Social Determinants of Health

Nutrition Insight: George Mason University’s College of Public Health research on health disparities between ethnic groups cited in story about overall health trends.

tthoma8 — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 13:53:40 +0000

Nutrition Insight: George Mason University’s College of Public Health research on health disparities between ethnic groups cited in story about overall health trends. tthoma8 Mon, 08/26/2024 - 09:53

In This Story

Michelle S. Williams, PhD, MSPH

Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD

Beyond The Headlines: Balchem bolsters prenatal research, Ingredion reports strong Q2 results.

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Social Determinants of Health

public health research

interdisciplinary

cph in the media

In the Media

MedIndia: Picks up News-Medical story in which 2024 George Mason University study on social and structural determinants of health and social injustice impact risk of obesity highlighted featuring quotes from Michelle S. Williams and Lawrence J. Cheskin

tthoma8 — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 14:18:44 +0000

MedIndia: Picks up News-Medical story in which 2024 George Mason University study on social and structural determinants of health and social injustice impact risk of obesity highlighted featuring quotes from Michelle S. Williams and Lawrence J. Cheskin tthoma8 Mon, 08/12/2024 - 10:18

In This Story

Michelle S. Williams, PhD, MSPH

Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD

Social and Structural Factors Fuel Obesity Gaps

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Social Determinants of Health

Social and structural factors are key drivers of disparities in obesity rates

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 21:30:28 +0000

Social and structural factors are key drivers of disparities in obesity rates Mary Cunningham Mon, 08/05/2024 - 17:30

In This Story

Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD

Michelle S. Williams, PhD, MSPH

Obesity is an epidemic in the United States. It has been increasing among adults of all races and ethnicities over the last two decades; however, obesity is higher among Non-Hispanic Black adults, Hispanic adults, and American Indian or Alaska Native adults, than their White and Asian counterparts, according to the National Institutes of Health. Adults with lower income also have higher risk of obesity than those with a high income.

Michelle S. Williams, associate professor of community and global health

A George Mason University College of Public Health team of interprofessional researchers analyzed the last five years of literature to determine how social and structural determinants of health and social injustice impact the risk of obesity, its treatment and treatment outcomes, and explored the implications for prevention and future treatment interventions.

“We found that social determinants of health, such as where someone lives, and social inequities are primary drivers of obesity disparities,” said Michelle S. Williams, associate professor of community and global health. “Many of these determinants can be modified through interventions to reduce obesity.”

Social determinants of health that affect obesity include where someone lives and their access to healthy food, access to health insurance and obesity health care, safe places to be physically active, and policies to promote health behavior.

Lawrence Cheskin, professor of nutrition and food studies

“Population-based, equity-focused interventions that address the underlying causes of obesity disparities are needed to reduce these disparities and improve the health outcomes of minoritized and marginalized groups,” said Lawrence Cheskin, professor of nutrition and food studies. “The good news is that there are successful examples of public health interventions that communities can support to reduce obesity.”

Successful examples include community-based interventions that focus on improving neighborhood conditions, discouraging the consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages, expanding access to obesity treatment, building safe green and play spaces, and ensuring equitable access to fruits and vegetables.

“Even with these known successful interventions, more work needs to be done to expand and broaden programs, activities, and initiatives at the local, state, and national level in the many communities that continue to be negatively impacted by social and structural determinants of health and social injustices,” said Williams. “Public health workers can’t achieve these changes alone; policy makers must include strategies and money for these strategies in their policies at all government levels.”

The researchers conducted a review of literature published within the last five years focused on the social and structural determinants of obesity among minoritized and marginalized adults in the United States.

“Social and Structural Determinants of Health and Social Injustices Contributing to Obesity Disparities” was published online in Current Obesity Reports in June 2024. Sheila J. McKinney from Jackson State University is a co-author on the paper.

Topics

Obesity

Social Determinants of Health

Nutrition Faculty

public health faculty

public health research

GCH Research

Mason’s College of Health and Human Services Joins Johns Hopkins Clinical Research Network

dhawkin — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 14:04:05 +0000

Mason’s College of Health and Human Services Joins Johns Hopkins Clinical Research Network dhawkin Tue, 03/02/2021 - 09:04

Mason joins university and health care system collaboration to conduct translational research to improve health outcomes.

