclusive. Learn more

Challenges are discussed, as well as recommendations for authors and editors. [J Nurs Educ. 2024;63(X):###-###.].

07/03/2024

George Mason University's Learning Laboratory for Community Health hosted its inaugural Learning Lab Challenge, tasking graduate research assistants from different disciplines with devising interventions for opioid use disorder among adolescents and young adults.

"It was rewarding to celebrate the transformative impact our Mason students have had on the landscape of community health," said Ashley Wiest, research faculty in the College and program coordinator.

Learn more: https://publichealth.gmu.edu/news/2024-06/learning-laboratory-community-health-prepares-graduate-students-solve-real-world

07/01/2024

WTOP News interviewed Dean Melissa Perry about her op-ed on the importance of eye contact in fostering meaningful social interactions.

Making eye contact can convey a lot of information in a conversation, yet young people immersed in digital devices might be depriving themselves of that kind of communication.

06/28/2024

In VISIBLE Magazine, Arion M Lillard-Green, a PhD in Health Services Research student, wrote about the critical importance of advanced care planning, ensuring health care wishes are known and respected, particularly during times of crisis. Read it below!

King Charles III’s thoughtful resumption of royal duties, months after his cancer diagnosis sheds light on a pervasive yet silent crisis—the lack of undocumented healthcare wishes. The king’s battle reveals a universal truth—the inevitability of health crisis and death, which spares no one, ...

06/27/2024

Around 13% of people who are infected with HIV don’t know that they’re infected, according to a study conducted by HIV.gov. Today, National HIV Testing Day aims to increase awareness about HIV and STI testing while decreasing the stigma surrounding getting tested for HIV. Learn more about Kayla Moore, a MSW student at Mason’s College of Public Health, who wants to promote HIV testing among college students: https://publichealth.gmu.edu/news/2024-02/mason-public-health-student-wants-you-know-about-national-black-hivaids-awareness-day

Kayla Moore sees testing for sexually transmitted diseases as a key part of public health, and the doorway to a healthy community. Moore is currently getting her Master of Clinical Social Work at George Mason University’s College of Public Health, and in recognition of the 25th anniversary of Nati...

06/26/2024

In a groundbreaking study, Megumi Inoue, associate professor in the Department of Social Work, led an interdisciplinary team at George Mason University to find therepeutic alternatives to medications used to treat dementia patients. They found that personalized playlists comprised of songs that dementia patients listened to during their youth led to lower usage of antipsychotics and increased positive social engagement. Learn more: https://ow.ly/ZvR750SpAuE

06/25/2024

Trace, or very small amounts, of elements have been shown to affect ovarian function, in previous clinical studies. This can reduce the likelihood of getting pregnant. Taken together, this evidence raises concerns about non-essential elements that don't contribute to nutritional needs such as lead and mercury.

In a new study funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and from principal investigator Michael Bloom, and Rooshna Mohsin, MPH, first author and George Mason Ph.D. student, researchers found that some trace elements measured in ovarian follicular fluid were associated with differences in ovarian response to in vitro fertilization (IVF), which in turn, may affect the chance of getting pregnant. Learn more: https://ow.ly/4hHI50SpAe2

06/24/2024

Research from Assistant Professor Lucas Prieto found an indirect relationship between internalized gay ageism and older gay men’s sexual satisfaction when mediated by body image, but internalized gay ageism does not influence their erectile dysfunction. Learn more: https://ow.ly/u48l50SoJO4

06/21/2024

Congratulations to Carolyn Drews-Botsch for being awarded the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award in Medical Sciences. She will teach and conduct research with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) during the fall of 2024. Fulbright U.S. Scholars are faculty, researchers, administrators, and established professionals teaching or conducting research in affiliation with institutes abroad. Learn more: https://publichealth.gmu.edu/news/2024-06/college-public-health-professor-carolyn-drews-botsch-receives-fulbright-us-scholar

06/20/2024

Congratulations to Associate Professors Gilbert Gimm and Megumi Inoue on being elected 2024 Gerontological Society of America (GSA) Fellows. Fellow status is the highest membership category within the GSA and is given for outstanding and continuing work to advance the field of gerontology. Learn more about their gerontology research:

Gimm, a Health Administration and Policy faculty member, and Inoue, a Social Work faculty member, have both contributed significant research to support healthy aging and improve the well-being of older adults and family caregivers.

