News & Events

Together, we have the power to prevent injury and violence.

IN THE NEWS

Highlighting the important work of injury & violence prevention. 

September 2024 //

Car Seat Safety: What every Parent Should Know. 9/29/24, In a recent article, Dr. Beth Ebel, HIPRC core faculty, shares insights into updated car seat safety guidelines.

Drug Deaths decline across the country, but not in Washington state. What could be behind the change? 9/25/24, The Spokesman-Review, The Columbian, AOL, KUOW. “Perhaps the most likely reason why drug deaths are decreasing, is that the growth in the number of new drug users has slowed because so many current drug users have died,” said Caleb Banta-Green.

Facing Fentanyl: Is King County’s Fatal crisis finally dipping? 9/20/24, MyNorthwest.com (KIRO News Radio). Caleb Banta-Green discusses why fentanyl deaths are declining.

Seattle Nice: Will All the New Drug Laws Help Drug Users? 9/18/24, Public Cola. Caleb Banra-Green is interviewed by Seattle Nice and discusses the city’s plans to “disrupt” drug use by creating Stay Out of Drug Area (SODA) zones.

Water Safety Tips: An Interview with Dr. Beth Ebel- UW Medicine Pediatrician. 9/13/24, KOMO-TV. HIPRC’s Core Faculty Member, Dr. Beth Ebel, sat down with KOMO-TV’s Preston Phillips to discuss a personal story around drowning prevention and the importance of learning to swim. She shares tips to stay safe around the water. 

Could WA’s health ‘hub’ model treating opioid addiction go nationwide?, 9/13/2024, Quincy Valley Post-Register. The article references Caleb Banta-Green’s health engagement hub model, a free opioid addiction treatment center.

CDC awards UW HIPRC $4.3 million grant to expand injury-prevention research. 9/6/24, UW Medicine Newsroom. UW Medicine’s Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center (HIPRC) has received a $4.3 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support research on opioid overdose prevention, adverse child experiences, school violence prevention, and older adult falls.

VashonBePrepared: Staying safe in back-to-school season. 9/1/24, Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber. The HIPRC’s back to school tips are quoted, including pedestrian and motor vehicle safety tips.

August 2024 //

Life Jackets, Swimming Lessons are Water-Safety Keys. 8/30/24. UW Medicine Newsroom. Dr. Beth Ebel discusses the importance of life jackets, and learning how to swim.

What could be behind King County’s recent drop in fatal fentanyl overdoses. 8/31/2024, The Seattle Times, Tri-City Herald, The Olympian, Bellingham Herald. Caleb Banta-Green discusses recent drops in fatal fentanyl overdoses and the reasoning behind it.

It’s hot and lots of people are drowning. 8/27/24, Consumer Affairs. Linda Quan is quoted talking about the rise in adult drowning deaths.

Adult Drowning Deaths are increasing. 8/27/24, Science American Magazine. In a recent article, Dr. Linda Quan talks about the rise in adult drowning deaths. 

Michael Copass, pioneer in emergency medicine, dies at 86. 8/15/24, The Seattle Times, Tri-City Herald, The Olympian, Bellingham Herald, JEMs, EMS1. Eileen Bulger discusses the impact Copass had on Airlift Northwest.

Washington’s model for opioid treatment could go nationwide, 08/06/2024, The Columbian. Caleb Banta-Green is credited with developing the “health engagement hub” model, which is the focus of the legislation discussed in the article.

JULY 2024 //

Kari Lake called Arizona ‘the fentanyl state’ at the RNC. Here’s what to know, 7/23/2024, AZCentral, “Most of the fentanyl that we’re seeing, on the West Coast at least, is coming from Mexico. A lot of the precursors are getting shipped there from China and then it’s getting manufactured in Mexico,” Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washington’s School of Medicine who studies drug use epidemiology, told NPR.

Opioid hub treatment model shows success in Washington, could come to Oregon, 7/10/2024, OPB, Over the last few years, Washington state has funded five “health engagement hubs” to help treat people with fentanyl addictions. The model offers drop-in buprenorphine or methadone at no cost to people suffering from opioid addiction, as well as harm reduction services and other health care. The idea is to make treatment as easy to access as the drugs themselves, says Caleb Banta-Green, a researcher at University of Washington who has championed the model. Washington U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Democrat, has recently introduced a bill in Congress that would fund health engagement hubs through Medicaid.

Medication first, and then a whole-health approach, 7/10/2024, Linkedin @CalebBanta-Green, Nice coverage of Washington’s low barrier medications for opioid use disorder model. Everett Maroon, MPH and Dr. Cindy Grande describe their involvement in development of the models and Dr. Nathan (Nate) Kittle describes his clinic’s involvement in the next iteration of the work funded by the WA Health Care Authority.

Medication first, and then a whole-health approach, 7/9/2024, Northwest Public Broadcasting, Data from the study shows that across all sites, the patients served by the community-based medications first model had a 68% lower mortality rate in the first year. Lead researcher Dr. Caleb Banta-Green noted that the research findings are presented with a confidence interval of 95% for the range of 6%-89%. That means if the study were to be replicated 100 times, in 95 instances the findings would be in the range of 6%-89%.

Beyond fentanyl test strips: investigating other urine drug test strips for drug checking applications, 7/9/2024, Linkedin @CalebBanta-Green, Community Based Drug Checking is a new area of harm reduction work & science for me. I’m very excited for drug checking work, it’s already having positive impacts for people who use drugs and I look forward to a lot of learning and added impact in the coming years. This paper was led by Edward Sisco and team at the National Institute of Standards and Technology with UCLA colleagues Chelsea Shover, PhD & Caitlin Molina and Benjamin Biamont at the Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI) at the University of Washington. Link to a free copy of the article: https://lnkd.in/gJbq7Hy9.

University Of Washington Names Hilaire Thompson As Next Dean Of School Of Nursing, 7/5/2024, India EducationDictionary.com, Thompson already is intimately familiar with UW’s world-class healthcare training and delivery. She’s a professor of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics in the UW School of Nursing, core faculty at the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center and an adjunct professor in Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education in the UW School of Medicine.

Claudia Balducci introduces ‘Safe System’ policy proposal, 7/1/2024, The Daily, In May, the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center of the University of Washington reported a total of 810 traffic deaths in 2023. The Washington state Traffic Safety Commission recorded King County having 167 motor-vehicle-related deaths, more than any other county in Washington state. Balducci’s “Safe System” plan outlines the goal to achieve zero traffic deaths or serious injuries by updating roadway designs, enforcing safer speeds, and increasing care to those involved in crashes.

Fireworks Safety, 7/1/2024, UW Medicine, In 2023, Harborview saw 58 fireworks related injuries, and almost 80% of the patients were admitted to the hospital. Patients ranged from 10 months to 57 years old, and 15 patients were under the age of 18. Check out Harborview’s Injury Prevention & Research Center​ for additional safety tips, and information on fireworks injuries.

JUNE 2024 //

UW taps Hilaire Thompson to be next dean of the School of Nursing, 6/26/2024, UW News, University of Washington Provost Tricia Serio today announced the appointment of Hilaire Thompson as next executive dean of the School of Nursing, effective Aug. 1, pending approval by the Board of Regents. Thompson fills the position previously held by Azita Emami, who left in 2023 to lead the Yale School of Nursing. Allison Webel served as interim executive dean.

U.S. drug-overdose legislation has roots at UW, 6/25/2024, UW Medicine Newsroom, Addiction expert Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, discusses the rise of fentanyl use and its impact on addiction treatment. He explains that fentanyl, which is 50 times more potent than heroin, was not on the radar a decade ago but has now surpassed both heroin and other opioids in use and overdose deaths.

Researcher brings addiction-care ‘hubs’ to Capitol HillLinkedin @ADAI-UW, Great Q&A today from UW Medicine Newsroom featuring Caleb Banta-Green talking about an approach to reducing overdose deaths he co-developed, Health Engagement Hubs, now part of a bill introduced last month in Congress (the Fatal Overdose Reduction Act): https://lnkd.in/guBCJY24

Researcher brings addiction-care ‘hubs’ to Capitol Hill, 6/25/2024, UW Medicine Newsroom, One aspect is the creation of Health Engagement Hubs, a care model co-developed by Caleb Banta-Green, research professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington the School of Medicine. The hubs are the latest iteration of a care approach that began in 2015 and involved input from community-based agencies and local and state government partners. In a Q&A, Banta-Green discussed fentanyl and why he thinks the hub care model holds promise.

American College of Surgeons Commends U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Firearm Violence, 6/25/2024, News Wise, American College of Surgeons (ACS), “With a united voice and a collaborative effort, healthcare professionals from many different specialties have come together to propose real, workable solutions to the crisis of firearm violence,” said Eileen Bulger, MD, FACS, Medical Director of ACS Trauma Programs and Chair of the HCFIP. “We have seen a public health approach work with many other issues, one example being motor vehicle safety. We are confident that this approach can reduce the death and disability resulting from firearm injury as well.”

A randomized trial of collaborative support for opioid taper after trauma hospitalization, 6/24/2024, PubMed, The COTAT (Collaborative Opioid Taper After Trauma) Study was a randomized trial of an opioid taper support program using a physician assistant (PA) to provide pain and opioid treatment guidance to primary care providers assuming care for adult patients with moderate to severe trauma discharged from a Level I trauma center on opioid therapy. Patients were recruited, assessed, and randomized individually by a surgery research recruitment team one to two days prior to discharge to home. Authors include Mark D Sullivan, Laura Katers, Jin Wang, Sam Arbabi, David Tauben, and Laura-Mae Baldwin.

Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration In Low Back Pain, Pain & Central Nervous System Daily News, 6/18/2024, According to news reporting originating from Seattle, WA, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “ABSTR A C T Intervertebral disc degeneration is characterized by deterioration in structural support that is potentially followed by stimulated neuronal ingrowth, and dysfunction of cellular physiology in the disc. Discogenic low back pain originates from nociceptors within the intervertebral disc or the cartilage endplate.” Additional information may be obtained by contacting Michele Curatolo, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine.

Identifying emerging hot spots of road traffic injury severity using spatiotemporal methods: longitudinal analyses on major roads in Ghana from 2005 to 2020, BMC Public Health, 6/17/2024, Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, Stephen J. Mooney, Charles Mock & Barclay Stewart, Although road traffic injuries and deaths have decreased globally, there is substantial national and sub-national heterogeneity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Ghana is one of few countries in Africa collecting comprehensive, spatially detailed data on motor vehicle collisions (MVCs). This data is a critical step towards improving roadway safety, as accurate and reliable information is essential for devising targeted countermeasures.

After boy’s drowning in Minnehaha Creek, Somali family works to prevent similar deaths, Sahan Journal, 6/17/2024, Warsama said the drowning has him wanting to develop a training course specifically to teach water safety. Dr. Linda Quan, a Seattle-based physician who has studied drowning and how to prevent it for 40 years, said there has been “enormous interest” nationwide in teaching children with autism how to swim. “We know it’s hard to teach children with autism how to swim, but it can be done,” Quan said. “There are more and more studies that they can obtain swim skills.” Quan emphasized that even with swimming or water safety knowledge, “that still cannot be relied upon to protect them.”

Somali parents ramp up efforts to prevent tragedies following 4-year-old boy’s drowning, Star Tribune, 06/16/2024, Warsama said the drowning has him wanting to develop a training course specifically to teach water safety. Dr. Linda Quan, a Seattle-based physician who has studied drowning and how to prevent it for 40 years, said there has been “enormous interest” nationwide in teaching children with autism how to swim. “We know it’s hard to teach children with autism how to swim, but it can be done,” Quan said. “There are more and more studies that they can obtain swim skills.” Quan emphasized that even with swimming or water safety knowledge, “that still cannot be relied upon to protect them.”

In Homes With Children, Even Loaded Guns Are Often Left Unsecured, 06/13/2024, The New York Times and 06/14/2024, UW Medicine Newsroom @uwmnewsroom – Gun violence prevention expert Dr. Frederick Rivara who studies childhood injury and injury prevention at the University of Washington, said, “the risk of youth suicide by firearm is far lower in homes where the weapons are unloaded and locked than in households where guns are kept less securely” >> Read more

Could WA’s health ‘hub’ model treating opioid addiction go nationwide?, 6/10/2024, Our Community Now, The Columbian, Washington State Standard, That’s the promise of the “health engagement hub.” It’s a model credited to Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor in the School of Medicine at the University of Washington. Banta-Green emphasizes he developed it with the help of other researchers, advocates and policymakers.

Senate Finance Committee Issues Testimony From University of Washington Research Professor Green, 6/9/2024, The Senate Finance Committee released the following written testimony by Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washington’s Addictions, Drug and Alcohol Institute, from a hearing dated May 23, 2024, entitled Front Lines of the Fentanyl Crisis: Supporting Communities and Combating Addiction through Prevention and Treatment: “My name is Caleb Banta-Green and I have worked to support individuals and communities impacted by opioid use disorder for nearly 30 years. Over this time the predominate opioid has changed multiple times and the models of care and treatment medications have evolved. We have made a dent in the treatment gap, the gap between those with active opioid use disorder and those on the medications methadone and buprenorphine. These medications are the most evidence-based treatments for opioid use disorder–they support ongoing recovery and reduce mortality by at least 50%. Unfortunately, the treatment gap persists, with approximately three quarters of those with opioid use disorder not on medications.

Racial Disparities in Drowning Deaths Persist, Research Shows, 06/06/2024, The Good Men Project, “In my mind, drowning prevention is the poor cousin in injury prevention,” says Dr. Linda Quan, a professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine whose area of research includes drowning prevention and pediatric resuscitationFor motor vehicle injuries, which have received far more attention, there’s the National Highway Traffic Safety Board, or NHTSA, at the federal level. “But we don’t have really any kind of unity or single organization to push drowning prevention,” she says.

Clinical Challenges in Surgical Palliative Care: Communication Skills for Difficult Conversations, 6/5/2024, UW Medicine Department of Surgery, Spring 2024 SURGERY Synopsis, Behind the Knife Podcast, Episode #747, Featuring Dr. Kathleen O’Connell, Assistant Professor Division of Trauma, Burn & Critical Care Surgery; Dr. Ali Haruta, Palliative Care Fellow; Dr. Lindsay Dickerson, Research Resident; and Dr. Virginia Wang, General Surgery Resident.

Intensive care unit readmission in injured older adults: Modifiable risk factors and implications, 6/5/2024, UW Medicine Department of Surgery, Spring 2024 SURGERY Synopsis, Publication featured in the May 2024 edition of The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. Authors included Dr. Lauren Agoubi, Research Resident; Dr. Beth Ann Reimel, Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Trauma, Burn & Critical Care Surgery; Dr. Kathleen O’Connell, Assistant Professor Division of Trauma, Burn & Critical Care Surgery; Dr. Ronald Maier, Professor Division of Trauma, Burn & Critical Care Surgery; Dr. Lisa McIntyre, Professor Division of Trauma, Burn & Critical Care Surgery.

GETTING TO KNOW DOS, 6/5/2024, UW Medicine Department of Surgery, Spring 2024 SURGERY Synopsis, Meet Dr. Eileen Bulger, Professor & Chief of Trauma, Burn & Critical Care Surgery, and Surgeon-in-Chief at Harborview Medical Center. Learn about Dr. Bulger’s path to becoming a leader in trauma surgery, her work in advocacy and health policy, and what she likes to do in her spare time.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality among US Youth | JAMA, 6/4/2024, Children’s Safety Network Newsletter, Additional resources related to child safety and cross-cutting topics are provided in the newsletter below. Please widely share these resources with your networks.

, 06/03/2024, KJZZ 91.5, “Most of the fentanyl that were seeing, on the West Coast at least, is coming from Mexico. A lot of the precursors are getting shipped there from China and then it’s getting manufactured in Mexico, said Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washingtons School of Medicine who studies drug use epidemiology and was not part of the study. Banta-Green, who also directs UWs Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology & Research Center, says an increase in the fentanyl supply out West, as the study suggests, would reflect what hes seen happen in Washington state.

MAY 2024 //

EDITORIAL: Federal bill to reduce opioid deaths deserves bipartisan support, 05/29/2024, Tri-City Herald, The Seattle Times, The Olympian, and other sources, The pilot was part of a study by the University of Washington School of Medicine research professor Caleb Banta-Green, whose team reports drug trends across the state. According to UW, the study showed a 68% reduction in fatal overdoses under the pilot program.

Honored to give the Cryer Trauma Lecture today at UCLA, 05/29/2024, Linkedin @UWSurgery, In honor of Dr. Cryer’s many years of service and contributions to advancing trauma care @traumadoctors

APM FOCUS ON RESEARCH – MAY 2024, Academic Evening 2024, 05/28/2024, APM’s 16th Academic Evening at UWs Intellectual House was held on May 7th. The event featured 59 academic posters highlighting innovative research across the department, presentations by authors of award-nominated abstracts, and an inspirational keynote address. Abstract reviewers included: Itay Bentov, Paul Bhalla, Elena Brandford, Michael Bruchas, Michael Crowder, Michele Curatolo, Andrew Eitel, Matt Hallman, Elizabeth Hansen, Mayumi Horibe, Agnes Hunyady, Nathalia Jimenez, Nick Kassebaum, Maria Khalid, Nita Khandelwal, Li Li, Rui Li, Dustin Long, Kelly Michaelsen, Philip Morgan, Caitlin Murray, Vikas O’Reilly-Shah, Kushang Patel, David Polaner, Daniel Raftery, Andrew Rogers, Deepak Sharma, Ian Slade, Garret Stuber, Rani Sunder, See Wan Tham, Rong Tian, Wil Van Cleve, Daron Vandeleur, Matthew Walker, Wang Wang, Zilvinas Zakarevicius.

Senator Cantwell Introduces Bill to Take WA-Developed, Low-Barrier Fentanyl Treatment Pilot Program Nationwide, 5/23/2024, Linkedin, “An FYI that the 68% (95% CI 6%-89%) mortality reduction stat is from our research paper that is under peer-review, so Id call it preliminary. But its in line with effectiveness data for buprenorphine for mortality from other studies. The difference is that our work was done via a low barrier model at community-based sites with a large proportion of people who were unhoused. Showing that this care model with this higher acuity population appears to have significant mortality benefit is encouraging,” commented Caleb Banta-Green, Research Professor at Addictions, Drugs & Alcohol Institute; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences; School of Medicine, University of Washington.

Barrasso says Open Border is to Blame for Fentanyl Crisis, Opioid Deaths, 5/23/2024, K2 Radio, The Cowboy, barrasso.senate.gov, ForeignAffairs.co.nz, Tony Vezina, Abigail Heron, DO, Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., MPH, MSW, and Jeanmarie Perrone, MD testified at the hearing titled “Front Lines of the Fentanyl Crisis: Supporting Communities and Combating Addiction through Prevention and Treatment.”

Cantwell Introduces Bill to Take WA-Developed, Low-Barrier Fentanyl Treatment Pilot Program Nationwide, 5/23/2024, cantwell.senate.gov, The Health Engagement Hub model was developed by Dr. Caleb Banta-Green at the University of Washington. The innovative hub model provides a one-stop shop where substance use disorder patients can receive near-immediate FDA-approved treatment (buprenorphine) and access primary care, harm reduction, and other social services without an appointment. Research data from UW shows that, among 825 participants, this community-based, medication-first approach decreased overdose mortality rates by 68%.

First Oregon, now B.C.: Why drug decriminalization faces renewed questions, 5/20/2024, Global News, Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor in the School of Medicine at the University of Washington, says when he speaks to lawmakers in his state and elsewhere who want to criminalize drug possession, he often finds himself pressing them on one key question: “And then what?”

Racial disparities in drowning deaths persist, research shows, 5/16/2024, The Journalist’s Resource, “In my mind, drowning prevention is the poor cousin in injury prevention,” says Dr. Linda Quan, a professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine whose area of research includes drowning prevention and pediatric resuscitation. “For motor vehicle injuries, which have received far more attention, there’s the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) Board at the federal level. But we don’t have really any kind of unity or single organization to push drowning prevention,” she says.

In grim milestone, U.S. overdose deaths top 100K for 3rd straight year, 5/14/2024, Linkedin, “We know naloxone is not the answer by itself… communities need to improve access to treatment [medications] and tackle larger forces that drive people to addiction, such as income inequality and housing.” *In grim milestone, U.S. overdose deaths top 100,000 for third straight year*,” commented Caleb Banta-Green, Research Professor at Addictions, Drugs & Alcohol Institute; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences; School of Medicine, University of Washington.

In grim milestone, U.S. overdose deaths top 100K for 3rd straight year, 5/14/2024, SFGate, The Washington Post, Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine who studies overdose trends, pointed out that overdose deaths in his state have increased even with ample supplies of naloxone available. He stressed that communities need to improve access to treatment and tackle larger forces that drive people to addiction, such as income inequality and housing. “We know naloxone is not the answer by itself,” Banta-Green said.

Racial disparities in drowning deaths persist, research shows, 5/13/2024, The Journalist’s Resource, “In my mind, drowning prevention is the poor cousin in injury prevention,” says Dr. Linda Quan, a professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine whose area of research includes drowning prevention and pediatric resuscitation. For motor vehicle injuries, which have received far more attention, there’s the National Highway Traffic Safety Board, or NHTSA, at the federal level. “But we don’t have really any kind of unity or single organization to push drowning prevention,” she says.

, 5/13/2024, ExBulletin, “Most of the fentanyl that we’re seeing, on the West Coast at least, is coming from Mexico. A lot of the precursors are getting shipped there from China and then it’s getting manufactured in Mexico,” said Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washington’s School of Medicine who studies drug use epidemiology and was not part of the study. Banta-Green, who also directs UW’s Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology & Research Center, says “an increase in the fentanyl supply out West, as the study suggests, would reflect what he’s seen happen in Washington state. Within the past two years alone, fentanyl overtook heroin as the most used opioid in the state, according to a community survey conducted by the center.”

, 5/13/2024, NPR, UW Today, and other sources, “Most of the fentanyl that we’re seeing, on the West Coast at least, is coming from Mexico. A lot of the precursors are getting shipped there from China and then it’s getting manufactured in Mexico,” said Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washington’s School of Medicine who studies drug use epidemiology and was not part of the study. Banta-Green, who also directs UW’s Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology & Research Center, says “an increase in the fentanyl supply out West, as the study suggests, would reflect what he’s seen happen in Washington state. Within the past two years alone, fentanyl overtook heroin as the most used opioid in the state, according to a community survey conducted by the center.”

Seattle to open post-overdose recovery center, 5/10/2024, Twitter @ADAI UW, @UWPsychiatry’s Caleb @BantaGreen is being quoted in a number of stories about this new center, supporting its usefulness for folks who can visit it to recover after an overdose & access harm reduction supplies and info, even if they aren’t quite ready for treatment yet.

Seattle to open post-overdose recovery center, 5/9/2024, The Columbian, The Seattle Times, and other news sources, Caleb Banta-Green, director of the University of Washington Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology and Research, said he doesn’t anticipate anyone needing too hard of a nudge toward the space. The feeling of withdrawal after receiving a Narcan dose is powerful enough that most people will seek out help. “We don’t think we need to convince people to come here,” he said. “What we think is that if we offer a great place and word starts to spread, people will want to come here.”

Seattle To Open Short-Term Recovery Center For People After A Fentanyl Overdose, 5/9/2024, MyMotherlode.com, 95.5 WSB, MagicValley.com and other AP News sources, Dr. Caleb Banta-Green, Director of the University of Washington Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology and Research, said he doesn’t anticipate anyone needing much convincing to go to the center. The feeling of withdrawal after receiving a Narcan dose is powerful enough that most people will seek help. “What we think is that if we offer a great place and word starts to spread, people will want to come here.”

Mayor Harrell Announces New City Investments in Post-Overdose Recovery Facility and Enhanced Mobile Addiction Treatment Services, 5/9/2024, City of Seattle (Office of the Mayor), LinkedIn (@city-of-seattle) and other sources, Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced $7 million in capital funds for facility improvements to organizations treating substance use disorder and providing post-overdose care, opioid medication delivery, and case management services. Dr. Caleb Banta-Green, Research Professor at the UW School of Medicine; Director, Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology & Research stated, “The ORCA center is based upon what people who use opioids say they want and our research that shows what works best to support care engagement and reduce mortality.” 

APRIL 2024 //

Surge in fentanyl overdoses among infants sparks concern in Everett community, 4/28/2024, KOMO News, “When fentanyl is in the home, things aren’t going well, and I think the question there is harm reduction,” said Dr. Ebel. The first action, she said, is to return all unused medications to the pharmacy and lock up all other meds still in use by someone in the house.

New from ADAI, Results from the 2023 WA Syringe Services Program Health Survey, 4/24/2024, ADAI, LinkedIn @Caleb-Banta-Green, Involving people who use drugs in meaningful ways to design and deliver the services offered to them is important. People who use drugs have clear preferences, insights, and innovative ideas for service models and are eager to share their perspectives when given genuine opportunities for input and involvement! Find out more in our new report AND register for a webinar to hear from report co-authors Alison Newman and Caleb Banta-Green on May 2 at 1pm PT! https://lnkd.in/gAevTHSg

UW Medicine: Report outlines illicit drug-use patterns across Washington, 4/24/2024, Shoreline Area News, UW ADAI, LinkedIn, Among survey respondents this time, 80% had no housing or temporary housing. This percentage was substantially higher than the 66% of respondents who reported living in those conditions in 2021,” said Caleb Banta-Green, a report coauthor and a regional expert on addiction. “Some people are using opioids to numb the trauma of insecure housing, and some are using meth because they feel it helps them function. Being housed would give them a lot more stability in their lives and allow them to fully engage in treatment, whereas on the street they can’t really do that.”

Results from the 2023 WA State Syringe Services Program Health Survey, 4/23/2024, LinkedIn @Caleb-Banta-Green, WA State Syringe Services Program client survey data are out today. This was an enormous effort by 25 programs to survey over 1,600 clients in partnership with WA Dept of Health and Public Health-Seattle & King County. Lots of new impactful and actionable info. A few highlights: Prevalence of drug smoking among participants was high at all SSPs. Only 10% used drugs exclusively by injection; Substantial use of safer smoking supplies at SSPs that distribute them and high interest at SSPs that do not yet distribute them; Among the 80% of individuals who did not have permanent housing, 68% said they would reduce or completely quit using their main drug if they had stable housing; SSP participants wanted to receive additional services at their SSP including drug checking services, medical care, and behavioral health support; and 75% said they would see a health care provider and 68% would see a mental health counselor at the SSP where they were taking the survey. More information: https://lnkd.in/gWvep8GF.

2024 Excellence in Violence & Injury Prevention Science Award, 4/23/2024, LinkedIn @UW-Medicine, Congratulations to Dr. Frederick P. Rivara, who has been recognized with the 2024 Excellence in Violence & Injury Prevention Science Award at this yearSociety for Advancement of Violence and Injury Research (SAVIR) Annual Conference! This award recognizes a mid-career to senior-level scientist whose leadership, research, and service have led to important advancements in violence and injury prevention science. The theme for the conference was “Advancing injury prevention through community-engaged research”, and highlighted ways in which researchers are engaging communities in meaningful ways to advance injury and violence prevention. Attendees explored methods, strategies, and the role of working with community partners, community leaders and others to conduct research, outreach, and training activities. Congratulations, Dr. Rivara! This recognition is very well-deserved. Photo credit: Seattle Childrens.

New from ADAI, Results from the 2023 WA Syringe Services Program Health Survey, 4/24/2024, ADAI, LinkedIn @Alison-Newman, So proud of this year’s Syringe Services Program (SSP) Health Survey report. I love working with harm reduction programs and their participants and I learn so much every time we do the survey. Huge thanks to: WA State SSPs and their participants for making this happen; my great colleagues for their hard work on this report Caleb Banta-GreenJoe Tinsley, Susan Kingston, Sara Glick, Meg Brunner, Ali Lenox; and to the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington State Health Care Authority for funding this project.

Falls by Seniors Represent Serious Health Concern, 4/22/2024, ReachMD, UW Medicine Newsroom, “The reasons people are more likely to fall as they age stem in part from age-related changes in gait, strength and balance,” said Dr. Elizabeth Phelan, a falls expert and founding director of the Fall Prevention Clinic at UW Medicine in Seattle. “However, falls are not inevitable,” said Phelan, who also is a professor of geriatrics. “They are largely preventable. Awareness of what contributes to falls is critical to preventing them.”

Seattle law student with ‘time on her hands’ finds bike helmets for hundreds of kids, 4/21/2024, The Seattle Times, UW Medicine Newsroom, Peters’ research showed an average of five bicyclists were killed each year in King County between 2018 and 2021. Harborview Medical Center, the region’s only Level One trauma center, reported treating 147 bicyclists each year in that period. “In 2016 alone, there were 17 bicyclists traffic fatalities in Washington state,” Peters wrote. Her article suggests the Board of Health decision to repeal the law was a heavy-handed attempt to deal with the discrimination issue by throwing out a law that saves lives. She quotes Dr. Fred Rivara, a University of Washington professor and physician at Seattle Children’s hospital, who acknowledged the enforcement problem, but suggested the health board should focus on “how we can get helmets on people to protect their heads” in a fair way.

A sliver of hope in a record-setting year of deaths of homeless people, 4/17/2024, Twitter, @KCPubHealth tweeted, “We have to save people’s lives,” said @adai_uw‘s Caleb Banta-Green “We’re partnering to expand access and eliminate barriers to life-saving medications to treat opioid use disorder, which can reduce risk of overdose by up to 50%.”

A sliver of hope in a record-setting year of deaths of homeless people, 4/17/2024, The Seattle Times, “It’s staggering on every front,” said Dr. Caleb Banta-Green, research professor at the University of Washington’s School of Medicine and director of the university’s Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology and Research. But despite these unprecedented numbers, researchers like Banta-Green are saying there’s reason to have hope that things will slowly improve.

Introducing the 2024 Cohort of ITHS KL2 Scholars, 4/16/2024, ITHS Newsletter: The Research Connector, The Institute of Translational Health Sciences (ITHS) is pleased to announce the 2024 cohort of scholars for the ITHS KL2 Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Career Development Program. Benjamin Lidgard, MD; Kristian Jones, PhD; Michelle Guignet, PhD; and Jonathan An, DDS, PhD are early career investigators who will be provided with research time, funding, mentorship, and other necessary resources to foster the development of their clinical and translational research skills. Their time in the 3-year long post-doctoral program began March 1, 2024.

Six Months in Seattle’s New Drug Law has had Little Direct Impact on Public Drug Use or Diversion, 4/12/2024, PublicCOLA, Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at UW who directs ADAI’s Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology & Research, says the city’s new drug use law has made people more reluctant to use the anonymous service. A provision in the state’s 2023 drug law protects people who use the program from prosecution, Banta-Green noted. “What we are seeing is that while many harm reduction clients are interested in the drug checking process and getting results, most are still quite wary that it is legally safe for them to participate,” Banta-Green said.

MARCH 2024 //

WHAT IS BUPRENORPHINE? A Q&A ABOUT KING COUNTY’S NEW BUP HOTLINE, 3/25/2024, PUBLIC HEALTH – SEATTLE & KING COUNTY Public Health Insider, Thanks to a NEW 24/7 ‘BUP’ Prescribing Hotline, it’s easier than ever for people in King County to get started on medication to treat opioid use disorder. In partnership with the UW Department of Emergency Medicine, King County recently launched a telemedicine program that will provide on-demand access to a buprenorphine prescription, also known as “bup”. We sat down with Dr. Lauren Whiteside and Dr. Chris Buresh, leaders of this program at the UW Department of Emergency Medicine and providers on the hotline, to learn more about buprenorphine and how the hotline is expanding access to compassionate, evidence-based care in King County.

2024 Northwest Rural Health Conference, 3/25/2024, NW Rural Conference, Get to Know Our Speakers: Dr. Carmen Gonzalez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Washington, and Co-Director of the UW Center for Communication, Difference, and Equity (CCDE). Her research and community work are focused on promoting digital and health equity in BIPOC communities.

Transforming our Communities, 03/25/2024, Linkedin @Caleb-Banta-Green, Save the date, May 16, 2024 at 8:30am-3:30pm PT for our (virtual) 4th Annual Transforming our Communities gathering – Together with Compassion: A Gathering on Supportive Strategies for Drug User Health. Registration coming soon!

Prosecutor’s office gets $100K for expert witnesses, 3/23/2024, COEUR d’ALENE / POST FALLS PRESS, Expert witnesses who testified include Dr. Jennifer Nara, a forensic pathologist and former Spokane County medical examiner, bloodstain analyst Randolph Beasley, burn specialist Dr. Barclay Stewart, trauma surgeon Dr. Ryan Rambaran and Dr. Bill Smock, a physician in forensic medicine who previously testified in the murder trial of former Minneapolis police detective Derek Chauvin.

SSW ALUM AND FACULTY find multilevel interventions are required for gender-affirming health care for transgender patients, 3/21/2024, Instagram @uwsocialwork, Congratulations to our SSW alumni and faculty on their recent publication Transgender Patient Preferences When Discussing Gender in Health Care Settings”! This publication studied how transgender patients prefer to discuss gender-related information in health care settings and the subsequent impacts on health care experiences. Four themes emerged through their research in answering these questions: Impact of provider, Engaging in relational risk assessment, Receiving affirming vs. medically competent care, and “How are you going to fit [me] into your system?” Their study suggests that multilevel interventions are required for gender-affirming competent health care for transgender patients.

Picking Your Brain: Bridging Barriers in TBI Care, 3/18/2024, DVIDS, In Episode 13 of the Picking Your Brain podcast, Department of Veterans Affairs researchers and Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence (TBICoE) clinical experts discuss the “Improving Health Care Engagement and Access to Optimize Long-Term Outcomes” study (or I-HEAL),
run by Dr. Risa Richardson at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Dr. Megan Moore at the Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, and Dr. Jolie Haun at the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Former ISP trooper on trial for wife’s murder arrested at Spokane airport, 3/18/2024, Big Country News, A burn expert also took the stand for the prosecution. On Monday, Dr. Barclay Stewart told the jury that “Kendy’s wound would have been extremely painful, describing it as a potential ‘defensive wound’.”

Seattle Fire Department launches pilot program allowing paramedics to administer buprenorphine in the field, 3/13/2024, Seattle Fire Department, Dr. Caleb Banta-Green, Director, Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology & Research, “Opioid use disorder treatment medications need to be available as easily as possible and in as many places as possible. Paramedics providing treatment medications is a welcome addition to our ever-expanding continuum of care for our neighbors with opioid use disorder.”

Experts testify in Howard murder trial, 3/12/2024, COEUR d’ALENE / POST FALLS PRESS, Dr. Barclay Stewart, a surgeon at Harborview Medical Center who specializes in the care of burns, testified about the large burn observed on Kendy Howard’s arm. Stewart said he reviewed photos of Kendy Howard’s body and determined she was scalded in the hours before her death, resulting in a second-degree burn. He noted the humidifier kettle on the wood stove in the Howard home as a possible source of the burn. “Any water that’s hot enough to generate steam can certainly cause a scald injury,” he said.

Testimony resumes in Howard murder trial as witness testifies burn injury may be defensive wound, 3/11/2024, NonStop Local KHQ, Dr. Barclay Stewart, a specialist in trauma and burns out of Seattle, was first to take the stand Monday morning in a trial that is expected to last three weeks. Dr. Stewart testified that he reviewed information in this case, including photographs of a burn on the inside of Kendy Howard’s right arm. Photographs of that burn were shown to the jury. Earlier testimony revealed Kendy had approximately 30 bruises or injuries all over her body. “It appears to be a second degree injury,” he testified to the state of the burn on Kendy’s arm. He also testified that the burn appeared to be deep or a “fresh” burn based on his review of the photographs. “Most likely it was an injury before death,” he said.

Solving King Countys Fentanyl Crisis Will Take Patience, 3/11/2024, Twitter, KUOW, and other sources, Proud to be the Substance Use Disorder Counselor for the Treatment in Motion (TIM) program, part of Evergreen Treatment Services. Being the SUDP of a mobile methadone unit has provided a unique perspective into the challenges experienced by those with Opiate Use Disorder. In this KUOW interview with Caleb Banta-Green, he gives crucial insight into the current challenges facing the Fentanyl crisis in Seattle.