George Mason University’s College of Health and Human Services (the College) has recently joined the John Hopkins Clinical Research Network (JHCRN). This collaboration between regional health care systems and research institutions will have a direct impact on health care delivery throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region.

The JHCRN is a translational research organization dedicated to facilitating collaboration between diverse, community-based health care delivery systems and researchers. Translational research focuses on applying knowledge to address the needs of health care systems; it is specifically designed to improve health outcomes.

The JHCRN specializes in clinical trials across a variety of disciplines including oncology, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal conditions, neurological disorders and genomics. Sites within the network also collaborate with Johns Hopkins physicians. Some of the topics the College plans to explore with JHCRN include health disparities, social determinants of health, and health care costs.

“As part of the JHCRN, we look forward to improving the flow of scientific information and bringing a collaborative approach to clinical and translational research,” said Dr. Rosemary Higgins, associate dean of research for the College.

Collaborations between regional health care systems are an important part of the College’s dedication to making a positive impact on local communities in the surrounding areas. The College will join a number of other regional sites within the network including the Johns Hopkins Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Luminis Health, TidalHealth and Reading Hospital, an affiliate of Tower Health.

“We are proud to join this highly-respected network of health care delivery organizations to bring research discoveries into clinical practice in a timely manner to improve the health of those we serve,” says Dr. Germaine Louis, Dean of the College. “It is only through partnerships such as these that we can improve health equity and make health visible and accessible for all people.”

About George Mason University

George Mason University is Virginia's largest and most diverse public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls 39,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity and commitment to accessibility. For more information, visit https://www2.gmu.edu/.

About the College of Health and Human Services

George Mason University's College of Health and Human Services prepares students to become leaders and shape the public's health through academic excellence, research of consequence, community outreach, and interprofessional clinical practice. George Mason is the fastest-growing Research I institution in the country. The College enrolls more than 1,900 undergraduate and 1,370 graduate students in its nationally-recognized offerings, including: 5 undergraduate degrees, 13 graduate degrees, and 7 certificate programs. The college is transitioning to a college of public health in the near future. For more information, visit https://chhs.gmu.edu/.

Topics

CHHS Research

Social Determinants of Health

Health Disparities

health care

Health Care Finance

College of Health and Human Services

CHHS News

SCHEV Approves New PhD in Public Health with Concentrations in Epidemiology and Social and Behavioral Sciences

mthomp7 — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 18:32:19 +0000

SCHEV Approves New PhD in Public Health with Concentrations in Epidemiology and Social and Behavioral Sciences mthomp7 Wed, 08/26/2020 - 14:32

More Information About the PhD in Public Health

Request Information About the PhD in Public Health

Mason’s College of Health and Human Services offers Virginia’s first doctoral degree in public health.

The College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) announced August 25 that a new PhD in Public Health degree program with concentrations in Epidemiology and Social and Behavioral Sciences has been approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The College will enroll the inaugural cohort of doctoral students in Spring 2021.

Following a successful external site review held on June 17, 2020, SCHEV granted approval for the new PhD in Public Health degree, a program that will prepare career-ready graduates for academic and research careers in public health. The external reviewers praised the new degree program, particularly the quality of the College’s faculty and their commitment to research mentoring; the curriculum’s interdisciplinary focus on the social determinants of health; and the hands-on approach for ensuring student success. The reviewers also noted the existing infrastructure and resources to support the degree program at Mason and within the College, including the Peterson Family Health Sciences Hall and the Population Health Center.

“I’m delighted with SCHEV’s decision and remain appreciative of their guidance during this process. Our College is well-positioned to deliver an innovative public health curriculum that will prepare our doctoral-level graduates for academic and research careers so that they have both the knowledge and skillset to deliver health and ensure its equity for all,” said Dr. Germaine Louis, professor and dean of the College. “The COVID-19 pandemic is one example of the need for public health research and evidenced-based practice, but our mission goes further to understand other exposures that affect health and the design of interventions to minimize risky behaviors or to improve disease. We have the winning combination of expert faculty and motivated students who learn in a transdisciplinary environment. Our majority-minority student body positions us to understand health from the shared lens of many.”

