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At a gala event for Harmony Healthcare Long Island (HHLI), Martine Hackett, chair and associate professor of the Department of Population Health, School of Health Sciences (SHS), received the Mission Driven Award for her long-standing dedication to improving public health and advocating for underserved communities. The event honored community leaders who have made significant contributions to advancing healthcare access and equity. Hackett has been a tireless advocate for maternal and child health and health equity. Over the years, she has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at addressing racial disparities in healthcare, particularly in minority and low-income communities. Hackett’s leadership and passion for public health have left a lasting impact on the communities she serves. Corinne Kyriacou, vice dean for administration, SHS, associate professor of population health, a longtime colleague and member of the HHLI Gala Planning Committee, praised Hackett’s contributions. “Martine has always been driven by a genuine commitment to improving the lives of others. Her work goes beyond the classroom and touches the hearts of the communities she works with. She truly embodies the spirit of service and dedication,” Kyriacou said. Reginald Alston, dean of SHS, echoed these sentiments. “Martine’s impact on the field of public health and the students she mentors is immeasurable. She is a model of what it means to use education and research for the betterment of society. We are incredibly proud to have her as part of our Hofstra family,” Alston said. The gala, which celebrated HHLI’s growth and accomplishments over the past 15 years, highlighted Hackett’s numerous community partnerships and her ongoing work to promote health equity.
AU study shows participation in civil society groups lowers suicide rates
A new study by Lance Hunter, PhD, professor of social science in Augusta University’s Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, reveals a direct link between voluntary involvement in civil social groups and a lower risk of suicide. In the study, published in Cross-Cultural Research, Hunter looked at data gathered from 2000 to 2019 from 156 countries with varying levels of development from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America and found that participation in civil society groups, both political and non-political, may produce positive social and psychological benefits that are associated with lower suicide rates. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, during which mental health advocates, prevention organizations and other community groups promote suicide prevention awareness. “The greater the voluntary participation in civil society groups within the country, the lower the suicide rates are for that country,” said Hunter. “Voluntary civil society participation is a great way for people to connect with other individuals with similar interests and possibly find meaning and purpose to some degree. That in turn decreases feelings of social isolation, which can decrease the likelihood of suicidality or suicide.” Based on the research, he noted that social isolation is a major factor in suicide ideation and attempted suicide but it’s not the only factor. “It is important to note there are many psychological, biological, social and mental health factors that can contribute to suicide risk. Civil society participation and social isolation are just two factors among many that can affect suicidality,” said Hunter. Meredith Rausch, PhD, associate professor in the College of Education and Human Development’s Department of Research, Counseling and Curriculum, said research shows ideation and deaths by suicide in the United States tend to rise between February and April and again in August and September. “I have found the change in seasons often leads to people feeling overwhelmed when it comes to thinking about enduring another season,” said Rausch. “While the advent of spring or autumn may seem enjoyable or hopeful to some people, others find it to represent an entirely new season and the idea of experiencing that is exhausting.” Rausch also notes it’s important to note how these times of the year also coincide with the academic year, causing an increase in bullying, frustration with academics or other negative experiences for school-aged children. According to a 2023 study by the World Health Organization, more than 700,000 people worldwide die each year by suicide, and suicide is the fourth-leading cause of death among people 15 to 29 years old. Interested in learning more - let us help. Lance Hunter, PhD, is available to speak with media about this important topic - simply click on his icon to arrange an interview today.