Solving King Countys Fentanyl Crisis Will Take Patience, 3/6/2024, Twitter, KUOW, and other sources, @ADAI_UW @UWPsychiatry’s Caleb @BantaGreen talked to @KUOW about King County’s new approach to the overdose crisis, focusing on the importance of housing, expanding access to treatment, & adding more peers/care navigators who can “truly walk alongside people.”

BIG HART: Advancing Health Equity in HIV-Related Research in Indian Country through CBPR, 3/6/2024, Facebook/Instagram @indigenouswellness @indigenouswellnessresearch, Please join us on Wednesday, March 13 from 12:00pm – 1:00pm PST for our second seminar of BIG HART 3. We are excited to welcome Dr. Bonnie Duran, professor at both the School of Social Work and Public Health at the University of Washington and esteemed leader and mentor at the Indigenous Wellness Research Institute. Click to register. More info about the program: iwri.org/research/big-hart.

2024 WCAAP Advocacy Day, 3/05/2024, Linkedin, Another inspiring and invigorating WCAAP Advocacy Day is in the books! Earlier this week, over 100 members and partners, including Sandy Chung, Immediate Past President of the American Academy of Pediatrics(!), joined us in Olympia for an incredible day of learning and advocating for WA children and their families. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the day so wonderful, and a special thanks to Molina Healthcare of Washington for their generous support of Advocacy Day 2024! (Pictured from left to right: WCAAP Board President, Beth Ebel, MD, MSc, MPH, FAAP, Sandy Chung, WCAAP Immediate Past President, Michael Barsotti.)

Fentanyl crisis needs a turning point, so what is being done? Fentanyl crisis: 5 things to watch for in 2024, 3/4/2024, The Seattle Times, The Columbian, and other sources, University of Washington researchers are at work on a study that, in preliminary analyses, suggests opioid use disorder happens “way faster with fentanyl than it does with heroin,” said Caleb Banta-Green, director for the UW Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology and Research. “The point is,” he said, “there’s no time to wait.” Across the state, people who experience and see the effects of the drug are watching to see if officials act with that sense of urgency.

Study recruiting older adults to explore tele-exercise classes for knee arthritis, 3/1/2024, UW Today, Originally published by Medicine Newsroom, “One of the first-line treatments for knee osteoarthritis is physical activity,” said Patel, who is also an associate director of the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center. “There’s plenty of evidence showing the benefits of exercise, including preventing falls. And studies show that older adults do engage in exercise when they’re offered instructor-led classes. But when the study ends, many return to a sedentary lifestyle.”

FEBRUARY 2024 //

The Matter of Loneliness: Building Connections for Collective Well-Being, 02/29/2024, Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), Heeding the urgency of the crisis and the surgeon general’s call to action, the two-day conference will bring together academics, activists, and practitioners whose life’s work — within and across disciplines, traditions, communities, peoples, etc. — engages the concept of social connection in ways that increase understanding about social connection and dis-connection or that model behaviors and/or actions that facilitate human reconnection and reweave community in ways that are oriented to the collective well-being. Speakers include Bonnie Duran, Professor Emeritus, Schools of Social Work and Public Health, University of Washington. Registration is FREE and open to the public.

Sharon Riggs Champions Hybrid Fitness: Merging Virtual Yoga with In-Person Classes for All Ages,02/27/2024, BNN, Riggs’s decision to offer virtual classes free of charge underscores her commitment to making fitness accessible and enjoyable for all. This initiative mirrors broader trends within the fitness industry during the pandemic, as seen in the partnership between Bannatyne Health Clubs and Les Mills, offering over 1,000 digital workouts to keep members engaged. Similarly, the Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center (HIPRC) explores the benefits of virtual fitness for older adults with knee arthritis, highlighting the importance of physical activity in managing chronic conditions. Riggs’s approach aligns with these initiatives, demonstrating the evolving landscape of fitness in response to societal needs.

Seattle’s ‘Batman’ Donnie Chin and Pediatric Advocate Dr. Abe Bergman Awarded Washington’s Highest Civilian Honors Posthumously, 2/23/2024, hoodline, Alongside Chin, Dr. Bergman’s lifetime dedication to pediatrics and advocacy was celebrated with the Medal of Merit. Passing away last November at the age of 91, Bergman is revered as a pillar in the medical community, known for his efforts to improve children’s safety and health policies. He played an instrumental role in rallying for federal laws in the ’60s and ’70s, including legislation mandating flame-retardant children’s sleepwear and child-resistant medication packaging. As The Columbian put it, Bergman helped shepherd a 1974 law that placed the oversight of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome research under the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Study Identifies Ways to Improve Gender-Affirming Healthcare, 02/23/2024, MEDPAGE TODAY, A qualitative study on the healthcare experiences of transgender adults identified needed interventions on both a provider and hospital level for providing competent, gender-affirming care. In this video interview, study author Vern Harner, PhD, of the University of Washington in Tacoma, discusses the study, which was led by a team of transgender researchers and published in JAMA Network Open.

Spokane site begins checking drugs to reduce overdoses: ‘People will look at this as enabling, but we’re saving lives’, 2/23/2024, The Spokesman-Review, The Columbian, and other sources – Drug-checking has two main goals, said Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor in the institute who directs the drug-checking network support and evaluation. “First and foremost, the goal is really for people who are using drugs to have more complete information about what’s in their drugs,” he said. “It’s really a harm reduction goal, a public health goal of reducing overdoses.”

3-month prevalence of unwanted sexual contact victimization in a national sample of college students: differences by race, gender identity, and sexual identity, 2/22/2024, BMC Public Health, Universal and targeted (selective and indicated) intervention programs are needed to lessen USCV, particularly among gender minority students who also identify as Black, Indigenous, other person of color, or as a sexual minority. Authors included Anna E. Bender, PhD, MSW, of the Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center at the University of Washington.

CID advocate, longtime Seattle doctor awarded highest civilian honors in Washington, 02/21/2024, KING 5 News, Bergman died in November at 91 years old. He is considered one of Seattle’s pioneers in the medical field, who fought to help children living in poverty and those with disabilities. For more than 20 years he was the chief of pediatrics at Harborview Medical Center and was also the founder of the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic, a satellite of Seattle Children’s hospital that primarily serves low-income families. He built and ran a park in the Central District called the Seattle Playgarden, which gave children with all types of abilities a safe place to play.

Medals of Merit and Valor to be awarded at state Capitol, 2/21/2024, Lynwood Times, Over the years, Dr. Bergman worked alongside U.S. Senators Henry “Scoop” Jackson, Slade Gorton, and Warren Magnuson to assist with landmark legislation, including the Flammable Fabrics Act of 1967, which required children’s sleepwear manufacturers to make them flame-retardant. In 1970, he helped with the Prevention Packaging Act, which required medications to be sold in child-resistant containers, and the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Act in 1974, which gave the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development the responsibility of overseeing research. Dr. Bergman passed away surrounded by his children on November 10, 2023, at 91. “Dr. Bergman, through his national political efforts, improved the health of more children than most pediatricians will see in a lifetime,” Harborview Medical Center Chief of Pediatrics Dr. Brian D. Johnston said. “His colleagues at Harborview remember him equally for his generous capacity as a mentor, his commitment to local communities, and his passionate work for health equity long before there was a term for that concept.”

Two people honored with Washington’s top awards for civilians, 2/21/2024, Washington State Standard, The Columbian – Bergman was instrumental in pressing for landmark federal laws in the 1960s and 1970s that set requirements for children’s sleepwear to be flame-retardant and for medication containers to be child-resistant. He also helped to push through a 1974 law that gave the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development oversight of research on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, the leading cause of death in children between 1 month and 1 year old. Other areas where he advocated included lawnmower safety – an effort that would help lead to the creation of the Consumer Product Safety Commission – and expanding access to health care for tribal, rural, and underserved communities.

Medals of Merit and Valor to be awarded Feb. 21 at state capitol, 02/20/2024, Washington Secretary of State, “Dr. Bergman, through his national political efforts, improved the health of more children than most pediatricians will see in a lifetime,” Harborview Medical Center Chief of Pediatrics Dr. Brian D. Johnston said. “His colleagues at Harborview remember him equally for his generous capacity as a mentor, his commitment to local communities, and his passionate work for health equity long before there was a term for that concept.”

Transgender Patient Preferences When Discussing Gender in Health Care Settings, 2/19/2024, JAMA Network Open, How do transgender patients prefer to discuss gender-related information in health care settings, and what is the subsequent impact on health care experiences? Qualitative study authored by Vern Harner, PhDMegan Moore, PhD, and Boi Casillas, BASW, CNA suggests that multilevel interventions are required for gender-affirming, competent health care for transgender patients. Specific provider- and hospital-level recommendations are provided.

Emergency Room Utilization and Methamphetamine Overdose Symptoms Among Syringe Services Program Participants in Washington State, 2/18/2024, NIH National Library of Medicine PubMed, Taylor & Francis Online, Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology, and Research (CEDEER) at the University of Washington’s Addictions, Drugs, and Alcohol Institute (ADAI) – This study used data from the 2021 Washington State Syringe Services Program (SSP) Health Survey, a cross-sectional survey administered to participants at 21 SSPs in Washington State (N = 955). Methamphetamine use in the last three months was reported by 86% of participants. Among people who used methamphetamine, in the past three months: 31% reported psychological methamphetamine overdose symptoms; 19% reported physical methamphetamine overdose symptoms; 24% had been to the ER for methamphetamine overdose symptoms. Authors of this study included Lauren Whiteside, MD, MS of UW Emergency Medicine and UW School of Medicine and Caleb J. Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW of the Department of Health Systems and Population Health and School of Public Health at the University of Washington.

420 with CNW — Teenage Brains More Susceptible to Cannabis Harm, 2/14/2024, CannabisNewsWire (CNW), Only 35% of 12- to-17-year-olds believe that smoking cannabis at least twice a week carries a major risk, according to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). This low perception of risk among teenagers is concerning and is partly fueled by the widespread availability of marijuana, leading to the mistaken belief that it is entirely safe, states Beth Ebel, a pediatrician affiliated with Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Chronic Use of Prescription Pain Medication and Outcomes in Patients with Burn Injury: A Burn Model System National Database Study,02/12/2024, PubMed, Semantic Scholar, American Journal of Physical Medicine, and other sources – There is a significant association between prescription pain medication use and worse physical, mental, and employment outcomes at 12 months after burn injury. Authors of this study included Barclay Steward, MD, PhD, MPH of the UW Medicine Division of Trauma, Burn and Critical Care Surgery and the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center.

Winter 2024, UW Department of Surgery Synopsis, 2/7/2024, uwsurgery.org, Another area of research that is near and dear to my heart is re(forming) public policy. A number of our faculty have working in the public policy arena over the years. An example is one of Dr. Bulger’s projects as PI for the Seattle site of the Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN). Her service, spanning 10 years, resulted in engineering/safety changes to automobiles. Research she spearheaded resulted in new standards to increase the roof strength in passenger vehicles. More recently, Dr. Deepika Nehra, Associate Professor, Division of Trauma, Burn & Critical Care has been involved with gun violence intervention and prevention and was awarded renewed and increased grant funding to support the Harborview Violence Intervention and Prevention Program (HIPRC). This state funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention (OFSVP) will support Dr. Nehra’s multidisciplinary efforts to build a Harborview Medical Center-based team dedicated to providing wraparound support services for patients and families impacted by gun violence. This issue of Surgery Synopsis also includes a focus on one of our clinical areas, introduction to several of our new faculty, faculty that are in the news, and a favorite feature, #GettingtoKnowDoS. In this issue, we learn more about Dr. Barclay Stewart, Assistant Professor, Division of Trauma, Burn & Critical Care Surgery.

The teen brain is especially vulnerable to the harms of cannabis, 2/4/2024, ScienceNewsExplores, Cannabis can put teens at risk of impaired brain development, addiction and psychosis. The fact that cannabis is now widely available to adults “promotes the idea that it’s safe,” says Beth Ebel. She’s a pediatrician at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She also works at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Cannabis is legal for adults to use for medical reasons in 38 states and Washington, D.C. Casual use for adults is allowed in 24 states and D.C. But this availability doesn’t equal safety, Ebel notes.

Sea Tow Foundation announces online conference lineup, 2/1/2024, Boating Industry, The Sea Tow Foundation unveiled the session and speaker lineup for its inaugural Life Jacket Loaner Conference. Set to take place March 5-7, 2024, the virtual conference will feature a variety of engaging sessions focused on boating safety, networking, and best practices for Life Jacket Loaner Stand hosts. Day 1 of the conference will begin with a session led by Verne Gifford from the USCG Office of Boating Safety. Gifford will set the stage for an exciting conference, providing attendees with key insights and takeaways as he explains how boating safety data applies to Life Jacket Loaner Station hosts. The day concludes with a session focused on the U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan led by Clinical Instructor Elizabeth “Tizzy” Bennet and Dr. Linda Quan.

JANUARY 2024 //

Dope ropes, THC Doritos reflect our patchwork pot laws and kids can pay the price, experts say, 1/26/2024, Marion Star, USA Today, and other news sources, Washington Medicine pediatrician, Dr. Beth Ebel told a Portland news station that her experience has been the same: “We are seeing this all day long. My emergency department friends see kids coming in and they are trying to decide, does this child have bleeding in her brain or a brain tumor? Or is this a child who really has a low level of consciousness because they have ingested something?”

Drunk driving limit may lower in Washington state as road deaths rise, 1/25/2024, KUOW | Health officials, law enforcement and people who have lost loved ones in crashes involving an impaired driver say its an important deterrent that will make drivers think twice before getting behind the wheel. “These .05 laws save lives, and it’s the education around the enforcement,” said Dr.Beth Ebel, a pediatrics professor in Seattle. Still, there are some concerns about the proposal from the hospitality industry, even as many agree drunk driving is a problem.

Do you have a young kid? New rankings reveal best booster seats to keep them safe, 1/24/2024, News KIRO, Yahoo! News, and other media sources, Until your child is taller than 4 feet 9 inches, your car’s seat belt won’t fit correctly, according to the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center.

Do you have a young kid? New rankings reveal best booster seats to keep them safe, 1/24/2024, KIRO7, Until your child is taller than 4 feet 9 inches, your car’s seat belt won’t fit correctly, according to the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center. We all get busy and want to get in and go, but crash tests show what can happen when children aren’t properly secured in a car. Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center says, “seatbelts reduce the risk of serious injury during a car crash for 4 to 8-year-olds by 45%.”

The Best Travel System Strollers Offer Convenience To Busy Families, 1/23/2024, Forbes, “Kids are portable,” points out Dr. Beth Ebel, professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington and president of the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “Congrats to you for traveling with your child.”

Make sure you are wearing appropriate footwear this winter, 1/17/2024, LinkedIn, Dr. Elizabeth Phelan, Director of the Fall Prevention Clinic at Harborview Medical Center says “Everyone is vulnerable to falling on surfaces made slick by ice and snow. Make sure you have the proper footwear. She suggests shoes or shoe-attachable devices that can increase the friction of your footwear against the ice and snow.”

Enteral Resuscitation: A Field-Expedient Treatment Strategy for Burn Shock during Wartime and in Other Austere Settings, 1/18/2024, European Burn Journal, Contributing author, Barclay T. Stewart of the University of Washington Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center. Burn injuries are a constant threat in war. Aspects of the modern battlefield increase the risk of burn injuries and pose challenges for early treatment.

‘He was in excruciating pain’: Boy, six, hospitalized after eating THC candy sold in North Carolina restaurant to parents who thought they were buying skittles, 1/12/2024, DailyMail.com, New York Post, Dr Beth Ebel of the University of Washington told Yahoo News: “We are seeing this all day long. My emergency department friends see kids coming in and they are trying to decide, does this child have bleeding in her brain or a brain tumor? Or is this a child who really has a low level of consciousness because they have ingested something.”

Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention (OFSVP) 2023 Report, 1/10/2024, Washington State Department of Commerce, In the time since we launched a statewide office, (OFSVP) has made strategic investments in evidenced-based violence reduction strategies. The office has also collaborated closely with subject matter experts within the state and nationally (including the Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center) to ensure our efforts are keeping up with unprecedented research and understanding of the causes of firearm violence and emerging strategies to see reductions.

Stepped collaborative care versus American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma required screening and referral for posttraumatic stress disorder: Clinical trial protocol, 1/9/2024, Mental Health News Daily, ScienceDirect, and other sources, According to news reporting from Seattle, Washington, by NewsRx journalists, research stated, “Each year in the U.S., approximately 1.5-2.5 million individuals are so severely injured that they require inpatient hospital admissions. The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (College) now requires that trauma centers have in place protocols to identify and refer hospitalized patients at risk injury psychological sequelae.” Research cited from co-author, Eileen Bulger of Department of Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine.

The teen brain is especially susceptible to the harms of THC, 1/5/2024, ScienceNews, .ilmetropolitano.it, and other sources, Cannabis is legal for adults to use recreationally in 24 states and Washington, D.C., and is allowed for medical use in 38 states and D.C. The widespread availability of cannabis “promotes the idea that it’s safe,” says pediatrician Beth Ebel of the University of Washington School of Medicine and Seattle Children’s Hospital. But that “is an incorrect assumption.” THC can impact brain chemistry “in a way that wasn’t intended,” Ebel says. “Some of the worst effects can have lifelong health consequences, especially for a young person.”

Webinar: Psychiatry Grand Rounds: Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology & Research in WA State (Jan. 26, 12pm PT), 1/3/2024, UW ADAI News & Events, In this session, Dr. Banta-Green will provide an overview of the new Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology & Research (CEDEER) housed within the Addictions, Drug and Alcohol Institute (ADAI). This center is expanding how it incorporates new types of information, including the voices and perspectives of people who use drugs, to inform the rapid development and testing of impactful interventions.

DECEMBER 2023 //

Health professionals warn holiday gifts could cause toy-related injuries if kids aren’t careful, 12/27/2023, FOX 13 Seattle, Aol., “I’m sure a lot of kids this Christmas got bicycles or scooters. Well, I also hope they got a bicycle helmet to go with it. And that’s really key. We know that bicycle helmets can prevent 85 percent of head injuries. And so, every time a child gets on a scooter or bicycle, no matter how young, they should be wearing such a helmet,” said Dr. Fred Rivara, a professor of pediatrics at UW Medicine.

At year’s end, remembering some of the people Seattle lost in 2023, 12/26/2023, KUOW, Bergman is remembered for his mentorship of hundreds of pediatricians in his long career, said Dr. Fred Rivara, one of his UW Medicine colleagues. “He was an iconoclast who pushed us all to do better,” Rivara said. Dr. Bergman died in Seattle in November. He was 91.

Seattle-area homicides are nearing record high, bucking national trend, 12/25/2023, Anchorage Daily News, The Seattle Times, The Chronicle, The Herald Sun, ArcaMax, Pre-pandemic, Harborview admitted 5,000 to 5,500 trauma and burn patients a year, a number that has since ballooned to more than 7,000 annually, said Dr. Eileen Bulger, the hospital’s chief of surgery. “Just like you’ve seen with rising gunshot wounds, we’ve seen a similar rise in other forms of trauma,” she said. “There’s a lot of people we never see because they die before they reach the hospital, or they’re found dead. We can’t give any chance to them.” Patients who “arrive alive” with gunshot wounds have a 90% chance of survival, 6% less than other trauma patients,” Bulger said. “If you’re shot, your risks are higher.”

University of Alberta Reports Findings in Myocardial Ischemia (Primary Care Utilization and Cardiovascular Screening in Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer), 12/25/2023, Pediatrics Daily News, This cross-sectional study of adult survivors of childhood cancer at increased risk of cardiovascular disease found low adherence to recommended cardiac testing and documentation of risk for these individuals. Authors for this research included Laura-Mae Baldwin, MD, MPH, formerly of the University of Washington. According to the news reporters, the research concluded: “Improving accuracy of reporting of survivors’ exposures and risks within the medical record may improve screening.”

Novel Solutions Needed to Attract Residents to Pediatric Rheumatology, 12/23/2023, MedScape, Pediatric News, “Additionally, only 17% of pediatric rheumatologists spend more than half of their time in research,” said Fred Rivara, MD, MPH, chair of the NASEM report, in a statement included in Hayward’s ACR presentation. The report, which recommended strategies to bolster the pediatric workforce, argued that the American Board of Pediatrics should develop alternative training pathways, including 2-year, clinically heavy fellowships.

Seattle registers a bloody year, and it could have been worse, 12/23/2023, The Seattle Times, Pre-pandemic, Harborview admitted 5,000 to 5,500 trauma and burn patients a year, a number that has since ballooned to more than 7,000 annually,” said Dr. Eileen Bulger, the hospital’s chief of surgery. “Just like you’ve seen with rising gunshot wounds, we’ve seen a similar rise in other forms of trauma,” she said. “There’s a lot of people we never see because they die before they reach the hospital or they’re found dead. We can’t give any chance to them.” Patients who “arrive alive” with gunshot wounds have a 90% chance of survival, 6% less than other trauma patients, Bulger said. “If you’re shot, your risks are higher,” she said.

Novel Solutions Needed to Attract Residents to Pediatric Rheumatology, 12/19/2023, Medscape Medical News, In addition, only 17% of pediatric rheumatologists spend more than half of their time on research, Fred Rivara, MD, MPH, chair of the NASEM report, said in a statement included in Hayward’s ACR presentation. The report, which recommended strategies to bolster the pediatric workforce, argued that the American Board of Pediatrics should develop alternative training pathways, including clinically important two-year fellowships.

How to reduce injury risk over the holiday period, 12/17/2023, 1News, Bulger was a guest speaker at the National Trauma Symposium in Wellington in November and addressed more than 300 specialist trauma workers from around Aotearoa New Zealand. “If you care about people in your family who are under the age of 44, you have children, you have teenagers, this is the greatest risk they face,” Bulger said.

Weekend Reads | Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinics Could Be a Better Way to Treat the Opioid Epidemic, South Seattle Emerald, 12/16/2023, That points to an unpleasant reality: If there is to be a successful treatment response to the opioid abuse public health crisis, then it will need to be large-scale, outpatient-based, and long-term. Locally, Dr. Caleb Banta-Green of the University of Washington has been arguing for Seattle to adopt such a model, dubbed “health engagement hubs”: centers set up in communities where patients could be treated for substance abuse on an ongoing outpatient basis with buprenorphine, methadone, suboxone, or one of the newer treatment options being developed. Patients could also receive treatment for the other health and medical concerns that go hand in hand with opioid addiction, as well as mental health counseling and other services that support life after recovery.

The collateral damage of high-potency cannabis: WA’s youth, 12/15/2023, The Seattle Times, Dr. Beth Ebel, president of the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, testified in favor of Davis’ legislation, telling committee members: “My last time on service at Harborview (Medical Center), I took care of a 15-year-old with a suicide attempt and acute psychosis from exactly these high-potency products.”

Dr. Abe Bergman treated Seattle and the nation, 12/12/2023, The Seattle Times, Children across Washington and throughout America are safer and healthier because of the late Dr. Abraham “Abe” Bergman. He combined the science of pediatric medicine with the art of political medicine. The Seattle native and longtime resident treated local children and families at what is now Seattle Children’s hospital and later at Harborview Medical Center. He also was professor emeritus of pediatrics at the University of Washington Medical School, where he mentored health professionals as a professor, researcher and clinician.

Embrace new ideas to triage WA’s fentanyl epidemic, 12/6/2023, The Seattle Times, Union-Bulletin, The Columbian, and other media sources, “It may be the only way we can get them to start treatment,” said Caleb Banta-Green, a University of Washington scientist who has been studying opioid use disorder for 28 years.

‘The nuclear weapon of drugs’: Inslee, panel of experts talk Washington fentanyl epidemic, 12/4/2023, The Spokesman-Review, “Some treatments for opioid use disorder have proven to work. It’s complicated and it takes time, said Caleb Banta-Green, an addictions scientist at the University of Washington. Banta-Green, who facilitated the roundtable, began studying opioid use disorder in 1995. “The beauty of this, when it comes to opioid overdose prevention and response and opioid-use disorder, we have effective preventions,” Banta-Green said. “We can’t say that for every type of substance.”

NOVEMBER 2023 // 

EXCLUSIVE: Why psychiatrists say eating cannabis is WORSE than smoking it for your mental health, 11/26/2023, Daily Mail, Germanic News, Espanol News and other sources, Dr. Beth Ebel of the University of Washington told Yahoo News, “We are seeing this all day long—I’ve seen kids in the hospital who’ve been using some of these higher potency products: young kids doing great in school, and they come to Harborview Medical Center after a psychotic break. Sometimes this is a lifelong onset of schizophrenia, and it can be precipitated by these potent products.”

Abraham Bergman, Doctor Who Sought Answers on SIDS, Dies at 91, 11/23/2023, The New York Times, Dr. Abraham B. Bergman, a pediatrician who was instrumental in passing a federal law to combat sudden infant death syndrome, a once misunderstood loss that caused not just parental heartbreak but guilt and blame, and who put his stamp on other enduring public health laws, died on Nov. 10 in Seattle. He was 91.

Meth: The other drug on the streets, and how it’s becoming more dangerous, 11/19/2023, MyNorthwest, “Fentanyl or any opioid makes you very sleepy,” Dr. Caleb Banta-Green, a behavioral sciences researcher at the University of Washington (UW), told KIRO Newsradio. “Well, a way to stay more awake and sort of counteract that is to take a stimulant.”

University of Washington pediatrician urges parents to keep ‘potent’ cannabis edibles away from kids, 11/18/2023, “We are seeing this all day long. My emergency department friends see kids coming in and they are trying to decide, does this child have bleeding in her brain or a brain tumor? Or is this a child who really has a low level of consciousness because they have ingested something?” Ebel said.

Poets & Writers Selects Ten Early Career Fiction Writers for Get the Word Out Publicity Incubator, 11/17/2023, Poets & Writers, Launched in 2022, Get the Word Out builds on Poets & Writers’ decades-long history of providing practical guidance about the business of writing and aims to provide in-depth publicity training to early career authors, at no cost to the participants or their publishers. Author Lynn Stansbury is a writer, community medicine physician, and epidemiologist who has lived and worked all over the United States and the world but who came of age in the Peace Corps in Guatemala during the Vietnam War era. A writer since childhood, her fiction and her medical research and writing investigate lived experience, always with the aim of crossing borders. She lives now with her husband in Seattle and keeps tabs on family in Wisconsin and New Zealand. Not All Dead Together will be published by Chin Music Press in 2024.

‘Irreversible risks’: University of Washington pediatrician urges parents to keep ‘potent’ cannabis edibles away from kids, 11/16/2023, KOIN 6, “If a kid gets this, they could quickly exceed the dose and cause themselves serious harm,” said Dr. Beth Ebel.

Dr. Abe Bergman remembered for child advocacy, 11/14/2023, UW Medicine | Newsroom, The Mirage, and other sources, Dr. Bergman mentored hundreds of pediatricians in his long career and taught them the importance of keeping true to their values, and always with the goal in mind of improving the health of children, said UW Medicine pediatrics and injury-prevention colleague Dr. Fred Rivara. “He was an iconoclast who pushed us all to do better.”

Longtime Seattle doctor, described as pioneer in medical field dies at 91, 11/13/2023, King 5, Dr. Bergman also made a significant impact on his colleagues, including doctors at Harborview Medical Center. “Wonderful person, we had a great relationship, he was a mentor for me,” said Dr. Fred Rivara, who worked with Dr. Bergman for decades. “In many ways, he was my academic father, in terms of guiding me. He looked out for me, and I looked out for him. We had a close relationship; I saw him a week ago and we’ll really miss him.”

The American Pediatric Society announces its new members for 2023, 11/13/2023, EurekaAlert!, The American Pediatric Society (APS) is pleased to announce eighty-four new members including Brian Johnston, MD, MPH, University of Washington School of Medicine. Founded in 1888, the APS is North America’s first and most prestigious academic pediatric organization. New members will be recognized during the APS Presidential Plenary at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2024 Meeting.

UDS and Collaborators Educate Motor Riders on Helmet Safety in Ghana, 11/10/2023, Tunisia News Gazette, Professor Charles Mock, a Professor of Surgery at the University of Washington, urged the media and the public, particularly motorcyclists, to support the helmet-wearing awareness campaign. He suggested using social media platforms to spread the message more widely.

Motor riders schooled on benefits of wearing of helmet, 11/10/2023, NEWS GHANA, Professor Charles Mock, Professor of Surgery at the University of Washington, urged the media, members of the public, especially motorcyclists to support the awareness campaign on helmet wearing by using their social media handles to spread the message.

Community servant, 11/08/2023, University of Washington Magazine, UW Today, and other sources, “It gave me something to do,” Hess, ’72, says, in reference to the time he saved lives, money and countless hours by providing detailed reports to hospitals in the U.S. on Korean children with heart problems, including photographic slides of the kids and their families, X-rays and EKGs, to determine whether they’d be likely to benefit from stateside health care. “It kept me out of trouble.” 

WA’s new drug law could help needle exchanges — or restrict them, 11/2/2023, Investigate West, The Good Men Project, and other media sources, The possession bill passed this year includes $63M for treatment centers. But it also gives local governments the power to regulate them. Caleb Banta-Green, director of the Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology and Research at the University of Washington, said that Blue Mountain has been an inspiration for the state’s health hub model. “In addition to providing drop-in, kind, and life-saving care, we find that Blue Mountain Heart to Heart and several other similar programs around the state spur other community partners to begin providing care, particularly prescribing buprenorphine,” Banta-Green said in an email, referring to a common medication for treating substance-use disorder.

OCTOBER 2023 // 

Being visible is top safety check for Halloween | UW Medicine, 10/31/2023, Linkedin @WCAAP, WCAAP President, Beth Ebel, MD, MSc, MPH, FAAP, chatted with KUOW Public Radio on how to stay safe this Halloween. Her biggest tip? Make those kids visible! “This is the fundamental issue: Kids getting hit by cars in the dark of night,” Ebel said. “As you’re planning costumes, think about ways to add lights to those costumes.” Glow sticks are a great option! Watch below or read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/dfFmJpab.

What to know before trick-or-treating in Western Washington, 10/31/2023, KUOW, Dr. Beth Ebel, a pediatrician with UW Medicine, said folks shouldn’t worry too much about fentanyl ending up in a child’s goodie bag.I don’t think this is a risk for Halloween and there is no evidence showing that it has been,” Dr. Ebel said. “But it is a risk for kids in general, especially kids who are starting to get into a little bit of substance use. Rainbow fentanyl appears to be the latest Halloween boogieman. Like how razor blades can be hidden in just about anything. Or how someone might poison candy (well, that one actually happened once). Just a few years ago, before there was fentanyl, there were fears about ecstasy pills being handed out on Halloween. In general, urban legends of candy tampering have been with us for a long time.

Visibility Is Top Safety Check For Halloween, 10/31/2023, UW Medicine | Newsroom, KSRM Radio Group, The risk of child pedestrians (ages 4-8) being killed in a traffic accident is ten times higher on Halloween, according to a 2019 study published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) Pediatrics. Dr. Beth Ebel, a pediatrician and injury prevention expert at UW Medicine, stresses that the most important element of any Halloween costume is ensuring it’s visible.

Qué cuidados debes tener con los niños que salen a pedir dulces la noche de Halloween, 10/31/2023, El Tiempo Latino, La pediatra Beth Ebel, miembro del Departamento de Epidemiología de la Universidad de Washington, del Centro de Investigación y Prevención de Heridas de Harborview y directora médica en el Hospital de Niños de Seattle, explicó que por su trabajo muchos padres le preguntan qué es a lo que deben prestar más atención en Halloween. “Yo siempre pienso en las cosas por las que deben preocuparse y también por las que no: sobre el fentanilo arcoíris, encuentro que es principalmente una forma en que los traficantes de droga pueden introducirlo en Estados Unidos, al hacerlo pasar por caramelos, porque se parece un poco a los caramelos Smarties, pero esto lo hacen para venderlo y obtener una ganancia y no es algo que te van a dar tus vecinos en Halloween”.

¿El fentanilo arcoíris y los caramelos de Halloween? Aquí te contamos de qué hay que preocuparse según los expertos, 10/28/2023, Univision Arizona, En redes sociales han surgido numerosas advertencias que piden a los padres revisar bien los dulces de sus hijos para evitar que consuman por error pastillas de fentanilo que parecen caramelos. Especialistas apuntan a que esto es poco probable. La doctora Ebel también nos dijo que con el fentanilo arcoíris “no sólo en Halloween, sino en general, lo que es importante es que los padres sepan cómo luce esta droga y lo hablen con sus hijos si tienen alguna preocupación de que puedan estar expuestos o consumiendo drogas, porque el fentanilo y los productos con fentanilo son extremadamente peligrosos y lo que hacen es que te impiden respirar. De nuevo, esto no tiene que ver con Halloween, sino con chicos que pudieran estar expuestos a meterse en problemas y a los que les pudieran ofrecer estos productos”.

Fentanyl: ‘Multi-headed monster’, 10/27/2023, The Seattle Times, Thank you to Michelle Baruchman and Molly Harbarger of The Seattle Times for educating us on Oct. 16 at the Seattle Public Library about this clear and present danger. Thanks to all on The Times’ initiatives “Mental Health Project” and “Project Homeless” for opening our eyes to this multifaceted crisis. Thank you to Caleb Banta-Green, director of the Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology, and Research at the University of Washington; Julie Hinkemeyer, program director at Peer Spokane; and Susan McLaughlin, director of the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division for King County.

7 takeaways from expert panel on the fentanyl crisis in King County, 10/25/2023, The Seattle Times, The Columbian, In a live, public event held at Seattle Public Library’s downtown location, The Seattle Times gathered local experts to share more about the fentanyl epidemic, including treatment options and how policymakers should respond. Highlights from the presentation and moderated discussion included: Fentanyl is more addictive than drugs prevalent in previous crises. Like morphine and heroin, fentanyl is an opioid that acts on the endorphin system in the brain,” said Dr. Caleb Banta-Green, director for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology and Research at the University of Washington.

King City Council District 4 candidate Sarah Reyneveld talks to Real Change, 10/25/2023, “As an assistant attorney general, I have served on the Attorney General’s Office opioid task force and worked on the opioid litigation that resulted in a $104 million recovery for King County … I don’t know if you’re familiar with the work of UW expert Caleb Banta-Green, but his studies have shown that we need to invest and scale up evidence-based treatment hubs, with medication-assisted treatment on demand, because they really are working and have better outcomes than other traditional law enforcement responses,” said King City Council District 4 candidate Sarah Reyneveld.

RTS: Hysteria, 10/24/2023, The Bradford Era, HYSTERIA: It’s about this time each year when we start hearing rumors or seeing on social media that some kind of Halloween candy is laced with some kind of a drug. And this year’s panic about “rainbow-colored fentanyl” being passed out to kids? USA Today reported: “Dr. Caleb Banta-Green, director of the University of Washington’s Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology and Research, said that while it’s true pastel colors are related to candy, that’s as far as it goes. He said the goal of drug dealers is to maximize profit, and that can’t be done by giving it out to children for free or asking them to pay for it when they likely don’t have money.”

Health Equity Leadership Development and Action Collective, 10/20/2023, Twitter, Don’t miss this opportunity to join with other healthcare leaders who are ready to act on the understanding that systemic racism exists within healthcare and who are positioned to lead and facilitate change in their organizations. Sessions for the second cohort of the Collective begin Jan. 19 >> Register today!

Trends in Chiropractic Care and Physical Rehabilitation Use Among Adults with Low Back Pain in the United States, 2002 to 2018, 10/19/2023, Springer Link, Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability and healthcare costs in the United States (US). Recommendations for the management of LBP have changed significantly over the last 20 years, increasingly recommending early use of nonpharmacologic treatments. 

“Simply Something I Do”, 10/16/2023, University of Washington | Tacoma, Dr. Sharon Laing is being recognized by the American Public Health Association for the excellence and impact of her mentoring. “It’s simply something I do with my students.”

