Keeping the 'Public' in Public Health |
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Gathering for the Holidays |
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Holiday traditions are important for everybody. Leslie M. Kantor, chair of the Department of Urban-Global Public Health, explains some practical steps that people can use to take care of each other while gathering for holidays.
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Ensure attendees have the COVID-19 vaccine plus booster shots: Ensure that those in attendance are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have received their booster shots, if eligible. While people are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are recommended for most people in the United States at this point. Early evidence suggests that vaccines without boosters are much less effective against Omicron. Information on COVID-19 vaccination, booster shots and eligibility can be found here.
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Get tested: Test, and ask those gathering, to get a COVID-19 test or conduct an at-home rapid test on the day that people are gathering. Antigen tests–either at a facility or via an at-home test–are good at detecting if you are infectious, e.g., capable of passing an infection on to others. There are a number of at-home tests now on the market and they are often available online from major retail stores or your local pharmacy. The test to find out if you are actually infected, even if you might not yet be able to pass an infection on to others, is the PCR test. If you are in a high-risk group of any kind–immunocompromised, over age 65–you may want to ask people who are attending your gathering to get a PCR test a few days in advance in addition to testing on the day of the gathering or to test and then ensure that they don’t have any outside of their household contacts.
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Get your flu shot: Flu season is here, so it’s important that you get a flu shot. Information on the flu shot is available here.
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Wear a mask: People gathering indoors, especially those who are not fully vaccinated and boosted, are over 65, are immunocompromised or have underlying health conditions that make them more likely to experience severe COVID-19 disease or death, should wear a well-fitting mask over their mouth and nose unless everyone at the gathering has tested negative that day. NIOSH approved N95 or KN95 masks are best. Here is a useful video on the importance of mask fit and filtration.
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Consider your venue: When planning your gathering, try to use spaces that are outdoors, have ample ventilation and are large enough to accommodate your anticipated guests comfortably, avoiding crowding. In a typical home, opening some windows and doors helps to increase ventilation and can make a meaningful difference.
It’s important to keep a close eye on information on the pandemic, as well as the Omicron and future variants, from reputable sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and state and local departments of health. Here is a link to the CDC’s guidelines for gatherings.
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Free At-Home COVID-19 Testing |
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New Jersey and Vault Medical Services have teamed up to offer at-home COVID-19 saliva testing for any person who believes they need to be tested, with or without symptoms, at no cost. |
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Featured Research & Reports |
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The use of hair products - particularly hair dyes, bleach, relaxers, and mousse - is associated with lower levels of sex steroid hormones, which have a critical role maintaining pregnancy and fetal development, according to new research led by Zorimar Rivera-Núñez, assistant professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology. Disruptions of these hormones may contribute to adverse maternal and pregnancy outcomes like growth restriction, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Learn More
If all countries adopted the same tax on carbon emissions and returned the revenues to their citizens, it is possible to keep global temperature from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius while also benefiting well-being, reducing inequality, and alleviating poverty, according to a new paper led by Mark Budolfson, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice and associate member of the Center for Population-Level Bioethics at the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research. Learn More
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted multiple areas of life for all populations, with data that indicates minority populations have been disproportionately affected. LGBTQ+ individuals in the United States experienced higher rates of job loss, specifically for individuals who were younger in age, Black non-Hispanic and white non-Hispanic, gay cisgender men, individuals with lower education levels, HIV-positive, and living with over two other individuals, according to new research led by the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS). Learn More
*This section highlights select research and reports from the
Rutgers School of Public Health. This is not a complete list.*
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Alumni Spotlight: Molly McCauley GSNB’89, MPH’89 |
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Image Credit: Raymond Clinkscale |
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Rutgers School of Public Health alum, Molly McCauley GSNB’89, MPH’89, reflects on the pandemic, her support of the Rutgers School of Public Health, and steps that need to be taken to eliminate health disparities.
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Michael Vega, assistant dean for student services and alumni affairs, has received the 2022 Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) Student Services Excellence Award.
“I am honored to receive the 2022 ASPPH Student Services Excellence Award,” Vega said. “It is a reflection of the commitment, passion, and dedication I have to a career I have come to love so much and the investment I aim to provide to students and emerging public health professionals each day.”
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Delta Omega Alpha Eta Chapter |
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We are happy to inaugurate the first Delta Omega newsletter column with exciting news!
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Each year, the Alpha Eta Chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health at the Rutgers School of Public Health elects graduating students, faculty, alumni, and honorary members based on high academic standards and outstanding performance in scholarship, teaching, research, and community service. Election of membership in Delta Omega is intended to not only recognize merit, but also to encourage and further excellence in and devotion to public health work.
To current members, we would love to hear from you, via email, about your successes after graduation from the Rutgers School of Public Health!
