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Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology

Snedker Authors Op-Ed on How the Rise in Homeless Reflects a Governance Crisis

CSDE Affiliate Dr. Karen Snedker (Sociology) recently authored an op-ed in the Seattle Times on how the “Rise in homelessness reflects a governance crisis“. Dr. Snedker argues that “If we want to curb the trend toward rising homelessness, especially in West Coast cities, we must change our framing of the issue and demand accountability from our leaders to advance sound social policy.” She points out that “Yes, the rise in homelessness is about rising inequality, lack of affordable housing, and mental health and substance abuse issues. However, all of those factors have a common denominator: good governance.” Read the full article here.

Health Impacts of Climate Change are Highlighted by Ebi and Hess

CSDE Affiliate Dr. Jeremy Hess (Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences) and Dr. Kristie Ebi (Global Health) co-authored the “Introduction to JAMA Climate Change and Health Series” in JAMA. The new series intends to inform clinicians about how climate change poses current and future health threats. The authors provide an overview of the broad range of climate-sensitive health outcomes, and adaptation and mitigation responses to increase resilience to our changing climate. The paper includes examples from the Pacific Northwest to illustrate the risks. Read the full introduction here.

Mudrazija and Ayala Examine Public Benefit Use for Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Older Immigrants

CSDE Affiliate Dr. Stipica Mudrazija (Health Systems and Population Health) and CSDE research scientist Dr. Sofia Ayala  released their research in Public Policy & Aging Report, titled “Public Benefits Use for Hispanic and non-Hispanic Older Immigrants in the United States“. They describe trends in the receipt of public support for older immigrants in the United States and document any potential systemic change that may have happened over the last two decades. Older immigrants mostly receive fewer benefits than nonimmigrants, even without accounting for differences in their socioeconomic and health profiles. There is a long-term trend of declining use of public benefits by older immigrants relative to nonimmigrants, and the magnitude of this decline is much more pronounced for Hispanic than non-Hispanic immigrants. The findings suggest that older immigrants are not a disproportionate burden on the U.S. welfare system.

Research by Ward and Co-authors Examine the Relationship Between Sleep and Pain in Adolescents with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

CSDE Affiliate Dr. Teresa Ward (Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine) and colleagues published research in the Journal of Pediatric Health Care, titled “Temporal Daily Relationships Between Sleep and Pain in Adolescents With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus“. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of pain. This study aimed to describe the temporal daily relationships between sleep and pain in adolescents with SLE. Authors’ findings suggest that sleep is a target for pain interventions to include among adolescents with childhood SLE.

Equity in Childhood Vaccination is Studied in New Research by Ornelas and Mokdad

CSDE Affiliates Dr. India Ornelas (Health Systems and Population Health) and Dr. Ali Mokdad (Epidemiology, Health Metrics Sciences) published an article with co-authors in the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice, titled “Achieving Equity in Childhood Vaccination: A Mixed-Methods Study of Immunization Programs, Policies, and Coverage in 3 US States“. In this study, authors sought to understand patterns of childhood vaccinations in the United States across socioeconomic and racial/ethnic groups over a 12-year period to identify interventions that improve immunization equity and inform public health practice. They conclude that variability persists in vaccination coverage and equity across states, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status despite decades of interventions.