Fentanyl in King County: Join The Seattle Times for a live discussion, 10/16/2023, The Seattle Times, The program will be structured into three parts: a live demonstration of how to use the overdose reversal drug Narcan, an audience-involved myth-busting game and a Q&A with panelists. The panelists include: Caleb Banta-Green, the director of the Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology and Research (CEDEER) at the University of Washington. He has spoken extensively about what can be done to address the fentanyl crisis; Julie Hinkemeyer, the program director at Peer Spokane. She is a supporter for how utilizing medication-assisted treatment changed her life; and Susan McLaughlin, the new Behavioral Health and Recovery Division director for King County. She is also a licensed clinical psychologist.

7 common questions about fentanyl, answered, The Seattle Times, 10/13/2023, “If I’m addicted to opioids, and I have fentanyl, the last thing I’m going to do is lose it, throw it on the ground or give it to a kid,” said Caleb Banta Green, director of the University of Washington Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology and Research.

, 10/12/2023, The News Tribune, How pain pills enter the abuse community is not entirely clear, said Caleb Banta-Green, a research scientists at University of Washington’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute. Street dealing, forged prescriptions, diversions for legitimate use, even the Internet all play a role.

King County overdose deaths surpass 2022 levels; experts worry new laws won’t help, 10/12/2023, KIRO NEWSRADIO, What they don’t need, according to Dr. Caleb Banta-Green, is jail time. The long-time University of Washington opioid researcher expressed frustration over Seattle’s new drug ordinance, which is in line with the new state law. “There are some real consequences to this public drug use (law) that’s not the intent, I get that,” he said.

Health Equity Experts Weigh In: Recommendations for Building Up a Diverse and Inclusive Health Care and Health Services Research Workforce, 10/11/2023, In the wake of the Supreme Court’s rule on race in college admissions, experts offer five recommendations to maintain diversity and foster inclusion in college admissions and the broader HSR workforce. Presenter, Edwin Lindo, JD, Assistant Dean and Associate Teaching Professor at the University of Washington embarks on the journey to ask and explore the hard questions of Race & Racism within the institutions of Medicine and Law.

Researcher at University of Washington Publishes New Study Findings on Mental Health Diseases and Conditions (Emergency Department and Inpatient Utilization Reductions and Cost Savings Associated with Trauma Center Mental Health Intervention), 10/11/2023, Mental Health News Daily, Current study results on mental health diseases and conditions have been published. According to news reporting out of Seattle, Washington, by NewsRx editors, research stated, “The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS/COT) now requires that trauma centers have in place protocols to identify and refer patients at high risk for the psychological sequelae of traumatic injury. No investigations have documented reductions in utilization and associated potential cost savings associated with trauma center mental health interventions.”

Fentanyl in King County: Join The Seattle Times for a live discussion, 10/6/2023, The Seattle Times, The program will be structured into three parts: a live demonstration of how to use the overdose reversal drug Narcan, an audience-involved myth-busting game and a Q&A with panelists. The panelists include: Caleb Banta-Green, Director of the Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology and Research at the University of Washington; Caleb has spoken extensively about what can be done to address the fentanyl crisis. Julie Hinkemeyer, the program director at Peer Spokane; Julie is a supporter of how utilizing medication-assisted treatment changed her life. Susan McLaughlin, the new Behavioral Health and Recovery Division director for King County; Susan is also a licensed clinical psychologist.

Seattle City Council District 4 candidate Ron Davis talks to Real Change, 10/4/2023, Real Change News, What is your alternative plan to addressing the fentanyl crisis? “I have a $20 million plan to open up 10 health hubs, which, according to [UW researcher] Caleb Banta-Green, are the most effective possible way to get buprenorphine into the hands of fentanyl users. It’s the most likely and easiest way to cut death rates, probably about in half, overnight,” said Ron Davis, a candidate running to represent District 4 on the Seattle City Council. 

SEPTEMBER 2023 //

Rwandan healthcare delegation collaborates at Olympic Medical Center, 09/29/2023, Olympic Medical Center, India Pharma News, and other sources, “We wanted to show the Rwanda team rural trauma because it’s more aligned with the type of care they provide,” said Dr. Stewart Barclay, associate trauma medical director for pediatrics and burns at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. “Port Angeles, and OMC with it’s Level III Trauma Designation, was the perfect place for this.” Together with Harborview Chief of Surgery Dr. Eileen Bulger and OMC’s Trauma Medical Director Dr. Charles Bundy, Trauma Registrar Lois Slater, RN, Trauma Coordinator Branton Byers, RN, and Trauma Educator Alysa Doud, RN, Dr. Stewart helped bring the visit together for the team of nine from Kigali, Rwanda.

Fentanyl is claiming more kids, but treatment isn’t keeping pace, 09/29/2023, The Seattle Times, Anchorage Daily News, Although the number and rate are relatively small, that is a dramatic and rapid increase in [overdose] deaths, said Caleb Banta-Green, research professor in the University of Washington’s School of Medicine, noting that the trends in youth mirror what’s happening across Washington’s general population. The years of potential life lost are enormous.

Misunderstanding Chronic Pain: A New Look at Opioids and Pain Relief, 09/26/2023, THE HUDDLE, In their recently published book, The Right to Pain Relief and Other Deep Roots of the Opioid Epidemic, UW Medicine pain experts Mark Sullivan, MD, PhD, and Jane Ballantyne, MD, FRCA, explore how doctors and patients have misused these drugs and how opioids affect the brain. Their research refutes misconceptions that lead doctors to prescribe opioids.

King County overdose deaths soar while experts worry new drug laws won’t help, 09/21/2023, KIRO NewsRadio, What they don’t need, according to Dr. Caleb Banta-Green, is jail time. The long-time University of Washington opioid researcher expressed frustration over Seattle’s new drug ordinance, which is in line with the new state law. “If they know that public drug use can lead to them being arrested, they’re going to go somewhere where they can’t be seen,” Banta-Green said. “And when they can’t be seen, they are more likely to die alone.”

U.S. Grapples with Record Drug Overdose Deaths amid Ongoing Pandemic, 09/15/2023, BNN Newsroom, Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, emphasized the need for society to recognize opioid use disorder as a treatable medical condition. He highlighted the effectiveness of medications like methadone and buprenorphine, which reduce mortality by over 50% and can support long-term recovery. “This perspective is crucial in reframing the way society understands and responds to drug addiction, shifting the focus from a punitive approach to a therapeutic one.”

Provisional data indicate that the number of overdose deaths in the United States has reached yet another record high, Tech News Vision, 09/13/2023, “Naloxone is essential yet totally lacking,” said Caleb Banta-Green, an exploration teacher at the College of Washington Institute of Medication. “We need everybody to understand that opioid use disorder is a medical condition that can be treated.”

Overdose deaths continue to rise in the US, reaching another record level, provisional data shows, CNN, 09/13/2023, “Naloxone is necessary but completely inadequate,” said Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine. “We need everyone to understand that opioid use disorder is a treatable medical condition. The medications methadone and buprenorphine are evidence-based treatments, and they reduce mortality by more than 50% and can support long-term recovery.”

Somatosensory tests in personalized pain medicine, 09/11/2023, Michele Curatolo Blog, Somatosensory tests: Do they help selecting the right treatment for patients with chronic pain? This blog is a summary for a wide readership of an article that I have written for the European Journal of Pain (EJP).

MIST Didn’t Reduce Death in Preemies With Respiratory Distress Syndrome — Another study shows kids who survive ARDS at high risk of readmissions, 09/11/2023,  MEDPAGETODAY, In an editorial accompanying this study, Elizabeth Killien, MD, MPH, of the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital, wrote that the study authors “have added valuable insight into the ongoing burden of morbidity among survivors of ARDS and the patients most at risk for hospital readmission. Informing a family that their child still has a 30% risk of being back in the hospital within the year after surviving ARDS is an uncomfortable reality that demands improved systemwide efforts to address,” she noted.

Fentanyl gets into Washington state in ‘any manner you can think of’, The Columbian, 09/03/2023, “Fentanyl took over heroin as the dominant market in the Seattle area about 1 1/2 to two years ago,” said Dr. Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine. “Most people, particularly young adults, and their parents are familiar with the headlines about fentanyl but don’t fully grasp the dangers.”

Opioid Crisis Friday: Fentanyl overdose death rates ‘more than tripled’ in recent years, Vintage Dava, 09/1/2023, “We need to know exactly what people are dying from so we know what services they need to stay alive,” Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute who was not involved in the new report, told CNN. 

AUGUST 2023 //

Fentanyl gets into WA in ‘any manner you can think of’, 08/29/2023, The Seattle Times, Fentanyl took over heroin as the dominant market in the Seattle area about 1½ to two years ago, said Dr. Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine. “Most people, particularly young adults, and their parents, are familiar with the headlines about fentanyl but don’t fully grasp the dangers,” he said.

From needles to pipes. Seattle outreach adapts to morphing drug crisis, 08/24/2023, KUOW, “For harm reduction programs to meet the need that is grossly unmet, they need to be able to expand their staffing. They need to be able to pay staff and have good spaces that are open adequate hours and have a broad array of services,” said Caleb Banta-Green, director of the University of Washington’s Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology and Research.

Santa Cruz County high schools have inconsistent concussion care, 08/13/2023, Santa Cruz Sentinel, Experts say that adopting thorough protocols for returning concussed children to the classroom can help minimize lasting problems. “This has to happen,” said Monica Vavilala, director of the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center at the University of Washington in Seattle. She helped devise a return-to-learn program in Washington state, which appoints a “champion” to help coordinate care between clinicians, families, students, teachers and administrators.

Strong Together: A Message from Dr. Beth Ebel, incoming President of the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 08/10/2023, Washington Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics (WCAAP), “Our collective dedication, partnerships, and the trust of patients and families saw us through the unimaginable challenges of the pandemic. Despite those struggles, the work of WCAAP members has brought transformational change – programs and policies which support the health and well-being of Washington children and adolescents and the pediatricians who care for them,” said Dr. Beth Ebel.

Congratulations to Dr. Brian Johnston!, 08/2/2023, UW Medicine Pediatrics News, Dr. Brian Johnston, Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of General Pediatrics, has been named by the Harborview Medical Executive Board as the incoming Associate Medical Director for Credentialing and Regulatory Affairs at Harborview, effective July 1, 2023.

JULY 2023 //

Fentanyl: Secondhand smoke not a major health risk, 07/28/2023, The Seattle Times, While people have sought health care due to concerns about inadvertent or secondhand exposure to fentanyl, there have been no medically documented cases of fentanyl (a type of opioid) intoxication or overdose resulting from secondhand exposure. In Washington state in 2022, 1,762 people died from an overdose involving “other synthetic opioids,” primarily fentanyl. None are known to have been due to secondhand exposure.

Rantz: Democrats shocked to learn their drug legalization plan is deadly, 07/25/2023, KTTH, The roundtables featured activists from harm reduction programs, like Tacoma Needle Exchange, and proponents like Dr. Caleb Banta-Green of the University of Washington Center for Addictions, Drugs and Alcohol. Political leaders who have led from behind on the drug crisis, like Mayors Victoria Woodards and Bruce Harrell were featured guests. 

Senator holds fentanyl roundtable as WA becomes overdose epicenter, 07/25/2023, The Modesto Bee, It might seem obvious that a crisis is at hand, but Congress has not yet officially labeled fentanyl’s carnage that way. “Let’s get that done,” Cantwell told roundtable participants, including Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, the city’s police and fire chiefs, Evergreen Treatment Services CEO Steve Woolworth, University of Washington researcher Caleb Banta-Green, and a mother who lost her 20-year-old son after he bought what he thought was a painkiller that turned out to contain fentanyl.

Is WA’s health ‘hub’ model the ‘secret sauce’ in treating fentanyl addiction?, 07/23/2023, The Seattle Times, By that measure, Caleb Banta-Green, a researcher with the University of Washington’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, believes he has evidence health hubs will work.

Rising number of overdose deaths involve mix of opioids with cocaine, meth, 07/19/2023, The Washington Post, “In a state hard hit by homelessness, the demand for meth is substantial as users consume to cope with poverty and even to stay awake at night to avoid being victimized on the streets,” said Caleb Banta-Green, a University of Washington epidemiologist who studies drug trends.

Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom and a Reminder of the Ongoing Fight for Justice, 07/13/2023, SNACC News, Dr. Marie AngèleTheard, HIPRC Core Faculty Member, co-authored an article that was published in Society for Neuroscience in Anesthesiology and Critical Care (SNACC)’s newsletter. The article parallels the lack of support provided to formerly enslaved people which resulted in inequity in achieving the social determinants of health that contributes to the problems of health disparities today.

‘We need bystanders to take action’ as Snohomish Co. offers NARCAN training to fight overdose crisis, 07/13/2023, KIRO 7 News, “You don’t know whether Xylazine is present or not. You’re probably more likely to suspect fentanyl is present — a person may have a blue pill often something marker m-30 or a powder they’re smoking off a foil,” said Dr. Caleb Banta-Green with the Addictions, Drug and Alcohol Institute.

JUNE 2023 //

Washington’s new drug law was ‘designed to fill our treatment centers.’ Experts say it won’t, 06/30/2023, KUOW, Caleb Banta-Green is a nationally-recognized expert on addiction. His desk at the University of Washington in Seattle is littered with the kind of stuff you might expect from a substance use researcher: A fentanyl test strip, an “I carry naloxone” sticker.

NEWS from the Global Alliance for Road Safety and Road Accident Victims: How NGOs can Advocate for Emergency Care, 06/25/2023, EFTHYTA RHODES, “When we talk about emergency care advocacy, we talk about advocating for resources, connecting with government, and raising public awareness. NGOs are critical to achieving this,” says Charles Mock, University of Washington and Global Alliance for Care for the Injured (GACI).

Washington’s supply of opioid meds is well above average, study finds, 06/22/2023, Axios, Methadone and buprenorphine — a component of Suboxone — are widely considered to be the gold standard of care for opioid addiction, according to UW Medicine professor and addiction expert Caleb Banta-Green.

Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care Residency and Nonresidency Practices, 06/21/2023, Family Medicine, Primary care practices with residency programs have additional educational and programmatic resources to meet national training requirements but do not necessarily achieve higher levels of BH integration, patient health outcomes, or patient satisfaction compared to practices without residency training programs.

Getting the Right Evidence to Decision-Makers Faster: Insights From the NIH Pragmatic Trials Collaboratory, 06/20/2023, NIH news, The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Pragmatic Trials Collaboratory will host a virtual workshop June 20–21, 2023, to explore the critical cycle of evidence generation to decision by health system leaders to implement the findings of pragmatic clinical trials (PCTs). Chief of Trauma at Harborview Medical Center and UW Professor of Surgery, Eileen Bulger, will serve as panelist on Day 1 discussing the topic ‘How have health systems made decisions based on evidence collected in PCTs?’

Panel issues new concussion-care guidelines, 06/15/2023, UW Medicine Newsroom, “New detection, treatment and retirement are important advances,” says UW Medicine co-author Stan Herring.

Unmet Needs, Complex Motivations, and Ideal Care for People Using Fentanyl in Washington State: A Qualitative Study, 06/14/2023, UW Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute, Caleb Banta-Green served as a practicum faculty advisor and co-author of this report which describes responses to qualitative interviews with 30 people in Washington State who use fentanyl.

Fentanyl crisis, continued: A new approach, 06/12/2023, The Seattle Times, Caleb Banta-Green, Researcher and Director of the UW Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology and Research, is one of the local proponents of a medication-based approach, administered through low-barrier community-based hubs. In a story reporter Nina Shapiro wrote last month, Banta-Green said, “We need to make treatment easier to access than [fentanyl].” In evaluating the effectiveness of the approach, he analyzed preliminary data from six clinics where 830 clients participated.

College-bound teenager drowns to death in South Carolina lake, coroner says,06/11/2023, The State, UW Medicine Pediatrics Professor Dr. Beth Ebel says, “Most trouble on the water can be avoided through one simple choice—putting on your life jacket.

Automakers Being Pressured to Make Emergency Calling Tech Standard and Free, 06/09/2023, Auto Body News, Auto Connected Car News and other sources, “All cars should be required to have this feature, and nobody should pay for it,” said Dr. Eileen Bulger, a professor of surgery with University of Washington Medicine in Seattle who has researched the benefits of this feature on crash survival rates and presented those findings to the federal government. “It’s a safety feature.” 

Caregiver Perspectives On a Water Safety Toolkit for Child Supervision, 06/05/2023, Prime Pub Med, BMJ Journals and other sources, Interventions such as the ‘Water Watcher’ toolkit are generally considered acceptable and expanding access to these resources could reduce the burden of unintentional drownings.

The Inside Story – The Fentanyl Threat TRANSCRIPT, 06/01/2023, VOA, “Your risk of overdose when you come out is dramatic. Arrests are not benign. They impact people’s education opportunities, work opportunities, housing opportunities. They are not benign, they are harmful. And so before we start trying to force people to treatment, what I would argue is why don’t we make far better treatment services that people actually want? Because when we do, they line up for it,” said Caleb Banta-Green, University of Washington.

MAY 2023 //

Superman, Meet Super Stan: Dr. Stanley Herring, Real-life Brain Safety Superhero, 05/24/2023, The Sports Institute UW Medicine, Dr. Herring may wear glasses rather than a cape, but his achievements are as noble and gallant as any comic book hero’s. His work has already made meaningful, lasting improvements for athletes and patients worldwide, and will continue to support the rapid advancement of brain injury treatment.

Majority of kids in Harborview’s PICU, suffered a gunshot wound, 05/23/2023, KOMO News, “When I was at Harborview, 75% of the kids in the intensive care unit were there after a gunshot injury,” said Dr. Beth Ebel, a Harborview Medical Center pediatrician and injury prevention specialist.

What most of us think about opioid treatment is wrong, researcher says, 05/16/2023, The Seattle Times, One close follower of the debate surrounding treatment options facilitated by Washington’s changing drug laws, and of opioid treatment trends generally, is Caleb Banta-Green, director of the UW Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology and Research. Banta-Green seems to have been everywhere lately, addressing the fentanyl crisis and what can be done about it.

The backlash over Seattle’s plan to reward drug users for staying clean, 05/12/2023, KUOW, University of Washington professor Caleb Banta-Green told KUOW that some unsheltered people use meth to help them function under extremely harsh living conditions. He said that helps explain why the drug can be so hard for people to quit.

Follow A Mother’s Mission To Prevent Childhood Drowning In The ‘Drowning In Silence’ Official Trailer, 05/11/2023, GLOBAL GRIND, The documentary was directed by Chezik Tsunoda, who also wrote the film alongside Claire Ave’Lallemant. Drowning in Silence features the voices of families affected by drowning, water safety activists, doctors, and concerned individuals including Dr. Linda Quan, UW Professor Emeritae of Pediatrics at the University of Washington.

Washington state to decriminalize drugs unless lawmakers act, 05/04/2023, Verified News Explorer Network, “We need $50 million to $100 million statewide and a health engagement hub in each county, and we could cut deaths in half in a year,” said Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine. “We know what to do.”

Fentanyl Deaths Double in U.S., 05/04/2023, EN PRIMERA PERSONA, “We need to know exactly what people are dying from to know what services they need to stay alive,” said Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the Institute of Addiction, Drugs and Alcohol at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Innovative Approaches to Injury and Violence Prevention, 05/03/23, The Huddle, “Our mission to prevent injury and violence is grounded in principles of equitable practice,” says Monica Vavilala, MD, director of HIPRC. “We gather and generate information and translate it into programs that offer community benefits—initiatives that actually improve the human condition.”

Washington on brink of decriminalizing fentanyl possession, 05/03/23, Associated Press, “Without those provisions of the bill being passed, the state’s approach to drugs amounts to “an entire diversion system with nothing to divert people to,” said Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Nearly 70,000 People Died of Overdoses Involving Fentanyl in 1 Year, Accounting for Majority of Overdose Deaths: CDC Report, 05/03/23, CNN, Understanding different drug sources – such as prescription tramadol vs. illicit fentanyl – and modes of ingestion are essential factors,” said Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute who was not involved in the new report.

Martine Pierre-Louis Receives 2023 Pettit Award, 05/02/23, The Huddle, Martine Pierre-Louis, MPH, director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Harborview Medical Center, has been named the 2023 recipient of the John R. Pettit Endowed Leadership Award.

New report details the deadly rise of fentanyl in the U.S., 05/02/23, CNN, “We need to know exactly what people are dying from so we know what services they need to stay alive,” said Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute who was not involved in the new report.

Washington state to decriminalize drugs unless lawmakers act, 05/02/23, Associated Press, “We need $50 million to $100 million statewide and a health engagement hub in each county, and we could cut deaths in half in a year,” said Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine. “We know what to do.”

APRIL 2023 //

Swim Seattle works to teach all children how to be safe in water, 04/26/23, KUOW, Katie Wolff is an injury epidemiologist at the University of Washington who focuses on injury prevention and research. Part of that work includes researching firearm injuries and drowning. “Nationwide, Black and Native children drown at rates more than twice as high as those of white children,” she said.

Personalized medicine: Somatosensory phenotyping in musculoskeletal pain conditions, 04/25/2023, European Journal of Pain (EJP), Current clinical phenotyping of musculoskeletal pain provides very limited evidence- based support to personalized medicine. According to Michele Curatolo, MD, PhD, “Personalized pain medicine takes into account differences among patients to predict which treatments are most likely to work for individual patients. This way, less patients will receive treatments that will not help them and may cause adverse events. Also, cost savings would result from avoiding unsuccessful treatment trials.”

How the implosion of WA’s drug possession law could spell disaster for addiction support services, 04/25/23, KUOW, “I saw this as a once-in-a-generation, or once-in-a-lifetime, opportunity to advance how we think about and care for people with substance use disorder,” Caleb Banta-Green told Seattle Now. “I’m saddened to see it looking like it may be withering away.”

Why don’t parents like their kids to play with toy guns?, 04/22/23, Schmitt Trading Ltd, Hundreds of children die because of gun violence each year in the United States. “Because of these numbers, people like us—a pediatrician who has worked on firearm violence for 40 years and a firearm injury prevention researcher—are very concerned about firearms that are not stored properly and the injuries they can cause”, stated Frederick Rivara, Professor of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Washington and Laura Prater, Research Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington.

Something that anybody can do and should be prepared to do, 04/18/23, The Daily, Where currently on the market, injectable naloxone, the generic name for Narcan, is available for less than $5. This low-cost option is viable, as drug users “are more likely to be used by people who do use illicit drugs because they’re more comfortable with syringes,” according to Banta-Green.

How fentanyl became Seattle’s most urgent public health crisis, 04/18/23, The Seattle Times, Even people who initially survive an overdose can die days later or suffer irreversible brain injuries, said Sayre, who also practices emergency medicine at Harborview Medical Center.

Community Prevention Helps In Reducing Firearm Injury In U.S., 04/15/23, India EducationDiary.com, “This provides yet another piece of evidence that science-based prevention systems such as CTC are worth further investments and scaling up, in different communities,” said Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, UW professor of epidemiology and Interim Director of the UW’s Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program. “Findings of this study suggest that community-based, science-based, upstream interventions focused on risk and protective factors early in life may play an important role in reducing firearm-related harm.”

Center Foundation holding concussion management conference in Bend, 04/14/23, Central Oregon Daily News Sources, “The Concussion Collective: Best Practices and Advances in Concussion Management” is a two day event full of information about brain injuries and concussions. Keynote speakers Friday night are Dr. Stan Herring, a former NFL team physician, and Seattle Seahawks head athletic trainer David Stricklin.

Early Intervention Can Keep Guns Out of Youths’ Hands, 04/13/23, Medscape Medical News, This study was based on Communities That Care (CTC), an initiative that provides a blueprint for community members to coordinate their work around a common data-driven and evidence-based plan. Using data to identify the needs of local young people, CTC develops programs to reduce risky youth behaviors.

UW, Seattle Children’s study will look at concussion impacts in youth athletes, 04/11/23, KING 5 News, In Seattle, that conversation is happening at the youth level and has led to a study at UW Medicine and Seattle Children’s Hospital. “There were many, many unanswered questions—questions that people really needed to have answered to be able to take better care of these individuals,” said Dr. Fred Rivara, who’s one of three principal investigators in the study.

UW Med reports a lack of proper concussion care, 04/07/23, The Daily, “People used to think of concussions as being something different from a traumatic brain injury — that concussions were mild, no big deal and didn’t really require that much attention,” Vavilala said, according to the UW Medicine Newsroom. “But work done here at UW Medicine and HIPRC has shown that there are long-term sequelae from concussions that are going under-recognized and undertreated.”

Community-based prevention system linked to reduced handgun carrying among youth growing up in rural areas, 04/06/23, EurekAlert! | AAAS, “This provides yet another piece of evidence that science-based prevention systems such as CTC are worth further investments and scaling up, in different communities,” said Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, UW professor of epidemiology and Interim Director of the UW’s Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program. “Findings of this study suggest that community-based, science-based, upstream interventions focused on risk and protective factors early in life may play an important role in reducing firearm-related harm.” 

FDA has approved selling Narcan OTC; what is it and how do you use it?, 04/01/23, The Seattle Times Archives, The overdose-reversal drug is safe to use even if you are not sure someone needs it, said Caleb Banta-Green, an epidemiologist and professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine. If a healthy person who is not facing an overdose were to take the medication, it wouldn’t harm them.

MARCH 2023 //

After a concussion, kids’ brains need a break: from sports, bright lights, and too much homework, 03/29/23, KUOW NPR News, “A lot of students with concussions do go back to school to a full load,” said Dr. Monica Vavilala, with the UW School of Medicine and Harborview. “And when they’re not able to keep up academically, no one really understands why.”

FDA approves over-the-counter Narcan | Here’s what it means, 03/29/23, CNNWire, How much this will impact a nationwide overdose crisis is not clear, even though better access to naloxone is a priority. Caleb Banta-Green, principal research scientist at the University of Washington’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute, has described naloxone as the “gateway drug” to a conversation about what substance use disorder is.

Full text: The Report on Human Rights Violations in the United States in 2022, 03/28/23, Xinhua, DKN World News, and other sources, Nearly half of U.S. states have now relaxed gun restrictions. “The country has been moving as a whole, in the past two or three decades, very clearly and dramatically toward loosening gun-carrying laws,” said Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, a professor at the University of Washington.

Child Endangerment Bill Criminalizes Parents Addicted to Fentanyl, 03/27/23, The Stranger, The scenario is not plausible, said Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Addictions, Drug and Alcohol Institute. The comment is an example of the harmful vilification of fentanyl, as is the move to carve out a specific law enhancing penalties for “exposing” children to the drug, he said.

As the death count soars, America continues its love affair with guns, 03/22/23, The Cap Times, “The new estimates highlight a decades-long shift in American gun ownership, with increasing percentages of gun owners saying they own firearms for self-defense, not hunting or recreation, and choosing to carry a gun with them when they go out in public,” the study’s lead author, University of Washington professor Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, explained.

The Center Foundation to host two-day conference on concussions, 03/22/23, KTVZ, Friday night Social and Keynote Speaker event is open to the public. “Our Friday evening social event will feature keynote speakers, Dr. Stan Herring, former Team Physician for the Seattle Seahawks, and David Stricklin, Head Athletic Trainer for the Seattle Seahawks,” continues Ms. Visnack. “Dr. Herring and Mr. Stricklin will share their insights on working in the NFL, treating professional athletes, and the changes in concussion management over the past 30 years. This event is open to the public and is a great opportunity to meet like-minded individuals who share an interest in concussion education and awareness.” 

Concussions pose risks for older adults too. Here’s what you need to know, 03/21/23, The Irish Times, While concussions are mostly associated with young athletes, they are increasing rapidly among older adults. Falls are the most common cause of concussion among any age group, says Dr. Monica Vavilala, Director of the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center at the University of Washington School of Medicine. 

‘I came in here kicking and screaming’: WA debates a ‘stick’ for the drug crisis, 03/19/23, The Seattle Times, “We’ve shown that 80% of people with opioid addiction want to stop or reduce their use,” UW professor Caleb Banta-Green told state senators last month. “They do not need legal coercion, threats, nudges or sticks to engage in care.

Many students not getting recommended concussion care, 03/16/23, UW Newsroom, Although public awareness of concussion dangers has improved over the years, many young people with the injury are not being diagnosed and receiving the care they need, says Dr. Monica Vavilala. She is a professor of anesthesiology and pain medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine and director of the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center (HIPRC).

These test strips might help prevent fentanyl overdoses, but they’re illegal, 03/14/23, The Seattle Times, Caleb Banta-Green, a professor of Health Systems and Population Health at University of Washington says, “while it’s difficult to correlate the distribution of fentanyl test strips with the rate of overdose deaths, there is some evidence that test strips help save at least a few lives.

Townhall on fentanyl epidemic set for Yakima, 03/14/23, NBC Right Now, Dr. Caleb Banta-Green, Director of UW Addictions, Drug and Alcohol Institute will share his research on opioids according to today’s press release and treatment providers Dr. Gillian Zuckerman and Marc Shellenberger will host a panel discussion.

Washington Senate Wants to Punish the Addiction Out of People, 03/13/23, The Stranger, Health Expert Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Addictions, Drug and Alcohol Institute says the policy sets up people for failure. He thinks most people assume those with addiction are fine with it and having a good time, but statewide studies show 80% of Washingtonians who inject heroin want to stop or reduce their use.

How physicians can talk to patients about gun violence and firearm safety with Sandra Fryhofer, MD, 03/10/23, AMA Update, Dr. Eileen Bulger, medical director of ACS trauma programs, talked about Project Inspire in this podcast—a partnership with local juvenile gun crimes courts and the need for mentorship for at-risk youth. There is a complex relationship between mental health and community violence.

Washington Reboots Drug War, Seattle Still Wears Bike Helmets, and Nutso Stuff at CPAC, 03/06/23, Slog AM, Cops used a bike helmet law to bag poor people: Last year, King County recognized that fact and repealed the law. Nevertheless, according to a recent study, 85% of local riders wore helmets on bikes and scooters, which is high compared to survey data on the issue, according to the The Seattle Times. Riders of rental bikes and scooters dragged down the number a little, as fewer people turtle up on those conveyances.

How many bicyclists wear helmets after King County law was dropped, 03/06/23, The Seattle Times, Among the skeptics was Dr. Fred Rivara, professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington. Rivara’s much-cited past work has shown that helmets may decrease serious head injury by as much as 88%. He also co-authored a 2016 study that suggested King County’s helmet law contributed to a decline in head injuries between 2000 and 2010.

WA Reboots Drug War, Seattle Still Wears Bike Helmets, and Nutso Stuff at CPAC, 03/06/23, Slog AM, Last year, King County recognized that fact and repealed the law. Nevertheless, according to a recent study, 85% of local riders wore helmets on bikes and scooters, which is high compared to survey data on the issue, according to the The Seattle Times (read full story). Riders of rental bikes and scooters dragged down the number a little, as fewer people turtle up on those conveyances.

Major medical organizations form a coalition to stem the rising tide of firearm violence using a comprehensive public health approach grounded in community-centered prevention programs; engagement and education of healthcare professionals; and advocacy for data-driven policy initiatives, 03/06/23, Cision PR Newswire, Leading medical and public health professional organizations across the United States are coming together to form the Healthcare Coalition for Firearm Injury Prevention to push for a comprehensive public health approach to advance firearm injury prevention efforts through education, advocacy, and community-centered approaches to address this growing problem.

New Drug Possession Bill Emphasizes Coercive Treatment, 03/02/23, PubliCola, Caleb Banta-Green, a researcher on substance use disorder at the University of Washington—and a member of the SURSAC committee that recommended decriminalization—says this approach ignores the realities of opioid and stimulant use.

FEBRUARY 2023 //

The Center Foundation Announces their 2023 Professional Education Conference & Social, 02/28/23, Cascade Business News, Dr. Stan Herring, newly retired head team physician for the Seattle Seahawks is presenting at The Concussion Collective 2023 Professional Education Conference and Keynote Social on Friday, April 14th from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

Optimizing and Accelerating the Development of Precision Pain Treatments for Chronic Pain: Immpact Review and Recommendations, 02/24/2023, The Journal of Pain, Science Direct, Pub Med and other sources, In the field of pain, many treatments are available but most are only partially beneficial for a subset of patients, and the consequences of poor pain control are frequently dire, including severe suffering, disability, and elevated mortality.

Firearm Violence And Policy: Inertia To Activation, 02/24/23, Health Affairs Forefront, In the immediate absence of federal policy making to address firearm violence, Dr. Evan V. Goldstein, PhD, MPP and Dr. Laura C. Prater, PhD, MPH, MHA propose three recommendations to better understand and influence the current struggle over the idea of firearm violence in the U.S., one each for the Media, Policy Research, and Clinician Communities.

Trauma Group Publishes Action Plan, Makes Data Available for Secondary Analyses, 02/21/23, American College of Surgeons (ACS), NTRAP Panel Leaders are discussing the main results of their Delphi Surveys and offering thoughts on next steps and what they see as potential additional inquiries that might be made of the data in a series of webinars. A recording of the first webinar, led by Eileen Bulger, MD, FACS, Medical Director of ACS Trauma Programs is now available. Additional webinars will be held in the coming months.

New ‘tranq’ drug spreading through Puget Sound region, 02/16/23, MyNorthwest.com, While tranq overdoses are increasing here in the Puget Sound region, xylazine still remains present in only a small percentage of overdose deaths overall. Caleb Banta-Green, acting professor with UW’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute, told KIRO Newsradio in an email that xylazine was detected in fewer than 1% of fentanyl overdose deaths in 2021 and 2022 in Washington.

FDA to consider making overdose-reversing drug naloxone easier to access, 02/14/23, Scripps News, “I think we need to be mindful that we’re gonna have the biggest impact on overdoses by making sure that people who are most likely to witness an overdose, which is family and friends and people who use opioids, that they have access to naloxone,” said Dr. Caleb Banta-Green of the University of Washington School of Medicine.

New leadership for Office of Academic Personnel will transform collaboration between administration, faculty, staff, 02/10/23, The Daily, One of the biggest tasks of the Office of Academic Personnel is to guide the university’s academic units in personnel actions, such as hiring, tenure and promotions, and assisting international scholars receive visas, according to assistant vice provost for academic personnel Hilaire Thompson.

WA Legislature must act on high-potency cannabis, 02/09/23, The Seattle Times, Dr. Beth Ebel, president-elect of the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, told the committee, “My last time on service at Harview (Medical Center), I took care of a 15-year-old with a suicide attempt and acute psychosis from exactly these high-potency products.”

National burn awareness week: kids at highest risk for scald burns, 02/06/23, NBC Right Now, “People are unaware of the impacts hot liquids can have on small children, particularly toddlers, as they start to move around and pull-on things,” said Dr. Barclay Stewart, a UW Medicine burn and trauma surgeon at Harborview Medical Center.

THE INVISIBLE INJURY THAT CARRIES BIG IMPACT, 02/06/23, UW Medicine, In 2014, Monica Vavilala, MD, UW professor of anesthesiology and pain medicine and director of HIPRC, noticed that students with traumatic brain injuries, including concussions, were not getting adequate services in schools—a reality confirmed after surveying schools across the state and holding a summit with teachers, policy makers, parents, students, researchers, and clinicians.

Gun violence: Identify the role of ‘othering’, 02/03/23, The Seattle Times, Addressing the important topic of gun violence in “Untangling America from gun violence” [Jan. 29, Opinion], Drs. Frederick P. Rivara and Laura Prater of the Firearm Injury Policy and Research Program of the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center identify some specific strategies aimed at incident reduction.

JANUARY 2023 //

Fact-check: Is fentanyl the leading cause of death among American adults?, 01/27/23, El Paso Times, The nation is grappling with a surge in deaths from opioids. And there’s no question fentanyl is a key factor driving up those fatalities. Fentanyl is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Untangling America from gun violence, 01/27/23, The Seattle Times, We can take steps to protect ourselves, our families and our communities, including safe home storage. Two underutilized interventions have been shown to reduce the risk of firearm injury: Temporary Firearm Storage and Extreme Risk Protection Orders, or “Red Flag” laws.

Health officials report ‘alarming’ number of fentanyl-related deaths in King County, 01/25/23, KIRO 7 Seattle, “They’re men and women,” said Dr. Banta-Green. “They are young and old, while we have a much larger proportion who are under 30 than we ever saw with heroin or prescription-type opiates. So, we’re seeing a lot of young adults. We’re seeing it among African American, Latinx populations. So, big changes

Naloxone is reaching more people than ever, 1/13/23, CNN | Caleb Banta-Green, principal research scientist at the University of Washington’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute, calls naloxone the “gateway drug” to a conversation about what substance use disorder is.

