April is sexually transmitted infections (STI) awareness month, and Arlene Seña, MD, MPH, a researcher with the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, is sounding the alarm about the importance of syphilis prevention, testing, and treatment. U.S. syphilis cases have increased nearly 80% since 2018, a level not seen since 1950, while babies born … Read more
UNC Research recently featured Joe Tucker, MD, PhD, in a “Rooted” profile. He is a professor of medicine in the Department of Medicine’s Division of Infectious Diseases and director of UNC Project-China with the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases. In this feature, Tucker explains how the pay-it-forward approach to infectious disease testing is a wonderful … Read more
The Lancet ID has published a tribute to Ada Adimora and her life, describing her as a “tireless and compassionate champion for the global HIV community.” Myron Cohen, MD, director of the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, and Joe Eron, MD, chief of the division of infectious diseases were interviewed for the article. Read here. … Read more
Globally, mental health disorders rank as the greatest cause of disability and a leading contributor to the burden of disease. While the U.S. may struggle to meet the need for quality mental healthcare, treatment in most low- and middle-income (LMIC) countries – where 80% of those with mental illness live – is extremely limited. The … Read more
Linda Van Le, MD, the Leonard Palumbo Distinguished Professor in the Division of Gyn Oncology, served as moderator for the Consortium of Universities for Global Health’s Annual Conference in Los Angeles, March 7-10. Van Le gave two presentations, focused on elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem and the need for cancer treatment worldwide. “Global Health Without … Read more
March is Long COVID Awareness Month, marking four years since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. But while much of society has moved on from masking, quarantining, and isolating, there are many who are managing health problems long after having COVID-19. Researchers at the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases are participating in the NIH Phase 2 Recover-Vital trial to … Read more
UNC researchers in cervical cancer prevention, members of the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, filled the agenda at a recent scientific session for the EUROGIN International Multidisciplinary HPV Conference in Stockholm, Sweden. EUROGIN’s U.S. Chair Jennifer S. Smith, PhD, professor of epidemiology at the UNC Gillings … Read more
In November 2020, Amy James Loftis was hyper-focused on keeping the Carolina community safe, building UNC’s COVID Surveillance Lab in three short months before the return of students. But there were many years leading up to that moment. Often described as the Institute’s secret weapon in the fight against global health disease, Amy travels around … Read more
As the World Health Organization pushes to eradicate the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) by 2030, preventing vertical transmission is key, says Peyton Thompson, MD, MSCR, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. But despite widespread availability of effective childhood vaccines, HBV remains endemic throughout sub-Saharan Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). “Many of the … Read more
Claire Karasek, MHA, will serve as the ID Fellowship coordinator this summer, assisting in the preparation of training grant renewals managed by the Institute’s Fellowship and Training Programs Office. Claire completed her undergraduate B.S. degree in Biology at UNC-Chapel Hill in 2009. After graduation, she performed prenatal genetic testing and was a Research Assistant in the … Read more
The UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases is now enrolling participants in a fast-track trial of an oral COVID-19 treatment known as Bemnifosbuvir (BEM). Currently, Paxlovid is used for treating COVID-19. However, it is known to interact with common drugs that treat cholesterol, blood clots, and other conditions. Because of these side effects, … Read more
The Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases’s Office of Global Health Fellowships and Training is led by Benjamin Chi, MD, MSc, Kristin Reed, MPH, Marla Allen, MPH, and Dzidzai Muyengwa, MPH. This mighty team of four onboards >65 active trainees per academic year and follows 350+ trainees for evaluation and program renewal purposes. Although … Read more
The 2nd Annual Global Health Scholars Symposium took place Friday, Feb. 16, showcasing the impactful work of 43 trainees in the U.S. and around the world. Near and far, approximately 250+ participants came together to share and learn about global health research. Opening Remarks Suzanne Maman, PhD, the associate dean for global health at UNC … Read more
A new study published in Lancet-Global Health introduces the results of a five-year trial in Malawi that tested two implementation strategies for integrating mental health with general medical care. Led by Bradley Gaynes and Brian Pence, the study includes a cost-effectiveness analysis that will help inform scale-up decisions about the relative benefits of implementing each strategy. The following introduces a case … Read more
Healthcare providers in North Carolina have limited experience diagnosing and managing Lyme disease because few cases occur annually statewide. Researchers have published a case study that demonstrates the need for greater awareness and professional education. The article outlines the prolonged diagnostic course for a patient with locally acquired Lyme disease in North Carolina. The study … Read more
Researchers with the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases published a tick-borne disease study in the Journal of Infectious Diseases using samples from soldiers stationed at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. In collaboration with the Gillings School of Global Public Health, Womack Army Medical Center and the CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, the team obtained samples from … Read more
Antiretroviral therapies (ART) stop HIV replication in its tracks, allowing people with HIV to live relatively normal lives. However, despite these treatments, some HIV still lingers inside cells in a dormant state known as “latency.” If ART is discontinued, HIV will awaken from its dormant state, begin to replicate, and cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). … Read more
The UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases (IGHID) and the UNC Gilling’s School of Global Public Health (GSGPH), will present a hybrid symposium on Friday, February 16, featuring research from MD/PhD students, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty from global sites around the world, starting in Bioinformatics 1131. A symposium guide can be found here. … Read more
The 2nd Annual Global Health Scholars Symposium is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 16 from 9:15am-12pm! Presented by the UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases (IGHID) and the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health (GSGPH), the symposium will feature global health research from MD/PhD students, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty. Scholars from global … Read more
In this tribute to pioneering ID physician and researcher Adaora Adimora, MD, MPH, FIDSA, who died Jan. 1, 2024, two members of IDSA’s George W. Counts Interest Group, Michelle Floris-Moore, MD, MS, FIDSA, and Celia J. Maxwell, MD, FACP, FIDSA, reflect on her life and legacy. Dr. Adimora was a founding member of the group. … Read more