Hurricane Helene: Addressing health and safety concerns as communities rebuild
With Hurricane Helene bearing down on the Gulf region, millions of people are deciding whether or not to evacuate from their homes or ride the storm out. How to best protect their families, concerns over feeding their infants and what to do with beloved pets will all factor into their decisions. Understanding the reasons why individuals choose one course of action over the other is a complex issue that researchers in the University of Delaware's Disaster Research Center have been studying for years. The following experts in the DRC, the oldest such center in the United States, can comment on the following topics: Tricia Wachtendorf: Evacuation decision-making, disaster response and coordination, disaster relief (donations) and logistics, volunteer and emergent efforts, social vulnerability. James Kendra: Disaster response, nursing homes and hospitals, volunteers, response coordination. A.R. Siders: Expert on sea level rise and managed retreat – the concept of planned community movement away from coastlines and flood-prone areas. Specifically, Siders can talk about how building more homes and infrastructure in flood-prone areas in Florida makes the consequences of hurricanes like Helene more severe. (How the 'expanding bullseye' is contributing to the rising disaster costs in the U.S.). She authored two papers slated for release on floodplain development (noting the more than 400,000 homes that were built in regulated floodplains 2001-2019). Jennifer Horney: Environmental impacts of disasters and potential public health impacts for chronic and infectious diseases. Sarah DeYoung: Pets in emergencies, infant feeding in disasters and decision-making in evacuation. Specifically, DeYoung can speak to reports that mothers in Florida social media groups are concerned about storage of breastmilk if/when the power goes out. Jennifer Trivedi: Can talk about preparedness steps and recovery, including recovery planning, particularly in non-coastal areas; as well as challenges for people with disabilities during disaster, cultural issues and long-term recovery. Victor Perez: Focuses on environmental racism and health disparities in historically marginalized communities. Shanjia Dong: Research looks at smart and resilient urban systems; infrastructure systems, critical infrastructure protection, effective disaster preparedness and response, and equitable resilience planning and climate change adaptation. Joe Trainor: Post-storm housing decisions and insurance.
#ExpertSpotlight: The changing seasons and the significance of fall
As the season of autumn unfolds, its significance reaches far beyond the changing colors of leaves. Autumn marks a period of transition with deep-rooted scientific, natural, cultural, and religious meaning. From environmental changes and harvest cycles to cultural festivals and religious observances, this season plays a pivotal role in shaping human understanding of nature and time. Its broad significance makes autumn a compelling topic for journalists, with various angles of interest to a wide audience. Key sub-topics include: Scientific Understanding of Seasonal Change: Exploring the science behind autumn, including changes in daylight, temperature, and plant biology, and their impact on ecosystems and human health. Environmental and Ecological Impacts: Investigating how autumn affects biodiversity, wildlife behaviors, and ecological cycles such as migration and hibernation. Cultural Festivals and Traditions: Highlighting the cultural significance of autumn in global traditions, including festivals like Thanksgiving, Diwali, and Oktoberfest, which celebrate harvests and community. Religious Observances and Symbolism: Examining the religious significance of autumn in different faiths, such as Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and the Pagan celebration of Samhain, which connect the season with themes of renewal, reflection, and spirituality. The Role of Autumn in Art and Literature: Analyzing how autumn has been historically depicted in art, literature, and music, symbolizing themes of change, nostalgia, and impermanence. Autumn’s Economic and Agricultural Importance: Investigating the economic impact of autumn, particularly in agricultural sectors, tourism (fall foliage), and local economies dependent on seasonal goods and services. Autumn’s blend of natural beauty, cultural depth, and ecological importance offers rich opportunities for storytelling, inviting audiences to explore how this season influences our world in profound and interconnected ways. Connect with an expert about the the significance of fall: To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com
You’ve probably heard of – or experienced for yourself – that women crave chocolate due to PMS (premenstrual syndrome) before or even during their cycle. Some attribute this craving to a loss of riboflavin during this time. But it could also be a response to the body’s increase in hormones that contribute to cravings for sweets and fats, and chocolate has both! Ignoring those cravings isn’t going to work. However, there are ways to satisfy your body’s needs without breaking the calorie bank, overindulging in food or reaching for unhealthy options. The cycle There are essentially two phases in the menstrual cycle — follicular and luteal — which are triggered by hormonal changes. “Cycle syncing” is the process of altering diet and activity according to a woman’s naturally occurring menstrual phases each month. When you consider nutrition “cycle syncing,” which is tailoring your nutrition with your menstrual cycle throughout the month, it’s helpful to break it into four separate components: Menstruation (beginning of menstruation). Follicular. Ovulation (1st day of luteal). Luteal. What does this mean? It means this complex cycle is controlled by female hormones that cause regular bleeding (periods). Estrogen is one of the major players that helps regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle and is produced mainly by the ovaries, the same two small glands that store hundreds of thousands of tiny eggs for release over a woman’s lifetime. Eating for PMS in cycle stages Phase 1: Menstruation – “Aunt Flo” comes to visit (3-7 days) During the menstrual period, the most work happens during the first three days. This is when a woman’s flow arrives and pain onsets in the pelvis, legs, back and other areas. This is also when the most blood is lost. The cramps a woman feels serve a purpose. They are a symptom of the uterus contracting, helping to shed the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), which you may know as Aunt Flo coming to visit, also known as menstrual bleeding. Focusing on good sources of nutrition with magnesium in them may help reduce the severity of symptoms for better sleep, headaches, muscle soreness in the uterus and cramping, swelling and bloating and mood changes. Healthy fats can be useful during this phase since levels of estrogen and progesterone are typically low. We need healthy fats to help generate any kind of hormones. Look for good sources of healthy fats in seafood rich in omega-3 fatty acids, avocados, olive oil, sardines in oil, nuts and seeds, fiber, apples, berries, ground flax seed and oatmeal. Phase 2: Follicular – release the kraken! (7-10 days) Let’s face it, during the second stage of a woman’s cycle, your body is about to drop the mic! Well, not the mic per se, but your body is preparing to release an egg. That’s a lot of work. During this phase, hormones are released to signal the production of follicles on the surface of an ovary. A handful will enlarge, but only the largest and strongest follicle will ultimately release an egg during ovulation. This plays the biggest role in the length of your cycle. At the very same time, the endometrium starts to thicken in case you’re getting ready to have a baby. The last five days of this phase, plus the ovulation day (the day the egg drops), are your fertile window (baby-making time!). This is when you are most likely to become pregnant if you have sexual intercourse without using birth control. Focus on complex carbohydrates during this phase. Complex carbohydrates keep the insulin-glucagon ratio even and can help manage depression, fatigue and insomnia. Pro Tip: Between cycling, zinc can be helpful for ovulation and potentially help to support the egg quality. For women who are looking to conceive, they may want to consider using more zinc in their diet or with a supplement leading up to the follicular phase. Talk with your health care provider to see if this is a helpful option for you. Phase 3: Ovulation phase – there can be only one! (2-4 days) The three to five days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation itself are the most fertile. Ovulation begins on the day the egg is released from the egg follicle on the ovary. Remember when you were little and found a dandelion seedling in the grass? You grabbed it and blew on the seedlings to release them into the wind. This is similar except it’s just one egg being released. Protein is your friend during this phase. Protein will help keep your blood sugars steady, keep you feeling full and prevent cravings. Phase 4: Luteal (premenstrual) phase – winter is coming! (10-14 days) The luteal phase starts on the day the egg drops, also known as ovulation day. This happens anytime from day 7 to day 22 of a normal menstrual cycle. After the teen years and before perimenopause (the time before menopause), the luteal phase is very predictable. It normally lasts 13 to 15 days from ovulation until menstrual bleeding starts a new cycle. These two weeks are also known as the premenstrual period. It’s very common to have symptoms during all or part of the luteal phase. You may feel irritable and cranky, gain water weight and feel bloated. A day or more before your period, you may start to have pain (cramps) in your belly, back or legs. It’s normal to have less energy at this time. Don’t panic, and don’t get down on yourself for needing to rest or nap. You may also have headaches, diarrhea or constipation, nausea or dizziness. When premenstrual symptoms make your daily life difficult, you are said to have premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Good dietary sources during the luteal phase should include calcium. Calcium can help reduce the severity of PMS symptoms, including bloating, depression, pain, mood swings and food cravings. Pro tip: It may be difficult to get all the calcium necessary to help with general PMS symptoms. While we recommend getting as much calcium as possible in your diet, check with your health care provider for guidance on nutrition and supplementation. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 1,200 milligrams of magnesium is usually recommended to help reduce the physical and mood symptoms of PMS. Everyone metabolizes food and supplementation differently. Results will vary. The role of iron Consider increasing iron and iron sources, especially during the luteal phase leading up to the menstruation phase. The leading cause of iron deficiency and anemia is a woman’s cycle. The more that women boost their iron stores before their menstruation cycle, the better. Look to increase iron consumption through animal sources, legumes or fortified cereals. Some women might need supplementation or other medical interventions. Sometimes, other conditions cause heavy menstrual cycles or reasons for medical intervention. Follow up with your health care provider Women may have menstrual-related conditions needing treatment beyond lifestyle changes alone. Seek care for: Irregular periods (not due to medication or breastfeeding). Heavy menstrual bleeding or severe menstrual pain. Significant depression and/or anxiety around the menstruation cycle. Menstrual cycles can have many different symptoms and associated medical conditions. Making lifestyle modifications is helpful, but if you’re experiencing severe or concerning symptoms, these should always be discussed with a health care provider.