Opticyte Earns FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for the First Cell O2 Patient Monitor for Organ Failure, 01/09/23, Business Wire, “In the emergency department, we’re always racing against time. Opticyte’s technology offers the potential to see continuous, real-time data indicating systemic low cellular oxygenation and allow those of us on the frontlines of care to respond with effective countermeasures to course correct potential organ dysfunction and ideally save more lives,” said Dr. Eileen Bulger, Chief of Trauma at Harborview Medical Center.

Rates of Carrying Loaded Handgun Double in 4 Years, 01/06/23, The Good Men Project, “Between increases in the number of people who own handguns and the number of people who carry every day, there has been a striking increase in handgun carrying in the US,” says lead author Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, a professor of epidemiology and professor for the study and prevention of violence at the University of Washington.

DECEMBER 2022 //

‘Tailoring Implementation Strategies for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Calculator Adoption in Primary Care Clinics, 12/23/22, JABFM, This study included author Laura-Mae Baldwin with the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Washington and sought to identify clinicians’ contributions to the process of tailoring implementation strategies to barriers in clinical settings.

Wind chill grips Tri-Cities. Safety tips for homeowners, drivers and pet owners, 12/21/22, Tri-City Herald, Don’t be tempted to bring a generator into the house to power portable heaters if the power goes out. Small gas engines, camp stoves, charcoal grills and other heat-producing devices can emit carbon monoxide, which is potentially deadly. “Too often people fall asleep and don’t get to a hospital emergency room in time to be saved,” said Beth Ebel, a UW Medicine doctor at Harborview Medical Center, during last winter’s cold snap.

Winter weather reminders: symptoms of hypothermia and gas poisoning, 12/19/22, NBC Right Now, “It’s so dangerous to have an engine in the house running because it produces carbon monoxide (CO), which you don’t smell,” said Dr. Beth Ebel, UW Medicine pediatrician at Harborview’s Pediatric Clinic and Injury Prevention and Research Center. “It makes you sleepy and then it kills you.”

The Earned Income Tax Credit may help keep kids out of jail, 12/14/22, NewsNation, “It lifts millions of people, including children, out of poverty each year,” said Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, an epidemiologist at the University of Washington and co-author of the study. Using National Longitudinal Survey of Youth data, Rowhani-Rahbar’s team found that each $1,000 of credit during childhood was associated with an 11% lower risk of conviction of kids who benefited between the ages of 14 and 18.

Assessment of the Accuracy of Firearm Injury Intent Coding at 3 US Hospitals, 12/13/22, JAMA Network, According to news originating from Boston, MA correspondents, research stated, “Importance: The absence of reliable hospital discharge data regarding the intent of firearm injuries (i.e., whether caused by assault, accident, self-harm, legal intervention, or an act of unknown intent) has been characterized as a glaring gap in the US firearms data infrastructure. To use incident-level information to assess the accuracy of intent coding in hospital data used for firearm injury surveillance.”

UT Dallas launches new $11.3M neurological center to research origins of pain, 12/09/22, Becker’s Spine Review, Dr. Price, the Ashbel Smith Professor of Neuroscience at UT Dallas, will work alongside Patrick Dougherty, PhD, the H.E.B. Professor in Cancer Research in the department of pain medicine at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Michele Curatolo, MD, PhD, director of the interventional pain program at University of Washington Medicine in Seattle. The three all have studied the specialized nerve cells near the root of the spine—human dorsal root ganglia—to explore causes of chronic pain.

Ongoing rise in fentanyl deaths highlights need for treatment alternatives, 12/02/22, KUOW, “It’s really devastating for people working in the field, and for family, friends, and communities. It’s really stunning, the numbers we’re seeing. I haven’t seen anything like it in my 27 years of working with folks with opioid addiction and people experiencing overdoses. It tells us that, obviously, there are a lot of folks using these substances, clearly. And it’s such a lethal, lethal drug, that it’s causing all of these overdose deaths,” says Dr. Caleb Banta-Green, acting professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Addictions, Drug, and Alcohol Institute.

NOVEMBER 2022 //

Six million Americans carried guns daily in 2019, twice as many as in 2015, 11/25/22, The Guardian, The new estimates highlight a decades-long shift in American gun ownership, with increasing percentages of gun owners saying they own firearms for self-defense, not hunting or recreation, and choosing to carry a gun with them when they go out in public, said ​​Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Washington, and the study’s lead author.

Listen: Keeping Kids Safe While Playing The Sports They Love, 11/25/22, Parenting Magazine, “Parents need to be educated about concussion. We cannot separate safety and participation and they have to be part of the same conversation. We want to make people more physically active, and we want to do it in the safest way possible.” Dr. Stan Herring of The Sports Institute at UW Medicine.

More U.S. adults carrying loaded handguns daily, study finds, 11/16/22, UW News, Mirage News, and other sources, “Between increases in the number of people who own handguns and the number of people who carry every day, there has been a striking increase in handgun carrying in the U.S.,” said lead author Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, a professor of epidemiology and Bartley Dobb Professor for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the UW.

University of Washington’s School of Medicine: Transparency, Amnesty May Boost Reports Of Sexual Violence, 11/08/22, Phys Org, While there has been intense publicity around sexual assault in collegiate sports, there has been little research into what mechanisms need to be in place for more reporting to occur among college athletes,” said lead author, Alice Ellyson, acting assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

How Can We Solve King County’s Fentanyl Problem?,  11/03/22, Seattle Met, In 1996, the Washington State Medical Quality Assurance Commission, now called the Washington Medical Commission, released new guidelines for the management of pain, specifically citing opioids for under-treated conditions. Over the next decade, opioid prescriptions increased by 500 percent. It wasn’t by chance.Pharma had been pushing that message for a few years,” says Dr. Caleb Banta-Green, acting professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Addictions, Drug, and Alcohol Institute. He points out, unprompted, that he’s never accepted a penny from pharmaceutical companies.”

With New Center, UT Dallas Researchers Are Looking into the Molecular Causes of Pain, 11/02/22, Dallas Innovates, Working with co-principal investigators UT MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Dr. Patrick Dougherty and the University of Washington Medicine’s Dr. Michele Curatolo, the researchers are focusing their efforts on human dorsal root ganglia—a cluster of nerves that carry responses to things like pain and temperature.

OCTOBER 2022 //

Rainbow fentanyl passed out on Halloween? Why experts say that’s ‘absolutely ludicrous.’, 10/26/22, USA Today, A cautionary tale has developed a new twist this year, as an alarming opioid has become the latest drug feared to be lurking inside trick-or-treat hauls for Halloween. Dr. Caleb Banta-Green, director of the University of Washington’s Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology and Research, says “that while it’s true pastel colors are related to candy, that’s as far as it goes.”

Pain’s Molecular Origins, 10/25/22, Neuroscience News, Bioengineer, and other sources, Price’s co-principal investigators are Dr. Patrick M. Dougherty, H.E.B. Professor in Cancer Research in the Department of Pain Medicine at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Dr. Michele Curatolo, director of the interventional pain program at University of Washington Medicine in Seattle. Working both independently and collaboratively, all three have used human dorsal root ganglia (DRG)—specialized nerve cells clustered near the base of the spine—to understand mechanisms that cause chronic pain.

Symptomatic Profile and Cognitive Performance in Autopsy-Confirmed Limbic-Predominant Age-Related TDP-43 Encephalopathy With Comorbid Alzheimer Disease, 10/20/22, Oxford Academic Journal and NewsRx, According to correspondents, research stated, Transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) proteinopathy is the hallmark of limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy neuropathologic change (LATE-NC). LATE-NC is a common copathology with Alzheimer disease neuropathologic change (ADNC).”

The dangers of bad air quality, 10/12/22, Fox 13 News Seattle, Good Day Seattle’s Abby Acone interviews Dr. Beth Ebel with UW medicine to talk about the dangers of bad air quality caused by the wildfires burning across the U.S. and in Washington State.

Researchers warn of mental health risks of high-potency cannabis, 10/04/22, The Seattle Times, Medical Press, and other sources, At a 2021 state legislative hearing on the issue, Dr. Beth Ebel said some youths are so high when they arrive at the ER that they appear to have a traumatic brain injury. “Almost a third of the kids 12 and up that I take care of in the trauma center have cannabis involved in their injury,” said Ebel, a pediatrician at Harborview.

Fact-check: Is fentanyl the leading cause of death among American adults?, 10/03/22, The Poynter Institute, Austin American-Statesman, “Public health advocates including Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Caleb Banta-Green, director of the University of Washington Addictions, Drug, & Alcohol Institute, and others are “sounding the alarm about opioids with good reason.”

SEPTEMBER 2022 //

Retrial begins for getaway driver convicted of murder in Lakewood police killings, 09/22/22, KIRO 7, “Mary Fan, a criminal law professor at the University of Washington, says “in the decade since that initial verdict, the community context has changed as compared to what was felt in the immediate aftermath of the tragedies.”

‘It’s happening with younger and younger people’: UW expert talks about keeping youth safe amid rise in fentanyl use and overdoses, 09/21/22, The Spokesman-Review, With 27 years of work in the opioid addiction field, the Executive sponsor of WA state’s Opioid Overdose Response Plan, Caleb Banta-Green, said he didn’t think it could get as bad as today’s big rise in fentanyl use. “It’s not uncommon with fentanyl for a person to have to use it 10 to 15 times a day. With heroin, it might be four to six times a day. The crude estimate is that fentanyl is probably at least four times more lethal than heroin — both biologically how it works, but also the fact that you’re using it that much more often.”

Second Medical Summit on Firearm Injury Prevention concludes with 47 professional organizations ready to tackle America’s public, 09/16/22, Mirage News, News Wise, and other sources, “Now that we’ve concluded the second Summit, it’s becoming even more clear there are many things we can all agree on in terms of immediate, actionable items that can address firearm violence,” said Eileen M. Bulger, MD, FACS, Medical Director of ACS Trauma Programs, and Summit organizer. “There was a lot of spirited energy among attendees who expressed a strong desire to move forward quickly to address this problem that’s been devastating our nation.”

The opioid distributors agreed to pay up. But we need more than cash to end this epidemic, 09/16/22, The News Tribune, Caleb Banta-Green, a well-known opioid researcher and expert, was also on hand, helping to explain and put into words a crisis that had long been ravaging local lives.

The number of people dying from fentanyl overdoses continues to increase in the U.S., 09/14/22, Spokane Public Radio, A University of Washington faculty member, Dr. Caleb Banta-Green says more and easier-to-access treatment facilities are needed. “The biggest contributor is fentanyl, far more toxic than other synthetic opioids.”

As fentanyl deaths rise, communities seek solutions, 09/13/22, KHQ Q6 News, Dr. Banta-Green, a professor of psychiatry at UW School of Medicine, partnered with Gonzaga to answer questions about the opioid crisis on Tuesday. “There are 2 things. We definitely want to let people know how to prevent substance misuse and to prevent starting to use fentanyl but it’s also very important that if somebody is using fentanyl there are very important things people need to know.”

Fentanyl crisis speech set for Gonzaga on Tuesday, 09/13/22, The Spokesman-Review, “The Fentanyl Crisis: How to Keep Loved Ones Safe,” features Caleb Banta-Green, acting professor in psychiatry and behavioral health sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He’s an executive sponsor of Washington state’s Opioid Overdose Response Plan and served as a science adviser on overdose response to the director of the White House drug policy office.

Water deaths a tragic trend, 09/11/22, Albany Times Union, “This is really a (nationwide) trend that has turned around the continued slow decrease of fatal drownings in this country since 2019,” said Dr. Linda Quan, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Her son was addicted to heroin and died by suicide. He’s not alone, 09/10/22, The Seattle Times, “Fentanyl, in particular, is largely to blame for rising overdose deaths, potentially obscuring suicide statistics since those using fentanyl might not have a home, family or friends that could provide evidence for suicide,” said Caleb Banta-Green, professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute.

Homicides and Suicides Linked to Pregnancy Often Associated with Mental Health Conditions, Substance Use Disorders and Intimate Partner Violence, Study Suggests, 09/09/22, Newswise, Study authors and contributors including Laura C. Prater, PhD, MPH, of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine emphasize the urgent need for evidence-informed strategies to eliminate maternal deaths.

What will it take to end the fentanyl epidemic?, 09/06/22, Seattle Met, “With opioid use disorder, what has happened is an actual rewiring of brain chemistry,” says Dr. Caleb Banta-Green, a principal research scientist with the Addictions, Drug, and Alcohol Institute at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Rainbow fentanyl’ found in OR, ID, but not WA, 09/03/22,

UW Med: Start the school year by getting your kids vaccinated, 09/02/22, Shoreline Area News, As students return to classrooms, pediatrician Dr. Beth Ebel says, This is a sensible time for children to receive a booster COVID-19 vaccination, if they’re eligible. Getting this (current) third dose, or the booster dose, has been shown to provide better protection against the Omicron variant that we’re going to see as kids get back to school,” said Ebel, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

AUGUST 2022 //

Sidney Jones’ iffy status for Seahawks opener another reminder of NFL’s head-trauma danger, 08/30/22, Tri-City Herald, The News Tribune, Bellingham Herald and other sources, Team physician Dr. Stan Herring retired this summer after 30 years known as a pioneer in player safety. “He does have some concussions in his past,” Carroll said of Jones. “I don’t know the number, but he does have some.”

ACPM Statement: Firearm Violence Prevention Requires a Public Health Strategy, 08/25/22, ACPM, Every shooting death is preventable! Focused efforts on implementing violence prevention initiatives with a key focus on anti-racism and equity, can prevent them.

Monkeypox in children is ‘exceedingly rare,’ but families should be aware, 08/19/22, KUOW | NPR, Families should know that monkeypox among children is exceedingly rare,” said Beth Ebel, a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington. It’s not something they need to worry about on a day-to-day basis.”

Flurry of Seattle weekend shootings ‘unacceptable,’ Mayor Harrell says, 08/15/22, The Seattle Times, The Columbian and other sources, It certainly adds to the stress on the system. It’s why we build the schedule the way we do and have people come in at a moment’s notice – it’s part of the job,” said Dr. Eileen Bulger, Harborview Medical Center’s Chief of Trauma.

Safety in and near the water – a pediatric emergency medicine physician explains, 08/9/22, The Conversation, ActiveBeat, Journal of Emergency Medical Services and other sources, Earlier this summer, SciLine interviewed Dr. Linda Quan, Professor of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, about drowning risks and what people should know to keep themselves and their children safe.

When should you vaccinate or boost your child against COVID-19 before school?, 08/4/22, KIRO 7 News, Boston 25 News and other sources, “I think that what we really learned over the past two years is that vaccine is protecting normalcy, it protects your ability to have friends and see them, it protects your ability to stay in school and get an education,” said Dr. Beth Ebel, pediatrician and professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Association between the Use of Quantitative Sensory Testing and Conditioned Pain Modulation and the Prescription of Medication and Interventional Procedures in Children with Chronic Pain Conditions, 08/1/22, MDPI, This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the association between the use of QST/CPM phenotyping on the selection of the treatment for children with chronic pain conditions. Contributing author, Michele Curatolo, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington.

FDA bans JUUL products, 08/1/22, The Daily, In a video interview, professor of pediatrics for the UW School of Medicine Dr. Beth Ebel, said, “[JUUL has] shown to get kids addicted to nicotine, and that can create a lifetime habit.”

JULY 2022 //

Republicans insist most gun violence happens in Democratic cities–the figures tell a different story, 07/26/22, yahoo!news, The Independent, and other sources. Research from the University of Washington, studying rural communities in Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Oregon, Utah, and Washington indicates that rural Americans have better gun training earlier on, and start bearing arms sooner but also have “significantly” higher rates of gun suicide. It illustrates why gun policy interventions need to move beyond just considering cities, according to the study’s lead author, epidemiology professor Ali Rowhani-Rahbar told Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Drowning risk increases as the heat wave intensifies; use caution while swimming, experts say, 07/26/22, MyNorthwest, Dr. Linda Quan at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington School of Medicine said drownings go up whenever we see temperatures above 80 degrees.

King County declares fentanyl a public health crisis, 07/20/22, KUOW, Most of the recent fentanyl overdoses and deaths have been linked to illegally manufactured opioids. It’s a synthetic drug that’s fast-acting, addictive, and highly potent. I’ve been working on this a long, long time. And this is unprecedented,” said Caleb Banta-Green, principal research scientist with the University of Washington’s Addictions, Drug, and Alcohol Institute. He said the county has several promising programs that work and can be scaled up.

Report details shooter’s early warning signs, 07/19/22, Spectrum News 1, “I think the most important thing we know about events, like school shootings, is that the average shooter displays somewhere between four and five problematic behaviors, such as violence [and] interpersonal problems prior to the shooting. A lot of times there are some kind of red flags that something is going on,” said Dr. Laura Prater, a research assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington.

5 Ways Parents and Caretakers Can Keep Children and Teens Safe in the Water, 07/19/22, Seattle Children’s, Dr. Linda Quan, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Seattle Children’s spoke with KUOW where she shared her five most valuable pieces of water safety advice for parents and caretakers.

‘It’s a start’: 8 years later, MPHS families see step toward gun control, 07/15/22, HeraldNet, The Marysville Pilchuck shooting turned parents into advocates in 2014. The Tulalip chair was invited to D.C. as Biden touted a new bill. “These laws have the potential to prevent some mass shootings,” University of Washington public health researcher Ali Rowhani-Rahbar told The Daily Herald in an email. “But our research has shown that, unfortunately, public awareness of them is strikingly limited.”

Summer Drowning Deaths Can Happen Quickly: Know the Facts, 07/14/22, HealthDay News, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released its Prevention of Drowning report online this week, which notes that about 70% of drowning deaths for U.S. children aged 15 and younger occur between May and August. “We recommend swim sessions for children beginning around age 1, with the understanding that lessons and swimming skills are essential but are not enough on their own and won’t ‘drown-proof’ a child,” said Dr. Linda Quan, an author of the report.

As Seattle weather warms up, here’s how to prevent kids from falling from windows, 07/12/22, The Seattle Times, “At Harborview Medical Center, 40 to 50 children each year are admitted after falling from an open window,” said the hospital’s chief of pediatrics, Dr. Brian Johnston. “One-third of them require intensive care, and 1 in 4 children returns home with some disability,” according to Harborview’s Injury Prevention & Research Center.

AAP updates breastfeeding guidelines: Will it make a difference?, 07/12/22, Seattle’s Child, New guidelines support breastfeeding through age 2 and beyond, if desired. “These recommendations help all of us,” Dr. Ebel says. “Often, moms haven’t felt comfortable discussing breastfeeding with their child’s pediatrician. We all need to support breastfeeding families in a nonjudgmental way. This is an opportunity to rethink, look at the data and follow the science that states if moms want to continue breastfeeding their baby beyond a year of life, there are benefits, and they absolutely should be supported to do so.”

Fentanyl could be declared a public health crisis in King County in new proposal, 07/7/22, King 5, King County is on track to set another record in fentanyl deaths in 2022. The 249 deaths mark a 43% increase compared to this time last year. “I’ve been doing drug-trends research for 20 years and fentanyl’s growth is the biggest, fastest shift we’ve ever seen and also the most lethal,” said Dr. Caleb Banta-Green, the principal research scientist with the ADAI.

JULY 2022 //

Baby neck floats can cause ‘death or serious injury, FDA warns’, 06/30/22, The Independent, “The market will keep coming up with ways to float infants and adults and market them. This is not a lifesaving device, not designed to be. We consistently say anything inflatable is only a toy and can deflate,” Dr Linda Quan, an AAP spokesperson, told ABC News.

The harmful effects of Juuls and e-cigarettes, 06/29/22, The Daily World, Beth Ebel, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine said in a statement that she “believes the Juul ban is a step toward better health, specifically for adolescents.”

National lifeguard shortage strains Tampa Bay beaches, pools, 06/23/22, Tampa Bay Times, “In situations where a lifeguard isn’t present, people should practice water competency: being smart, capable and safe about going into the water,” said Linda Quan, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

American College Of Surgeons Supports Bipartisan Senate Legislation (S. 2938) To Make Firearm Ownership and Communities Safer, 06/23/22, ACS News “While we think this legislation is a great start, there’s more important work that needs to be done,” said Eileen Bulger, MD, FACS, Medical Director of ACS Trauma Programs, and one of the FAST recommendations’ authors. “We encourage congressional leaders to consider the remaining FAST recommendations for future legislation. In addition, we want to be sure that as a nation, we empower the medical community across all health care settings to act in the best interests of their patients in a variety of palpable ways. These paths include counseling patients on safe firearm storage; screening patients at risk for firearm injury or death; and engaging the community in addressing the social determinants of violence through hospitals and healthcare systems.”

How western Washington is preparing for kids under 5 to be COVID vaccine-eligible06/17/22, King 5 News, “I am so excited for families,” University of Washington Professor of Pediatrics Dr. Beth Ebel said. “Parents do have questions,” Ebel said. “They’ve read a lot. They’ve been listening to things from relatives. We love questions–bring it on. The best parents have questions because they care. We’re your partner. We’re here together with you and your kid to keep him or her healthy their whole life.”

FDA authorizes 1st COVID-19 shots for infants, preschoolers, 06/17/22, The Paducah Sun, Dr. Beth Ebel of the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, said “the tot-sized vaccines would be especially welcomed by parents with children in day care where outbreaks can sideline parents from jobs, adding to financial strain. A lot of people are going to be happy and a lot of grandparents are going to be happy, too, because we’ve missed those babies who grew up when you weren’t able to see them.”

Easing the stress of poverty can bring down rates of child abuse and neglect, 06/16/22, The Hechinger Report, “Even though the tax credits were not designed to reduce child abuse, the study is a good example of how public policy can affect a variety of issues,” said Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, a professor of epidemiology and pediatrics at the University of Washington and one of the authors of the study.

Safe Smoking Kits: Here’s What They Are and How They Help, 06/16/22, Health News, Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, principal research scientist at the Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute, School of Medicine, University of Washington, said “Providing safe smoking kits goes beyond just helping the individual. They help reduce harm to the community at large.”

New charges added against Auburn man, others in connection with Jan. 6 breach, 06/09/22, King 5 News, Superseding indictments are common when prosecutors get more information, according to University of Washington School of Law Professor, Mary Fan. “The superseding indictment brings two additional charges, and it’s pretty standard practice when prosecutors get additional information,” said Fan, who serves as the University of Washington Jack R. MacDonald endowed chair. “With additional cooperating witnesses, prosecutors may have the basis to file additional charges.”

Race must be considered in determining legality of police stops and seizures, WA state Supreme Court rules, 06/09/22, The Seattle Times, Mary Fan, a professor specializing in criminal law at the University of Washington School of Law, said “the ruling recognizes that people are not just blank slates when they interact with law enforcement. The realities that people’s experience in police encounters and whether they feel free to leave or not can differ depending on demographic characteristics.”

Team Physician Stan Herring, “An Absolute Legend” In His Field, Retiring After Three Decades With Seahawks, 06/09/22, Seahawks.com, Dr. Herring, a pioneer in the field of player safety, is stepping back from his duties as a team physician after 30 years with the Seahawks. For all he has done outside of sports, including co-founding the Sports Institute at UW Medicine and serving as the co-medical director for orthopedic health and sports medicine for UW Medicine and co-medical director of the UW medicine sports concussion program, Herring’s work in sports and in the field of concussion in particular that will perhaps be his greatest legacy.

Hero 10-Year-Old Saves Toddler Sister From Drowning in Dramatic Video, 06/07/22, FaithIt, According to new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children should learn to swim at the age of one. “Research has found that swim lessons are beneficial for children starting around age 1, and may lower drowning rates”, said Dr. Linda Quan, a co-author of the policy statement. “Learning to swim is a great family activity,” she says. “Families can talk with their pediatrician about whether their child is developmentally ready for swim lessons, and then look for a program that has experienced, well-trained instructors. Ideally, programs should teach ‘water competency’ too—the ability to get out of the water if your child ends up in the water unexpectedly.”

Surgeons response to mass shootings, 06/05/22, PENNSYLVANIA FIREARM OWNERS ASSOCIATION (PFAOA), The ACS outlined a set of recommendations to address the gun violence epidemic. The recommendations were based on a survey sent to surgeons across the U.S., who ACS Trauma Programs Medical Director Eileen Bulger, MD, said are “almost all passionate firearm owners.”

Surgeons, Who See It Up Close, Offer Ways to Stop Gun Violence, 06/02/22, WEBMD HEALTH NEWS, “It’s important to recognize that we’ve been talking about a public health approach,” said Eileen Bulger, MD, acting chief of the trauma division at the University of Washington in Seattle. “That strategy is important for engaging both firearm owners and communities that have a higher risk for firearm violence,” she said.

San Antonio trauma surgeon: Tragedies like Uvalde shooting ‘are preventable’, 06/02/22, San Antonio Report, “We recommend treating mass shootings as terrorism and support and encourage domestic law enforcement efforts and strategies to predict, detect and deter future mass firearm violence,” said Dr. Eileen Bulger, chief of trauma at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and medical director of ACS trauma programs.

MAY 2022 //

Studies Provide Insight Into Why More Teenagers Are Carrying Handguns, 05/30/22, Conservative Daily News, Research from the University of Washington found that half of the young people aged between 12 to 26 who said they had carried a handgun in the last year only did so once. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, an epidemiology professor at the university said, “Handgun-carrying among the youth appears to be a very intermittent behavior.” He continued “Clearly, many parents choose to familiarize their children with guns and teach them how to manage them safely and effectively. It is not unusual for youngsters, particularly in rural areas, to practice using firearms under professional supervision.”

Harborview doctor praises Washington state gun laws in wake of Uvalde school shooting, 05/26/22, 790 KGMI, Dr. Fred Rivara, a doctor at Harborview Medical Center who has studied mass shootings said, “We have a law here that prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from buying a semi-automatic rifle. Such a law does not exist in the state of Texas.”

Gun sales went up around Seattle, and haven’t come down: Today So Far, 05/26/22, KUOW News, Dr. Fred Rivara leads the Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center. He calls these “common sense” gun laws. “We do have universal background check laws, which means that anybody buying a firearm has to have a background check to see are they allowed by federal law to buy a firearm,” Dr. Rivara said. “Such a universal background check law does not exist in the state of Texas.”

Texas elementary shooting prompts tough conversations with children about school-violence, 05/25/22, MyNorthwest, University of Washington’s Dr. Fred Rivara, pediatrician and gun researcher, echoed a similar sentiment about the importance of communication with children. “It’s the whole community that suffers, and now school kids may be afraid to go to school,” Rivara told KIRO Newsradio.

How to help your kids process what happened in Uvalde, 05/25/22, KUOW News, According to Dr. Doug Zatzick, a professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine and practicing psychiatrist at Harborview Medical Center, there has been a shift in how Americans have to think about trauma.

State officials speak out on gun control amid aftermath of Texas school shooting, 05/24/22, MyNorthwest, Multiple Washington representatives spoke out after the shooting, sharing their condolences while condemning gun violence. Dr. Fred Rivara, a longtime gun researcher and a professor of pediatrics at University of Washington Medicine, echoed a similar sentiment on the effects of stricter gun control. “We are a nation awash in firearms,” Rivara said. “We in Washington state in the last few years have passed laws that make it harder for individuals who are going to harm themselves or others to have firearms. In Texas, it’s been the reverse.”

Report: Accidental shootings among children spiked by nearly one-third in 2020, 05/20/22, Fox 13 Seattle, Across the Puget Sound, incidents involving guns have increased, making guns safety top of mind. Alarmingly, statistics show more children are losing their lives due to gun violence. Professor of Pediatrics with UW Medicine Doctor Fred Rivara says, “Washington started the Firearm Tragedy Prevention Program following a growing issue–community gun violence–which persists today.”

Oregon lawmakers push for bigger response to baby formula shortage, 05/19/22, KOIN 6 News, UW professor of pediatrics, Dr. Beth Ebel, says she hopes more people will offer neighbors formula. “Many people have a lot of formula at home from the pandemic and so on. And if you have a big bunch of it, please consider donating it to your pediatrician for now. Younger babies are in the most need right now.”

UW Medicine pediatrics expert shares tips on navigating baby formula shortage, 05/19/22, FOX 13 News, According to UW Medicine pediatrics professor, Dr. Beth Ebel, “There are ways to navigate this shortage and keep your kids growing.”

Doctors: Do not make your own baby formula, 05/18/22, KIRO 7 News, UW Medicine pediatrician, Dr. Beth Ebel said, “Parents trying to make baby formula at home during the shortage are putting their babies in danger. Part of the reason why there was this challenge in the first place is it’s so carefully regulated to make sure that the formula is complete and safe. And just winging it at home is a risk. And then diluting it is a risk, too.”

Sen. Murray holds roundtable to discuss opioid epidemic in Washington, 05/13/22, YAHOO! News, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 108,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2021—a new record. “What we’re hearing from providers is that methadone really needs to be available for fentanyl use as well, and it’s far too restrictive to get,” said Dr. Caleb Banta-Green, research scientist at the University of Washington School of Public Health.

More than 10% of e-scooter riders get into an accident, new survey reveals, 05/06/22, MyNorthwest, The Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center (HIPRC) studied the effects e-scooters have on public safety, including the seriousness of injuries as a result of accidents. “A lot of these injuries are pretty serious: they get concussed, have brain injuries that last for a number of months,” said Dr. Fred Rivara, an injury prevention expert at Harborview Medical Center.

APRIL 2022 //

Survey details how riders got hurt on Seattle scooters, 04/20/22, KIRO 7 News, Rental scooters are becoming a popular way to get around Seattle. But, sometimes, people get hurt. “A lot of these injuries are pretty serious: they get concussed, have brain injuries that last for a number of months,” said Dr. Fred Rivara, an injury prevention expert at Harborview Medical Center.

Study: As young as 12, some rural youth regularly carry handguns, 04/20/22, Juvenile Justice Information Exchange (JJIE), About 25% of rural youth in a University of Washington analysis said they were as young as 12 when they began carrying handguns. “This is especially pertinent considering the high rates of firearm suicide in rural areas; so, developing and refining interventions to prevent firearm injury in these settings are going to be very important,” Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, a physician and University of Washington epidemiology professor.

Tacoma’s pioneering needle exchange now using smoking supplies to reach fentanyl, meth users, 04/19/22, The Seattle Times, “The majority of people dying now from overdoses are smoking drugs,” Caleb Banta-Green, a researcher at the University of Washington’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute. Washington saw more than 2,100 overdose deaths in 2021, up 70% from 2019, per preliminary state data.

Teen drug use is down in Washington, but overdose deaths are skyrocketing, 04/18/22, The Columbian, Pandemic-specific factors, such as school closures, likely contributed to the even starker decline over the past few years. “It’s about supply and demand—and access, in many ways, was more difficult,” during the pandemic, said Caleb Banta-Green, a principal research scientist at the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI). “Youth were in the home. They were supervised” in many households, and were cut off from typical social activities like sports, after-school clubs and parties.

Washington schools get ready for a return from spring break—and a bump in COVID cases, 04/16/22, The Columbian, “We expect there will be a bump (in cases) after spring break, and this can be associated with hanging out with friends and family as well as the likely increase with the new omicron variant (BA.2),” said Dr. Beth Ebel, vice president of the Washington Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics board.

How Does a Device Know That You’ve Fallen?, 06/09/22, AARP, Electronic fall detectors “can be important in getting people to emergency or urgent care sooner and prevent complications that can arise from lying in one position for an extended time,” says Hilaire Thompson, a professor at the University of Washington who studies traumatic brain injury and injury prevention.

WA Saw 2,000+ Deadly Overdoses Last Year, And The Number Keeps Rising, 04/12/22, The Patch, More Washingtonians than ever are also knowingly consuming fentanyl: a recent UW Medicine survey found that 42 percent of respondents who used syringe-service program sites across the state had knowingly used fentanyl in the last three months. “I’ve been doing drug-trends research for 20 years, and fentanyl’s growth is the biggest, fastest shift we’ve ever seen—and also the most lethal,” said Caleb Banta-Green, principal research scientist for UW Medicine’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI).

Stronger Opioid Reversal Drugs are needed to Combat the Fentanyl Crisis, Narcan Developer Says, 04/07/22, Now Habersham, Caleb Banta-Green, principal research scientist at the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute (ADAI) at the University of Washington School of Medicine stated, “Awareness of fentanyl pills has risen quickly among users.”

DEA Warns Of ‘Mass Overdose Events’ From Fentanyl In Washington, 04/07/22, Patch Seattle, “I’ve been doing drug-trends research for 20 years, and fentanyl’s growth is the biggest, fastest shift we’ve ever seen—and also the most lethal,” said Caleb Banta-Green, principal research scientist for UW Medicine’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI).

1 in 3 youth in rural areas say they carry a gun by age 26, 04/07/22, Futurity, Principal investigator and senior author Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, a UW professor of epidemiology and the UW Bartley Dobb Professor for the Study and Prevention of Violence stated, “Because firearms in many rural areas are such an integral part of a robust gun culture, understanding how youth engage with firearms in those settings is incredibly important.”

MARCH 2022 //

Fentanyl’s lethal toll continues. Nearly 10 million pills were seized last year, 03/31/22, NPR, Caleb Banta-Green, principal research scientist at the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute (ADAI) at the University of Washington School of Medicine says, “Some users may think the pill form of the drug is safer than injected opioids or heroin, especially if the pills are crushed and smoked.”

Drug Harm Reduction Programs Could Help Weaken The Fentanyl Crisis, 03/31/22, Newsy, Caleb Banta-Green, principal research scientist at the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute (ADAI) at the University of Washington School of Medicine says, “The claim that distributing safer smoking equipment enables and even promotes drug use is an understandable first reaction,” but he says, “It’s also incorrect.”

Fentanyl’s lethal toll continues. Police seized nearly 10 million pills last year03/31/22, News from NPR, Caleb Banta-Green, principal research scientist at the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute (ADAI) at the University of Washington School of Medicine says, “Every time you’re using, you also have a risk of overdose.”

For many immunocompromised people in WA, return to ‘normal’ threatens their mental and physical health, 03/23/22, Yakima Herald-Republic, Dr. Jesse Fann, medical director of psychosocial oncology at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at University of Washington School of Medicine says his patients are facing a “double whammy” and acknowledges the serious mental and emotional weight that comes with a cancer diagnosis.

Experts say safe smoking supplies could reduce harm of fentanyl, 03/17/22, INLANDER, Such a swift rise in popularity of a drug that was hardly known in 2015 has been surprising, says Caleb Banta-Green, the syringe survey’s co-author and principal research scientist at the Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI) at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

US drug overdose deaths reach another record high, 03/16/22, CNN. As the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic linger, “mentally and financially depressed people are at increased risk for harms associated with opioids, so addressing wellness, poverty and housing are essential to health overall, including opioid-use disorder,” said Caleb Banta-Green, principal research scientist at the University of Washington’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI).

Barriers Limit Access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder in Philadelphia, 03/16/22, The PEW Charitable Trusts, Interviews were held with nine nationally recognized leaders, including Caleb Banta-Green of the University of Washington’s Addictions, Drugs and Alcohol Institute (ADAI), who work in the substance use disorder treatment field in U.S. cities and counties that share high rates of opioid overdoses with Philadelphia.

Odds of Poor Long-Term Outcome High With Combat Concussion, 03/15/22, Physician’s Weekly, Christine L. MacDonald, Ph.D., from the University of Washington School of Medicine and her colleagues examined global disability trajectories in U.S. military with and without traumatic brain injury (TBI) during the first decade following deployment.

Easier access to a better treatment—buprenorphine—is helping people with opioid use disorder turn their lives around, 03/14/22, The Seattle Times, Caleb Banta-Green of the University of Washington’s Addictions, Drugs and Alcohol Institute (ADAI) conducted the state’s first low-barrier pilot project at Seattle’s downtown needle exchange in 2017 and found that even among a largely homeless population, buprenorphine slashed overdose deaths and reduced opioid use.

