The Huddle | May 10, 2023
Spring cleaning can be a way to start fresh and revitalize your space and mindset — but it can also just feel like yet another to-do. Tuesday Burns, MD, offers advice on how to make it feel rewarding rather than a chore.
News & Stories
Initiative announces the award of 12 climate change planning grants
Population Health Initiative | May 10, 2023
The Population Health Initiative announced the award of a dozen planning grants to UW researchers to support the launch of new climate-focused collaborations. Fellow McKenna Parnes received an award for her project titled, “The Climate Change Social Media Movement: Exploring Impacts on Youth Mental Health.”
Lonely? The Surgeon General says you’re not alone
UW Medicine newsroom | May 5, 2023
The U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory on loneliness came as little surprise to Patrick Raue, PhD. “Loneliness has been a problem (since) certainly before COVID,” he says. "Some data suggest it's equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Washington state to decriminalize drugs unless lawmakers act
AP News | May 2, 2023
Washington lawmakers adjourned their regular session late last month after voting down a bill that would keep drug possession illegal and boost services for people struggling with addiction. Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW, is quoted.
Support, educate or advocate this mental health awareness month
UW Combined Fund Drive | May 1, 2023
Mental health awareness month offers the opportunity to refocus on self-care, acknowledge the importance of mental health and honor the courage of millions of people living with mental health conditions. Pamela Y. Collins, MD, MPH, is highlighted.
Rachel Rinehart, a Husky 100, purses a career in psychiatry
Department news | April 27, 2023
Rachel Rinehart, an MD/MPH candidate interested in mental health and mentored by Lydia Chwastiak, MD, MPH, was a Husky 100 this year. She will graduate from the University of Washington in June 2024 and move toward a career in psychiatry.
Cities search for solutions to drug possession issue after lawmakers fail to pass legislation
KIRO 7 | April 26, 2023
More cities across the state are planning to take matters into their own hands when it comes to drug possession laws after lawmakers in Olympia failed to pass meaningful drug possession legislation during the session. Richard Ries, MD, FAPA, FASM, is quoted.
WA’s legal fiasco over drug possession
Seattle Now | April 25, 2023
The State Legislative Session ended Sunday. One bill that didn't make it into law: a replacement for the state’s drug possession law, which times out in July. Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW, explains why the parts of the bill not making headlines could have a huge impact.
New opioid vaccines could reduce overdose and save lives
Right as Rain | April 24, 2023
Imagine a world where you can get protection from opioid overdose as easily as getting a flu shot. Or where it’s possible to provide lifesaving treatment for someone who is overdosing without causing withdrawal. Marco Pravetoni, PhD, hopes to make this idea a reality.
Four myths that helped cause the opioid epidemic
Boston Globe | April 19, 2023
Mark Sullivan, MD, PhD, and Jane Ballantyne, MD, write about the big reasons that Americans consume far more opioids than people do elsewhere and that the opioid epidemic has made clear that doctors and patients must reject myths about pain and its treatment.