Post-Pandemic: How Alcohol Is Harming the Health of More Women
The prevalence of alcohol-related complications has been steadily increasing over the years, but a significant surge occurred during the pandemic, particularly among women aged 40 to 64. According to a JAMA Health Forum report titled High-Acuity Alcohol-Related Complications During the COVID-19 Epidemic, there was a significant increase in severe alcohol-related complications in women and alcoholism. The majority of these, 54% to 66%, were alcohol-related liver disease; smaller numbers, 3% to 5% and 1% to 3% were attributed to alcohol-related cardiomyopathy and alcohol-related gastritis with bleeding, respectively. What the trends mean If these trends persist, the increases in alcohol-related complications will continue to harm women. There are several reasons explaining this increase. In addition to the overall increase in alcohol consumption, the pandemic exacerbated feelings of loneliness and uncertainty about the future. Additionally, lockdowns led to more time spent at home – an environment where alcohol is readily available. How alcohol affects women Women are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of alcohol due to differences in body structure and chemistry. They absorb more alcohol and take longer to metabolize it. This means smaller amounts of alcohol can cause more serious health issues. Also, the shift towards drinking at home, which was further made easier by convenient online shopping and home delivery during the pandemic, led to increased consumption without judgment. Addressing any substance misuse needs a multimodal approach. There are treatment options and medications that can help. It is important to wean yourself off alcohol with a doctor’s supervision, as withdrawal can be severe and dangerous. Getting help Health care providers, patients and their loved ones can all partner in enhancing education and awareness about alcohol use risks and reducing stigma in seeking treatment when needed. It’s important for women to recognize that they are not alone and that help is available. It is a difficult addiction for anyone to go through, but education and support can significantly improve outcomes.
Study shows long COVID is associated with food insecurity
Nearly five years after the onset of COVID-19, researchers are continuing to unravel the disease’s impact on the lives of those who suffered or continue to suffer symptoms lasting more than three months. Biplab Datta, PhD, assistant professor in the School of Public Health, recently completed a study on the effects of long COVID and the association with food insecurity among low-income families, defined as those with income of less than 200% of the federal poverty line. “Those experiencing long COVID were more likely to have food security concerns. The interesting finding is we did not see an impact of COVID infection in general on food insecurity. The association was only observed for those who experienced long COVID conditions,” said Datta. The study looked at two different groups of people – one that received public food assistance and one that did not. Datta said those who didn’t receive public assistance and suffered from long COVID were more likely to experience food insecurity, especially in terms of “anxiety over food sufficiency and shortage.” When looking at protection, treatment or prevention of COVID and food insecurity, Datta said while COVID is a public health issue, food insecurity is a public finance issue. However, he added that considering the two issues in tandem could lessen the overall burden and help better manage any future pandemics. “Knowing that long COVID may influence food insecurity creates opportunities for aiding patients with resources to improve their food access,” said Datta. “As such, targeted and tailored food assistance arrangements could be offered to low-income individuals diagnosed with long COVID.”
