Editor's Note:
The
Scarletter
will be on hiatus for the months of July and August.
We look forward to our September issue.
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By my bedside are a multitude of books.
They are actual hard copies, as I prefer to hold a book in my hands and flip through the pages, rather than swiping left or right on an electronic tablet. It’s just not the same for me.
Often, there is a work of fiction and non-fiction that I like to navigate between during one of my reading sessions.
Of all the literary combinations I’ve worked through this past year, one pairing in particular prevails as my favorite and I believe both are crucially important public health readings.
The first is a work by author Laura Spinney titled
The Pale Rider; the Spanish Flu of 1918 and How it Changed the World
. The second is
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens
by Becky Arbatelli.
Spinney’s book is beautiful allegory of the horrific disease that took the lives of 20 to 50 million people worldwide. However, the work is focused on more than the pathogen itself, but rather the story of the pathogen nested within culture and context; how it was shaped by racism and discrimination, culture and national wars, and globalization. Spinney draws upon multiple disciplines to tell the story of the flu, its origins, its impact, and the way we’ve come to understand it as a flu that is not really Spanish at all.
The scope of Arbatelli’s offering is centered upon the struggle of a teenage boy, Simon, to navigate his sexual identity as a gay man in the 21st century United States. It is a story of coming out and being true to one’s self that highlights the cultural and societal differences that are as evident today as they were 50 years ago and how impactful it can be when an individual’s parents are as loving and supportive as Simon’s. As I explore in my own upcoming book,
Out in Time: Stories of Gay Men Across Generations
, the feeling of otherness that a gay man experiences, even as a child, never really disappears. Simon’s story demonstrates how social conditions can shape one’s life; how micro-aggressions, bullying, and hate of the LGBTQ population can take a toll on LGBTQ health and the population. However, like Spinney’s work, the LGBTQ social rights movement is also a tale of human resilience.
That overarching sense of disparity and inequality that exists in both authors’ books is further heightened by more recent events: President Trump failing again to recognize June as LGBTQ Pride Month or the United States Supreme Court ruling in favor of a Colorado cake shop owner named Jack Philips, who refused to create a wedding cake for a gay couple based upon his own religious beliefs. With such negative ideology manifesting in the highest office and court of the land, it’s sometimes difficult to remember all the progress that has been made, and continues to be made each day. That is why it’s important to look to works like those of Spinney and Arbatelli and consider how the social concepts they present work in tandem.
Taken together, these two works lead us to understand that public health work must be conducted within – and with attention to – context.
Both works demonstrate the importance of “keeping the public in public health.”
Happy Pride!
Perry N. Halkitis, PhD, MS, MPH
Dean & Professor
Director, Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies (CHIBPS)
Rutgers School of Public Health
683 Hoes Lane West
Piscataway, NJ 08854
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"Keeping the Public in Public Health"
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Healthcare Utilization by Age
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Henry F. Raymond, DrPH, MPH, associate professor of epidemiology, along with colleagues, has led a study examining the impact of age cohort on health service utilization among gay men. The study was conducted to better understand how personal experiences and development of cultural perception impacts an individual’s willingness to seek regular medical attention among different generations of gay males. The study found several interesting generational disparities, based on personal experiences in an evolving society.
Learn More
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Examining Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals & Behavior
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Emily Barrett, PhD, associate professor of epidemiology, and her colleague, Heather Patisaul, PhD, professor of biological sciences at North Carolina State University, have guest edited a special issue of the journal
Hormones and Behavior.
The issue, “Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Behavior,” focuses on how endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) like
henols, parabens, phthalates, and flame retardants,
influence behavior. The issue comes at a critical moment in U.S. chemical regulatory policy.
Learn More
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Counterfeit Cigarettes in NYC
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Marin Kurti, MA, instructor of social and behavioral health sciences, has led the first independent study measuring the availability of counterfeit cigarette packs purchased from licensed retailers in NYC. The study finds that counterfeit Marlboro Gold cigarettes were not available for purchase and that concerns raised by tobacco companies over the sale of counterfeit products may be exaggerated. Of note, the tobacco industry frequently claim that tobacco regulations like plain packaging or a menthol ban will lead to a rise in counterfeiting and the illicit market
.
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Shauna Downs, PhD, assistant professor of health systems and policy and nutrition expert, comments on the Food and Drug Administration’s ban on artificial trans fats going into effect June 18, 2018. The ban – rather than mandatory labeling or a voluntary approach – has been found to be the most effective measure of reducing trans fat levels in food and has the greatest potential to reduce cardiovascular disease, and thus save lives. The ban pertains to industrially produced partially hydrogenated oils, not the naturally occurring trans fat that come from animals.
Learn More
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Dean Perry N. Halkitis, PhD, MS, MPH, has been selected to host undergrad student researchers by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at his Center for Health, Identity
Behavior & Prevention Studies (CHIBPS) for the 9th consecutive year!