06/18/2024

One of the many challenges researchers can face while conducting research is recruiting and retaining study participants. Associate Professor Kathi Huddleston, a leading expert in participant enrollment, recruitment, and retention, shares 6 tips for research recruitment success.
1. Start thinking about recruitment at the beginning
2. Know your community and know your community specialty resources
3. Communicate and educate
4. Reimburse participants
5. Set goals and metrics – and celebrate your successes
6. Know your numbers
Learn more: https://publichealth.gmu.edu/news/2024-03/top-6-tips-research-recruitment-success

06/17/2024

The College of Public Health's Master of Science in Health Informatics, Data Analytics Concentration program has been ranked #7 in the nation for 2024's best online Master's in Healthcare Analytics programs by AnalyticsDegrees.org! Learn more below.

We are pleased to announce that the Master of Science in Health Informatics, Data Analytics Concentration program has been ranked #7 in the nation for 2024's best online Master's in Healthcare Analytics programs by AnalyticsDegrees.org. This recognition highlights the excellence and impact of our curriculum in preparing students for successful careers in healthcare analytics.

For those unfamiliar with AnalyticsDegrees.org, it is a renowned publication that provides comprehensive information for students researching analytics education and career opportunities.

Learn more at: https://www.analyticsdegrees.org/specialties/masters-in-healthcare-analytics/.

06/14/2024

In this op-ed for Psychology Today, Dean Melissa Perry writes about the importance of eye contact in forming connections with others, including three ways to enhance eye contact for a more engaged life.

Our modern lifestyle causes us to lock our eyes more frequently on screens than on human faces, which has significant implications for developing our social skills.

06/13/2024

Associate Professor Katherine Scafide, PhD, RN has been appointed to the editorial board of the Journal of Forensic Nursing. Scafide was unanimously endorsed by the members of the editorial board due to her exceptional research and scholarship in the field of forensic nursing. Learn more: https://publichealth.gmu.edu/news/2024-05/associate-professor-katherine-scafide-appointed-editorial-board-journal-forensic

06/12/2024

With the surge in demand for trained social workers across multiple fields, Mason alumnus Gary Taylor, LCSW, wants aspiring social workers to understand that social work isn't just clinical and case work. His mission is to “pass the baton” to the next generation of social workers—and to bust some myths commonly associated with social work careers along the way. Learn more:

Taylor's mission is to “pass the baton” to the next generation of social workers – with a focus on recruiting more Black men to the field. Part of that recruiting process is busting some of the myths commonly associated with social work careers.

06/10/2024

New qualitative research by Iulia Fratila, assistant professor in George Mason University’s College of Public Health, and Liza Berdychevsky, associate professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, describes in what ways young adults (aged 18-30) view cannabis as a recreational and leisure pursuit.

“This research provides novel insights into cannabis users' leisure motivations of use and perceived benefits, which can be leveraged strategically in public health and drug education efforts in the societal transition from criminalization to normalization and commercialization trends concerning cannabis," said Fratlia.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/zHi850SezHA

06/07/2024

Ali Weinstein, professor of Global and Community Health and Senior Scholar in the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, has been elected as a Member-at-Large for the Society for Health Psychology APA Division 38, a division within the larger American Psychological Association. Learn more: https://ow.ly/zEIh50SbZ4s

06/06/2024

Associate Professor of Social Work Denise Hines seeks to reduce stereotypes and bias of men from racial and ethnic minority communities who experience intimate partner violence (IPV). With a $1 million grant, Hines is doing just that.

"This research will dispel a lot of stereotypes and racial biases that Black and Latino men who experience domestic violence face above and beyond what White men face. We want to make sure they don’t feel lost or alone. We hope to learn how we can make Black and Latino men feel comfortable coming forward and knowing there are people who will help them get what they need,” said Hines.

Learn more: https://content.sitemasonry.gmu.edu/news/2024-04/mason-researcher-denise-hines-receives-1-million-grant-study-male-victims-intimate

06/04/2024

Researcher Farrokh Alemi and his team have leveraged the power of artificial intelligence (AI) analytical models to match a patient’s medical history to the most effective antidepressant, allowing patients to find symptom relief sooner. The free website, MeAgainMeds.com, provides evidence-based recommendations, allowing clinicians and patients to find the optimal antidepressant the first time. Learn more below.

MeAgainMeds.com, a free AI-powered website, helps clinicians more effectively match patients with the optimal antidepressant using big data .

