News and Announcements - PBHL Newsletter October 29, 2021

PBHL 2052, Global Demography and Health with Dr. Ivan Ramirez (meets Core Curriculum International Perspectives requirement) Examines current issues in population growth, fertility, mortality and migration in the United States and globally. Introduces students to the basic tools of demography and encourages them to think critically about the causes and consequences of population change. Online. Contact ivan.ramirez@ucdenver.edu with questions.

PBHL 3002, Ethnicity, Health, and Social Justice with Dr. Hyeyoung Oh Nelson. Surveys core issues contributing to racial or ethnic minority differences in health status. Historical and contemporary U.S. health and social policy, including the areas of environmental health, sexual and reproductive health, children and immigrants, are examined. Online. Contact hyeyoung.nelson@ucdenver.edu with questions.

PBHL 3010, Human Sexuality and Public Health with Leah Pauline. The goal of this course is to critically engage students in the analysis of varying aspects and issues surrounding human sexuality in the US and globally through analysis of historical and contemporary construction of sexuality, but mostly how issues within sexuality show up in public health. We will consider sexuality from social, cultural, political, and public health contexts to identify key factors that influence sexual behavior and impact health outcomes. We will discuss how to use those contexts to develop public health approaches to improve the sexual health of individuals and populations. Online. Contact leah.pauline@ucdenver.edu with questions.

PBHL 4031, Ethnographic Research in Public Health with Dr. Jean Scandlyn. Ethnography studies how people see the world and act in everyday life and can be applied in public health practice to improve community health. The course covers research methods including direct observation, interviews and focus groups, rapid assessment and community-based research and basic analytic strategies, including review of computer software, coding, and data display techniques. Hybrid, Tues/Thurs 2:00-3:15pm. Contact jean.scandlyn@ucdenver.edu with questions.

PBHL 4200, The Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic with Petros Vilakati. This course covers the biological, social, economic, and political dimensions of the global HIV epidemic. Using inter-disciplinary perspectives, students will learn about the changing nature of the epidemic over time and in different regions of the world. Students will also apply health intervention and promotion theories to design HIV prevention interventions. This course will equip students to apply lessons from the HIV epidemic to other health and social issues. Online. Contact bonginkhosi.vilakati@ucdenver.edu with questions.

More information about online, hybrid, and remote course formats is available online. 

Our department advisors help guide students through our undergraduate programs. Public health advisors are available for both in-person drop-ins during the hours listed below and Zoom meetings by appointment. Alternatively, you can email questions to advisors at PBHLAdvisors@ucdenver.edu. Hours for drop-in or zoom advising are listed below.

Book an Online Advising Appointment

Note: These advisors are specific to the Undergraduate Program in Public Health. All inquiries concerning transfer credits and acceptance into the university should be directed at advisors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS Advising Office).

When I had the opportunity return to college and finish my undergraduate degree, my only expectations were to always try my best and hopefully graduate ready to get a job. I had no way of knowing that being a student of Public Health at CU Denver was going to be one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I am extremely grateful for my inspiring and supportive professors who have helped me along this journey. It’s because of this team effort that I truly feel I am graduating not only ready to be a professional in the field of Public Health, but as an improved, and more well-rounded person over-all.

Director of Undergraduate Studies Meng Li, PhD published “Physicians’ flawed heuristics in the delivery room” in Science. The article discusses the general background and implications of an original research article by Manasvini Singh coming out in the same issue of Science.

Health and Behavioral Sciences Alumna Dr. Charlotte Farewell will be presenting her research "Fostering Resilience Among Early Mothers Early (FRAME): Investigation of Perinatal Depression, Child Body Mass Index, and Multi-level Protective Factors in New Zealand" at the Annual Lorna Grindlay Moore, PhD Faculty Launch Awardee Lecture for Research in Women's Health. You are invited to attend the seminar on Tuseday, November 16th at 4:00pm by Zoom.

Join by Zoom

Dr. jimi adams was recognized with the 2021 CU Denver Pandemic Research and Creativity Award. adams’ expertise in infectious disease diffusion led to his involvement in the team modeling SARS-COV-2 epidemiological scenarios to advise Governor Polis’ office and policy decisions in Colorado throughout the COVID-19 pandemic response. adams used cellphone-based mobility data to assess how population-level behavioral contact patterns generate the potential for contagion spread. Based on his findings, his team was able to determine how jurisdictional boundaries should be combined for the state’s public health divisions’ response coordination. Congratulations, Dr. adams!

The goal of this program is to provide training and experience in population health research for college students who are from underrepresented and historically excluded groups in the health sciences. This is an 8-week summer research experience from Tuesday, June 21 to Tuesday, August 16 (virtual in 2022). Participants will engage in approximately 20 hours/week of research experience with a faculty mentor and receive an $8,000 stipend, paid bi-weekly.

Learn More and Apply Online