Interns will receive extensive training and supervision while working on project recruitment and data collection, shadowing and being mentored by Ms. Kristen Krause, a public health PhD student and Dr. Halkitis’ mentee.
Learn More
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Dean Elected to APA Division 51 Committee:
Dean Perry N. Halkitis PhD, MS, MPH, has been elected to the American Physiological Association's (APA) Division 51 leadership team as the Member-at-Large: Sexual & Gender Minority Representative.
Chair Honored for Sexual Education Work:
Leslie Kantor, PhD, chair of the department of urban-global public health, was awarded the Douglas Kirby Award from the Association of Planned Parenthood Leaders in Education (APPLE) for her work in the field of sex education.
Learn More
Student Honored at 2018 World Dental Conference in Dubai:
Amelia Rajasekaran, Rutgers School of Public Health Student, will be receiving the “Best Researcher Award in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery” and providing the keynote address titled, “How to Conduct a Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery,” at the 2018 World Dental Conference in Dubai.
Learn more
New Jersey Health Foundation Honorees:
Adana Llanos Wilson, PhD, MPH, assistant professor of epidemiology, has been award the 2018 Excellence in Research Award from the New Jersey Health Foundation. Dr. Wilson is a molecular epidemiologist who's research focuses on understanding genetic and non-genetic factors associated with cancer disparities, particularly cancers that disproportionately affect minority and underserved populations.
Laura Liang, DrPH'15, associate dean for academic affairs and assistant professor of social and behavioral health sciences, has been awarded the 2018 Excellence in Teaching Award from the New Jersey Health Foundation. Dr. Liang is a beloved educator teaching undergraduate and graduate students across Rutgers University. This summer, she is directing the Rutgers School of Public Health's first ever summer camp for high school students to teach them about careers and opportunities in public health!
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On June 1, 2018, the Rutgers School of Public Health wore orange to honor those who have lost lives and loved ones to gun violence and show our commitment as p
ublic health
leaders, scholars, practitioners, and students, to continue to advocate for g
un violence
prevention through our research, education, and service.
We believe that p
ublic health
is an activist discipline that requires action for change - wearing orange was just one small thing we did to increase g
un violence
awareness. To learn more about what you can do, visit our partners at
Moms Demand Action
,
Everytown for Gun Safety
,
Giffords
, and the
Brady Campaign
.
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Meet
Lieutenant Doug Erling, MPH’13
, of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS)! Lt. Erling is currently detailed as an Environmental Health Officer to the U.S. Coast Guard Health, Safety, and Work-life Service Center, Norfolk, VA. Lt Erling received his Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree in Environmental and Occupational Health in 2013 under the guidance of Dr. Mark Robson. While pursuing his MPH, Lt Erling participated in the USPHS Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (JRCOSTEP). He completed his fieldwork project while assigned temporary duty in Atlanta, GA with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Emergency Preparedness and Response Office. Prior to being called to active duty, he worked as an industrial hygiene technician for a consulting firm in Hightstown, NJ. Lt Erling graduated from USPHS Officer Basic Course 86 in March 2016 as a member of the Honor Squad and was selected as the Honor Graduate of the class. He then reported to his current duty station where he is responsible for identifying and evaluating environmental and occupational conditions to mitigate hazards to personnel and property. Lt Erling also deploys as a Safety and Environmental Health Officer during national emergencies and most recently deployed to Texas, Louisiana, and Florida in support of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
“I enjoyed my experience, especially the ability to tailor my course of study with electives,” comments Lt Erling on his time at the Rutgers School of Public Health. “Students can strike a balance between public health fields or concentrate more heavily in one, based on their goals. I chose to pursue a balanced mix of courses, which paid off because my current position requires skill in both environmental health and industrial hygiene.”
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Rutgers Magazine: Activism for Change
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Health & the City
Dean Perry N. Halkits, PhD, MS, MPH, is committed to addressing the needs of urban populations in Newark, New Jersey, and the world. Along with community partners and faculty, he's training the next generation of public health scholars and leaders who will address the complex needs of urban populations through a mixture of interdisciplinary and community-centered approaches.
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#WeToo
Leslie Kantor, PhD, chair of the department of urban-global public health, joins a group of female scholars at Rutgers who for decades have been ardent advocates for women - highlighting women's issues and offering solutions across a broad range of disciplines and areas of expertise. Dr. Kantor brings perspective on the reproductive and health care rights women are facing.
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Community Research Collaborations: CHIBPS
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The Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS) has begun its collaboration with the African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC), undertaking a pilot study on the drivers of health disparities and health resilience in 18-25 sexual minority black men and trans women from Newark and beyond. Project staff and interns began work on June 2, 2018.
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Bridging the Gaps: Classroom to Community
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Fourteen Rutgers School of Public Health Students have been accepted into the seven-week
Bridging the Gaps Community Health Internship Program
. Interns are placed with a number of local non-profit partners based upon their interdisciplinary area of study and administer health services to the identified communities in need. This year, students will be working with: Urban Promise, Amandla's Crossing, Bridgeways, Damon House, Elijah's Promise, The Arc of Somerset, Zufall FQHC.