#Expert Opinion: 'Gun laws need an overhaul'
In the aftermath of last week's school shooting in Georgia, Jennifer Necci Dineen and Kerri M. Raissian from UConn’s ARMS Center contributed this compelling piece to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The entirety of the article is available here: On Sept. 4, the United States experienced its 45th school shooting of 2024, this time at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith called the shooting “pure evil” and reported the suspected shooter would be tried as an adult. Since then, the shooter’s father has also been charged. A criminal justice response is vital, but it cannot be our only response. Gun laws need an overhaul. The failure to do so means that we will continue charging shooters and their families and attending the funerals of those senselessly killed. Laws are the role of government. Should elected officials fail to act (again), we think it is also fair to hold them responsible for the firearm violence killing our nation’s children. Georgia lawmakers have passed legislation to protect children in other ways. Georgia requires that children be at least 16 years old and to have held a learner’s permit for a year before they can drive: minors under 16 cannot be employed in dangerous or harmful jobs; and those under 17 cannot marry. These restrictions recognize that children’s prefrontal cortex, the part of their brain responsible for reasoning, impulse control and decision-making, is not yet fully formed. Yet, despite firearms being the leading cause of death for children in the United States, Georgia has minimal regulations governing children’s firearm access. There is no minimum age for purchasing or possessing rifles or shotguns, no permit required for carrying firearms in public (whether open or concealed) and no mandate for secure firearm storage (such as unloading, locking and storing ammunition separately). Details of the shooting in Winder continue to emerge, but let’s start with what we know. Reports indicate that the shooter and his father were questioned by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in May 2023 following multiple anonymous tips about online threats, including images of guns. The suspect’s father claimed that his child did not have unfettered access to the guns. The authorities did not have probable cause for an arrest, and so they left and the guns stayed. And, in fact, the father bought his son a new gun — an AR-15 — as a Christmas present. Perhaps more disturbing is that this kind of negligence and indifference is not an anomaly. A similar set of facts surround the Nashville Waffle House shooter and the Michigan Oxford High School Shooter. In both cases, parents ignored warning signs and helped their sons keep or procure firearms that were used in mass shootings. Moreover, almost three-quarters of guns used in gun-related incidents at schools come from the home or someone the shooter knows. It’s fair to ask: Where are the parents? However, we also want to know where are the elected officials charged with keeping us and our children safe when they are at school, the movies, a parade or otherwise living their lives? Laws mandating secure firearm storage, permitting, minimum age requirements and background checks have been proven to lower firearm homicide rates. Emergency risk protection orders, or red-flag laws, which temporarily prevent individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others from possessing or purchasing firearms, have also been effective in reducing firearm homicides. Georgia’s failure to implement such regulations, allowing a child with underdeveloped decision-making skills to access a gun, means the state shares the blame for the gun-related injuries and deaths at Apalachee High School. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is right. It’s not the time to “talk about safety and policy.” The time was years ago, but it’s never too late to do the right thing. Kerri Raissian is an associate professor in the School of Public Policy at the University of Connecticut; director of the University of Connecticut's UConn’s Center for Advancing Research, Methods, and Scholarship (ARMS) in Gun Violence Prevention; and co-director of the Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP) Gun Violence Prevention Research Interest Group. Her research focuses on child and family policy, with an emphasis on understanding how policies affect fertility, family formation, and family violence. She is available to speak to media about this important topic - simply click on her icon now to arrange an interview today.
