Health in the Headlines

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2 min

Experts at the School of Health Professions and Human Services, the Saltzman Community Services Center, and the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell are available to offer commentary on the most important health and wellness topics of the day, including:

Measles – Infectious disease expert Bruce Farber, MD and public health expert Anthony Santella, DrPH can discuss the rising rate of measles in the U.S., which is nearing record levels this year, the value of vaccinations, and the impact of the outbreak on the general population.

Suicide - Psychology professors William Sanderson, PhD and Mitchell Schare, PhD, director of the Phobia & Trauma Clinic, can discuss how to talk about this sensitive topic with vulnerable individuals including children, who went to ERs for suicidal thoughts and attempts in 2015 at twice the rate they did in 2007. Public health professor Martine Hackett, PhD can discuss trauma and traumatic grief as an underlying cause of many public health issues, including infant mortality, maternal mortality, substance use disorder, and sexually transmitted infections. She can also address how “diseases of despair” have contributed to a decline in life expectancy in the United States for two years in a row.

Aging and disability – People with joint issues such as aching, pain, and stiffness who get at least an hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity every week are more likely to be disability free after four years than those who do not get exercise, according to a new study. Experts in orthopedics and geriatrics can discuss why preserving mobility and independence are so important as a generation of Americans ages – more than 78 million people will be 65 years or older by 2035, according to recent Census figures. Public health professor Corinne Kyriacou, PhD can also address public health policy and social justice issues related to aging in America.

USA Today: Booming measles cases rocket toward record: Up nearly 100 from last week

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Martine Hackett

Associate Professor of Population Health

Dr. Hackett's research focuses on public health and health inequities, particularly in the American suburbs and minority communities.

Public HealthHealth CommunicationResearch MethodsMaternal-Child HealthInfant Injury

Corinne Kyriacou

Vice Dean of Health Professions and Human Services and Associate Professor of Population Health

Vice Dean for Administration, HPHS and Vice Dean of Health Professions and Human Services and Associate Professor of Population Health

Health Care System Organization, Financing, Delivery and ReformHealth and Aging PolicyPublic Health LeadershipPlanning, Implementation and Evaluation of Community Health ProgramsIntegrated Care

Mitchell Schare

Professor of Psychology

Professor of Psychology and Director of the Phobia & Trauma Clinic

Emotional Aftermath of Traumatic EventsAnxiety DisordersPost Traumatic Stress DisorderPsychologySubstance Abuse Disorders

Find Experts

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Map Shows Trump Approval Rating in Each State With Critical Senate Races

Meena Bose, executive dean of Hofstra University’s Peter S. Kalikow School of Government, told Newsweek that President Donald Trump’s approval ratings in key Senate battleground states suggest Republicans face a more challenging political environment heading into the 2026 midterm elections. She noted that while incumbency and candidate quality will still matter, a president with approval ratings below 50 percent can create headwinds for candidates from his own party, making competitive Senate races more difficult for Republicans.

Jun 23, 2026

2 min

World Cup 2026: Hofstra experts on the science, health, and business behind the tournament.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to the New York metro area, and Hofstra University is ready. From the training room to the boardroom, Hofstra faculty bring research-backed expertise to the stories journalists are chasing this tournament season. Featured Topic The Cultural Game Why soccer means what it means and what this World Cup moment represents The World Cup has always been about more than the game. Brenda Elsey, Professor of History, studies soccer as a cultural and political force across the Americas -- from grassroots identity to gender and power. She can speak to what this tournament represents as a historical moment, on and off the field. Expert Brenda Elsey - History Featured Topic Health and Performance on the World Stage Expert insight on what it takes to compete and recover at a World Cup. Competing at this level means managing the body and the mind across weeks of high-stakes matches with almost no recovery time. Hofstra's health and kinesiology faculty are your sources for the stories behind the performance. Experts Jayne Ellinger - Athletic Training Katie Sell - Exercise Physiology Anna Len - Physical Therapy Genevieve Weber - Mental Health Featured Topic Beyond the Pitch What the World Cup does to cities, economies, and public health systems From local business impact and tourism economics to disease surveillance and emergency preparedness - Hofstra faculty are ready to talk. Experts Andy M. Forman - Marketing & Tourism Lauren Hindman - Management Martine Hackett - Population Health Meshack Achore - Population Health

Jun 24, 2026

1 min

Levy on Home Ownership, Suburban Voters, and the Midterms

A recent media appearance by Lawrence Levy, associate vice president and executive dean of Hofstra University’s National Center for Suburban Studies, include: June 17: Newsday: “Will they ever own a home? Long Island renters fear the ‘American Dream’ is out of reach.” Across Long Island, many renters are finding themselves shut out of a housing market defined by record prices, limited inventory and rising borrowing costs. Still, Newsday reports, people continue to aspire to homeownership, viewing it as a source of financial security and stability. “The lure of suburban homeownership remains as powerful as ever,” said Levy. “How else do you explain the willingness of more and more people to go deeper and deeper in debt to realize their suburban dream?”