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The Wheels on the Bus Go...
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Historical Prospective on Occupational Safety & Health Bus Tour
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The 13th annual Rutgers School of Public Health
Center for Public Health Workforce Development and
New York New Jersey Education and Research Center Historical Prospective on Occupational Safety & Health Bus Tour kicked off Sunday, June 10, 2018, with stops in Lowell, MA, Portland ME, Barre VT, and Protlandville, NY. Students learned about textile, fishing, paper, granite, and lumber industry occupational safety and health through interactive tours and immersive experiences (like trying in the Coast Guard's Immersion Suits). Checkout hashtag #ERCTour2018 on
Facebook,
Instagram, and
Twitter for pictures, bloopers, details, and more!
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Maine: Immersion suits and lobsters galore - students learned about the fishing industry and port safety with the U.S. Coast Guard in ME.They even got to test out the Coast Guard's immersion suits in 40 degree waters!
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Massachusetts: What's behind that sweater? Students learned about the textile industry in Lowell,MA, at the Booton Cotton Mill. Students toured the Mill museum and learned about the history (and dangers) of the textile industry.
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Vermont: Next stop: Rock of Ages Quarry in Barre, VT, where students learned how granite is mined and observed how tomb stones are made! Can you spot the pun?
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New York: TIMBER!!!! Students learned about the lumber industry in upstate NY paying close attention to safety measures taken by the lumber workers.
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Delta Omega Poster Competition Highlights
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Taylor Black, MPH'18
, worked with Rutgers School of Public Health faculty on her poster project titled, "Head and Neck Cancer Among World Trade Center General Responders: A Pilot Study using WTC Health Program Monitoring Data to Assess Risk Factors," which examined the WTC Health Program's alcohol and tobacco use data to better understand head and neck cancer.
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Andrew Rava. MPH'18
, along with colleagues at the Rutgers School of Public Health, examined multiple sclerosis patient healthcare engagement in his poster titled, "
Correlates of Healthcare-seeking Behavior among Multiple Sclerosis Patients." His research found that patients with higher severity and cerebellar impacts were more likely to report frequent healthcare interaction during relapse.
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A Rutgers School of Public Health 2014 study on the effects of work life and stress on semen quality was referenced in an article on how depression in men may lower chances for pregnancy in couples.
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Shauna Downs, PhD, assistant professor of health systems and policy and nutrition expert, comments on the Food and Drug Administration’s ban on artificial trans fats going into effect June 18, 2018.
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Helping Puerto Rico: Continuing our Support
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The Rutgers School of Public Health Delta Omega Alpha Eta Chapter, and the Student Government Association, have raised $2,000 for our friends at the University of Puerto Rico School of Public Health, Delta Omega Chi Chapter, in the wake of Hurricane Maria.
We are continuing our efforts by helping the Chi Chapter raise $10,000 for their emergency food pantry.
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Are you a public health professional?
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Get involved with PHocus: a summer experience for high school students!
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PHocus
is seeking public health practitioners and professionals to participate in a Career Speed Dating Event with the high school students participating in the PHocus Summer Experience. The Career Speed Dating event enables the high school students to meet several different public health practitioners to learn about their careers/jobs.
Career Speed Dating Events:
- Piscataway, Thursday, June 28: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM – At the Rutgers School of Public Health building, 683 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ
- Newark, Thursday, August 2: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM – At the Rutgers Paul Robeson Campus Center, 350 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Newark, NJ (parking will be arranged)
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How We Did: AIDS Walk NYC
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The
NYC AIDS Walk
on May 20, 2018 raised over
$3.3
million dollars to combat HIV and AIDS. #Team
RUSPH raised over
$3,000
dollars with the generous support of Dean Perry N. Halkitis and our incredible friends and partners.
The funds raised at the event remain a vital lifeline sustaining the prevention, care, and advocacy programs
GMHC
provides for the thousands of men, women, and families affected by the disease in the tri-state area.
Thank you for your support!
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Getting Social @RutgersSPH
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Follow and interact with the Rutgers School of Public Health (@RutgersSPH) on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Tag us in your posts and show us how you're "keeping the public in public health," for a chance to be featured on our social media accounts and in t
he
Scarletter
.
Follow and interact with Dean Perry N. Halkitis (@DrPNHalkitis) on Twitter and Instagram.
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Have an idea for an editorial?
Do you want to tell your story?
Did you just win an award?
Have a cool job in public health?
Did you just publish?
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Donating to the Rutgers School of Public Health supports scholarships for students to be engaged in discovery-based learning through research and practice activities working with populations who experiencing health disparities here in New Jersey, in our country, and globally. By giving, you are helping us further our mission – we thank you. To donate, follow the URL and type “School of Public Health” in the search box.
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Rutgers School of Public Health
Rutgers School of Public Health
683 Hoes Lane West
Piscataway, NJ 08854
732-235-9700
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