06/02/2024

It's Pride Month! Faculty members from multiple departments in the College conduct research with a focus on LGBTQ+ populations and health issues— learn more about them and their work.

06/01/2024

Just Science sat down with Associate Professor Katherine Scafide, sexual assault response researcher, to discuss how her team is developing methods to improve the visibility of bruises on black and brown skin tones following a sexual assault involving victims of color.

During a sexual assault medical forensic exam, capturing injuries such as bruises can be crucial for helping bring a case to justice. To address the challenge of bruise visibility on victims with darker skin tones, researchers are developing methods and technological solutions that better detect and capture skin discoloration for certain cases as well as lead to improved outcomes and promote greater equity for victims of marginalized communities. Listen along as Dr. Scafide discusses how her clinical background informs her current sexual assault response research, the importance of consulting clinical practice guidelines before adopting a new technology, and how her work aims to address equity and inclusivity in sexual assault response. Listen here: https://forensiccoe.org/podcast-2024-saam-ep2/
Available on Apple Podcast, Pandora, Soundcloud, and Spotify.

Just Technology to Improve Sexual Assault Bruise Detection Posted on: April 26, 2024 Last updated on: April 29, 2024 Written by: Erica Christensen Categorized in: 2024 SAAM, Cold Cases, Discipline, Podcast, Policy, Recent, Response, Sexual Assault Response, Special Initiatives, Uncategorized Tagged....

05/31/2024

A new study led by Professor Jeah Jung found that Medicare Advantage (MA) plans do not equally improve the quality of care across all racial and ethnic groups. The study compared gaps in the quality of care received by non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and Asian enrollees versus non-Hispanic White enrollees in MA and traditional Medicare. Learn more:
https://ow.ly/XYq650S0Y7T

05/30/2024

An interprofessional study from George Mason University researchers found that family caregivers of older adults living with dementia experienced a 15% drop in stress after a 9-week online peer support program. Learn morein the story below.

Interprofessional research study from George Mason University found that family caregivers of older adults living with dementia experienced a 15% drop in stress after a 9-week online peer support program

05/29/2024

The College of Public Health's interprofessional team, led by Professor Y. Alicia Hong, utilizes the Institute for a Sustainable Earth's inaugural Network Catalyst Grant to establish the "EMBRACE" initiative, aimed at increasing access to health services in underserved communities through community-academic-government partnerships. Learn more: https://ow.ly/aLv350RZ4cZ

05/28/2024

A groundbreaking study reveals the success of a four-part nutrition intervention program in reducing adolescent malnutrition in Tanzania. Led by researchers including Assistant Professor Dongqing Wang, the program incorporated school meals, nutrition education, school gardens, and community workshops, demonstrating the transformative potential of schools in promoting healthy growth. Published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, this study highlights the importance of integrated interventions for addressing malnutrition. Learn more: https://content.sitemasonry.gmu.edu/news/2024-04/four-part-nutrition-intervention-program-reduced-adolescent-malnutrition-tanzania

05/24/2024

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It is critical to recognize the unique health disparities and barriers to accessing healthcare that Asian Americans face, such as increased risk for stroke and hepatitis B and lower access rates to a healthcare provider compared to other races and ethnicities.

CPH professor Y. Alicia Hong has received an NIH to continue a study on social media interventions for Chinese American caregivers for people with dementia. Learn more: https://hap.gmu.edu/news/2023-09/innovate-good-mason-professor-continues-study-social-media-intervention-chinese

05/23/2024

Dean Melissa Perry is proud to announce Dr. Martin Binks as the next chair of the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, beginning August 1.

Dr. Binks comes to George Mason from Texas Tech University where he is currently a professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences, the director of the Nutrition & Metabolic Health Initiative, and leader of the Binks Research Lab. Dr. Binks is a highly-regarded metabolic disease scientist and an experienced administrative leader in healthcare, business, and clinical program development. Over his distinguished career, Dr. Binks has assisted thousands of patients with behavioral, pharmacological and surgical weight loss; health and wellness; and quality of life improvement.

Nutrition is at the foundation of healthy people, communities, and populations—and under Dr. Binks’ leadership, the College is well-positioned to prepare tomorrow’s practitioners and researchers in this critical field.

Join us in warmly welcoming Dr. Binks to the George Mason University College of Public Health.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/FSfj50RT5Fv