SCHEV’s approval of the PhD program represents a significant milestone in the College’s overarching goal to become an accredited College of Public Health. The PhD in Public Health will be offered as a terminal degree in the continuum of current CEPH-accredited degrees, including Bachelor of Science in Community Health and Master of Public Health degrees.

“This is an exciting development that affirms Mason’s commitment to develop comprehensive academic public health at our university and in the Commonwealth. Particularly important as we confront the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is noteworthy that the College of Health and Human Services is poised to provide our students with a curriculum that promotes their success and develops the range of public health research skills and leadership abilities that employers seek locally and globally,” said Dr. Mark Ginsberg, interim provost and executive vice president at Mason.

Please visit our web site for more information regarding the new PhD program, including program details, how to request more information, and how to apply.

About the College of Health and Human Services

George Mason University's College of Health and Human Services prepares students to become leaders and shape the public's health through academic excellence, research of consequence, community outreach, and interprofessional clinical practice. George Mason is the fastest-growing Research I institution in the country. The College enrolls 2,260 undergraduate and 1,645 graduate students in its nationally-recognized offerings, including: 5 undergraduate degrees, 13 graduate degrees, and 7 certificate programs. For more information, visit https://chhs.gmu.edu/.

Mason gets $500,000 Grant from Kaiser Permanente to Help Underserved Populations in Virginia

dhawkin — Mon, 20 May 2019 14:30:25 +0000

Mason gets $500,000 Grant from Kaiser Permanente to Help Underserved Populations in Virginia dhawkin Mon, 05/20/2019 - 10:30

Kaiser Permanente, the region’s leading integrated nonprofit health system, awarded $500,000 to the College of Health and Human Services at Mason to develop a resource hub that will work to improve health care for medically underserved and underinsured populations in Northern Virginia.

The hub will co-locate three community partners:

The Partnership for Healthier Kids
NOVA Scripts
Northern Virginia Family Services

Each organization will work to address clinical and social aspects of health by providing clients with referrals to medical care, food assistance, prescription medications, housing, and other social services that have been shown to affect overall health. The hub will be housed within the college’s Population Health Center, scheduled to open on Mason's Fairfax Campus in fall 2019.

Currently, more than 240,000 people in Northern Virginia are underinsured or don't have health insurance, and nearly 160,000 local residents live in poverty; 45 percent of those people are members of a minority group.

“Kaiser Permanente is an ideal partner for the College of Health and Human Services to address the many factors that influence health in Northern Virginia, as we jointly strive for public health. We look forward to a strong partnership that improves health throughout the region,” says Germaine Louis, dean of the college.

The resource hub will also complement other research and workforce training planned for the Population Health Center. Organizations co-located in the hub will offer opportunities for students across all health disciplines to experience hands-on learning and to observe as professionals work with clients.

Kaiser Permanente has a continuing commitment to improving access to affordable, high-quality health care and to address conditions that affect community health in the region. This grant moves the college further down the path to becoming a global college of public health.

“As a part of our approach to care and our deep belief that good health requires more than clinical care, we are committed to creating opportunities and connections to health where the community needs it—in traditional, as well as unexpected settings,” says Celeste James, executive director, Community Health for Kaiser Permanente. “Our collaboration with George Mason University allows us to deliver on that promise in the heart of Northern Virginia where we are proud to care for our members and the many communities we serve.”

Media Contacts:
Shana Selender
Kaiser Permanente
202-215-4821
Shana.Selender@kp.org

Michelle Thompson
George Mason University
College of Health and Human Services
703-993-3485
mthomp7@gmu.edu

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About George Mason University
George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls 37,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity and commitment to accessibility. For more information, visit https://www2.gmu.edu/.

About the College of Health and Human Services
George Mason University’s College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) prepares students to become leaders and shape the public’s health through academic excellence, professional service, and innovative practice and research initiatives. CHHS enrolls more than 1,900 undergraduate students and more than 950 graduate students in its nationally-recognized offerings, including: 5 undergraduate degrees, 12 graduate degrees, and 11 certificate programs. For more information, visit https://chhs.gmu.edu/.

About Kaiser Permanente:
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 12.2 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. In the Mid-Atlantic States, Kaiser Permanente provides and coordinates complete health care services for more than 770,000 members through 31 medical centers in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit about.kp.org or follow us on Twitter, or Facebook.