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Connect with Delta Omega Alpha Eta Chapter on LinkedIn! |
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Shivangiben “Shiva” Patel
Business Manager
Office of Finance and Administration
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Michelle Edelstein
Director of Marketing and Communication
Office of Marketing and Communication
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Sarah Kelly
Director of Public Health Practice
Office of Public Health Practice and Community Engagement
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Michael Vega
Assistant Dean for Student Services and Alumni Affairs
Office of Student Affairs
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Katie Zapert
Assistant Dean for Research
Office of Research
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“The impacts of environmental chemicals on the developing fetus and child are pretty profound and cross different body systems,” said Emily Barrett, associate professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, when speaking with NBC News regarding the well-studied impacts of pollution on pregnant women and fetuses. “They impact pregnancies enough that a loss may occur.” Read NBC News
HIV cases are decreasing for White gay and bisexual men but not for Black or Hispanic gay and bisexual men, with differences in access to care for testing and treatment playing a major role in this trend. “These findings are indicative of greater systemic and structural inequities that have plagued Black and Hispanic folks throughout history,” says Kristen D. Krause, instructor in the Department of Urban-Global Public Health. “Whether it’s general medical mistrust of the system or not being able to make a medical appointment due to inconvenient office hours, or the amount of travel time it takes to get there, those who have been historically disenfranchised continue to bear the brunt of new HIV infections.” Read Verywell
Planned return-to-office dates may need to be put on hold. An extended return timeline has another benefit: Employers planning to issue a vaccination requirement must give employees enough time to get vaccinated, says Perry Halkitis, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health. Even those who have received their full dose may have trouble scheduling a booster shot, which is now recommended as a means of slowing the spread of the Covid variants. Read CNBC
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As we reflect on the Fall 2021 semester, we can truly say it was action-packed! From hosting an all-time, single-semester high of 26 career services events, to over 100 advising appointments, we have enjoyed our time connecting with you. |
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In looking forward to the beginning of the new year, we encourage you to note Jumpstart January in your planners. Start the new semester off on a successful note with resources and recommendations from Student Affairs and Career Services.
Additional semester themes include:
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Financial February: Focus on your future with skills-based workshops on financial planning, salary negotiation, loan repayment, and fellowship and scholarship applications
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Marching into Post-Grad: Get ready for graduation with resume, cover letter, job search, and interview prep, career panels, and the Office of Career Services spring break Instagram takeover
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Alumni April: Gain practical career advice, networking connections, and job leads from Rutgers SPH alumni across all areas of public health
We look forward to seeing you next semester!
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21PHirst Signature Series Webinars |
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Upcoming 21PHirst Signature Series Webinar |
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Join André Sayegh, Mayor of the City of Paterson on January 11, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. EST for a 21PHirst Signature Series Webinar, "A 94% Vaccination Rate: Here’s How We Did it in Paterson.”
Mayor Sayegh will draw from his experience as a first-term Mayor to discuss ways in which the City of Paterson, an immigrant community of 57 nationalities that has historically dealt with health inequities, responded to the COVID-19 Pandemic. He will share lessons learned on the importance of utilizing diverse approaches to best reach all of the City’s various communities.
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Future 21PHirst Signature Series Webinars |
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Jacquelyn Y. Taylor, PhD, PNP-BC, FAHA, FAAN
Helen F. Petit Professor of Nursing, Columbia University School of Nursing
January 27, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. EST
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Barbara Rimer, DrPH
Dean and Alumni Distinguished Professor, Gillings School of Global Public Health
February 15, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. EST
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Mark Wade, MD
Director
Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness
March 1, 2022 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. EST
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Laura Magaña, PhD
President and CEO, Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health
April 19, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. EST
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Past 21PHirst Signature Series Webinars |
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Oxiris Barbot, MD
Senior Fellow for Public Health and Social Justice, The JPB Foundation
Former Commissioner of Health, New York City
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Pamela Fessler
Former NPR News Correspondent
Author, Carville’s Cure: Leprosy, Stigma, and the Fight for Justice
Past speaker…
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Paschal Nwako PhD, MPH, REHS, CHES, DAAS
Health Officer and Public Health Coordinator, Camden County
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The 21PHirst Signature Series is an annual webinar, seminar, and talk initiative that virtually connects various thought leaders from New Jersey, across the United States, and around the world with the Rutgers School of Public Health community. The theme of this year’s 21PHirst Signature Series is Racism is a Public Health Crisis: A Call to Action. Through Rutgers School of Public Health community nominations, this year’s 21PHirst Signature Series highlights leading innovators and change agents dedicated to addressing this public health crisis. |
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Image Credit: Raymond Clinkscale |
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Upcoming Events
Spring 2022 events will be announced soon! Check back in early January for a full list of admissions events.
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Upcoming Application Deadlines
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Newly Admitted Students
Don’t forget to upload your COVID vaccine information as soon as possible! This is essential to getting started with us in January. Reach out to the Office of Admissions with any questions about this process.
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Image Credit: Adobe Stock Photos |
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Check out the Rutgers School of Public Health's event calendar to learn about and/or join various events hosted, co-hosted, or supported by the School. |
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Rutgers School of Public Health |
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683 Hoes Lane West
Piscataway, NJ 08854
732-235-9700
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One Riverfront Plaza, Suite 1020
Newark, NJ 07102
973-972-7212
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