Dropping bike helmet law is a wrongheaded decision, 03/13/22, The Seattle Times, Dr. Beth Ebel, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine stated, “This rollback weakens our ability to make a clear message to families and riders in Seattle (that this law) is a critical safety measure.”

Syringe program user survey shows ‘stunning’ fentanyl surge, 03/09/22, Mirage News, Caleb Banta-Green, a principal research scientist at the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI) stated, “I’ve been doing drug-trends research for 20 years, and fentanyl’s growth is the biggest, fastest shift we’ve ever seen—and also the most lethal.”

Everett mother’s fentanyl overdose death charged as homicide, 03/08/22, Herald Net, Across Washington, fentanyl use has surged to a “stunning” extent, according to University of Washington researcher Caleb Banta-Green, who led a 2021 survey of almost 1,000 people through syringe-service programs in the state.

Study finds patterns of handgun carrying with rural youth, 03/08/22, Med School Watercooler, University of South Alabama College of Medicine. The 11th Annual Gulf Coast Trauma Symposium will be headlined by Dr. Eileen Bulger, a chief of trauma, burns, and critical care at the University of Washington and chief of trauma and acting surgeon-in-chief at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Follow-up shows ‘very high odds’ of long-term disability for veterans with combat concussion, 03/08/22, Medical Press, New research, led by Christine L. Mac Donald, PhD, at the University of Washington School of Medicine, aims to aid in identifying veterans at high risk of long-term disability after sustaining a combat-related TBI.

Video misrepresents funding of drug smoking kits in LA, 03/04/22, The Times and Democrat, The purpose of the kits—which can contain sterile items such as lip balm and pipes—is to reduce risk of burns, cuts, infections and the transmission of diseases among drug users, as well as overdoses, according to Caleb Banta-Green, a principal research scientist at the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI).

Clinical Trial: Brain Injury Education and Outpatient Navigation-1stBIEN, 03/03/22, Health Daily Digest (Ht Media). Dr. Nathalia Jimenez, worked with Jimenez Lab to develop an innovative program called Brain Injury Education and Outpatient Care Navigation (1st BIEN) that aims to give Hispanic parents tools to help their children recover from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

Study: Trauma Patients Less Likely to Be Vaccinated Against COVID, 03/03/22, Journal of Emergency Medical Services, Dr. Eileen Bulger, a chief of trauma, burns, and critical care at the University of Washington and chief of trauma and acting surgeon-in-chief at Harborview Medical Center stated, “This study is important because it emphasizes the role hospitals can play in improving vaccination rates.”

FEBRUARY 2022 //

UW Med: Vaccines can keep kids in school after mask mandate lifts, 02/26/22, Shoreline Area News, Dr. Beth Ebel is calling for families with unvaccinated children to begin their COVID-19 shot series before Washington’s mask mandate expires on March 21.

Washington Department of Health reports 30% of kids 5-11 are fully vaccinated, 02/25/22, KXLY, Dr. Beth Ebel is quoted calling for families to vaccinate their children before the mask mandate expires.

Wash. State Commerce Dept.: State Efforts to Advance Evidence-Based, Community-Supported Intervention and Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Gain National Attention2/25/22, Targeted News Service, Dr. Fred Rivara is quoted talking about the great work Washington’s Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention (OFSVP) in the Department of Commerce has been doing throughout the pandemic in an effort to reduce the toll of gun violence.

Many Kids in Rural U.S. Are All Too Familiar With Handguns02/24/22, MedicineNet, Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar discusses his study that found about one-third of boys and 10% of girls in rural U.S. communities have carried a handguns; many started carrying as early as sixth grade.

A Year in Gun Violence Research (2021)02/22/22. Rockefeller Institute of Government, Various FIPRP Researchers discuss their study highlights from 2021.

Record number of deaths in Washington, Oregon in 2021, 02/08/22, Yakima-Herald Rebublic, Dr. Caleb Banta-Green discusses how fatal drug overdoses started rising before the pandemic and kept going up during 2021.

The Biden administration “is spending $30 million on crack pipes,” 02/08/22, Politifact, Dr. Caleb Banta-Green discusses harm reduction tools for people who inject drugs.

King County repeals bike helmet law, but all sides still agree: wear your helmet02/17/22, KUOW, RT News App, Big News Network, and various other platforms; Dr. Beth Ebel talked about King County’s newest helmet law changes. She discusses how she’s concerned about inequitable enforcement, but also concerned that a repeal would lead to more head injuries.

JANUARY 2022 //

High-poverty areas see more firearm-related youth deaths, 01/25/22, MDedge / Pediatrics, “Firearm-related homicides among youth aged 5-24 years are among the causes of death with the greatest disparities,” says Drs. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, Alice Ellyson, and Fred Rivara in a new cross-sectional study published in JAMA Pediatrics.

Teenage Babes and Dating Assault: Why We Should Be Focusing, 1/22/22, Sports Image, New research found that 90% of young adults killed by an intimate companion from 2003 to 2016 were babes. Dr. Avanti Adhia is the lead researcher on this study.

Special Pandemic Payments Staved Off Hunger for Children’s Families, 1/13/2022, MEDPAGE TODAY, The Child Tax Credit was “the closest thing that the United States has ever had to a child allowance, a universal public income guarantee to offset the costs of raising children,” said Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, MD, PhD, MPH, in a corresponding editorial.

Granger Smith tragedy: What parents need to know01/08/22, Des Moines Register (Iowa), Associate Member, Dr. Linda Quan recommends swim lessons to help children reduce drowning fatality rates, but warns even the best swim lessons aren’t “drown-proof.”

Would Tighter Swimming Rules at Public Beaches, Lakes and Rivers Save Lives?, 01/08/22, MedicineNet, Associate Member, Dr. Linda Quan is quoted talking about open water drowning rates and evaluation of existing regulations rules at public beaches, lakes and rivers.

UW Professor and Trauma Pediatrician on booster shots for children 12-15, 01/06/22, KEPR-TV, Dr. Beth Ebel, gave her insight on the FDA approved COVID-19 booster shots for children.

DECEMBER 2021 //

UW Medicine Newsroom’s 21 most-viewed stories in 2021, 12/31/2021, MirageNews, The UW Medicine Newsroom received more than 1.366 million unique page views in 2021. The site carries news releases, blog features and news video resources geared to journalists, as well as an ongoing list of the latest media coverage.

Here’s something depressing for the holidays: states set new record for total annual deaths in 2021. 12/30/2021, KLCC, Sun Herald, Bellingham Herald, and various other publications, Fatal drug overdoses started rising before the pandemic and kept going up during 2021. University of Washington addiction expert Caleb Banta-Green described the deadly consequences of the synthetic opioid fentanyl displacing heroin as “stunning,” in a news release.

Bitter cold week, maybe snow for Tri-Cities. How to keep your pipes from freezing, 12/27/21, Tri-City Herald, “Too often people fall asleep and don’t get to a hospital emergency room in time to be saved,” said Beth Ebel, a UW Medicine doctor at Harborview Medical Center, during last winter’s cold snap.

Managing the meth crisis: Paying users to go clean could change lives and communities, 12/8/2021, The Seattle Times, “Opioid addiction we can fix. It’s a lot harder on the methamphetamine side,” said Dr. Caleb Banta-Green, principal research scientist at the Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute at the University of Washington.

State data reveal fentanyl’s fatal role across age groups, 12/8/2021. Mirage News, Targeted News, ACI Info, Use of the illicitly manufactured opioid fentanyl has had an outsize impact on overdose deaths in Washington state–particularly among people under age 30, according to a new analysis published at the University of Washington School of Medicine. HIPRC Associate member Caleb Banta-Green discusses mortality rates.

High-Poverty Areas Host More Firearm-Related Youth Deaths, 12/2/21, Medscape Medical News, Higher poverty concentration at the county level significantly increased the risk of firearm-related deaths in children and youth aged 5-24 years in the United States, based on a review of approximately 67,000 fatalities.

First Overdose Prevention Centers in the Nation Open in NYC,12/1/2021, US News, Cities and states nationwide have pushed for overdose prevention sites in recent years as the nation’s opioid epidemic has worsened. HIPRC Associate Member, Caleb Banta-Green, talks about the public health response to the opioid crisis.

NOVEMBER 2021 //

New York City opens nation’s first overdose prevention centers, 11/30/2021, nbcnews.com, drugs.com, webmd, and various other publications, New York City opened the nation’s first overdose prevention center Tuesday, which harm-reduction advocates are calling a big step in a country that has suffered countless deaths due to drug overdoses as it continued to battle an opioid epidemic. “If you think about a public health response to a crisis and you want to triage people to stop it, this is one intervention most likely to do that,” said HIPRC associate member Caleb Banta-Green, the principal research scientist at the University of Washington Addictions, Drug and Alcohol Institute.

In the Arbery killing trial, video evidence once again played a crucial role, 11/24/2021, nytimes.com, “We lawyers, we don’t have a lock on the story anymore,” said HIPRC core member Mary Fan, a professor of law at the University of Washington and a former prosecutor. “It doesn’t matter how dramatically I do my openings or closing or how my witnesses tell their accounts, because the jury is going to look at the visual evidence and my words are just going to be words. I can never match the drama of a video.

King County to vote on repealing bike helmet law, 11/10/2021, dailyuw.com, The King County Board of Health is planning to vote on repealing the county’s bike helmet law in the coming months, in part due to analysis from a UW grad student that shows the law may be unequally enforced due to racial bias. HIPRC core member Beth Ebel, MD, said traumatic brain injuries create significant and often irreversible damage, Ebel suggested that change should begin with reviewing the police department’s actions.

This Is What Happens In Your Brain When You Try Something New, 11/5/2021, success.com, “Constantly introducing new and different strategies for physical activity and life skills can allow individuals to have more ‘tools’ in their toolbox to handle general life stressors,” says HIPRC core member Christine Mac Donald, Ph.D., the research director for The Sports Institute at UW Medicine and a professor of neurological surgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

CCTOBER 2021 //

Racial disparities in bike helmet law forces decision by King County health board, 10/25/2021, bothell-reporter.com, seattleweekly.com, auburn-reporter.com, courier-herald.com, Beth Ebel, MD,MSc,MPH, HIPRC core member, called the debate around either choosing to keep the helmet law or repealing it in the name of equity a “false dichotomy”. “Racism is harmful. It causes injury and scars too, but it is not a trade-off between these two. We can have a helmet law and also have a law and a program that is promoting equity,” she testified.

King County Board of Health delays vote to repeal bike helmet law, 10/21/2021, KIRO7, mynorthwest.com, Monica Vavilala, MD, HIPRC director, noted in public comment that if the helmet law is repealed, “BIPOC communities will be more adversely effected because TBI is disproportionally represented in BIPOC communities. More Black and brown children and adults will die. I know that preventing TBI is way more effective than treating TBI.”

Income, zip code affect risk of COVID-19 positive test, 10/20/2021, todayuknews.com, A study lead by the University of Washington found that patients’ geographic, socioeconomic and demographic factors were relatively stronger predictors of SARS-CoV-2 positivity than individual clinical characteristics. “This new study can help provide an efficient method of identifying patients with a high probability of newly testing positive, and represents a potential approach to characterizing vulnerable populations,” said Jimmy Phuong, data scientist for HIPRC.

Washington schools superintendent warns parents to prepare for more closures, 10/16/2021, KING5, KRIO7, Beth Ebel, MD,MSc,MPH, HIPRC core member, thinks that bringing children back to school was the right move, especially now with a COVID-19 shot for younger people is on the horizon. In late September, officials announced that Pfizer had submitted its vaccine for FDA approval for kids ages 5 to 11. “Generally, most parents have wanted this vaccine and they’ve seen it go well for their older kids,” Ebel said. “I know so many parents are going to be relieved—delighted. The weight they’ve been carrying around, they are going to be able to put down.”

‘Disheartening’ rise in King County gun violence has already surpassed 2020’s record toll, 10/13/2021, spokesman.com, seattletimes.com, Dr. Eileen Bulger, Harborview’s chief of trauma and HIPRC core member, said 355 gunshot wound patients were treated at the hospital between January and mid-August, up from 233 and 255 patients treated during the same periods in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Though the vast majority of gunshot patients came from across King County, Harborview also treats patients from neighboring counties and states.

King County considering increased investments in overdose prevention, 10/5/2021, KING5, HIPRC associate member Caleb Banta-Green, said King County should look for ways to increase access to support and mental health care. As well as education about medications like Buprenorphine and Methadone, which are used to treat opioid dependence. “Opioid Use Disorder is a treatable medical condition,” explained Banta-Green. “Medications are the best we have to support recovery, and they reduce mortality by 50%. A tiny fraction of our population knows that.”

SEPTEMBER 2021 //

Fentanyl is flooding into the Inland Northwest, triggering a deadlier phase of the opioid crisis, 9/30/2021, inlander.com, idahostatejournal.com, It’s becoming extremely rare for an illicit pill looking like an oxy to not be fentanyl. Caleb Banta-Green, an addiction researcher at University of Washington and HIPRC associate member, says that every fatal King County overdose in 2020 with an M-30 tablet at the scene tested positive for fentanyl. For those who fatally overdosed and did have oxycodone in their system, they always had a prescription for it.

Homicides in Washington increased by 21% in 2020, new data shows, 9/29/2021, seattletimes.com, wenatcheeworld.com, columbian.com, Academics and those in law enforcement circles continue to debate the exact reasons why homicides have increased across the U.S., but the COVID-19 pandemic was clearly a factor:Last year really was a year like no other, with the stressors of the pandemic leading to lost jobs, increased friction in domestic relationships, and likely heightened levels of depression and despair, said University of Washington Law Professor and HIPRC core member, Mary Fan.

Man arrested after accidentally leaving bag with 15,000 fentanyl pills behind at Seattle hotel, 9/17/2021, mynorthwest.com, In mid-January, local health officials sounded the alarm after seeing the highest ever documented number of overdose deaths in a two-week period the county has ever seen. Those concerns persisted in the following months, with fentanyl-related deaths in King County in 2021 already exceeding totals in any of the last nine years. “We’re at the tail end of a wave that’s been building across the country, so we’ve gone from a low point to a high point quickly,” said research scientist and HIPRC associate member, Caleb Banta-Green.

Judge dismisses charge, warns he could dismiss more cases from Utah police dept., 9/9/2021, newsbreak.com, “Utah, in this case, is part of a trend across the country of judges trying to address concerns that video is missing,” said Mary Fan, a law professor at the University of Washington and HIPRC core member, who has written a book on police cameras. “If judges are starting to have a real concern about patterns and practices,” Fan said, “then I think it’s time for the department to sit down and figure out what’s going on.”

Adult dosage of vaccine for kids under age 12? ‘Not a good idea,’ say pediatricians, 9/8/2021, KIRO7, Regarding giving an adult dosage of the vaccine to kids under the age of 12, HIPRC Core Member, Beth Ebel, MD, says, “I really think it’s a matter of getting by for a few months here while we make sure we have the safe dose of the antigen for the vaccine,” said Ebel. “It’s the safest thing for kids, and then (once the vaccine is authorized for younger children) let’s just go all in.”

AUGUST 2021 //

222 Fentanyl Deaths Recorded In King County Through August, 8/31/2021, patch.com, With three months left in the year, King County has already seen more fentanyl deaths than in 2020. “It’s usually made to look like pills, so it has this image of safety,” said Caleb Banta-Green, HIPRC associate member and an addiction researcher and research scientist at UW Medicine. “But it is profoundly strong and has very, very high risk for both addiction and overdose, and it’s really just flooding the market … If you didn’t get that pill from a pharmacy, it is 99% likely to be fentanyl, and there’s no way for you to tell.”

Keeping Kids Safe Playing the Sport they Love, 8/10/2021, Parentology, HIPRC associate member, Stanley A. Herring, MD, joins the Parentology Podcast to discuss safety and participation in sports. Dr. Herring talks about about why it’s important to keep kids active, while also avoiding preventable injuries by building a culture of safety.

San Diego Sheriff’s Fentanyl Video Draws Skepticism, 8/09/21, Los Angeles Times, Caleb Banta-Green, principal research scientist at the University of Washington Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute, said “the fears over fentanyl poisoning from brief exposure remind him of how patients with HIV were treated in the early days of that pandemic.”

More mental health services not linked to fewer firearm suicides, 8/8/2021, scienceblog.com, miragenews.com, A new study comparing adolescent suicide rates with the availability of mental health services has found that more resources may contribute to fewer suicides, but don’t appear to have any role in reducing suicides involving firearms. Laura Prater, PhD, MPH, MHA was part of the research team.

$56 million NIH grant to expand Alzheimer’s research, 8/7/2021, miragenews.com, The National Institute of Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, is awarding a grant expected to total $55.6 million to the Adult Changes in Thought study (ACT), led by Kaiser Permanente Washington, the University of Washington and the University of California, San Diego. The funds will be used to advance the understanding of Alzheimer’s and diversify and broaden participation in the study. The grant is divided into six cores with the Neuroimaging Core is led by HIPRC Core Member, Christine Mac Donald, PhD, from the Department of Neurosurgery at UW School of Medicine.

JULY 2021 //

Harborview treats twice as many gunshot victims in July as it did two years ago, 7/31/2021, KING5 News, Dr. Fred Rivara, HIPRC core member says the rise in recent gun violence isn’t a medical problem, but a societal issue.

Mayor Durkan Announces $2 Million Investment In King County Regional Peacekeepers Collective, 7/23/2021, Seattle Medium, Dr. Fred Rivara, HIPRC core member is quoted talking about the new $2-milliion funding the City of Seattle is investing in to help address the rise of gun violence.

Racial disparities in drowning deaths persist, research shows, 7/23/2021, The Journalist’s Resources, HIPRC associate member, Linda Quan, MD, is quoted talking about the importance of drowning prevention.

As King County gun violence climbs, officials invest money in community-based approach to end shootings, 7/22/2021, The Seattle Times, Tribune Ledger News, HIPRC Core member, Fred Rivara, MD, talks about a new partnership with Harborview Medical Center, Zero Youth Detention, and public health agencies called Regional Peacekeepers Collective, which aims to reduce shootings.

Black children are five-and-a-half times more likely to drown than others, a report finds, 7/22/2021, CNN, The Philadelphia Tribune, Penn Live: Patriot News, and other publications, HIPRC Associate member, Linda Quan, MD, discusses new drowning guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. She mentions teenage boys ages 15 to 19 are 10 times more likely to drown than girls.

Teenage boys ages 15 to 19 are 10 times more likely to drown than girls, 7/19/21, Medical Dialogues, HIPRC Associate member, Linda Quan, MD is quoted talking about the importance of starting swim lessons at an early age to learn essential swimming skills.

The ER is (Not) the Place to Be This Summer, 7/19/2021, Seattle Met, HIPRC core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., FACS, is quoted talking about the summer being known as trauma season in the ER.

Science debunks a deadly summer food myth, 7/17/2021, inverse.com, Associate member Linda Quan, M.D., is quoted debunking the myth not to swim immediately after eating.

20 UW researchers elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences for 2021, 7/16/2021, UW News, Businessmayor.com, Twenty scientists and engineers at the University of Washington are among the 38 new members elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences for 2021, including HIPRC Director, Monica S. Vavilala, MD.

Summer Drowning Deaths Can Happen Quickly: Know the Facts, 7/14/2021, healthday.com, usnews.com, drugs.com, & various other platforms, New swimming recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes that no single intervention—such as swimming lessons or lifeguarding—is sufficient enough to prevent drowning and recommends multiple layers of protection to prevent drowning. Associate member Linda Quan, M.D., is quoted discussing the new findings from AAP, and why swim lessons are important starting at the age of one.

Male toddlers, adolescent boys at highest risk for drowning, AAP warns, 7/12/2021, healio.com, New swimming recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes that no single intervention — such as swimming lessons or lifeguarding — is sufficient enough to prevent drowning and recommends multiple layers of protection to prevent drowning. Associate member Linda Quan, M.D., is quoted discussing the new findings from AAP.

Study model explores impact of police action on population health, 7/9/2021, Bioengineer.org, newswise, State News Service (and various other publications), A new study out of the UW School of Public Health depicts the complex relationship between policing and population health. Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program Co-director Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D. is a part of the research team.

Coalition of grandmothers joins with UW researchers to keep guns out of the wrong hands, 7/7/2021, Mynorthwest.com, Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program Co-director Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., is quoted discussing a newly-funded research project that will look into how to prevent domestic violence and related gun violence from harming a generation of children. The research is being funded by Grandmothers Against Gun Violence.

The International Swimming Hall of Fame announces the 2021 Paragon Award Recipients, Presented by Pentair Aquatic Systems, 7/07/2021, swimmingworldmagazine.com, Associate member Linda Quan, M.D., is recognized for her years of drowning research and implementation on a national & international level. The Paragon Awards are presented annually to individuals or organizations for outstanding contributions to aquatics in six categories.

With ‘Tinder’ Dry Forests, Washington Officials Urge Residents to Skip Fireworks This Year, 7/3/2021, The Chronicle, The Seattle Times, HIPRC core member Beth Ebel, M.D., MSc, MPH, warned of the injuries that fireworks can cause, particularly for young children.

JUNE 2021 //

Washington was at the forefront of a gun-violence prevention law. Here’s how it’s played out, 6/1/2021, The Chronicle, The Seattle Times, Columbian, and other sources, HIPRC Outreach co-director, Megan Moore, PhD, and Trainee Kelsey Conrick, PhDc, discuss how many ERPOs have been filed since the law went into effect in Washington State.

Blazing temperatures hit Skagit County, summer to stay hot, 6/29/2021, GoSkagit.com, The Daily Herald, Yahoo News, HIPRC core member Beth Ebel, M.D., MSc, MPH, talks about high heat dangers for kids (and pets), including walking on hot asphalt.

Summer hazard: Children falling out of windows, 6/28/2021, Seattle’sChild.com, HIPRC core member Beth Ebel, M.D., MSc, MPH, reminds parents the dangers an open window (and window screen) can pose to small children.

Cooling off with caution: water safety during summer heat, 6/28/2021, Bellingham Herald, HIPRC core member Beth Ebel, M.D., MSc, MPH says most trouble on the water can be avoided through one simple choice: putting on your life jacket. Dr. Ebel talks about the importance of life jackets and water safety.

Heat wave: ‘Off the charts of what we’ve experienced before’; High temperatures bring safety concerns. Here’s how to stay safe as we near triple digits.,6/26/2021, The Daily Herald, HIPRC core member Beth Ebel, M.D., MSc, MPH says screens give a “false sense of security” and are the equivalent of “putting a tiny piece of tissue paper over a gaping hole.” Dr. Ebel reminds parents the dangers an open window (and window screen) can pose to small children.

A Refresher Course On Boating, Water Safety, 6/26/21, post-journal.com, Associate member Linda Quan, M.D., is quoted talking about the importance of life jackets.

Summer Weather Comes with Fall Risks for Kids, 6/24/2021, KGMI-AM Radio, HIPRC core member Beth Ebel, M.D., MSc, MPH, reminds parents the dangers an open window (and window screen) can pose to small children.

Doctors Warn Of Rise In Window Falls During Hot Weather, 6/23/2021, Patch.com, HIPRC core member Beth Ebel, M.D., MSc, MPH, reminds parents the dangers an open window (and window screen) can pose to small children.

Online toolkit aims to intervene in firearm injury, death, 6/23/2021, KNDUKNDO-TV NBC Right Now, Mirage News, Targetednews.com. Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program Director Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, is quoted talking about a new toolkit released by HIPRC that focuses on three firearm interventions that can deter firearm injury/death.

Tips for staying safe during Washington’s heat wave, 6/22/2021, The Courtier-Herald, Auburn-Reporter, Bellevue Reporter, Seattle Weekly (and various other publications). HIPRC core member Beth Ebel, M.D., MSc, MPH, talks about the importance of staying hydrated as Washington State sees record high temperatures during historic heat wave.

Hot forecast spurs safety warnings for Northwest, 6/21/2021, GoSkagit.com, Anacortes American, As summer in the Puget Sound kicks off, HIPRC core member Beth Ebel, M.D., MSc, MPH, talks about heat-related injuries & water safety.

Receptiveness and Responsiveness Toward Using Social Media for Safe Firearm Storage Outreach: Mixed Methods Study, 6/18/2021, JMIR Publications, Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program Co-director Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., was a part of a study looking at receptiveness and responsiveness in promoting firearm lock box and trigger lock giveaway events on social media. Researchers on this study describe the characteristics of participants who learned of these events through social media.

Strict Rest May Slow Recovery From Sports-Related Concussion, 6/16/2021, drugs.com, healthday.com, doctorslounge.com, and various other publications, Associate member Stanley A. Herring, M.D., developed a Team Physician Consensus Conference statement to address selected issues on sports-related concussions (SRC) relevant to practicing team physicians.

Morgan Miller Shares Heartbreaking Plea on Anniversary of Daughter’s Drowning, 6/10/2021, foreverymom.com, Associate member Linda Quan, M.D., is quoted talking about the benefits to swim lessons and discusses the importance of drowning prevention.

Washington Was at the Forefront of a Gun-Violence Prevention Law; Here’s How It’s Played Out, 6/1/2021, The Chronicle, The Seattle Times, The Columbian (& various other publications), Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program Co-director Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., discusses how extreme risk protection orders (ERPO) may be effective in preventing firearm deaths.

‘Preventive not punitive’: How the state gun-violence prevention law works, 6/01/2021, The Seattle Times, Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program Co-director Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., discusses how extreme risk protection orders (ERPO) may be effective in preventing firearm deaths.

MAY 2021 //

‘Trailblazer’: A New Clinic in Centralia Hopes to Inform a More Effective Approach to the Opioid Crisis, 5/28/2021, chronline.com, The Chronicle, HIPRC associate member and University of Washington epidemiologist Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW, discusses a new medication-assisted treatment clinic that will be a part of a UW opioid study.

The Ellis case and Washington’s rocky path to independent investigations of police, 5/28/2021, KUOW (NRP), Core member Mary Fan, JD, MPhil, breaks down Initiative 940 which requires independent investigations of deaths at the hands of law enforcement.

Opioid treatment meds could be used more effectively in Washington, researchers say, 5/26/2021, knkx.org, HIPRC associate member and University of Washington epidemiologist Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW, discusses a study of 25k Washingtonians. In this study it found that those who had received their first prescription of the opioid-addiction treatment medication, buprenorphine, used it on average, for 84 days—much less than the minimum care guideline of six months.

Opioid-addiction medication underused in WA, study shows, 5/26/2021, miragenews.com, HIPRC associate member and University of Washington epidemiologist Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW, discusses a study of 25k Washingtonians. In this study it found that those who had received their first prescription of the opioid-addiction treatment medication, buprenorphine, used it on average, for 84 days—much less than the minimum care guideline of six months.

Weight Gain – Fast Food, Supermarkets, Other Aspects of Built Environments Don’t Play Expected Role, 5/25/2021, healthnewsdigest.com, targetednews.com, Core member Steve Mooney, Ph.D., is part of a study that found people don’t gain or lose weight because they live near a fast-food restaurant or supermarket.

Fast food, supermarkets, other aspects of built environments don’t play expected role in weight gain, 5/24/2021, newswise.com, State News Service, Core member Steve Mooney, Ph.D., is part of a study that found people don’t gain or lose weight because they live near a fast-food restaurant or supermarket.

Built environments don’t play expected role in weight gain, 5/24/2021, EurekaAlert.org, Core member Steve Mooney, Ph.D., is part of a study that found people don’t gain or lose weight because they live near a fast-food restaurant or supermarket.

What is behind the recent surge in gun violence?, 5/24/2021, KCPQ, Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program Director Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, did a live interview with local Seattle Fox-affiliate station, Q13 News, to discuss the recent surge in gun violence.

In the Tales Told by Sewage, Public Health and Privacy Collide, 5/23/2021, nakedcapitalism.com, HIPRC associate member and University of Washington epidemiologist Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW, who has been conducting wastewater analysis to understand U.S. drug use since 2008, says, “Europe took a coordinated, communal approach to it and we took a fragmented, mixed-market approach to it. They have a system and we don’t.” 

Should There Be ‘Gun Retirement’ for the Elderly?, 5/17/2021, U.S. News, Healthday.com, drugs.com (and various other publications), HIPRC staff member, Laura Prater, is quoted talking about a new study that shows a significant number of seniors have not laid out plans for putting limits to firearm access.

Top Doctors 2021: Surgery, 5/13/2021, Seattle Magazine, HIPRC core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., FACS, was voted one of Seattle Magazine’s 2021 top surgeons.

Drug overdose deaths increased by over 30% during pandemic, 5/12/2021, KUOW, HIPRC associate member and University of Washington epidemiologist Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW, breaks down preliminary data showing more people died of overdoses in Washington state in 2020 during the pandemic than prior years.

Fatal drug overdoses surged last year, as COVID pandemic upended lives, 5/10/2021, Wenatchee World, Seattle Times, Miami Herald, & various other publications, HIPRC associate member and University of Washington epidemiologist Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW, discusses how the pandemic is working in two ways to increase overdose deaths.

California Man Laundering Money for Mexican Drug Cartel Gets Nearly 5 Years in Jail, 5/08/2021, latinpost.com, HIPRC associate member and University of Washington epidemiologist Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW, discusses the increase in fentanyl-related deaths plus shares more background information on drug overdoses across the country.

How Using Videos At Chauvin Trial And Others Impacts Criminal Justice, 5/7/2021, NPR, WVTF.org, WVPE.org, WPR.org (and various other publications), Core member Mary Fan, JD, MPhil, discusses how police-worn cameras plus graphic videos of police encounters are used in court cases.

In the tales told by sewage, public health and privacy collide, 5/07/2021, salon.com, HIPRC associate member and University of Washington epidemiologist Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW, who has been conducting wastewater analysis to understand U.S. drug use since 2008, says, “Europe took a coordinated, communal approach to it and we took a fragmented, mixed-market approach to it. They have a system and we don’t.” 

As police body cameras become commonplace, a debate over when to release the footage 5/3/2021, Baltimore Sun, New York Times, Capital Gazette (and various other publications), Core member Mary Fan, JD, MPhil, discusses how a number of states still have problematic laws on the books that overextend exceptions to public disclosure on police-worn body cameras.

When every minute matters. For shooting victims, time is precious. But some end up at a hospital that can’t save them, 5/2/2021, Winston-Salem Journal, HIPRC core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., FACS, discusses trauma protocol & how to help patients get the best care after suffering a traumatic injury.

APRIL 2021 //

Sewage Has Stories to Tell. Why Won’t the U.S. Listen?, 4/26/2021, smithsonianmag.com, HIPRC associate member and University of Washington epidemiologist Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW, who has been conducting wastewater analysis to understand U.S. drug use since 2008, says, “Europe took a coordinated, communal approach to it and we took a fragmented, mixed-market approach to it. They have a system and we don’t.” 

Zooming to recovery: King County panel discusses addiction, sobriety during COVID-19 pandemic, 4/21/21, CourierHerald.com, HIPRC associate member Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW, shows research on how the brain recovers after about a year of sobriety from the abuse of methamphetamine during the virtual meeting April 14. 

Derek Chauvin murder trial was ‘unusual,’ UW professor says, 4/20/21, king5.com, Mary Fan, HIPRC core member and the Jack R. MacDonald endowed chair professor of law at the University of Washington, called the case against the former Minneapolis police officer “unusual.” 

Derek Chauvin Trial: 4 Big Takeaways From Prosecution’s ‘Very Strong’ Week, 4/11/21, huffpost.com, “It’s been a very strong case on the part of the prosecution,” University of Washington law professor and HIPRC core member Mary Fan told HuffPost after the second week. 

For shooting victims, time is precious. But some end up at a hospital that can’t save them, 4/2/21, charlotteobserver.com, Eileen Bulger, MD, FACS, HIPRC core member and American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma chair says although it is impossible to issue a blanket protocol for all patients, it generally makes more sense for shooting victims to be taken to a nearby trauma center where surgery can be done, versus the closest local hospital. 

Caring for American Indian and Alaska Native Children and Adolescents, 4/1/21, pediatrics.aappublications.org, HIPRC associate member Molly Fuentes, MD, Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington and colleagues’ recent study examines the inequitable disease burden observed in AI/AN youth, with a focus on toxic stress, mental health, and issues related to suicide and substance use disorder, risk of and exposure to injury and violence in childhood, obesity and obesity-related cardiovascular risk factors and disease, foster care, and the intersection of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and Two-Spirit and AI/AN youth. 

MARCH 2021 //

Boulder and Atlanta shootings rekindle debate over red-flag gun laws, 3/25/21, washingtonpost.com, Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, MD, PhD, HIPRC core member and co-director of the Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program says, “The focus on creating distance and time between guns and people who display dangerous behavior is a promising strategy. It’s one strategy—it’s not the only strategy.” 

Northwest Now, Pandemic Addiction – March 19th, Season 12 Episode 22, 3/23/21, PBS, HIPRC associate member Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW, discusses how COVID the increased use of substances has resulted in more overdoses and fatal overdoses. “People are isolated. There’s no one there to help support them and provide them medical care or call 911.” 

Even Mild Brain Injuries Raise The Risk Of Dementia, 3/23/21, wired.com, HIPRC associate member and professor of psychiatry at the University of Washington Jesse Fann, MD, MPH, says “The association between sex and race with dementia risk after TBI has not been consistent across all studies, so more research is needed to examine this association.” 

More states are battling an increase in drug overdoses during the pandemic, 3/14/21, axios.comHIPRC associate member and principal research scientist at the University of Washington Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW, told a local NPR station, “We’ve seen a really striking increase in all drug overdose deaths. It’s really clearly getting driven by these deaths that are involved in Fentanyl.” 

How to Protect Your Kids From Drowning, 3/13/21, medicinenet.comHIPRC associate member and statement co-author Linda Quan, MD, said “Research has found that swim lessons are beneficial for children starting around age one, and may lower drowning rates.” 

FEBRUARY 2021 //

Fighting Poverty Reduces Child Neglect Cases, 2/27/21, goodmenproject.com, Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, MD, PhD, MPH, HIPRC core member and associate professor of epidemiology, director of the Violence Prevention Section at the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, was the principal investigator of the project that supported a study that found to reduce cases of child neglect, provide economic relief to struggling families. 

UW staff evaluate youth-centered sexual violence prevention program, 2/23/21, dailyuw.com, Avanti Adhia, ScD, HIPRC fellow and co-investigator talks about how this program is…”  a community-level sexual violence prevention program, so it’s looking at the whole school climate, as opposed to a lot of the previous sexual violence prevention programming [which have] really been centered around educating individuals.” 

Firearm injury study and violence prevention, intervention program aim to break cycle for at-risk populations, 2/1/21, miragenews.com, Fred Rivara, MD, MPH, HIPRC core member professor and vice chair of Academic Affairs at the University of Washington and core faculty member of the Harborview Injury Prevention Research Center (HIPRC), and leading experts will study nonfatal firearm injuries and interventions. 

JANUARY 2021 //

Gun laws prevent 21 mass shootings, researchers say, 1/24/2021, newsbreak.com, HIPRC core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, and core member Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., MPH, Ph.D., talk about how implementing solutions to curb gun violence represent opportunities for physicians and other clinicians to affect the U.S. pandemic of firearm injuries and deaths.

Home Safe Home: Let’s Talk About Gun Safety During COVID-19, 1/22/2021, parentmap.com, HIPRC finds that the Seattle-Tacoma area ranks second in suicide attempts out of the 33 largest U.S. metropolitan areas.

Report: 70 percent of gun deaths in Washington are attributable to suicide, 1/19/2021, seattleweekly.com, HIPRC core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, authored a study that suggests three policy solutions to help reduce rates of firearm injury and suicide: temporary firearm storage, a voluntary “do not sell” list, and Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO).

Police Encounters Differ for Black V. White Teens, 1/11/2021, goodmenproject.comHIPRC associate member Kevin Haggerty, PhD, MSW co-authored a study that found Black young adults are 11 times more likely to be arrested by age 20 if they had an initial encounter with law enforcement in their early teens than Black youth who don’t have that first contact.

Would Tighter Swimming Rules at Public Beaches, Lakes and Rivers Save Lives?, 1/7/2021, medicinenet.com, HIPRC associate member Linda Quan, MD, talks about how tighter rules for swimming lowers drowning death rates at public beaches, lakes and rivers.

