Research Highlights

Latest stories on research

Divers explore the underwater side of a boat.

Environmental health and AI aim to protect US Navy divers

Jacqueline Carey | Posted on August 02, 2021

Divers often enter waters with limited information on water quality, but new artificial intelligence systems under development at SPH may offer protection against waterborne pathogens.

New study examines pandemic effects on rats, human health

Rob Schroeder | Posted on July 19, 2021

With rat behavior changing drastically at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, SPH alumna Dorothy Maffei argues in new research the impact on human health should be viewed as a community health challenge.

Industries line the Calumet River in the far southeast corner of Chicago.

Environmental exposures may drive prostate cancer risk

Rob Schroeder | Posted on July 12, 2021

New research co-authored by SPH's Jyotsna Jagai finds land-based and water-based environmental exposures may be driving risks of aggressive prostate cancer.

Environmental Justice and Neighborhood Schools in Chicago

Posted on May 20, 2021

This report explores how CPS schools in certain geographic areas with distinct racial and ethnic student profiles face a disproportionate burden of emissions from Toxic Release Inventory facilities.

A screenshot of a map within the Chicago Health Atlas that shows rates of adult obesity across Chicago.

Chicago’s health database moves to UIC

Posted on May 13, 2021

The Chicago Health Atlas, a free community health data resource for neighborhood-level health data for Chicago’s 77 community areas, is moving to the UIC School of Public Health.

People sit in a doctor's office waiting room.

Small medical bills lead to dropped coverage

Posted on May 10, 2021

Dropped coverage due to unaffordable premiums is leading to patients missing preventive care and timely clinical help, leaving insurance companies with a sicker pool of patients.

Heroin, fentanyl fuel rising mortality rates in opioid deaths

Jacqueline Carey | Posted on February 22, 2021

While most opioid use nationwide does not involve heroin and its illegal adulterants, these substances accounted for about 83 percent of overdose deaths in Cook County since 2016.

A person washes a handful of tomatoes in the running water of a kitchen faucet.

Nitrate in Maternal Drinking Water May Impair Fetal Growth

Sharon Parmet | Posted on February 09, 2021

A new study from SPH researchers found even low levels of nitrate had an adverse effect on infant birth weight, causing potential long-term health problems.

A medical professional fills a needle with the COVID-19 vaccine solution in preparation for an inoculation.

Current State Immunization Laws and COVID-19

Elizabeth Piekarz-Porter, JD, Rebecca M. Schermbeck and Jamie Chriqui, PhD | Posted on February 08, 2021

SPH researchers analyze current state laws on vaccinations for children attending school, analyzing how exemptions and opt-outs could impact COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

Sweetened Beverage Sales Rebounded Quickly After Cook County Tax Repealed

Sharon Parmet | Posted on January 05, 2021

New research led by SPH's Lisa Powell found sweetened beverage sales recovered after the repeal of a tax in effect for four months in Cook County, Illinois.

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Research Highlights

Latest stories on research