Aston University develops novel bone cancer therapy which has 99% success rate
Bioactive glasses, doped with gallium developed to create a potential treatment for bone cancer Lab tests have a 99 percent success rate of killing cancerous cells Method could also regenerate diseased bones. Bioactive glasses, a filling material which can bond to tissue and improve the strength of bones and teeth, has been combined with gallium to create a potential treatment for bone cancer. Tests in labs have found that bioactive glasses doped with the metal have a 99 percent success rate of eliminating cancerous cells and can even regenerate diseased bones. The research was conducted by a team of Aston University scientists led by Professor Richard Martin who is based in its College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. In laboratory tests 99% of osteosarcoma (bone cancer) cells were killed off without destroying non-cancerous normal human bone cells. The researchers also incubated the bioactive glasses in a simulated body fluid and after seven days they detected the early stages of bone formation. Gallium is highly toxic, and the researchers found that the ‘greedy’ cancer cells soak it up and self-kill, which prevented the healthy cells from being affected. Their research paper Multifunctional Gallium doped bioactive glasses: a targeted delivery for antineoplastic agents and tissue repair against osteosarcoma has been published in the journal Biomedical Materials. Osteosarcoma is the mostly commonly occurring primary bone cancer and despite the use of chemotherapy and surgery to remove tumours survival rates have not improved much since the 1970s. Survival rates are dramatically reduced for patients who have a recurrence and primary bone cancer patients are more susceptible to bone fractures. Despite extensive research on different types of bioactive glass or ceramics for bone tissue engineering, there is limited research on targeted and controlled release of anti-cancer agents to treat bone cancers. Professor Martin said: “There is an urgent need for improved treatment options and our experiments show significant potential for use in bone cancer applications as part of a multimodal treatment. “We believe that our findings could lead to a treatment that is more effective and localised, reducing side effects, and can even regenerate diseased bones. “When we observed the glasses, we could see the formation of a layer of amorphous calcium phosphate/ hydroxy apatite layer on the surface of the bioactive glass particulates, which indicates bone growth.” The glasses were created in the Aston University labs by rapidly cooling very high temperature molten liquids (1450o C) to form glass. The glasses were then ground and sieved into tiny particles which can then be used for treatment. In previous research the team achieved a 50 percent success rate but although impressive this was not enough to be a potential treatment. The team are now hoping to attract more research funding to conduct trials using gallium. Dr Lucas Souza, research laboratory manager for the Dubrowsky Regenerative Medicine Laboratory at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham worked on the research with Professor Martin. He added: “The safety and effectiveness of these biomaterials will need to be tested further, but the initial results are really promising. “Treatments for a bone cancer diagnosis remain very limited and there’s still much we don’t understand. Research like this is vital to support in the development of new drugs and new methodologies for treatment options.” Notes to Editors Multifunctional Gallium doped bioactive glasses: a targeted delivery for antineoplastic agents and tissue repair against osteosarcoma Shirin B. Hanaei1, Raghavan C. Murugesan1, Lucas Souza1, Juan I.C. Miranda1, Lee Jeys2,3, Ivan B. Wall3, and Richard A. Martin1 1. College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK 2. Oncology Department, The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, B31 2AP, UK 3. College of Health and Life Sciences. Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK DOI 10.1088/1748-605X/ad76f1 About Aston University For over a century, Aston University’s enduring purpose has been to make our world a better place through education, research and innovation, by enabling our students to succeed in work and life, and by supporting our communities to thrive economically, socially and culturally. Aston University’s history has been intertwined with the history of Birmingham, a remarkable city that once was the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and the manufacturing powerhouse of the world. Born out of the First Industrial Revolution, Aston University has a proud and distinct heritage dating back to our formation as the School of Metallurgy in 1875, the first UK College of Technology in 1951, gaining university status by Royal Charter in 1966, and becoming The Guardian University of the Year in 2020. Building on our outstanding past, we are now defining our place and role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world. For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Nicola Jones, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7825 342091 or email: n.jones6@aston.ac.uk
ExpertSpotlight: The History of American Football
American football holds a special place in the cultural fabric of the United States, evolving into one of the most popular and celebrated sports in the country. Its history, marked by innovation, athleticism, and deep-rooted rivalries, reflects broader societal changes such as commercialization, media influence, and evolving notions of teamwork and competition. As one of the most-watched sports globally, its impact on American culture, from college football Saturdays to Super Bowl Sundays, goes beyond the field. This story matters because it highlights the connection between sports, community identity, and the evolution of American pastimes. Key story angles of interest include: The origins and early development of American football The impact of college football rivalries on American sports culture The rise of the NFL and its influence on modern sports entertainment The role of football in fostering a sense of community and national identity The effects of media and technology on the commercialization of football Health concerns and how they’ve shaped the future of the sport, particularly in relation to player safety and concussions Connect with an expert about the The History of American Football: To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com