Addressing Gun Violence: Alumni Spotlight Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, 12/21/2020, yale.edu, Core member Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., MPH, Ph.D., and Yale School of Public Health alumnus discusses gun violence eight years after the devastating mass shooting at Sandy Hook.

Insurance status doesn’t alter trauma care outcome in Ghana,, 12/17/2020, newswise.com, Core member Charles N. Mock, MD, PhD, MPH, FACS, says that it is important to look at not only what types of health problems are covered in a national health insurance plan, but the specific services that are covered and how the insurance works on the ground in real life circumstances.

Nearly half of Seattle’s helmet citations go to homeless people, 12/16/2020, crosscut.com, Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, talks about the importance of wearing helmets, though whether having a law enforced now would help boost that is an open question.

‘He came back from the dead’: Lost Mount Rainier hiker starts to recover after rescue in whiteout conditions, 11/14/2020, The Seattle Times, Core member Saman Arbabi, M.D., MPH, FACS, talks about Michael Knapinski’s amazing recovery after becoming lost in Mouth Rainier National Park.

Combat-related concussion symptoms may shift and persist over time, 11/11/2020, mdalert.com, Core member and lead study author Christine Mac Donald, Ph.D., talks about how armed-service members with combat-related concussions may experience evolving symptoms over time.

How might a mask mandate play out? Look to the battle over seat belt laws, 11/10/2020, STATnews.com, Core member Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., MPH, Ph.D., talks about how a mask mandate effort to curb the spread of Covid-19 compares to the seat belt campaign and legislation that began in the 1950.

Gun show suicide prevention chats get owners to lock guns up, 10/23/2020, futurity.org, A new study co-written by Core member Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., MPH, Ph.D., looks at how conversations at gun shows about suicide prevention and the risks of unsecured firearms can lead to safe weapons storage.

Addressing social causes of violence will be key to reducing gun deaths, American College of Surgeons task force says – 10/6/2020, Business Insider, HIPRC core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., FACS, talks about the need to treat gun violence not as a political issue but as a public health issue.

Children’s vaccinations in Washington dropped sharply after coronavirus hit – 10/5/2020, The News Tribune, Childhood vaccines are highly effective and safe, and children parents need to keep their children on track with the immunizations, says HIPRC core member Beth Ebel, M.D., MSc, MPH.

Iodine, the secret weapon of hibernating ground squirrels and trauma patients, 10/1/2020, fredhutch.org, Iodide could provide a recyclable, effective and safe way to block damage from excessive inflammation, says HIPRC core member Ronald V. Maier, MD, FACS.

Experts offer advice on how to create a well-stocked first-aid kit, 09/15/2020, Stars and Stripes, HIPRC core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., FACS, talks about supplies that stop bleeding are essential in a first-aid kit.

Concerns about Scooters – 09/8/2020, (Council Connection: Council News & Updates) seattle.gov, HIPRC core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, expresses his concerns about scooter safety and provides several studies from around the country showing scooters to be dangerous.

‘We want to live’: Seattle youth and their advocates call attention to gun-violence epidemic, 08/29/2020, The Seattle Times, HIPRC core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., FACS, talks about the number of gunshot patients treated at Harborview Medical Center between May and July.

Opioid overdoses on the rise during COVID-19 pandemic, despite telemedicine care – 08/24/2020, ABC News, Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., talks about telehealth not helping at risk groups from suffering from addiction.

Seattle area en route to see record number of shootings in 2020, 08/21/2020, KUOW, HIPRC core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, talks about HIPRC’s new three-year study that will collect data and information from trauma centers around the U.S. to get a number of nonfatal gunshot wounds. Rivara is quoted saying this will be one of the first national studies to focus on gun injuries. Other studies focus only on gun deaths.

As A Heat Wave Approaches, Here’s How To Stay Safe, 08/14/2020, Patch.com, Washington is experiencing dangerously hot weather, HIPRC core member Beth Ebel, M.D., MSc, MPH, talks about how dangerous and common window falls are for children during hot weather.

New Guidelines for Athletic Spine Injuries, 08/13/2020, Sports Medicine Weekly, Associate member Stanley A. Herring, M.D., talks about the importance of pre-hospital care for spine-injured athletes. HIPRC helped complete the research on which best practices should be used.

ACS Committee on Trauma awarded grant by National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research to identify individual and community level risk factors for non-lethal firearm injuries in the U.S., 07/30/2020, American College of Surgeons, HIPRC core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., FACS, discusses new multi-center study on firearm research.

Police: $23 million fentanyl bust is largest in Snohomish County history, 07/28/2020, Q13 FOX, One of the largest fentanyl busts happened in Snohomish County. Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., talks bout how fentanyl is found laced inside street drugs and how one can find help or resources.

Keep safe around the water during warming weather – 07/27/2020, NBC Right Now, HIPRC core member Beth Ebel, M.D., MSc, MPH, talks about the warm weather Washington was seeing and bow to stay safe if families plan to be around open water.

To Get People to Wear Masks, Look to Seatbelts, Helmets and Condoms, 07/21/2020, New York Times, Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, is featured talking about the ways people build habits around typical routine safety measures should be implemented in the same way when it comes to wearing a mask during COVID-19.

One-third of caregivers say Alzheimer’s patients have access to guns at home, study finds, 07/15/2020, CNN Health, New study co-written by Core member Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., MPH, Ph.D., and HIPRC trainee Erin Morgan, Ph.D., looking at how many Alzheimer’s patients have access to guns at home.

One-third of caregivers say Alzheimer’s patients have access to guns at home, study finds – 07/15/2020, WHDH News, Core member Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., MPH, Ph.D., says there’s a lack of dialogue among caregivers who have concern over a loved one’s access to firearms.

National Athletic Trainers’ Association Releases Consensus Recommendations and Best Practices For Emergency Prehospital Care of Spine-Injured Athletes in American Football – 07/14/2020, Business Insider, HIPRC was featured for their research on recommendations and best practices for pre-hospital care of spine-injured athletes in football.

A medication for meth use? Seattle health care workers want to see if it works– 07/13/2020, Anchorage Daily News, HIPRC associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., says there’s a possibility for a medication to treat meth, but more research is needed.

Why Concerned Parents Gave the NFL’s “Heads Up” Campaign a Thumbs Down – 07/09/2020, Medium.com, Associate member Stanley A. Herring, M.D., is quoted saying the “Heads Up Football” program is one of the most helpful tools for parents of young football players.

Groundbreaking work on an evidence-based Return to Learn program – 07/07/2020, Concussion Alliance, HIPRC director Monica Vavilala, M.D., discusses and explains what the Return to Learn Washington program is that has been implemented in 24 schools across Washington state.

Drowning danger during warm weather – 07/06/2020, Tri-City Herald, HIPRC core member Beth Ebel, M.D., MSc, MPH, reminds people to wear a life jacket. She explains why it’s critical to put one on and why to put your phone down while kids are playing in the water.

Police chief outlasts long-time mayor in bitter Gresham power struggle – 07/04/2020, The Oregonian: Oregon Live, Mary Fan, JD, MPhil, discusses Black Lives Matter movement and racial equality, mentioning how police reform can be perceived as an attack on one’s identity.

Guidelines issued for spine injuries in football – 06/30/2020, Mirage News, Associate member Stanley A. Herring, M.D., talks about the importance of prehospital care for spine-injured athletes.

This 4th of July, “Don’t Blow It” – Celebrate with family, not fireworks! – 06/30/2020, (Fireline Blog – Seattle Fire Department) Seattle.gov, Associate Member Tam Pham, M.D., discusses how common firework-related injuries are around Independence Day. Amidst COVID, he outlines ways to stay safe during the holiday.

Researchers study state’s firearm risk-protection orders – 06/30/2020, Newswise, Core member Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., MPH, Ph.D., is part of a team of researchers that have conducted the first statewide study of extreme risk protection orders (ERPO).

Extreme Risk Protection Orders in Washington – 06/30/2020, Annals of Internal Medicine, Core member Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., MPH, Ph.D. is the lead author on a new study exploring how extreme risk protection order laws can help protect people from harm by firearms.

Bloodworks Northwest plans Pop-Up Donor Center at Kent Station – 06/29/2020, Kent Reporter, Core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., FACS, talks about the importance of blood donations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Consensus Recommendations on the Prehospital Care of the Injured Athlete With a Suspected Catastrophic Cervical Spine Injury – 06/24/2020, JEMS, Associate member Stanley A. Herring, M.D., was a part of a new study outlining recommendations for athletes with a suspected cervical spine injury.

Devin Brosnan likely won’t break ‘blue wall of silence’ to testify against Garrett Rolfe. Here’s why police stick together. – 06/18/2020, USA Today, Core member Mary Fan, JD, MPhil, describes why it is very rare for two officers to testify against each other.

Police body cam videos can underplay officer brutality – 06/17/2020, The Verge, An article featuring Mary Fan, JD, MPhil, talks about how many people are treating video footage, regardless of the source, as objective evidence. She is quoted saying many people treat police body cameras and bystander cameras incorrectly.

Three types of laws could reduce gun deaths by more than 10% – 06/15/2020, Science Magazine, Core member Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., MPH, Ph.D., discusses how important it is to study firearm policy, especially looking at nonfatal gunshot injuries to understand the impact of guns on communities and in public health.

As protests spread across the country, mobile video creates mosaic of violence and tool for change – 06/05/2020, GeekWire, Mary Fan, JD, MPhil, HIPRC core member discusses how there isn’t enough data or certainty with how effective body-worn camera are at reducing misconduct.

Intimate Partner Violence, Maternal and Paternal Parenting, and Early Child Development – 06/-1/2020, Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Avanti Adhia, is a co-author on a new study looking at the associations between intimate partner violence (IPV) and the early childhood development (ECD) outcomes in low-and middle income countries.

Police body cam videos can underplay officer brutality, 6/17/20, The Verge, Many people treat video footage, regardless of where it comes from, as objective evidence, says Mary Fan, a professor at the University of Washington School of Law who studies cameras and police encounters. “The temptation is to see it as a window into what really happened,” she says. But that’s not the case: the place the video comes from has a big impact on how people interpret it.  

Drug overdose deaths drop in U.S. as other deaths of despair rise, report finds – 05/14/2020, NBC News, Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., talks about opiods and how they once were thought of as mainly affecting middle-age white Americans. He discusses how deaths from alcohol, drugs and suicide are increasing in many communities of color.

Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar honored with UW Distinguished teaching award – 04/29/2020, UW Epi News, Core member Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., MPH, Ph.D., was named as the University of Washington’s 2020-21 UW Distinguished Teach Award Recipient.

Who will heal the healers when coronavirus is over? – 04/27/2020, KUOW, Christopher DeCou, Ph.D., discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has brought people together.

Now Is the Time to End Discrimination in Blood and Plasma Donation – 04/20/2020, The Stranger, HIPRC trainee Vivian Lyons, Ph.D., co-wrote this editorial calling for updated practices in blood donation to reduce stigmatization of gay men.

Deaths From Gun Accidents, Suicides Outpace Self-Defense Cases: Study – 04/17/2020, The Crime Report, Postdoctoral research fellow Elissa Butler, M.D., is quoted in coverage of her study examining firearm deaths in King County homes.

Flawed, incomplete smartphone location data is being used to fight COVID-19 – 04/14/2020, Fast Company, Core member Steve Mooney, Ph.D., discusses the importance of epidemiologists using the data they have access to – with recognition of its flaws.

Risk of Suicide, Homicide, and Unintentional Firearm Deaths in the Home – 04/13/2020, JAMA Network, Core member Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., MPH, Ph.D., is a co-author on a study which looks at access to firearms in the home and it’s association with an increased risk of death from suicide and homicide among household members.

Large majority of state’s heroin users want to reduce use; syringe programs helping during COVID-19 crisis – 04/10/2020, UW News, Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., is a co-author on a study examining the latest survey of Washington residents who inject illicit drugs.

How to help kids (and parents) cope with the coronavirus crisis 04/07/2020, KOMO News, Core member and pediatrician Beth Ebel, M.D., discusses coping strategies and injury prevention, including locking up firearms and medication, for families during COVID-19.

For People with Substance Use Disorders, Covid-19 Brings New Dangers – and Possibilities – 04/06/2020, Direct Relief, Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., discusses how easier access to methadone and buprenorphine due to changes in prescribing practices during the COVID-19 pandemic may be beneficial to individuals using these drugs to treat opioid use disorder.

Nation’s opioid addiction treatment system during COVID-19 needs reform – 03/17/2020, The Hill, Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., co-authored an op-ed on how the COVID-19 outbreak reveals underlying issues with federal requirements around opioid addiction treatment.

How to Protect Your Kids From Drowning– 03/15/2020, HealthDay News, Associate member Linda Quan, M.D., is quoted in a story on drowning prevention.

Black Diamond participating in safe firearm storage program – 03/15/2020, Enumclaw Courier-Herald, Coverage of a new interactive map of Washington sites available for voluntary, temporary safe firearm storage from the Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program.

Bringing machine learning to the surgical room – 03/11/2020, The Daily, HIPRC Director Monica Vavilala, M.D., is interviewed on a machine learning tool for the operating room called Prescience.

Many Kids in Rural U.S. Are All Too Familiar With Handguns – 02/24/2020, U.S. News & World Report, An article featuring a study led by Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program Co-Director Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., that explores firearm behavior among rural youth.

Fentanyl overdoses keep increasing in King County – 02/24/2020, Seattle Weekly, Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., discusses the stigmas and challenges around opioid addiction and treatment.

A reporter was in a homeless camp when someone overdosed. He left his recorder on – 02/20/2020, The Seattle Times, Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., discusses how residents of homeless encampments may help support each other in emergencies.

Initiative launched to train 10 million youth in life-saving skills, 02/18/2020, The News International, Coverage of a new initiative in Pakistan to train life-saving skills to the general public included discussion of bleeding control techniques and quotes from core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., who heads the Stop the Bleed program at Harborview Medical Center.

‘Every five minutes there’s a road accident fatality in Pakistan’, 02/15/2020, Samaa TV, Core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., is quoted on the importance of emergency bleeding control to prevent deaths.

Improved data could help Washington state get ahead of gun violence, says bill sponsor – 02/10/2020, The Seattle Times, Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program Co-director Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., discusses the challenges posed by gaps in firearm data and the benefits of closing them.

King County studies youth gun violence amid rising suicides – 02/10/2020, Seattle Weekly, Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program Co-director Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., helped prepare a King County report on youth gun violence and suicides.

Lawmakers move to ban high-capacity magazines | 2020 Legislative Session, Bainbridge Island Review, 01/27/2020, Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program Director Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, discusses the dangers of high-capacity magazines.

In many U.S. states, teens can’t file for partner violence protective order, 01/23/2020, Reuters, Postdoctoral research fellow Avanti Adhia, Sc.D., discusses the role laws may play in what help is available to teens experiencing domestic violence.

Late to the Game: Ten years after head injury law adopted, New Mexico school districts lack uniformity in guidelines for student athlete concussions – 01/22/2020, Santa Fe Reporter, HIPRC Director Monica Vavilala, M.D., discusses the challenges and pressures schools face in supporting students with concussion in coverage of schools in New Mexico.

Oops, Don’t Fall! Reducing the Risk of Childhood Brain Injury – 01/22/2020, Brain World, HIPRC is cited on information on the role car crashes play in pediatric brain injuries.

Health experts say you need to wear helmets while sledding – 01/14/2020, KEPR, HIPRC Safe & Active Transport section lead Beth Ebel, M.D., recommends wearing helmets while sledding for extra protection in collisions.

Non-fatal shooting data now available | Public Health Insider, 01/14/2020, The Courier-Herald, HIPRC core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., FACS, is quoted discussing the Stop the Bleed program.

Swim regulations for oceans, lakes tied to lower drowning rates, 01/13/2020, Reuters, HIPRC associate member Linda Quan, M.D., discussed the findings of a new study exploring the impacts of policy on drowning rates among kids and teens.

At gun safety events, 40% of gun owners reported not locking all household guns — even around kids – 01/09/2020, UW News,  INSIGHT alumna Aisha King, MPH, discusses a new study on the findings from surveys at local firearm storage giveaway events. Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program Co-Director Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, Ph.D., M.D., was a co-author on the study.

Stricter child car seat law may mean longer booster seat use – 01/07/2020, The Daily Herald, Safe & Active Transport section lead Beth Ebel, M.D., is quoted in coverage from Everett, WA on Washington’s updated booster seat law taking effect.

Safety Rules: Car and booster seat rules tighten in Washington state on Jan. 1 – 12/30/2019, Yakima Herald-Republic, Coverage of implementation of Washington’s updated booster seat law includes quotes from Safe & Active Transport section lead Beth Ebel, M.D.

The future of artificial intelligence, 12/27/2019, O, The Oprah Magazine, Core member Steve Mooney, Ph.D., is cited discussing how artificial intelligence may help shape the future of epidemiology.

Walk-in clinics for opioid addiction offer meds first, fast – 12/18/2019, Various media outlets including The Bismark Tribune, MyNorthwest, Billings Gazetteand AP News. Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., MPH, MSW, advocates that medications to prevent withdrawal symptoms should be broadly available as an early step to address opioid addiction.

High schools struggle to follow state concussion laws – 12/10/2019, Reuters, HIPRC Director Monica Vavilala, M.D., talks barriers high schools face in following state concussion laws with Reuters

Heed safety board’s call for bike-helmet laws – 11/25/2019, The Seattle Times, The Seattle Times cites expertise and research by core members Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, and Steve Mooney, Ph.D., in addressing bike helmet usage and laws in Washington.

Potent Opioid Used to Tranquilize Large Animals Sold on Streets in Seattle – 11/13/2019, MSN, Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., MPH, MSW discusses the potency of Carfentanil.

Storytelling tool can assist elderly in the ICU – 11/12/2019, MD Edge, Associate member Tam Pham, M.D., is quoted as part of a panel presentation on a research project to improve communication with patients at the annual clinical congress of the American College of Surgeons.

The Science of Addiction: How Substance Abuse Changes Brain Chemistry – 11/05/2019, Variety, Associate member Caleb Banta-Green discussed the nature of addiction in a special issue focused on substance abuse.

How Riders, Cities And Companies Can Keep Boise E-Scooter Users Safe – 11/04/2019, Boise State Public Radio, Safe and Active Transport section lead Beth Ebel, M.D., MPH, explores the many factors that impact electric scooter safety; personal behavior is part of the equation, but design, infrastructure, and policy are critical to consider.

In Sickness and In Health Podcast: Season 3, Episode 29 – “Lock it Up”, 11/01/2019, Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program Co-Director Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., and FIPRP faculty Jen Stuber, Ph.D., were interview on firearm storage and its impact on risk of firearm injury.

Stakeholders discuss ways to strengthen first responder care in Ghana, 10/30/2019, Ghana News Agency, Global Injury section lead Charles Mock, M.D., was part of a workshop focused on improving emergency care in Ghana alongside leaders from a number of Ghanaian organization and universities working in injury prevention and care.

Idaho E-Scooter Injuries And Prevention Methods, 10/29/2019, Boise State Public Radio, Safe & Active Transport lead Beth Ebel, M.D., MPH, discusses that wearing a helmet plays an important role in electric scooter safety – but so does data, design, and policy.

We’re living longer. Can Alexa help us live better?, 10/28/2019, KUOW, Core member Hilaire Thompson, Ph.D., RN, discussed a UW study on how integrating technology might help older adults maintain a higher quality of life as they age.

Local psychologist: One conversation could be the difference in saving someone’s life, 10/23/2019, KOMO News, Core member Christopher DeCou, Ph.D., discusses concrete actions you can take if you’re worried a loved one is considering suicide.

Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning during cold spells – 10/18/2019, Tri-City Herald, Core member Beth Ebel, M.D., shares important information on carbon monoxide safety during cold weather.

Anyone can learn suicide-intervention tactics – 10/18/2019, UW Medicine Newsroom, Suicide prevention researcher and core member Christopher DeCou, Ph.D., explains how suicide and self-harm is a complex process – which means there are ways for others to intervene.

Repeat concussions declining in U.S. high school sports – 10/15/2019, Reuters, HIPRC Director Monica Vavilala, M.D., discusses the possible role return to play policies may be having on reducing concussions among high school athletes.

To reduce gun violence, lift roadblocks to firearm data – 10/14/2019, UW News, Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program Co-Director Ali Rowhani-Rahbar discusses that lack of funding hasn’t been the only barrier to firearm research—so has lack of access to data.

Public health officials share information about fentanyl overdoses after deaths of teens – 10/7/2019, KNKX, Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., MPH, MSW, encourages parents of teens to avoid bringing opioids into the home and to seek over-the-counter for pain relief for their teens after medical operations when possible.

Facing breast cancer with friends and support – 10/1/2019, Citrus County Chronicle, Associate member Jesse Fann, M.D., MPH, is quoted discussing the challenges, and benefits, of sharing a cancer diagnosis with friends and family.

91-year-old with dementia surrenders 18 guns after shooting threat, Seattle cops say, 09/30/2019, HIPRC trainee and doctoral student Erin Morgan was interviewed regarding older adults and firearm ownership in relation to a breaking news story. The story was covered by multiple media outlets, including The News Tribune, The Sacramento Bee, The Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star, Fox Q13, KOMO News, and other sources.

With no state guidelines, students struggle in classrooms after concussion, KIRO 7, 09/16/2019, An in-depth feature explores the need for the Return to Learn Program to support students returning to school after a concussion, led by HIPRC Director Monica Vavilala, M.D.

Op-ed: Take a public health approach to gun violence, The Los Angeles Times, 09/16/2019, Core member and Chief of Trauma at Harborview Medical Center Eileen Bulger, M.D., co-authored this op-ed on the need to bring a public health approach to gun violence.

Stop the Bleed program surpasses one million mark in training people to control major bleeding, News Medical, 09/08/2019, Core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., was quoted on a major milestone for the Stop the Bleed national campaign to provide first aid bleeding control training.

Teenage Intimate Partner Homicides are a Real ProblemScientific Inquirer, 09/05/2019, Postdoctoral fellow Avanti Adhia, Sc.D., is quoted on her study regarding intimate partner violence among teenagers.

Meet the Seattle doctor whose work led Congress to block funding for gun research – Crosscut, 08/20/2019, Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, core member and director of the Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program, was profiled on the role he’s played over the past several decades conducting firearm research.

Tap know-how to prevent firearm deaths The Seattle Times, 08/15/2019, The Seattle Times interviews Eileen Bulger, M.D., who is also a core member and chief of trauma at Harborview Medical Center.

Men and boys drown more than women: Why and how to help – Today, 08/07/2019, Associate member Linda Quan, M.D., discusses findings that males account for 80 percent of drowning deaths nationally.

How to soothe feelings of anxiety and helplessness after mass shootings – KTVA, 08/06/2019, Core member and Chief of Trauma at Harborview Medical Center Eileen Bulger, M.D., discusses dealing with the mental and emotional fallout in the general public following a mass shooting.

Seattle trauma specialist discusses solutions to gun violence after mass shootings – Fox Q13, 08/05/2019, Core member and Chief of Trauma at Harborview Medical Center Eileen Bulger, M.D., discusses the importance of bringing a public health approach to addressing all types of gun violence, not just high-profile shootings.

A public health approach could address gun violence – UW Medicine Newsroom, 08/05/2019, Firearm violence requires a public health approach, core member and Chief of Trauma at Harborview Medical Center Eileen Bulger, M.D., in a discussion with UW Medicine. The story also ran in the Kent Reporter.

Juul is marketing nicotine addiction right to your kid, The Seattle Times, 08/04/2019, Core member Beth Ebel, M.D., authored this op-ed discussing how marketing can hide the dangerous of vaping among young people.

Preterm births for Latina mothers increased after 2016 election, study finds, The Daily Californian, 08/02/2019, Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, is quoted regarding a new study examining preterm births.

JUUL vaping causing nicotine addiction among teens, UW study says – KXLY Radio, 07/30/2019, Core member and pediatrician Beth Ebel, M.D., M.Sc., MPH, discusses the dangers of vape products, particularly for teens and children.

Teens falling victim to the Juul effect – UW Medicine Newsroom, 07/29/2019, UW Medicine interviews core member and pediatrician Beth Ebel, M.D., M.Sc., MPH, on why parents should be worried about vaping.

Medicaid expansion may prevent child neglect, UW study shows – UW News, 07/29/2019, Violence Prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., discusses the analytical challenges of studying child abuse and neglect.

Afraid of enabling drug use, Washington cities push back against needle exchangesThe Seattle Times, 07/28/2019, Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., MPH, MSW, weighs in on proposed changes to local needle exchange programs.

$1M in state money to fund Harborview gun-violence research The Seattle Times, 07/26/2019, Coverage of the announcement of the formation of the Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program.

State funds firearm injury and policy research program, UW Medicine Newsroom, 07/26/2019, UW Medicine featured the announcement of the new Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program by Director Monica Vavilala, M.D., Core member and FIPRP Director Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, and state Sen. David Frockt.

Bothell the latest city to test electric scooters – KIRO 7, 07/19/2019, Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, discusses the current statistics on electric scooter injuries, particularly when taking helmet use into account.

$4.2 million CDC grant to expand injury-prevention research – UW Medicine Newsroom, 07/16/2019, Coverage of a CDC grant that makes HIPRC one of nine CDC-funded Injury Control Research Centers in the country. The press release was picked up in a number of news outlets, including the Idaho State Journal, WLNT-TV, Yahoo Finance and others.

Teen Driving – RadioMD, 07/16/2019, Associate member Brian Johnston, M.D., MPH, talks teen driving safety RadioMD’s Health Children podcast.

Wait, Kids Are Supposed to Learn How to Swim at Age One Now?, MSN Lifestyle, 07/11/2019, Associate member Linda Quan, M.D., discusses the benefits of early swimming lessons in preventing child drowning deaths.

Electric scooter safety: How to avoid injuries while riding – CNet, 07/10/2019, Safe & Active Transport section lead Beth Ebel, M.D., discusses the importance of wearing a helmet while using electric scooters.

World Cup play offers lessons in properly using one’s headThe Spokesman-Review, 07/10/2019, Core member Sara Chrisman, M.D., weighs in on teaching kids how to more safely head the ball during soccer, the way top adult soccer players do.

Millions Of Older Americans Own Guns, Leaving Caretakers To Worry About The Risk – Houston Public Media, 07/09/2019, Violence Prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., was interviewed on a recent study about firearm ownership among older adults.

Seattle’s VICIS is bringing its helmet tech to youth football, forcing teams and parents to confront costThe Seattle Times, 07/09/2019, An HIPRC study on a specific high school football helmet was cited in coverage of the helmet’s development, growth and costs.

It’s Time For Refresher On Boating/Water SafetyThe Post-Journal, 07/07/2019, Associate member Linda Quan, M.D., advocates for life jacket use in and around the water to promote summer safety.

Feds warn of black-market fireworks – Q13 Fox, 7/03/2019, In a story on warnings about fireworks, associate member Kari Keys, M.D., is quoted on research related to serious firework injuries treat at Harborview Medical Center.

A simple trick for not blowing off your hand with fireworks – KUOW, 07/02/2019, HIPRC research led by Brinkley Sandvall, M.D., and associate member Kari Keys, M.D., was cited in an article on recommendations for safer fireworks.

Fireworks Can Lead to Serious Injury – KPQ, 07/01/2019, Associate member Kari Keys, M.D., was quoted in an article discussing the dangers of fireworks, citing HIPRC research on serious injuries at Harborview Medical Center.

As July 4 nears, remember: Fireworks are explosives, UW Medicine Newsroom, 06/28/2019, Associate member Kari Keys, M.D., discusses the dangers of fireworks—especially shell and mortar type fireworks—and the injuries seen at Harborview Medical Center around 4th of July.

Study Suggests VICIS Helmet May Have Reduced High School Football Concussions – Sport Techie, 06/21/2019

Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, is quoted on the findings of a research study he led exploring high school football use of a particular helmet.

Open windows are dangerous for Seattle-area kids, even with screens, officials adviseThe Seattle Times, 06/19/2019

Associate member Brian Johnston, M.D., discusses characteristics of pediatric window falls he sees at Harborview Medical Center. For prevention, he recommends using window guards or window stops and moving furniture away from windows to make them less accessible to small children.

Teen Dating Abuse Is A Public Health Crisis. Here’s How To Change That. – HuffPost, 06/03/2019

Research fellow Avanti Adhia, Sc.D., says that teen intimate partner violence should be taken just as seriously as adult intimate partner violence in light of the results of a recent study she led.

Teenage Girls and Dating Violence: Why We Should Be Paying AttentionThe New York Times, 05/21/2019

The New York Times column on women, gender and society featured a recent study by postdoctoral fellow Avanti Adhia, Sc.D., on intimate partner violence and homicides among teens.

What you need to know before getting on an electric scooter – King 5, 05/13/2019

Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, discusses the risks of using electric scooters, especially without a helmet.

Going beyond Band-Aids for gunshot victims: How a group of UW researchers is attempting to break the cycle of gun violenceThe Daily, 05/13/2019

The University of Washington’s student newspaper profiles the Helping Victims of Firearm Injuries project, or HiFi, which strives to improve the lives of people who have been treated at Harborview Medical Center for gunshot injuries.

The Potentially Lifesaving Difference in How a Gun Is StoredThe New York Times, 05/13/2019

Coverage of a new study on safe storage quotes Violence Prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., and cites a number of HIPRC studies related to firearm storage and injury.

Ride a scooter helmet-less? Maybe get your head examined. – UW Medicine Newsroom, 05/03/2019

Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, weighs in on a new report on electric scooter injuries.

UW researchers find that higher levels of income inequality correspond to higher rates of firearm homicide across US countiesThe Daily, 05/02/2019

Violence Prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., discusses a recent HIPRC study on the relationship between income inequality and gun violence.

Toddler window falls are preventableSnoqualmie Valley Record, 04/30/2019

Associate member and Harborview Medical Center Chief of Pediatric Brian Johnston, M.D., MPH, discussed and demonstrated window guards as a way of preventing window falls among children.

Nueva ley para proteger a los niños en el auto – Univision Seattle, 04/25/2019

Univision Seattle covers the updated booster seat law passed in Washington state.

A New Law Could Keep Kids in Booster Seats Through Middle School – Yahoo Lifestyle, 04/23/2019

Yahoo Lifestyle quoted Safe and Active Transport section lead Beth Ebel, M.D., M.Sc., MPH, on the benefits of keeping kids in booster seats longer.

Study: Many older adults don’t safely store guns – UW Medicine Newsroom, 04/23/2019

The UW Medicine Newsroom interviews core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, on a new study examining gun storage practices in homes with older adults.

Washington State’s Car Seat Law Updates Might Not Be Popular With Tweens – Scary Mommy, 04/23/2019

Parenting website Scary Mommy quotes Safe and Active Transport section lead Beth Ebel, M.D., MPH, on the value of Washington’s update booster seat law.

Toddler window falls are preventableRedmond Reporter, 04/22/2019

Associate member Brian Johnston, M.D., MPH, chief of pediatrics at Harborview Medical Center, joined King County to encourage families to use window guards to help prevent window falls.

Kids may will stay in booster seats longer thanks to new Wash. law – Seattle PI, 04/21/2019

Safe and Active Transport section led Beth Ebel, M.D., MPH, discusses the benefits of Washington’s updated booster seat law.

Gov. Inslee signs new car seat regulations into law – Fox 28 Spokane, 04/20/2019

UW Medicine News’ coverage of Washington’s updated booster seat law cited.

New law will require many kids to use booster seats longer – Fox Q13, 04/19/2019

Safe and Active Transport section lead Beth Ebel, M.D., MPH, featured in coverage of updated Washington booster seat law.

Safety concerns rise with rental scooters’ popularity – UW Medicine Newsroom, 04/19/2019

Electric scooters are being introduced to cities across the U.S., but what are the safety concerns? Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, weighs in.

Teen Girls Are Killed By a Current or Ex Partner More Often Than We Think Teen Vogue, 04/18/2019

A study led by postdoctoral fellow Avanti Adhia, Sc.D., was featured in Teen Vogue‘s coverage of teenage domestic violence.

Many older U.S. gun owners don’t store firearms safely – Reuters, 04/18/2019

Coverage of a recent HIPRC study quoted the lead author and center trainee Erin Morgan, who is a doctoral candidate in the University of Washington Department of Epidemiology.

Scientists call teen girls killed over bad breakups a ‘public health issue’USA Today, 04/17/2019

Postdoctoral fellow Avanti Adhia, Sc.D., quoted on the need to take domestic violence among teens seriously. This story also ran in the Chicago Sun-Times.

Survey of Gun-Owning Seniors Yields Sobering Results – MedPage Today, 04/15/2019

Epidemiology doctoral candidate and HIPRC trainee Erin Morgan was featured in coverage of a recent center study. Morgan was lead author, and other HIPRC co-authors include core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH and Violence Prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D.

U.S. teen girls at risk in dating violence, study says – Reuters, 04/15/2019

Postdoctoral fellow Avanti Adhia, Sc.D., spoke with the news service about the study she led examining intimate partner violence among teens, an understudied population when it comes to domestic violence.

Alaska data included in new study on teen domestic violence deaths – KTVA, 04/15/2019

Coverage from Alaska explored the state’s representation of an HIPRC study led by postdoctoral fellow Avanti Adhia, Sc.D.

Teen Dating Violence Can Lead To Homicide — And Girls Are The Most Common Victims – NPR, 04/15/2019

HIPRC postdoctoral fellow Avanti Adhia, Sc.D., was interviewed on a recent study examining intimate partner violence among teens. Other HIPRC co-authors on the study include HIPRC Director Monica Vavilala, M.D., and core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH.

Redmond toddler survives 60-foot fall from apartment, lands on car – The Seattle Times, 04/12/2019

Associate member and Chief of Pediatrics at Harborview Medical Center Brian Johnston, M.D., MPH, was quoted discussing window fall injuries and prevention.

Toddler plunges six stories from open window onto parked car near Seattle, cops say – Miami Herald, 04/11/2019

Chief of pediatrics at Harborview Medical Center and associate HIPRC member Brian Johnston, M.D., MPH, was featured explaining window fall prevention in a story about a recent window fall injury.

Experts encourage window safety kits after Redmond toddler’s 6-story fall – KOMO News, 04/11/2019

Several experts were quoted on window fall prevention, including HIPRC associate member Brian Johnston, M.D., MPH, who is also chief of pediatrics at Harborview Medical Center.

Researcher: Mental health issues often progress after brain injury – The Spokesman-Review, 04/04/2019

Core member Christine Mac Donald was quoted on her research about the connection between brain injury and mental health among military patients.

Study: US parents support age restrictions on football tackling – MyNorthwest, 04/02/2019

Core member Sara Chrisman, M.D., MPH, was featured in coverage of a new study examining parent opinions on football age restrictions. Other affiliated co-authors on the study include associate member Emily Kroshus, Sc.D., MPH, associate member Stan Herring, M.D., and core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH.

Most parents would support age restrictions for tackle football – Reuters, 04/01/2019

Reuters covered a new study featuring HIPRC researchers core member Sara Chrisman, M.D., MPH, associate Emily Kroshus, Sc.D., MPH, associate member Stan Herring, M.D., and core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH.

Prevention key to dealing with opioid crisis – Columbia Basin Herald, 03/18/2019

Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., MPH, MSW, was quoted from a talk he gave as part of a regional summit on understanding and preventing addiction to opium-based pain medication.

A day in the life of a trauma surgeon – UW Medicine Newsroom, 03/12/2019

Core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., is featured in a spotlight of the Harborview Medical Center Emergency Department.

Activism from the emergency room – The Daily, 03/11/2019

Core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., FACS, and Ron Maier, M.D., were featured in coverage exploring how physicians at Harborview Medical Center are working toward social justice through healthcare. The Stop the Bleed program was also featured.

Pedestrian deaths are rising, but not in Seattle. Here’s why – KUOW, 03/04/2019

Safe & Active Transport section lead Beth Ebel, M.D., MPH, discusses a specific example of how small structural changes can add up to improved safety for pedestrians.

Retailers turning to blue lights to avoid drug use in bathrooms – KIRO, 02/07/2019

Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., MPH, notes that efforts to move drug users out of public or semi-public places doesn’t address the underlying causes leading to drug abuse.

Measles Q&A – UW Medicine Newsroom, 02/07/2019

Core member and pediatrician Beth Ebel, M.D., MPH, answers common questions about measles and the measles vaccine.

Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning during cold spells – UW Medicine Newsroom, 02/07/2019

Core member and pediatrician Beth Ebel, M.D., MPH, discusses dangers to families who bring generators, and other devices that produce carbon monoxide, inside the house for heating and power.

Protect your noggin when sledding – UW Medicine Newsroom, 02/05/2019

Safe and Active Transportation section lead Beth Ebel, M.D., MPH, talks the importance of wearing a helmet while getting out and enjoying wintry weather.

Amid Measles Outbreak, Anti-Vaxx Parents Have Put Others’ Babies At Risk – Huffpost, 02/04/2019

Core member Beth Ebel, M.D., MPH, and Megan Moore, Ph.D., offer both the pediatrician and parent perspective on a recent measles outbreak in Washington state.

Mom voices concerns during Washington measles outbreak – King 5, 02/01/2019

King 5 covers the measles outbreak in Washington state, including comments and advice from core members Megan Moore, Ph.D., and Beth Ebel, M.D., MPH.

Protecting babies too young for the measles vaccine – UW Medicine Newsroom, 01/31/2019

Core members Megan Moore, Ph.D., and Beth Ebel, M.D., MPH, encourage Washington parents to vaccinate their children and other family members against measles.

Parents vaccinating children earlier than normal after measles outbreak – KOMO News, 01/29/2019

Core member Beth Ebel, M.D., MPH, discusses a recent measles outbreak in Washington state from her perspective as a pediatrician.

States Are Funding the Gun Violence Research the Feds Won’t – The Trace, 01/29/2019

Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, is cited in discussing the dearth of federal funding for research on firearm violence.

Bill aims to make opioid overdose medication easier to access for schoolsPeninsula Daily News, 01/28/2019

Core member Beth Ebel, M.D., offered her expertise as a pediatrician regarding a Washington state proposal to provide Naloxone in schools so it is available to treat opioid overdoses. The drug needs to be administered within four minutes of when the victim of an overdose stops breathing.

Scooters: The Next Public Health Issue?U.S. News & World Report, 01/25/2019

Coverage of a new study on electric scooter injuries quotes a commentary on the study by core member and JAMA Network Open Editor-in-Chief Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH.

Injuries Pile Up from Electric Scooters – Web MD, 01/25/2019

Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, ways in on a recent study on electric scooter injuries, suggesting testing is needed to recommend the best helmets for scooter use.

Researchers create road map for pediatric head trauma – UW Medicine Newsroom, 01/23/2019

A study led by HIPRC Director and TBI section lead Monica Vavilala, M.D., is the first of its kind to evaluate a system for in-hospital care for pediatric traumatic brain injury.

Hate crimes disproportionately affect blacks, minorities – UW Medicine Newsroom, 01/09/2019

A new HIPRC study found Hispanic and black populations have a higher risk of becoming victims of race- or ethnicity- motivated violent hate crimes compared with non-Hispanic whites nationally. The study was led by former HIPRC fellow Robert Tessler, M.D., MPH, and co-authored by HIPRC Director Monica Vavilala, M.D., Violence Prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., and Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH.

Doctors Aren’t Getting Better at Treating Shooting Victims Even As Gun Deaths RiseTIME, 12/19/2018, An HIPRC study found case-fatality rates among firearm injuries didn’t improve over a decade, whereas fatality rates did improve among motor vehicle crash injuries of the same severity. The reasons aren’t clear, but researchers think it might mean firearm injuries are becoming deadlier. The study was led by former HIPRC fellow Robert Tessler, M.D., MPH, and co-authors include Injury Care section lead Saman Arbabi, M.D., MPH, core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., and Research Scientist Brianna Mills, Ph.D.

Youth football concussion rate is 5%, study finds – UW Medicine Newsroom, 12/13/2018, A concussion study led by HIPRC core member Sarah Chrisman, M.D., was featured in the UW Medicine Newsroom.

Shootings are contagious: Prosecutors study King County gun violence from a public-health angleThe Seattle Times, 12/10/2018, An HIPRC study led by Violence Prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., and a number of center faculty was cited in an article on a King County project using a public health approach to better understand gun violence.

Seattle’s needle exchanges offer direct path to beating addiction MyNorthwest, 12/06/2019, Associate member Caleba Banta-Green, Ph.D., MPH, says surveys find most people addicted to heroin want to reduce their dependence – and needle exchange programs offer a direct way to reach them with support.

Guns kill more U.S. kids than cancer. This emergency physician aims to prevent those firearm deathsScience, 12/06/2018, Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, is cited on concerns about the future of firearm research given current lack of funding.

UW researchers discover discrepancy between public perception and reality of violence involving firearmsThe Daily, 11/19/2018, Violence Prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., MPH, and doctoral student Erin Morgan discuss new research on firearm violence based on a national survey.

Soundbites: Surgeons’ paper on firearms – UW Medicine Newsroom, 11/14/2018, Core member Eileen Bulger contextualizes a recent paper from the American College of Surgeons on reducing firearm death, injury and disability, on which she served as a co-author.

Kids Get Caught in Deadly Cross-Fire of Domestic Violence HealthDay, 11/14/2018, HIPRC postdoctoral research fellow Avanti Adhia, Sc.D., was quoted discussing a study she led on the impact of domestic violence on kids. Coverage also available in Spanish.

Local trauma doctors teaching community how to prepare for a mass casualty incident – KIRO 7, 11/8/2018, A story exploring Stop the Bleed, lifesaving first aid response training to control bleeding injuries. The segment highlights the program at Harborview Medical Center, which HIPRC supports.

Soundbites: Passage of firearms legislation – UW Medicine Newsroom, 11/8/2018, Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, discusses his view on new Washington state firearm legislation, saying, “As a pediatrician, I don’t want to see more 8- and 10-year-old boys coming in, having been shot, because they and their friend found dad’s handgun and played with it.”

Stop the bleed, save a life – UW Medicine Newsroom, 11/8/2018, Core member Eileen Bulger discusses the importance of knowing bleeding control first aid. Free classes at Harborview Medical Center and elsewhere are available at StoptheBleedWA.org.

School shootings drive push to train students to treat wounds in Washington schools – KOMO News, 11/1/2018, Coverage of Stop the Bleed, and the push to train Washington high school students in these life-saving skills, features HIPRC core member Eileen Bulger, M.D.

Suicide Is Twice as Common as Homicide in the U.S.—and More Often Involves Guns—New Study SaysFortune Magazine, 10/31/2018, Coverage of a new study exploring public perception vs. actual homicide and suicide rates across the U.S. co-authored by HIPRC Violence Prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., MPH.

Suicide more prevalent than homicide in US, but most Americans don’t know it – UW News, 10/30/2018, A new study found respondents to a national survey often held misperceptions about the relative rates of homicide and suicide and their state, according to researchers from UW Department of Epidemiology in the School of Public Health and HIPRC.

Prescience: Helping doctors predict the future – UW News, 10/10/2018, The University of Washington newsroom featured a new machine learning study by HIPRC associate members Su-In Lee, Ph.D., and Bala Nair, Ph.D., and HIPRC Director Monica Vavilala, M.D.

Experts: Bullying partly driven by development, self-regulationThe Newnan Times-Herald, 10/03/2018, Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, is quoted in a story on school bullying.

Photo enforcement slows school zone speeders – UW Medicine Newsroom, 10/02/2018, A recent study from HIPRC researchers examining the effectiveness of photo enforcement on reducing speeds in school zones was featured in the UW Medicine Newsroom.

Football concussions drop after Ivy League kickoff change – Reuters, 10/02/2018, HIPRC Director Monica Vavilala, M.D., weighs in the importance of considering both rule changes and culture changes related to a recent study that found a reduction in concussions among Ivy League football players. The story has also appeared in Business Insider and Channel News Asia.

Flu shot or FluMist? Parents have a choice this year, KOMO News, 10/02/2018, Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, weighs in on flu vaccine options for the fall.

Put away cell phones for a safer walk to school, UW Medicine Newsroom, 09/07/2018, Safe and Active Transport section lead Beth Ebel, M.D., discusses evidence-based safety tips for traveling to and from school more safely.

CDC issues guideline for concussions in children, UW Medicine Newsroom, 09/04/2018, Associate member Stan Herring, M.D., discusses the new CDC guidelines for children with concussions.

Local experts counter new study that says safe injection sites don’t bring down mortality rates – KIRO, 08/24/2018, Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., MPH, discusses the challenges of studying the effectiveness of safe injection sites in preventing deaths and benefits the sites may offer beyond immediate emergency intervention.

Young burn victim may have participated in dangerous ‘challenge’ because the teen brain is ‘wired for risk-taking’ – Yahoo Lifestyle, 08/22/2018, Pediatrician Beth Ebel, M.D., M.Sc., and HIPRC’s Safe & Active Transport section lead, discusses the trends and dangers around internet challenges with potentially dire consequences.

‘Red flags’ show who is most at risk of being shot in Seattle – KIRO, 08/20/2018, Research Scientist Brianna Mills, Ph.D., discusses her recent publication examining prior hospital and police records among gunshot wound victims. “When we looked at the results for the first time, we didn’t expect to see such extreme results in the police intervention group. … I hope this starts more conversations among police and healthcare personnel about the interactions they may have with someone that should be interpreted as red flags, as signs that they need help.”

Who Is More Likely To Be Shot by Police? – MedicalResearch.com, 08/17/2018, HIPRC Research Scientist Brianna Mills, Ph.D., discusses the implications and future research opportunities of studying patterns among gunshot wound victims.

Police, hospital records hold warning signs for firearm injury, 08/16/2018, A study led by HIPRC and UW Department of Epidemiology researchers highlights illuminating patterns among gun shot victims. The release has appeared at the Department of Epidemiology, UW Medicine Newsroom, the Kent Reporter, and elsewhere.

Dangers of 3D-printed guns – UW Medicine Newsroom, 08/14/2018, Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, weighs in on the issue of 3D-printed guns related to current legal proceedings about publicly releasing instructions on creating the devices.

When did scald burns become a prank? – UW Medicine Newsroom, 08/02/2018, Associate member Sam Mandell, M.D., sheds light on the medical implications of a new prank fad.

Opioid crisis: Prescription vigilanceThe Seattle Times, 07/30/2018, Associate member Mark Sullivan, M.D., Ph.D., co-authored a letter to the editor discussing prescribing doctors’ roles in combating opioid addiction.

As Easy as Riding a Bike – The New York Times, 07/23/2018, Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, discusses the importance of modeling good safety behavior to build lifelong safety habits in children.

UW Medicine warns of danger to kids around a lawnmower – King 5 News, 07/20/2018, Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., discusses the importance of never allowing kids to ride lawn mowers and keeping them inside with supervision during mowing to avoid injury.

Too many kids hurt in lawn mower accidents – KOMO News, 07/16/2018, Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, discusses tips to protect kids from lawn mowing accidents, which tend to rise during the summer months.

UW has big role in Seattle’s safe-storage firearms measure – UW Medicine Newsroom, 07/10/2018, Coverage from UW Medicine covers the role of the center’s research and members in contributing to Seattle lawmakers’ understanding of safe firearm storage.

Stem graduate combines her academic success with her passion for neuroscience – 07/05/2018, Redmond Reporter, INSIGHT High School Program alumna Hanna Karpstein discusses the impact the program had on her in a graduation profile.

Access to opioid addiction medication remains limited in King CountyRenton Reporter, 07/05/2018, Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., MPH, is quoted discussing medication support for individuals with opioid addiction.

People with traumatic brain injury are at increased risk of dementia – Health Europa, 07/05/2018, Associate member Jesse Fann, M.D., MPH, discusses his first-of-its kind research looking at long-term connections between TBI and dementia.

Harborview Medical Center: Sound Effect, Episode 149 – KNKX, 06/30/2018, Core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., is featured in this in-depth look at the history and ongoing impacts of Harborview Medical Center.

Your Washington Doctor May Soon Ask If You Own A Gun – KNKX, 06/20/2018, Core member and pediatrician Beth Ebel, M.D., discusses her role in treating firearm injuries and talking with families about firearm safety.

Doctors come together to address gun violence as public health issue – KIRO, 06/20/2018, Coverage of a new collaboration of healthcare providers seeking to reduce firearm injuries and deaths, lead by Public Health—Seattle & King County and HIPRC.

Public Health and Medical Community Pledge to Decrease Gun ViolencePublic Health Insider, 06/19/2018, The complete statement on a new collaboration of healthcare providers to reduce firearm injuries, including brief statements in support from HIPRC Director Monica Vavilala, M.D., Injury Care section lead Saman Arbabi, M.D., MPH, Safe and Active Transport section lead Beth Ebel, M.D., and core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH.

Suicide rate up in all regions of Washington — but why? ‘No one is exactly sure,’ expert saysThe Seattle Times, 06/14/2018, Research fellow Christopher DeCou, Ph.D., discusses Washington suicide trends and prevention, noting that suicide is still difficult to predict but often possible to prevent.

Keeping Children Safe at the Beach or PoolThe New York Times, 06/11/2018, Associate Member Linda Quan, M.D., discusses how water safety encompasses more than just swimming lessons.

ASU criminology professor part of national research collaborative on youth firearm injuries, deathsASU News, 05/30/2018, Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, is quoted in Arizona State University’s coverage of a new consortium to study firearm injuries and deaths among children and teens.

Fatal gun violence looks different for Seattle kids, depending on where they live – KUOW, 05/24/2018, Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, discusses research funding challenges in a story about youth gun deaths in Seattle.

Most States Don’t Require Guns To Be Locked Up – NPR, “All Things Considered,” 05/23/2018, Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, is quoted discussing the efficacy of safe storage in preventing firearm injuries among children.

UW study: Most homes in Washington with guns don’t store the firearms safely — fueling suicides – The Seattle Times, 05/17/2018

Coverage explores the new release of an HIPRC-supported study on firearm storage in Washington state in context of proposed safe firearm storage legislation in Seattle and King County. The study was co-authored by Violence Prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., MPH.

Only a Third of Washington Gun Owners Safely Store Their Firearms – The Stranger, 05/17/2018

Coverage of an HIPRC-supported study examining firearm storage practices in Washington state households.

UW Study: Most gun-owning households in Washington state don’t safely store firearms – KOMO News, 05/17/2018

An HIPRC-supported study co-authored by Violence Prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., MPH, found that most households in Washington state do not store firearms locked and unloaded, per safe storage recommendations.

Washington Study Seeks to Understand Crash Risk among Older Adults – Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health, 05/3/2018

Additional coverage of an HIPRC-supported study on Washington drivers over age 65 – unique in that it examines drivers who have not been diagnosed with dementia.

“Doctors warning parents to watch out; more kids falling through windows than usual” – KEPR, 04/30/2018

Harborview Medical Center Chief of Pediatrics and HIPRC Associate Member Brian Johnston, M.D., discusses the dangers of window falls for small children – and how easy they are to prevent.

More bike sharing, fewer helmets. Are head injuries on the rise? – KUOW, 04/27/2018

KUOW interview HIPRC Core Member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, about the relationship between bike share programs and bicycle injuries in Seattle – and the continued importance of wearing a bike helmet.

Kids falling from windows more likely in warmer weather – King 5 News, 04/27/2018

Window falls are easy to prevent with only a few simple steps, featuring comments Harborview Medical Center Chief of Pediatrics and HIPRC Associate Member Brian Johnston, M.D.

Brain injury blood test to help concussion sufferers return to play – Horsetalk, 04/26/2018

A round-up of new TBI research from around the world featured work on long-term connections between TBI and dementia by HIPRC associate member Jesse Fann, M.D., MPH.

As weather warms, take steps to prevent window falls – UW Medicine Newsroom, 04/25/2018

As spring returns to Seattle, Harborview Medical Center Chief of Pediatrics and HIPRC Associate Member Brian Johnston, M.D., reminds parents of simple precautions against window falls.

Study explores crash risk among older drivers – UW Medicine Newsroom, 04/18/2018

An HIPRC-supported study examines the relationship between crash risk and cognitive decline among older drivers.

U.S. study of child gun violence includes UW – UW Medicine Newsroom, 04/18/2018

National Institutes of Health funds a firearm violence research consortium, which includes HIPRC Violence Prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rhabar, M.D., MPH and Core Member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH.

Even a mild concussion could increase dementia risk, study says – The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, 04/11/2018

Associate member Jesse Fann, M.D., MPH, is featured discussing his TBI research. The study was also covered in UK Metro.

UW research links brain injuries with dementia – The Spokesman-Review, 04/10/2018

Associate Member Jesse Fan, M.D., MPH, is quoted in coverage of his research into connections between concussion and dementia.

Risk of dementia increases with traumatic brain injury – UW Medicine Newsroom, 04/10/2018

HIPRC Associate Member Jesse Fann, M.D., MPH, discusses the findings of a recent study he co-led examining long term psychiatric effects of traumatic brain injury.

Funding bill won’t prompt new CDC gun research, experts say – The Hill, 03/25/2018

Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, weighs in on the expected effects – or not – of a new funding bill with clarifications on gun violence federal research funding.

‘Lock it up.’ That’s just one way Seattle wants to curb gun violence – KUOW, 03/22/2018

Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, discusses research indicating that safe storage decreases the risk of suicide and accidental firearm injury among youth in relation to a proposed safe storage legislation in Seattle.

Seattle pursues gun laws where it can — starting with safe storage – Crosscut, 03/21/2018

Coverage of proposed safe firearm storage legislation in Seattle featured core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, discussing safe storage research and demonstrating gun safe usage.

Plan announced to require safe gun storage in Seattle – UW Medicine Newsroom, 03/21/2018

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and Councilwoman M. Lorena Gonzalez announced a proposed plan to require safe firearm storage. HIPRC Director Monica Vavilala, M.D., and core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, participated in the press conference, held at Harborview Medical Center.

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan outlines plan to reduce gun violence – MyNorthwest, 03/21/2018

An article on proposed Seattle legislation mentions Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center as a recipient of gun violence prevention research funding from the city.

Seattle officials to propose law requiring owners to lock up gunsThe Seattle Times, 03/21/2018

Coverage of proposed firearm safe storage legislation in Seattle mentions an HIPRC study on gun violence prevention intervention.

Durkan Announces Proposal to Require Safe Gun StorageThe Stranger, 03/21/2018

Remarks by core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, are included in coverage of proposed legislation related to safe firearm storage, gun violence prevention research funding and other gun violence prevention measures.

The Bully Menace: ‘The Hurt Never Goes Away’ – Patch, 03/15/2018

A curated discussion of responses to an article on teen bullying cites research and discussion by core member Fred Rivara, M.D. into the issue.

Seattle’s gun tax raised $93,000 last yearThe Seattle Times, 03/15/2018

An HIPRC study on a firearm violence prevention intervention funded by Seattle was featured in an update about the city’s gun-and-ammunition tax.

Fewer U.S. high school athletes play football amid concussion fears – Reuters, 03/12/2018

Director and Traumatic Brain Injury section lead Monica Vavilala, M.D., suggests that a newly documented shift away from football among high school athletes isn’t likely to fully address the issue of concussions among young athletes.

How to stop gun violence? Durkan holds Seattle town hall to talk it throughThe Seattle Times, 03/09/2018

Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, talked safe storage and firearm suicide statistics at a Seattle town hall on gun violence held by Mayor Jenny Durkan.

More than half of U.S. teens don’t get vaccine that can prevent cancer – KOMO News, 03/01/2018

Core member Beth Ebel, M.D., MPH, weighs in on the importance of vaccinating pre-teens against human papillomavirus.

Overdose deaths decline in WashingtonThe Spokesman-Review, 02/28/2018

Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, M.D., Ph.D., comments on new reported trends in overdose deaths.

Florida shooting reopens CDC gun research debate – The Hill, 02/19/2018

Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, comments the lack of data that currently hinders gun violence research in the U.S.

“‘We thought we’d pulled a dead person out of the water’: Woman recovers after Puget Sound rescue”The Seattle Times, 02/07/2018

Core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., was interviewed by about using Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation machines to treat otherwise fatal traumatic heart and lung injuries – a procedure that recently saved a woman’s life after her paddleboat sank in Puget Sound.

1 in 4 handgun owners carry loaded weapons monthly – Journalist’s Resource, 01/26/2018

A summary of firearm research for journalists examines a study led by Violence Prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D.

Snohomish County Jail Now Offering Medically Assisted Detox For Inmates – KNKX, 01/25/2018

Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., MPH, discusses the high risk of overdose in the weeks after a person leaves jail.

‘Huge increases’ in Washington meth overdose deaths, say UW researchers – KIRO 7, 01/19/18

Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., MPH, explains a surprising new find that methamphetamine deaths and abuse are a growing problem in Washington state, even though that drug currently gets much less attention than opioid abuse.

Survey of needle exchange users shows meth usage up across Washington The Spokesman-Review, 01/19/18

Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., MPH, weighs in on the behaviors and needs of heroin users reached through needle exchange programs in Washington.

Gun Terrorism is the Deadliest KindScientific American, January 2018

Research fellow Robert Tessler, M.D., discusses an HIPRC analysis examining terrorist attack methods in high-income countries.

7 Tips From a Concussion Expert  and Concussion & the Road to Recovery – Seattle Mama Doc, December 2017

Core member Sara Chrisman, M.D., MPH says parents don’t need to fear concussions in sports – but they should be aware of prevention, symptoms and next steps.

Should the U.S. look at gun violence as a public health issue? – CBS News New York, 12/12/2017

Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, makes the case that gun violence should be treated as a public health issue on the five-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary mass shooting.

Day care and mud guards: How health officials are building a firewall against deadly burns – Public Radio International, 12/01/2017

Global Injury section lead Charles Mock, M.D., Ph.D., MPH, shares his insights on a story about burn prevention in low- and middle-income countries.

Annual ‘Trouble in Toyland’ report highlights dangerous small parts and confusing labels – KOMO News, 11/21/2017

Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, reminds parents to make sure the gift of a bicycle includes a helmet in this story about toy safety ahead of the holiday shopping season.

If we can’t stop gun violence, we can plan for itCrosscut, 11/15/2017

A new editorial from HIPRC researchers calls for communities to maintain focus on gun violence preparation in wake of recent mass shootings. Co-authored by HIPRC Director Monica Vavilala, M.D., Violence Prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., MPH, and core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., FACS.

To study violence after gun shows, researchers turn to an unlikely sourceWired, 11/15/2017

Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, discusses the challenges of limited data in studying gun violence.

Some opioid addiction drugs harder to start than others, study finds – CNN, 11/14/2017

Associate member Caleb Banta-Green, Ph.D., MPH, comments on the importance of treatment choices for opioid addiction in regards to a recent study on the topic.

The invisible wounds of war – UW Medicine’s The Huddle, 11/06/2017

Core member Christine MacDonald, M.D., Ph.D., discusses her work studying the long-term effects of brain injuries in U.S. service members and her dedication to making a difference for these veterans.

3 million Americans carry a handgun daily, study says – CBS New York, 10/31/2017

Violence Prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., MPH, is quoted about a new study examining handgun carrying habits in the U.S.

Gun training covers many safety issues, but not some major ones – Reuters, 10/24/2017

Violence Prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., MPH, comments on a recent study around gun training, saying: “We can do better to expand content by incorporating components that have notable public health significance, such as suicide prevention and theft prevention. (…) This goal has the potential to save lives and prevent injuries.”

Nevada gun shows tied to firearm violence in California: study – Reuters, 10/23/2017

An editorial by core members Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., MPH, and Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, is quoted in this article about a recently published study examining correlations between gun shows and firearm violence.

3 million Americans carry loaded handguns with them every single day, study findsThe Washington Post, 10/19/2017

Violence prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., MPH, is quoted discussing a new study he led examining when, and how, American carry handguns.

UW research finds terrorist attacks with firearms more deadly – KIRO Radio, 10/13/2017

T-32 postdoctoral research fellow Robert Tessler, M.D., talks with KIRO’s Dave Ross about a recent HIPRC study on terrorism and firearms as well as potential areas for additional gun violence research.

After concussion, teen girls may take longer to heal than boys – Reuters, 10/12/2017

HIPRC Director Monica Vavilala, M.D., offers additional insight into a recent concussion study.

Terror attacks in U.S. more likely than elsewhere to involve guns – Reuters, 10/09/2017

T-32 postdoctoral research fellow Robert Tessler, M.D., discusses the findings of an HIPRC study looking at terrorist attacks using firearms in high-income industrialized countries.

Guns play an outsized role in deaths from terrorist attacks, especially in the U.S., data show – Los Angeles Times, 10/06/2017

A new research letter from HIPRC researchers investigates which weapons are the most common, and the deadliest, in terrorist attacks in industrialized countries.

Firearms are most lethal weapons in U.S. terrorist attacks – UW Medicine Newsroom, 10/06/2017

An HIPRC study of global terrorism attacks found that the U.S. has proportionally more attacks using firearms than any other high-income industrialized country. Lead author and HIPRC T-32 postdoctoral research fellow Robert Tessler, M.D., comments.

Author of study on gun research: Problem bigger than Las Vegas – King 5 News, 10/03/2017

Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., places Las Vegas shooting in the larger context of U.S. gun violence.

Calls Grow for CDC to Resume Gun Violence Research – But little expectation of repealing Dickey Amendment – Medpage Today, 10/03/2017

Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., weighs in on the chances that the U.S. will lift ban of federal gun violence research funding in wake of Las Vegas mass shooting.

How much can really be done on gun control locally?Crosscut, 10/03/2017

Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., offers his perspective on national gun violence and Washington gun laws in response to Las Vegas shooting.

Harborview’s ‘Stop The Bleed’ training could save lives in a mass shooting – King 5 News, 10/02/2017

Core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., discusses both hospital and community preparation for mass casualties in response to Las Vegas shooting.

How Western Washington prepares for mass casualty incidents – Q13 Fox, 10/02/2017

Core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., is quoted in a story about mass casualty preparation following Las Vegas shooting.

Seattle rolls up its sleeves to help VegasCrosscut, 10/02/2017

Core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., gives a play-by-play of what would happen in a mass casualty scenario in Seattle.

Girl soccer players are five times more likely to return to the game after a concussion than boysPopular Science, 09/17/17

Core member Sara Chrisman, M.D., MPH, weighs in on a recent study that found gender differences in returning to play after concussion.

Who is responsible for helmets when it comes to bike shares?Seattle PI, 09/06/2017

A statement by HIPRC core member Fred Rivara, M.D., was quoted on the need for helmets to be incorporated into bike share programs. “There are now going to be 6,000 bicycles in the city related to bike share, and they don’t have helmets. That means riders will be riding those without helmets. That’s a problem,” he said.

No Helmets at Seattle’s New Bike Shares – UW Medicine Health, 09/05/2017

A video from UW Medicine features HIPRC core member Fred Rivara, M.D., advocating for bike helmets to be incorporated into growing bike share programs in Seattle.

Seattle’s Bike-Share Programs: Where Are The Helmets? – KOMO News, 08/31/2017

Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., is featured in his discussion of the absence of bike helmets in Seattle’s new bike-share options.

Bike share and helmets: Let’s be realisticCrosscut, 08/29/2017

HIPRC core member Fred Rivara, M.D., penned an editorial on safety, bike helmets and Seattle’s growing bike share programs.

Helmets may be Seattle law, but many bike-share riders don’t wear themSeattle Times, 08/19/2017

Research and expertise from HIPRC core member Fred Rivara, M.D., was featured in an article about low usage of bike helmets among bike share users.

Few U.S. Gun Owners Get Training that Includes Suicide Prevention – Reuters, 08/08/2017

HIPRC Violence Prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., MPH is quoted discussing his recent firearm training study, saying, “Medical experts, public health professionals, and the majority of American people strongly support the importance of all aspects of firearm safety.”

Only 3 in 5 Gun Owners Have Received Firearms Training Mother Jones, 07/24/2017

HIPRC Violence Prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., MPH, is the lead author of this study featured in Mother Jones.

4 Out of 10 Self-Defense Handgun Owners Have Received No Formal Firearms TrainingThe Trace, 07/18/2017

HIPRC Violence Prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., MPH, comments on his recently published study examining training among gun owners in the United States.

Judge tosses speeding ticket in Seattle school zone over wordy city signThe Seattle Times, 07/04/2017

HIPRC Safe and Active Transport section lead Beth Ebel, M.D., discusses the effectiveness of photo-enforced speed limits in preventing injuries.

Tacoma teen loses four fingers lighting a firecrackerThe Bellingham Herald, 07/03/2017

HIPRC director Monica Vavilala, M.D., is quoted on a recent fireworks injury study related to a local injury.

Bullied students more likely to report access to a loaded gun – June/July 2017

An HIPRC-supported study by UW epidemiology Ph.D. student Maayan Simckes examining the relationship between adolescents who experience bullying and their access to a loaded gun was featured in Newsweek, ReutersThe Conversation and the UW Department of Epidemiology, among others. Co-authors on the study include HIPRC faculty Megan Moreno, M.D., M.S. Ed., MPH, Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH and Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., MPH.

Few players screened for concussions in last soccer World Cup – Reuters, 06/27/2017

HIPRC core faculty Sara Chrisman, M.D., MPH, discusses the implications of poor concussion monitoring in the soccer World Cup for young athletes.

UW doctors identify most dangerous type of fireworksSeattle PI, 06/25/2017

HIPRC Director Monica Vavilala, M.D., and UW Division of Plastic Surgery resident Brinkley Sandvall, M.D., are quoted discussing the factors that contribute to the severity of firework injuries.

This is the most Dangerous Firework You Can Buy: Study – Newser, 06/24/2017

A 2017 study by UW Division of Plastic Surgery resident Brinkley Sandvall, M.D., reveals the potential serious effects of fireworks. HIPRC Director Monica Vavilala, M.D., comments.

This type of firework disfigures people more than any other, UW study showsThe Seattle Times, 06/22/2017 & Chicago Tribune, 06/28/2017

HIPRC Director Monica Vavilala, M.D., comments on the dangers of fireworks in a feature on a severe fireworks injury study by UW Division of Plastic Surgery resident Brinkley Sandvall, M.D.

UW study shows 40 percent of firework-related injuries from legal fireworks – KIRO 7, 06/22/2017

HIPRC Director Monica Vavilala, M.D., reminds the public that firework injuries are preventable when commenting on a study authored by UW Division of Plastic Surgery resident Brinkley Sandvall, M.D.

UW Medicine study finds legal fireworks responsible for most severe injuries – Fox Q13, 6/21/2017

HIPRC Director Monica Vavilala, M.D., and UW Division of Plastic Surgery resident Brinkley Sandvall, M.D., discuss the findings and conversations coming out of a new study on severe firework injuries.

No Exceptions: Car Seats Then Booster Seats Until 4 Feet 9 Inches Tall – Seattle Mama Doc, 06/20/2017

HIPRC Safe and Active Transport Section Lead Beth Ebel, M.D., discusses how important and easy it is to ensure kids are always in the appropriate car seat or booster seat.

Free or reduced-cost bike helmets for kids – Fox Q13, 06/15/2017

HIPRC core faculty Fred Rivara discusses role of helmets in preventing brain injuries among active kids.

Rising Number of Bicycle Crashes Highlights Importance of Wearing a HelmetConsumer Reports, 06/02/2017

HIPRC core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, weighs in on the role of bike helmets in preventing head injuries in adults.

Study highlights struggle of soldiers who suffer brain injuries – KING 5, 05/18/2017

HIPRC core member Christine MacDonald, Ph.D., discusses her surprising findings that even mild traumatic brain injury has long-lasting effects for veterans.

Study finds worsening outcomes in service members five years after mild blast-induced concussion – National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 05/10/2017

HIPRC core member Christine MacDonald, Ph.D., and her findings regarding the long-term impacts of concussions among service members was highlighted in a press release from NINDS.

Live Life Forward: “Bullying” – Lifetime, 05/02/2017

HIPRC associate faculty member Megan Moreno, M.D., MS Ed., was featured discussing practice and research regarding adolescents and bullying.

Facial injuries are common in U.S. nursing home residents – Reuters, 03/23/2017

HIPRC core member Hilaire Thompson, Ph.D., RN, comments on facial injuries among U.S. nursing home residents in an article on Reuters’ Health News.

Computer game may prevent seniors from falling down – KING 5, 03/15/2017

HIPRC core member Hilaire Thompson, Ph.D., RN, is featured in a piece on her team’s research into using video games to prevent falls among seniors.

Harborview-based center wants to stop injuries before they happen – Columns Magazine, 2/28/2017

A profile of HIPRC in the UW Alumni Magazine outlines the history and contemporary efforts of the center and its faculty.

Size-adjusted dose benchmarks: Is your facility in the danger zone? – HealthImaging, 2/22/2017

HIPRC associate member Kalpana Kanal, Ph.D., DABR, comments on her team’s work developing dose guidelines for common CT exams in the U.S. The team developed the first diagnostic reference levels that incorporate patient size, which will allow facilities nationwide to optimize their CT protocols, and their research is featured in this article from HealthImaging.

Call to soften helmet laws a real head-scratcher – The Seattle Times, 12/22/2016

Core member Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH is quoted in an editorial calling on Seattle and King County to maintain bike helmet rules.

Light exercise after concussion in kids, teens may halt prolonged symptoms: study – TheStar.com, 12/20/2016

An editorial by core members Sara Chrisman, M.D., MPH and Fred Rivara, M.D., MPH, is quoted in coverage of a recent study examining activity and rest following concussion.

‘Return-to-Learn’ laws may not help students after concussions – Reuters, 11/07/2016

HIPRC director Monica Vavilala, M.D., discusses the challenges of relying on laws to guide Return-to-Learn after a child’s concussion.

Accidental Firearm Injuries May Be Linked to the Cycle of Violence, Washington Study Finds – ASPPH, 10/27/2016

HIPRC core member and violence prevention section lead Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, M.D., Ph.D., MPH comments on one of his most recently published papers in an article written by the Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health.

‘Stop the Bleed:’ Movement trains bystanders to help during shootings, emergencies – The Seattle Times, 10/8/2016

Core member Eileen Bulger, M.D., explains the value of Stop the Bleed training for equipping community members to save lives during mass casualty events.

As heroin deaths decline in King County, addiction still on the rise – KUOW, 07/20/2016

Kim Malcolm of KUOW talks with HIPRC associate member Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW about a 2015 King County report on drug use trends that found that heroin overdoses are on the decline.

Normalizing conversations around drug use, KNKX, 09/15/2016

Ahead of a task force report being released on how best to combat opioid overuse in King County 88.5’s Ariel Van Cleave sat down with HIPRC associate member Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW to ask if we are talking about drug use, drugs and treatment in the right ways.

Local leaders take big step toward ‘safe consumption site’ for addicts, KIRO7, 08/23/2016

HIPRC associate member Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW advocates for safe consumption sites in King County ahead of an official proposal for them by King County’s heroin task force.

King County Heroin Crisis Task Force recommends 2 injection sites – KIRO7, 09/15/2016

Following a formal recommendation by King County’s heroin Crisis Task Force HIPRC associate member Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW weighs in on their importance and value.

What it means for Seattle to get safe injection sites – KUOW, 09/15/2016

KUOW’s Kim Malcolm speaks with HIPRC associate member Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW about the possibility of Seattle becoming the first city in the United States to create safe-consumption sites for heroin users.

Opioid Addicts Say Kratom Helps Them Kick the Habit. So Why Is the DEA Banning It? – Seattle Weekly, 09/14/2016

HIPRC associate member Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW is quoted in this Seattle Weekly article that offers an explanation for why the DEA is banning Kratom.

Why Seattle’s Plan to Help Heroin Addicts Isn’t Crazy – Big Think Blog, 08/30/2016

In this Big Think Blog article HIPRC associate member Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW is quoted explaining the benefits of a safe consumption center.

VOCAL-WA sends shoes skyward for overdose awareness – Real Change, 08/24/2016

In this article HIPRC associate member Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW explains why it is important to combat the stigma around overdoses saying “That stigma really keeps people isolated and increases the risk for dying makes them less likely to reach out for treatment”.

UW Researcher: Proposed Ban On Assault-Style Weapons ‘Makes Sense’; KNKX All Things Considered, 09/08/2016

88.5’s Ed Ronco sits down with HIPRC core member Frederick Rivara, PhD, MPH to discuss Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s proposed ban on assault-style weapons.

