Message from the Director
Our School of Public Health has been at the forefront of research, programmatic action and support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Faculty and students are working with community partners to better understand how to prevent and mitigate COVID-19 and how communities can best navigate this crisis. Below we highlight some of our ongoing work. We thank our community partners, students, staff, faculty and alumni for all of your hard work during this unprecedented time!
– Dr. Eyal Oren
Media
Individual and organizational efforts against COVID-19 must continue. Here’s why we can’t let our guard down.
Faculty: Dr. Eyal Oren
“There is welcome news for families, friends and colleagues who have been following public health orders for physical distancing over the past year-plus to protect themselves and others from possible transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19”
Move beyond your pandemic slump: Get up and get going
Faculty: Dr. Noe Crespo
Before the pandemic, physical activity among Americans was low, but since it has only declined. Lack of physical activity can also affect other areas of our health. Learn who has been most impacted and how to stay active during the pandemic.
COVID-19 Vaccine: An Open Letter to Our California University Communities
Faculty: Dr. Eyal Oren, Dr. Hala Madanat
A letter from the deans, directors and chairs at schools and programs of public health in public and private California universities about the COVID-19 Vaccine.
SDSU Embarks on $5M COVID-19 Testing Effort to Curb Disparities
Faculty: Dr. Susan Kiene, Dr. Hala Madanat, Dr. Eyal Oren
“Researchers on the NIH-funded project, Communities Fighting COVID!, aim to test 42,000 people in the span of 14 months. With the Latinx population being three times more likely than white residents to become infected with COVID-19, it was necessary to mobilize targeted support in underserved communities.”
Barbers, artists help defy vaccine myths for people of color
Faculty: Dr. Corinne McDaniels-Davidson
“In a Washington, D.C., suburb, Black and Latino barbers are busting myths about the coronavirus vaccine while clipping hair.”
What San Diego’s Hepatitis A Outbreak Can Teach Us During COVID-19
Faculty: Dr. Eyal Oren
During the Hepatitis A outbreak in 2017, public health agencies used Twitter to disseminate updates on the city’s eforts. With individuals relying on social media more and more to receive their news, San Diego can replicate the efforts from 2017 to disseminate accurate, reliable and correct information to the community.
Roundtable: Back To School Amid COVID-19
KPBS organized a roundtable to learn about academic institutions beginning the school year, highlighting SDSU beginning its lessons online.
ASPPH Presents Webinar: Public Health Careers
Faculty: Dr. Eyal Oren, Leticia Cazares, Justine Kozo
The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) organized a webinar series on public health careers. Dr. Oren, along with SDSU School of Public Health’s own Leticia Cazares and Justine Kozo shared information on the various ways individuals can kick-start their public health career, as well as guidance and support.
ASPPH Presents Webinar: Healthy Habits During the Pandemic & Beyond
Faculty: Dr. Hala Madanat
Dr. Hala Madanat moderated a webinar focusing on the importance of maintaining healthy habits to support overall well-being, particularly as the pandemic brings new challenged for all.
Students’ Role in Coronavirus Response: “Be Part of the Solution”
Faculty: Dr. Hala Madanat
Dr. Nicholas Yphantides, chief medical officer for San Diego County, joined a webinar hosted by SDSU to highlight the critical role public health professionals are playing during the pandemic.
Coffee with a Doctor
Faculty: Dr. Hala Madanat
Dr. Hala Madanat moderated a webinar to answer questions promoting information on health and safety in universities
Celebrating our Aztecs on the Frontline
Alumni: Dr. Sue Royappa, Dr. Matthews, Dr. Iniguez-Stevens, Justine Kozo, Rigoberto Vargas, Kai Roach, Carey Riccitelli
During the pandemic, the College of Health and Human Services is highlighting alumni who are serving in various capacities to support our community.
Roundtable: SDSU Sees Spike In COVID-19 Cases
As COVID-19 cases rise among the student population, San Diego State University pauses in-person classes.
Research
Coronavirus COVID-19 Transmission Routes & Prevention
Faculty: Dr. Robert Vryheid
How do people transmit coronavirus COVID-19 to each other, and how can they protect themselves from it?
Communities Fighting COVID!
Faculty: Dr. Susan Kiene, Dr. Hala Madanat, Dr. Eyal Oren, Dr. Corinne McDaniels-Davidson
Along with the County of San Diego HHSA, San Diego State University spearheads Communities Fighting COVID! to bridge health equity gaps disproportionally harming low income, systemically vulnerable individuals across San Diego County. Services are intended to be delivered with cultural humility and be inclusive to more languages.
New County-SDSU Partnership Expands T3 Strategy in Contact Tracing to Prevent Spread of COVID-19
Faculty: Dr. Susan Kiene
San Diego State University partners with the County of San Diego HHSA to support the County’s T3 strategy: Test, Trace and Treat. With $3 million over 6 months, they will recruit and train community health workers from on campus and the general community to increase contact tracing efforts and strengthen cultural humility in care delivery.
COVID-19 Could Activate Latent Tuberculosis
Faculty: Dr. Faramarz Valafar
“up to 13 million people may have latent TB in the U.S. Someone with latent TB that contracts COVID-19 can have the bacterium (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) activated, leading to rapid activation of TB. Valafar explained the TB bacterium is an opportunistic pathogen, with COVID-19 weaking someone’s immune system, risk of hospitalizations is much higher.”
Dr. Lauren Brown Writes about the Distinct Stress Experience for Black Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Faculty: Dr. Lauren Brown
San Diego State University’s Efforts in Community-based COVID-19 prevention and intervention
Faculty: Dr. Hala Madanat, Dr. Corinne McDaniel-Davidons, Dr. Susan Kiene, Dr. Noe Crespo, Dr. Eyal Oren
From contact tracing to testing and vaccine rollout, researchers pivoted quickly, launching critical programs to help San Diego’s hardest hit groups.
Community Service
Aztecs Rock Hunger Enjoys Success in First-Ever Largely Virtual Campaign
Aztecs Rock Hunger is a university-wide, collaborative initiative. This year, it has come as additional support for riding food insecurity among students amid the public health crisis. 2020’s annual food drive collected 344,137 pounds for The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank.
Virtual Town Hall: COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy and Distribution
Faculty: Dr. Corinne McDaniels-Davidson
To answer critical questions about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout across San Diego, a virtual town hall for the community was made available. Individuals from Congress and experts were invited to present information to San Diegans, including Institute of Public Health’s Director, Dr. Corinne McDaniels-Davidson.
San Diego State University Director of the Institute for Public Health, Dr. Corinne McDaniels-Davidson, Serves as an Expert Panelist on a Virtual Townhall Hosted by Representative Scott Peters about COVID-19 Vaccines
Faculty: Dr. Corinne McDaniels-Davidson
