Researcher Jude Mikal is examining whether social media can be leveraged by users to exchange helpful information and resources, and provide beneficial socio-emotional support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health Policy and Management
Minnesota Physician features article on MN-LHS program and learning health systems
Characterizing systemic bias in health care
Assistant Professor Rachel Hardeman co-authored a study of reports anonymously submitted by medical students detailing the characteristics of bias and its results in academic medical settings.
Qualitative data can help explain complex or conflicting results in climate-health studies, improve interventions
Researcher Jude Mikal co-authored a commentary describing how qualitative information can complement quantitative data to help scientists understand what people are thinking and valuing when experiencing climate-related stressors.
Facebook postings by breast cancer patients initially surge, then decline over time
Study researcher Jude Mikal speculates that patients may reduce their general posting due to finding cancer-specific support groups or feeling guilty about asking for help.
U.S. rural breast cancer patients must routinely travel long distances for treatment
PhD student Colleen Longacre discovered that patients living in rural areas traveled, on average, nearly three times as far as woman living in urban areas for radiation treatment.
Facebook good source of emotional — but not material — support for breast cancer patients
Researcher Jude Mikal found that Facebook friends are initially eager to provide emotional support but that their support steadily declines over time.
Students Publish Health Policy Op-Eds
Students in Katy Kozhimannil’s course, Principles of Health Policy, are required to write and submit Op-Eds for publication in local and regional news outlets.
Group aims to increase use of qualitative data in UMN health research
Quali-tea is organized by SPH researchers Jude Mikal, Dori Cross, Stuart Grande, and Katie White and is offering presentations on the benefits and use of qualitative data starting in February.
Minnesota Evidence-Based Practice Center Awarded 5-year Contract
Workforce turnover contributes to health care physician trend towards working in larger practices
A study by Assistant Professor Hannah Neprash found that in the largest practices of over 50 physicians, more than 2.5 physicians entered for every one who exited.
In U.S., premature death rates highest in rural counties with majority black or indigenous populations
Assistant Professor Carrie Henning-Smith found that rural U.S. counties with a majority of non-Hispanic black and majority American Indian/Alaska Native residents had up to double the rates of premature death compared with rural counties with a majority non-Hispanic white residents.