Seattle may drop speed limits to 25 mph on arterials, 20 mph in neighborhoods; Seattle Times, 09/13/2016

As Seattle considers dropping speed limits to 25 mph on arterials and 20 mph in neighborhoods HIPRC core member Beth Ebel, MD, MSc, MPH is quoted in several articles on the impact that would have on reducing injury. Say that “If you get hit by car going 20 miles per hour, your risk of getting serious injuries is less than 5 percent” but that if you get hit by a car at 40 mph its like falling off a three story building.

Why congress should lift ban on gun violence research; Seattle Times Editorial, 08/2/2016

Following several mass shootings the Seattle Time calls on congress to allow funding for gun violence research, something it has not done since 1997. The article examines how researchers must get funding at current and references HIPRC several times.

Saving Lives Through Gun ResearchUW Medicine PulseMay 17, 2016

A Podcast featuring Drs. Frederick Rivara and Ali Rowhani-Rahbar – According to new research by University of Washington’s School of Public Health and Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, gunshot survivors are four times more likely to die from firearms than other patients. In this episode we meet the UW Medicine doctors who are heading this study and learn how they hope to change that statistic.

Bullying as a Public Health Threat, multiple sources – May, 2016

National news picked up a story on a report headed by Fred Rivara, MD, MPH. The report demonstrated that bullying is a public health problem, zero tolerance policies were insufficient, and emphasized the short- and long- term consequences for children who are bullied. The report was covered by the following media (partial list):

NBC News

USA Today

Los estragos que hacen del bullying un grave problema de salud pública; Univision

Bullying: Serious, Lasting Psychological Consequences; Medscape (subscription)

Voice of America – International Edition

*Dr. Rivara’s interview starts at 12:40 and goes to 16:25

Both Perps and Victims Are Tormented by Bullying, Study Finds; Observer

KNSD-SD (NBC) – San Diego, CA

NBC 7 News at 4

WCBS-NY (Radio) – New York, NY

Report: Bullying is a public health threat, not a rite of passage; FOX 13 Now – Salt Lake City, UT

New report suggests new measures for prevention of bullying; ABC2 News – WMAR Baltimore

WINS-AM – New York, NY

WTMJ-AM (Radio) – Milwaukee, WI

WGN-AM (Radio) – Chicago, IL

WDBO-FM (Radio) – Orlando, FL

KXNT NewsRadio 840 – Las Vegas, NV

KYW-AM (Radio) – Philadelphia, PA

WRTV-IN (ABC) – Indianapolis, IN

RTV 6 Good Morning Indiana

All News 106.7 – Atlanta, GA

550 AM KTSA – San Antonio, TX

WZVN-FTM (ABC) – Fort Myers, FL; ABC7 News @ 6AM

KDBC (CBS) – El Paso, TX; Morning News

UW Medicine: Report to the Community, UW Medicine Report – March 2015

The UW Medicine Report to the Community highlights our Pediatric Guideline Adherence and Outcomes Project (PEGASUS), led by HIPRC Director Monica S. Vavilala, MD. It’s on page four. 

ParentMap’s 2016 Superheroes!; The safety advocate: Fred Rivara, ParentMap – 2016

Fred Rivara, MD, MPH, long-time member of HIPRC, was honored a ParentMap Magazine’s SuperHero for 2016.

“The world is a safer place thanks to Dr. Fred Rivara,” says his Seattle Children’s colleague Elizabeth Bennett. “From bike helmets to sports concussions to gun violence and more, Dr. Rivara has conducted research resulting in fewer serious injuries and deaths. When your doctor talks to you and your family about safety, chances are they have learned from and been influenced by Dr. Rivara. He is a world leader in injury prevention.”

City Inside/Out: Seattle Gun TaxSeattle Channel – February 1, 2016. 

Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, of HIPRC and the UW School of Public Health, participated in a panel discussion concerning the effectivess, future, and constitutionality of Seattle’s firearm and ammo tax. While making it clear the he and HIPRC don’t hold a public opinion about the constitutionality of the tax, Dr. Rowhani made clear and convincing arguments that firearm research is both effective and necessary.

Guns, Car Crashes and Drugs Cut US Male Life Expectancy by a Year, Research Says. The Guardian February 9, 2016. 

In an article focusing on new research from the CDC that shows a significant decrease in average life expectancy due solely to guns, drugs, and car crashes, Dr. Frederick Rivara said that “guns are an enormous public health problem and we have to do what we can to address that…”

Seattle scientist still pushes to lift funding ban on gun-violence studies. The Seattle Times – February 10, 2016.

The Seattle Times features Dr. Fred Rivara‘s decades long efforts to secure funding for and conduct firearm-violence research.

“I think it’s a perennial problem, and the scientific community is becoming more aware of it in general, not just the few of us who do gun research,” Rivara said.

Expanding the Gun Violence Conversation. The Daily – February 11, 2016.

University of Washington’s student paper, The Daily, ran this article covering HIPRC’s expanding community outreach role, in particular with regards to firearm suicide. The story features interviews with HIPRC Director Dr. Monica S. Vavilala and HIPRC facutly Dr. Joseph Simonetti.

“First, self-harm can be committed in several different ways and we’ll offer resources to prevent suicides related specifically to those different mechanisms, such as firearm- and medication-related suicide,” Simonetti said. “Second, there are a number of existing suicide prevention resources targeting specific groups in the U.S. such as military Veterans. This platform will direct interested people to resources specific to their peers.

Harborview: Prevent Gun Violence by Locking Up Guns. NBC – King 5 News –January 5, 2016

HIPRC Director, Monica S. Vavilala, MD was a featured interview on the Seattle-area news station King 5, where she makes it clear that there is no proven link between mass shootings and mental health. Rather, she says, the only way to ensure our safety is to keep guns locked up.

UW Faculty Members Join Inslee in Gun Violence Announcement. UW Today  January 6, 2016

HIPRC Director, Dr. Monica S. Vavilala, stood alongside Washington State Governor Jay Inslee as he announced a groundbreaking initiative to combat gun violence across the state.

Washington Reviews Safe Gun Storage Interventions. Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health – January 21, 2016

Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar was featured on the ASPPH website.

“One of the most important things we learned while conducting the study is that we don’t know very much,” Dr. Rowhani-Rahbar said. “There is a void in rigorously conducted randomized controlled trials surrounding this topic.”

The Missing Data on Gun Violence. The Atlantic – January 21, 2016.

Dr. Frederick Rivara Spoke With the Atlantic about the dearth of gun research and the state of federal funding for firearm research.

“It’s very concerning that there’s been an attack on science and the ability to carry that out,” said Fred Rivara, a professor at the University of Washington who helped conduct a study on guns in the home in the early 1990s. “It’s resulted in a sort of stalemate in terms of being able to develop effective policy.”

Native America Calling – Traumatic Brain Injuries. Koahnic Broadcast Corporation  January 26, 2016.

HIPRC fellow, Dr. Molly Fuentes, participated in an hour-long, nationally syndicated radio show, Native America Calling. She talked about her research surrounding traumatic brain injuries, particularly among American Indian populations, in addition to fielding calls from listeners

The Fight Over a Tax That Could Curb Gun Violence. Seattle Met Magazine – December 28, 2015.

Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar is the feature in a Seattle Met magazine article discussing the City of Seattle’s efforts to curb gun violence. The article discusses HIPRC’s work over the decades. Appeared online and in print.

When Should Older Drivers Give Up the Car Keys? KUOW/Seattle News & Information and UW School of Public Health November 20, 2016

KUOW’s Bill Radke spoke with Laura Fraade-Blanar, a graduate student at the University of Washington studying the link between aging and crash risks, about when and how to have those tough conversations.Listen to the conversation here

New approach treats victims of gun violence with methods for handling substance abuse: Harborview Medical Center officials hope to cut down on return visits to their emergency department with the methodology, Hospitals and Health Networks Magazine – November 6, 2015

Dr. Fred Rivara is interviewed in this article in Hospitals and Health Networks Magazine, published by the American Hospital Association. The article examines a gun violence intervention to be implemented by HIPRC faculty and discusses the governments effective prohibition on funding gun violence research.

How many guns are in America? A web of state secrecy means no one knows, The GuardianOctober 27, 2015

In this Guardian article on the absence of government support for gun research, HIPRC co-founder Dr. Fred Rivara speaks about the availability, or lack thereof, of gun records.

Seattle Times Uses HIPRC Data in Forming Op-Ed, Seattle Times – October 2nd, 2015

On October 3, 2015, The Seattle Times Editorial board published an Op-Ed which simultaneously lauded the city for its efforts, but asked for more to be done to better understand and curb firearm violence in Seattle. The editorial comes on the heels of the tragic shooting at Umpqua Community College in early October. “While these shootings are emotional bombshells, everyday gun violence is claiming too many lives, as well. From January to September, shooting in Seattle of topped 300 – up almost 30 percent from the same period last year,” writes the board.
The op-ed was written to demonstrate support for Seattle Mayor Ed Murray’s recent budget proposal, which included $275,000 to fund a prevention project to be implemented by HIPRC and Harborview Medical Center. In late August, the article says, Seattle City Council passed a new tax on firearms and ammunition sold in city limits – though the city is being sued by gun rights lobbyists aiming to repeal the tax. “Nevermind the fact that taxpayers paid an estimated $12 million last year for gunshot victims treated at Harborview. Even if the legal challenge should prove successful, the city should continue funding gun-data analysis and prevention.”

Dr. Frederick Rivara on Guns, Police Chases, Various – September, 2015

Dr. Frederick Rivara spoke to Seattle’s KOMO News about the shooting, saying that we don’t live in a more violent society, just one with more guns. In national press, Rivara speaks to WIRED magazine about the difficulty in researching firearms with Congress’ effective prohibition on gun research.  He was also quoted in a USA Today article on the shortcomings of national level counts on deadly police pursuits.

Dr. Doug Zatzick aids community in understanding PTSD, Various – September, 2015

Following the shooting in Roseburg, Dr. Douglas Zatzick, HIPRC’s expert on trauma psychiatry, shared tips with KING5 News and KUOW News and Information Radio on recognizing PTSD and offered advice for students returning to school.

Dr. Monica Vavilala tells KUOW about DOJ Funding, KUOW – September 22nd, 2015

HIPRC director, Dr. Monica Vavilala, was interviewed by KUOW to share how the Center will pilot an intervention with gun shot victims at Harborview Medical Center. “Dr. Monica Vavilala runs the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center. She said the hope is to prevent the patients from returning with another gunshot wound. The grant helps, but the hospital still has to raise more money to launch the program.”

Dr. Beth Ebel on Car Seats and Booster Seats, The Republic – August 2015

Core Member Beth Ebel, M.D., MPH, discusses the challenges when parents don’t know or understand booster seat and car seat guidelines. (Note: Dr. Ebel’s name is misspelled in the article).

Dr. Fred Rivara on Gun Violence, Seattle Times, Public Radio International, Business Insider and Smithsonian.com – July, 2015

HIPRC Core Member Fred Rivara, MD, MPH (Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology) was interviewed by the Seattle Times about two upcoming city bills which would tax gun and ammunition sales and require mandatory reporting of lost or stolen firearms to law enforcement. The proposed tax would generate an estimated $300,000 to $500,000 annually, which would be dedicated to gun violence prevention programs and research. Rivara explained that it would be enough to “fund a two-year gunshot-victim-intervention program and study at Harborview.” He cited 2014 HIPRC research which found that gunshot victims run a higher risk of future gun injury, and explained that intervention programs can work. Rivara was also featured in articles by Public Radio InternationalBusiness Insider, and Smithsonian.com commenting on the renewal of a congressional ban on gun violence research, which was backed by the National Rifle Association. The amendment would have allowed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study the underlying causes of gun violence. The National Rifle Association accused the CDC of trying to use science to promote gun control explained Rivara in both articles. He said: “As a result of that, many, many people stopped doing gun research, [and] the number of publications on firearm violence decreased dramatically…It was really chilling in terms of our ability to conduct research on this very important problem.”

Dr. Beth Ebel Provides Water Safety Tips, Detroit Free Press – July 3rd, 2015

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accidental drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4. HIPRC Core Member Beth Ebel, MD, MSc, MPH (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Health Services) was recently interviewed by the Detroit Free Press on swimming and water safety. In the article, she explained that drowning “…[is] quick and quiet. You don’t hear it and you don’t always see it.” For parents who want to use floatation devices to keep kids safe while swimming or boating, buying the proper life vest is only half the battle—they must be worn as well. “They’re a lot like bike helmets,” Ebel said. “The ones that don’t work are the ones that aren’t worn.”

Dr. Brian Johnston Provides Summer Safety Tips, UW Medicine HealthWorks – June, 2015

In the U.S., nearly half of all unintentional, injury-related deaths among children (14 and under) occur during the summer. HIPRC Associate Member and Chief of Pediatrics at HMC, Brian Johnston, MD, MPH (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Health Services) provided simple safety tips for families in UW Medicine’s June HealthWorks. “…by teaching and practicing accident prevention, parents and guardians can help their children enjoy the warm weather months more safely at home and outdoors,” said Johnston.
 

Dr. Beth Ebel on How to Avoid Distracted Driving, UW Medicine HealthWork – June, 2015

Motor vehicle injuries remain the leading cause of death for Americans under 35, and distracted driving is one of the biggest risk factors. HIPRC Core Member Beth Ebel, MD, MSc, MPH (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Health Services) was recently interviewed about HIPRC’s recent study on distracted driving for UW Medicine’s June HealthWorks. She provided this tip in the article: “We all need to recognize that driving while talking on a handheld device or texting while we’re at the wheel is driving impaired. It’s dangerous, illegal and unnecessary — so make it a habit to mute your phone, put it away and then relax, enjoy your drive and get home safely.”

Dr. Eileen Bulger on Firework Safety, News Tribune July 2nd, 2015

As the nation geared up for the Fourth of July weekend, HIPRC Core Member Eileen Bulger, MD, FACS (Professor of Surgery) urged families to think about firework safety. In 2014, from July 3 to July 5, doctors at Harborview Medical Center saw 40 people with fireworks-related injuries, a third of which were children. “These are often life-changing injuries,” said Bulger in a July 2 News Tribune article on firework safety. “You can lose digits on your hand, you could lose your whole hand. You could lose sight in an eye.” Injuries can even result in death, as was the case in 2014.

Dr. Beth Ebel on Sedative Hypnotic Medication Use and the Risk of Motor Vehicle Crash, Various June, 2015

HIPRC Core Member Beth Ebel, MD, MSc, MPH (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Health Services) and HIPRC Associate Member Ryan Hansen, PhD, PharmD (Acting Assistant Professor of Pharmacy) recently published a study on the association between sedative use and motor vehicle crash risk, which has been picked up by NBC NewsHealth Day, and NBC Nightly News.
 

Dr. Beth Ebel on Pediatric Window Falls, Various – May, 2015

HIPRC Core Member Beth Ebel, MD, MSc, MPH (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Health Services) spoke at the May 21st Press Conference on Children Falling Out of Windows. King 5 and Kiro 7 News have both quoted Dr. Ebel on the hazards of screens without locks or guards in their articles about pediatric window falls during warm weather. The topic has also spurred articles in the Seattle Times. “This is not a supervision problem,” said Dr. Beth Ebel of Harborview’s Injury Prevention and Research Center. “I see parents standing right there, the kid is in front of them, in a fraction of a second the fall occurs.” “Screens are not protective. Many, the majority of window falls we see are kids falling through the screen,” Dr. Ebel said. “That screen is not designed to bear the weight of a child and so the screen and the kid fall out.”

Beth Ebel on Distracted Driving, National Public Radio (NPR) – June 1st, 2015

HIPRC Core Member Beth Ebel, MD, MS, MPH (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Health Services) was interviewed by NPR on distracted driving. Dr. Ebel talks about what can distract us when we drive and what happens in our brain when we try to split our attention.

Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar on the New Science of Crime, UW Daily – April 8th, 2015

Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, MD, PhD, MPH (Assistant Professor of Epidemiology) was interviewed for the UW Daily on the new combined field of epidemiology and criminology, or “epicrim”, as he calls it. His research has shown that those who are the victim of a crime involving a firearm are also more likely to commit a crime with a firearm themselves, and the opposite is also true. In other words, it appears those who are shot are more likely to shoot, and those who shoot are more likely to be shot. In this way, the team of doctors and epidemiologists, aided by legal and criminal justice experts, were able to show that the use of firearms is infectious, much like a virus. Together, the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Physicians, American College of Surgeons, American Psychiatric Association, the American Public Health Association, and the ABA have detailed a list of necessary measures to reduce both the health and public health consequences of firearms.

HIPRC T-32 Fellow in the Peruvian Newspaper, El Comercio – March 31st, 2015

PhD Epidemiology student Alex Quistberg, PhD, MPH (T-32 Fellow in Pediatrics) recently published a paper titled, “Bus stops and pedestrian–motor vehicle collisions in Lima, Peru: a matched case–control study” in the Injury Prevention journal with Peruvian author, Dr. Jaime Miranda, MD, PhD, MSc (Associate Professor of Medicine at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Director of CRONICAS (Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases)), HIPRC Core Member Dr. Beth Ebel, MD, MS, MPH (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Health Services), HIPRC Associate Members Dr. Brian Johnston, MD, MPH (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Health Services) and Dr. Linda Ng Boyle, PhD, MS (Professor & Chair of Industrial & Systems Engineering), and retired UW faculty member Dr. Thomas Koepsell, MD, MPH (Professor Emeritus of Epidemiology and Health Services). The article was picked up in the Peruvian newspaper, El Comercio, which talks about pedestrian fatalities and the dangers of walking in Lima, Peru. El Comercio reported on the details of Dr. Quistberg and Dr. Miranda’s efforts to evaluate the relationship between pedestrian accidents and the public transportation system infrastructure in Lima, Peru, and talks about the dangers they found in placing bus stops and crosswalks on street corners instead of the middle of the road.

Dr. Brian Johnston on Pediatric Window Falls, Seattle Times – May 20th, 2015

The Seattle Times has written an article on pediatric window falls, quoting HIPRC Associate Member and Chief of Pediatrics at HMC, Brian Johnston, MD, MPH (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Health Services). Statistics show pediatric window falls are a national problem, typically in the warmer spring and summer months. Nearly 5,200 children are treated in U.S. emergency rooms after falling out of windows each year, according to a 2011 study in the journal Pediatrics. The Seattle Times article has been cited in similar articles in the Times UnionVoice of the Valley, and the Kentucky Lexington Herald-Leader.

Beth Ebel & Laura Blanar’s Study on Reducing Teen Distracted Driving, Association of School & Programs of Public Health – April 30th, 2015  

The Association of School & Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) published an article on research by HIPRC Core Member Beth Ebel, MD, MS, MPH (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Health Services) and HIPRC Staff Member Laura Blanar, MHS, PhDc (Research Assistant for Health Services) on reducing teen distracted driving by blocking cell phone use and filming teen drivers. Co-authors include HIPRC Core Member Robert Kaufman, BS (Senior Research Scientist Engineer), HIPRC Staff Member Qian Qiu, MBA (Research Consultant), UW Faculty/Staff Jennifer Maeser (Research Coordinator for Radiology) and Annie Kirk, MPH (Affiliate Instructor of Health Services), and Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney at King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Amy Freedheim. They conducted a pilot study of two interventions. One used an in-vehicle camera system that was triggered when teens braked or swerved too hard. A video recorder captured events that parents and teens could review. The second was a device that blocked incoming and outgoing calls and texts when the vehicle was being operated. Read the abstract here.

Beth Ebel Q&A on Cell Phones & Distracted Driving, Seattle Children’s Hospital Bulletin – May 2015

HIPRC Core Member Beth Ebel, MD, MS, MPH (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Health Services) was interviewed by Seattle Children’s Hospital on cell phone use and distracted driving.

Former HIPRC T-32 Injury Fellow, Janessa Graves, on Treadmill Safety and Injury, Various – May 2015

In light of the death of SurveyMonkey CEO, David Goldberg, while on a treadmill, there has been a lot of press regarding treadmill risks and injuries. Janessa Graves, PhD, MPH (Assistant Professor of Nursing at Washington State University) published a paper on emergency department-reported injuries associated with mechanical home exercise equipment that was written during her time at HIPRC. Co-authors include HIPRC Core Members Monica Vavilala, MD (Professor of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics), Fred Rivara, MD, MPH (Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology), and Beth Ebel, MD, MS, MPH (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Health Services).
Dr. Graves has been interviewed by many media outlets in the last week on treadmill risks and safety and she has been quoted nationally in articles from the Washington PostWCVB TV, the Boston GlobeBusiness StandardTaking the Kids Blog, and even as far abroad as the New Zealand Herald (NZ) and The Independent (UK). Dr. Graves and Dr. Vavilala were also interviewed for a video segment on the Today Show.

Paul Nevin on PRONTO, Seattle Times – April 24th, 2015

New HIPRC Staff Member Paul Nevin, BA (MPH Global Health student) wrote an article that was on the front page of the Seattle Times on birth-simulation training in Kenya by PRONTO International, a Seattle-based organization that is partnered with the University of Washington. The training sessions use low-tech, but realistic teaching tools to recreate the chaos often found in Kenya’s overburdened maternity wards.

Dr. Fred Rivara quoted on guns and youth suicide, NPR – March 9th, 2015

NPR reported on a recently published analysis of longitudinal trends in suicide rates by rural and urban areas between 1996-2010 shows that for young people between the ages of 10-24, the suicide rates in rural areas are nearly double those of urban areas. The number of young people committing suicide by hanging or suffocation has increased, and the number of people using firearms has decreased. But firearms still accounted for the majority of deaths (51%), followed by hanging or suffocation (34%), poisoning (8%), and other means (7%). Dr. Fred Rivara, MD, MPH (Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology) weighed in on gun violence, youth access to guns, and suicide, in an editorial response to the original publication, and is quoted in the NPR article on the trends in youth suicide.

Some rejected donor hearts are found to be transplant-viable, UW SPH NewsBeat – January 13th, 2015

One in four hearts from people who have experienced brain death are turned down by transplant teams because they appear to pump poorly. But according to new research by HIPRC Members Dr. Vijay Krishnamoorthy, MD (Acting Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology), Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, MD, PhD, MPH (Assistant Professor of Epidemiology), Dr. Monica Vavilala, MD (Professor of Pediatrics and Anesthesiology), and 2014 Summer Student Shan Modi, as well as other UW researchers, up to half of these hearts may still be suitable for transplant if given sufficient time to recover from the flood of neurotransmitters, inflammatory chemicals and hormones released by a damaged brain. “This is a small study,” said study co-author Dr. Krishnamoorthy, “but it suggests that we shouldn’t decide whether to use a heart on the basis of just one early evaluation, particularly in young people who are unlikely to have heart disease.”

Push for New Distracted Driving Laws for WA State, King 5 – January 23rd, 2015

Dr. Beth Ebel, MD, MSc, MPH (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Health Services) is featured in a video segment and interview on distracted driving in Washington State. Dr. Ebel states that, “Our current law talks about a ban on texting. But it doesn’t say much about posting to Facebook or checking your stock trades.” Dr. Ebel and the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission are pushing lawmakers to increase penalties add restrictions to what drivers can do with their phone on the road.

How a Law Might Keep You From Facebooking While Driving, KUOW – February 12th, 2015  

Distracted driving and cell phone use are working their way further into law. Listen to Dr. Beth Ebel, MD, MSc, MPH (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Health Services) explain why she supports the Washington Senate bill that would expand the current distracted driving laws to include a ban of all use of a handheld device while driving.

WA Study Finds Suicidal Teens Have Easy Access to Firearms, Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health – January 15th, 2015

Dr. Joseph Simonetti, MD, MPH (Senior Fellow Trainee of Medicine) has recently published an article in JAMA Psychiatry on a study that shows that more than 40% of American teenagers who lived in a home with a gun had easy access, despite public health recommendations on limiting firearms access, especially given that firearms are the second most common means of suicide among adolescents. Co-authors include Dr. Fred Rivara, MD, MPH (Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology), and Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, MD, PhD, MPH (Assistant Professor of Epidemiology).

Push for New Distracted Driving Laws for WA State, King 5 – January 23rd, 2015

Dr. Beth Ebel, MD, MSc, MPH (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Health Services) is featured in a video segment and interview on distracted driving in Washington State. Dr. Ebel states that, “Our current law talks about a ban on texting. But it doesn’t say much about posting to Facebook or checking your stock trades.” Dr. Ebel and the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission are pushing lawmakers to increase penalties add restrictions to what drivers can do with their phone on the road.

Despite Rise in Antidote Access, Heroin Overdoses Still an Issue in King County, KUOW – January 2nd, 2015

 HIPRC Associate Member Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW (Affiliate Assistant Professor of Health Services) was interviewed by KUOW about the issue of heroin overdoses in King County, despite a rise in antidote access.

Using Epidemiology to Investigate Crime, UW SPH News – December 23rd, 2014

The article, titled talks about Fan’s enrollment in the UW Epidemiology PhD program and how the rigorous training could help her better understand pressing issues such as gun violence, fatal use of force by police, and illicit drug use. Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, MD, PhD, MPH (Assistant Professor of Epidemiology) is quoted on the history of the term “epidemiological criminology”.

The Challenge of Defining Rape, The New York Times – October 11th, 2014.  

HIPRC core member Mary D. Fan, JD, MPhil (Professor of Law) has been quoted in a NY Times article titled, “The Challenge of Defining Rape”. As states across the country try to figure out how to more effectively address the problem of sexual assault, they are looking at the definition of sexual misconduct and what that entails. For example, until 2012, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) still considered rape a crime committed solely against women, a definition that has since been expanded. Defining consent, especially when there is alcohol involved, is also a challenge to amending sexual assault laws. In some parts of the country, not just force, but resistance is required for an act to qualify as rape. In such cases, merely saying “no” would not in itself be considered sufficient resistance. The article goes into detail on how different states are changing or considering changing their laws as they pertain to sexual assault, such as dropping the requirement of proof of physical aggression (several states), eliminating spousal exemptions from rape (Washington), needing affirmative rather than negative consent (New Jersey, California universities, New York universities), or considering surrounding circumstances (New York).

Are Restraining Orders an Answer to Mass Violence?The Wall Street Journal – May 27th, 2014

HIPRC core member Mary D. Fan, JD, MPhil (Professor of Law) was quoted in a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Blog article titled, “Are Restraining Orders an Answer to Mass Violence?”. Under federal law and many state laws, people guilty of a felony or misdemeanor domestic-violence crime are banned from owning guns, but according to Fan, many domestic-violence incidents do not end up in court. Her ideal solution is for courts to issue restraining orders that allow for a forced disarming. However, these restraining orders aren’t issued frequently enough, for reasons that include: fear of retaliation for getting a protective order, lack of resources, mistrust of the judicial system, and general misunderstanding that protective orders are ineffective. Fan says that the way to overcome this is to better train law-enforcement to educate and encourage domestic-violence victims to seek a restraining order. The article quotes her paper, “Disarming the Dangerous: Preventing Extraordinary and Ordinary Violence”, soon to be published in the Indiana Law Journal.

Injury Lists Grow Longer, and High School Seasons are Cut ShortThe New York Times – October 29th, 2014

Dr. Fred Rivara, MD, MPH (Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology) was quoted in an article in the NY Times about increased concussion awareness, how high school sports injuries are handled, and the impact of sidelining players. More and more high school sports teams have been unable to play due to injuries, forcing teams to forfeit games or even cut playing seasons short by cancelling games altogether. There has also been an increase in concerns about injuring fellow players in practice, causing participation numbers to drop.

 

Firearm Violence Prevention Leadership Summit SummaryKing County – October 29th, 2014

Dr. Fred Rivara and Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar were among the leaders of the Firearm Violence Prevention Leadership Summit, sponsored by King County DOH, Seattle Mayor’s office, and King County Executive’s office. This summit created a common understanding of existing data that can be used for the development of strategies and actions to prevent firearm violence.
Among the data presented at the summit:

  • More than 130 people die each year in King County as a result of firearm use, meaning more people in King County are killed by gun violence than by car crashes.
  • An estimated 26,500 households in King County store at least one firearm that is unlocked and loaded.
  • 14% of King County high school students say it would be easy for them to get a handgun if they wanted.
  • 68 children were lost to gun violence in King County from 1999-2012—two-thirds were murdered, and one-third died by their own hand because they could get hold of a firearm.

Strategies and actions discussed at the summit include youth violence prevention, domestic violence prevention, suicide prevention, and data sharing.

Roll Call Video on Distracted Driving Enforcement Published – December 21st, 2014

This video was created in part by Dr. Beth Ebel, MD, MSc, MPH (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Health Services) in order to encourage law enforcement of distraction. We will have a shorter version more geared for the public and lawmakers. Thanks to James Waugh, Jenn Maeser, Rob Kaufman, Annie Phare, Amy Freedheim, Angie Ward, and all the folks who helped to make this video possible.

Inside Harborview: An elite emergency team fights to mend broken bodies and mindsThe Seattle Times – September 28th, 2014

HIPRC Core Member Dr. Eileen Bulger, MD, FACS (Professor of Surgery) was on the cover of the Seattle Times Pacific Northwest Magazine on Sunday, September 28th. The article, titled, “Inside Harborview: An elite emergency team fights to mend broken bodies and minds,” is about the experience of working on the front lines of health care at Harborview Medical Center’s Emergency Department and the mixture of pride and the emotional toll that comes with working in emergency medicine.
Close Up: A Look at the People of SPHUniversity of Washington School of Public Health – September, 2014

Dr. Rowhani-Rahbar MD, MPH, PhD (Assistant Professor of Epidemiology) was interviewed by the University of Washington School of Public Health publication, Close Up: A Look at the People of SPH, where he talks about his medical training in Iran, what brought him to the University of Washington, and his research on vaccines, gun violence, the effects of marijuana on driving, and concussions.

 

HIPRC Joins Collaboration on Distracted and Impaired Driving PreventionChildren’s Safety Network – July 10th, 2014  

Congratulations to HIPRC Core Member Dr. Beth Ebel, MD, MSc, MPH (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Health Services), on her acceptance to the Children’s Safety Network (CSN) Community of Practice (CoP) on Distracted and Impaired Driving Prevention (DID). The CoP collaboration between DOH, WTSC, law enforcement, and HIPRC for national best practices will begin in September, 2014 and run through August, 2015.
This CoP will explore the prevention of motor vehicle crashes which impact children and youth through strategies, programs, research, and legislation related to:

  • Distraction by passengers
  • Drowsy driving
  • Drunk driving
  • Eating, drinking, and grooming while driving
  • Impaired driving from illicit drugs
  • Impaired driving from marijuana
  • Impaired driving from prescription/over the counter drugs
  • Technology/cell phone use while driving

Other Washington State members include the Department of Health (DOH)Traffic Safety Commission (TSC)Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Washington State Patrol (WSP).

Neurosurgery Journal Interviews HIPRC Core Member for Podcast Episode2014

An interview with author Dr. Monica S. Vavilala, MD (Professor of Pediatrics and Anesthesiology), is available online at: https://soundcloud.com/jordan-amadio/interview-with-dr-monica-vavilala-aug-2014-neurosurgery-journal-club-host-dr-jordan-amadio

Sewage Test: Will you smoke pot now that it’s legal?KOMO 4 News – 2014

KOMO 4 News interviewed Dan Burgard, PhD (Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Puget Sound) about his study on how much marijuana use in Washington State may change after legalization, by measuring THC metabolites in sewage (wastewater). They are testing samples collected months ago from undisclosed sewage treatment plants in Washington State to determine the level of marijuana use before it became legal to buy. They’ll take comparative samples again after retail stores are fully up and running. Even though drug use can only be determined at a population level, not individual, concerns about using information obtained without consent were raised. HIPRC Associate Member Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MPH, MSW (Affiliate Assistant Professor for Health Services), is quoted as saying: “Anybody with a good chemist in any level of government can already do this. If law enforcement wanted to do this and had the proper domain to do that, they could do it. I can’t stop them from doing it. What I can do as a scientist is say ‘here’s what I’m doing.’ I think the thing that’s important is the population level in order to inform good health responses.”Banta-Green used this method to test wastewater samples from 96 Oregon communities in 2008, and found that meth was used in every single one of them. He has said that testing wastewater can show which drug policies are wasting money and which are working, which could possibly mean spending less money on police, courts and jails.

HIPRC publication “Public Bicycle Share Programs and Head Injuries” in the newsVarious – 2014

Since publication in the American Journal of Public Health, the article, “Public Bicycle Share Programs and Head Injuries” by Janessa Graves, PhD (Assistant Professor of Nursing, Washington State University and former HIPRC Pediatric Injury Research Fellow) and Dr. Fred Rivara, MD, MPH (Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology), has been cited in articles in the Chicago Sun-Timesthe Washington PostBoston Magazinethe Smithsonian MagazineKPLU, and on National Public Radio (NPR).
The study evaluated the effect of North American public bicycle share programs, which typically do not offer helmets with rentals, on the occurrence of bicycle-related head injuries, analyzing trauma center data for bicycle-related injuries from five cities with public bicycle share programs and five comparison cities. Results suggest that steps should be taken to make helmets available with public bicycle share programs. Helmet availability should be incorporated into public bicycle share program planning and funding, not considered as an afterthought following implementation.

Mandatory life jacket rule saves lives, Reuters – July 3rd, 2014

HIPRC Associate Member Dr. Linda Quan, MD (Professor of Pediatrics), an emergency pediatrician at Seattle Children’s Hospital, was interviewed by Reuters Health on the recent Victoria, Australia life jacket study. Drowning deaths among boaters in Victoria, Australia, fell from almost 60 in the years before a law required everyone to wear a “personal flotation device”, to 16 afterwards, according to a new study. Educational campaigns encouraging life-jacket use may not be enough to get all boaters to wear the vests at all times, but making it mandatory does make a difference, the study team writes in the journal Injury Prevention. “Why are life jackets important? Because people don’t float,” Dr. Quan told Reuters Health.
Dr. Quan was not involved in the study but has examined how changes to the law in Washington state requiring life jackets to be worn by water skiers and others being towed and by boaters on personal watercraft, or jet skis, as well as by children 12 and under in small vessels, has improved life-jacket use. Dr. Quan was interviewed by Reuters Health in February regarding her own study on Washington state boater safety (“Life-Jacket Laws Spur Use, Could Prevent Drownings”). The latest Reuters Health article, “Mandatory Life Jackets Rule Saves Lives,” has been picked up by several other news sources, such as YAHOO! NewsBangor Daily NewsWTAQWNFL AMDarientelPediatric SafetyLatest News,News Fresh TodayMC-TV

 

NCAA, DoD launch concussion study, NCAA – May 29th, 2014  

The NCAA-DoD Grand Alliance: Concussion Assessment, Research and Education (CARE) Consortium has announced a new $30 million Longitudinal Clinical Study Core that will be the most comprehensive study of concussion and head impact exposure ever conducted. HIPRC Core Member Dr. Sara Chrisman, MD, MPH (Acting Assistant Professor of Pediatrics) will be participating in this study as one of the 12-15 university and military sites. The study will be ongoing from 6/1/2014-5/31/2017.

When parents are injured, children may get PTSD, Reuters – June 4th, 2014

A study published by HIPRC Core Members Dr. Fred Rivara, MD, MPH, (Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology) and Dr. Douglas Zatzick (Professor of Psychiatry), HIPRC Associate Member Dr. Jamie Shandro, MD, MPH (Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine), and staff member Jin Wang, PhD, MS (Research Consultant/Statistician for Pediatrics) regarding PTSD in uninjured children with severely injured parents was picked up by Reuters news service. The study was published in Pediatrics (published ahead of print June 2, 2014, doi: 10.1542/peds.2013-3273)

HIPRC Faculty Offer Tips for a Safe Summer & 4th of JulyUniversity of Washington – May 30th, 2014

HIPRC Associate Member Dr. Brian Johnston, MD, MPH (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Health Services) offers summer safety and injury prevention tips for adults and children in an online UW publication, The Whole U. The article also highlights the distracted driver study and the dangers of texting while driving by HIPRC Core Member Dr. Beth Ebel, MD, MSc, MPH (Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Health Services).

EVENTS

In effort to support social distancing, all events are hosted virtually.
For access instructions, contact: hiprc@uw.edu.

Note – All times listed in calendar (below) are Pacific Standard.

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