Abby Varker
Multimedia Fellow
produced by: Boston University School of Public Health
produced by: Boston University School of Public Health
Working night shifts takes a toll on one’s health, but a recent intervention may help nurses better adjust to their changing schedules.
On gender inequities in science and the need to uplift all genders to advance and elevate the work of science.
From 2019 to 2022, e-scooter injuries nearly tripled, with the use of alcohol and other substances playing a key role in injury risk.
Policies that address poverty can have positive spillover effects on broader outcomes, including improving child well-being.
If 200 million adults chose to cut their red and processed meat intake by 30%, over one million cases of type 2 diabetes could be prevented.
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The maldistribution of the dental workforce across the country disproportionately affects the health of rural and uninsured populations.
On researchers’ transdisciplinary ventures and their role in fostering innovation across the scientific enterprise.
The average American consistently consumes over 50% of their daily at-home calories from ultra-processed foods.
Abby Varker is an MPH candidate at Boston University School of Public Health, studying health policy and law, and sex, sexuality, and gender. Her passions include establishing policy to promote sexual and reproductive health and low-cost health care. Her background is in psychology, ethics, and the natural sciences, which informs her public health practice. Outside of her public health work, Abby is in an a cappella group and has been singing since she was 4 years old.
Multimedia Fellow
Abby Varker is an MPH candidate at Boston University School of Public Health, studying health policy and law, and sex, sexuality, and gender. Her passions include establishing policy to promote sexual and reproductive health and low-cost health care. Her background is in psychology, ethics, and the natural sciences, which informs her public health practice. Outside of her public health work, Abby is in an a cappella group and has been singing since she was 4 years old.
Mallika Chimpiri is an MPH candidate at Boston University School of Public Health, studying epidemiology and biostatistics. Her interest in public health stems from a passion for clinical medicine and exploring how various determinants can intersect to manifest population-level disease. In her free time, Mallika can be found reading fiction, rewatching comfort shows, or taking portraits of her friends.
Writing Fellow
Mallika Chimpiri is an MPH candidate at Boston University School of Public Health, studying epidemiology and biostatistics. Her interest in public health stems from a passion for clinical medicine and exploring how various determinants can intersect to manifest population-level disease. In her free time, Mallika can be found reading fiction, rewatching comfort shows, or taking portraits of her friends.
Rowena Lindsay is an MPH candidate at Boston University School of Public Health, specializing in epidemiology & biostatistics and health communications. She is passionate about reproductive and environmental health. Her background is in science journalism, and as both a writer and public health practitioner, she aims to empower people to make informed decisions in all aspects of their lives. Outside business hours, you can find her hiking, practicing yoga, and listening to audiobooks while crafting.
Writing Fellow
Rowena Lindsay is an MPH candidate at Boston University School of Public Health, specializing in epidemiology & biostatistics and health communications. She is passionate about reproductive and environmental health. Her background is in science journalism, and as both a writer and public health practitioner, she aims to empower people to make informed decisions in all aspects of their lives. Outside business hours, you can find her hiking, practicing yoga, and listening to audiobooks while crafting.
Lia Musumeci is an MPH candidate at Boston University School of Public Health, studying community assessment, program design, implementation and evaluation with a focus on substance use and mental health. She has worked in a non-profit community mental health clinic and behavioral health research. She is passionate about drawing on her past experiences to explore mental health and substance use-related diversion programs, as well as to enhance interventions for smoking cessation. In her free time, she enjoys swimming and exploring different types of tea.
Writing Fellow
Lia Musumeci is an MPH candidate at Boston University School of Public Health, studying community assessment, program design, implementation and evaluation with a focus on substance use and mental health. She has worked in a non-profit community mental health clinic and behavioral health research. She is passionate about drawing on her past experiences to explore mental health and substance use-related diversion programs, as well as to enhance interventions for smoking cessation. In her free time, she enjoys swimming and exploring different types of tea.
Heather Sherr is an MPH candidate at Boston University School of Public Health, studying epidemiology and biostatistics with a concentration in chronic and non-communicable diseases. Her public health interests are informed by her background in developmental biology, genetics, and biological anthropology. In her free time, Heather enjoys listening to live music, visiting science museums, and playing video games.
Writing Fellow
Heather Sherr is an MPH candidate at Boston University School of Public Health, studying epidemiology and biostatistics with a concentration in chronic and non-communicable diseases. Her public health interests are informed by her background in developmental biology, genetics, and biological anthropology. In her free time, Heather enjoys listening to live music, visiting science museums, and playing video games.
Jude Sleiman is an MPH candidate at Boston University School of Public Health, studying epidemiology, biostatistics, and global health programs. Informed by her extensive travel and experiences living in four diverse countries, Jude is dedicated to understanding how health is perceived and addressed across different cultures. She is passionate about leveraging data-informed health policy to enhance health outcomes worldwide. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new destinations, delving into the latest romance and mystery books, and binging her favorite TV shows.
Writing Fellow
Jude Sleiman is an MPH candidate at Boston University School of Public Health, studying epidemiology, biostatistics, and global health programs. Informed by her extensive travel and experiences living in four diverse countries, Jude is dedicated to understanding how health is perceived and addressed across different cultures. She is passionate about leveraging data-informed health policy to enhance health outcomes worldwide. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new destinations, delving into the latest romance and mystery books, and binging her favorite TV shows.
Dani Weissert is an MPH candidate at Boston University School of Public Health, focusing on global health and maternal and child health. She cares deeply about sexual and reproductive health justice, rural health, the ethics of program delivery, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) issues. In her free time, she enjoys reading, rock climbing, and being outdoors.
Writing Fellow
Dani Weissert is an MPH candidate at Boston University School of Public Health, focusing on global health and maternal and child health. She cares deeply about sexual and reproductive health justice, rural health, the ethics of program delivery, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) issues. In her free time, she enjoys reading, rock climbing, and being outdoors.
Jennifer Beard is a clinical associate professor of global health at Boston University School of Public Health and the associate editor of Public Health Post. She was a co-principal investigator for the multi-study Ghana Operations Research for Key Populations project, which focused on HIV prevention and other needs of young female sex workers and their intimate partners, prisoners, men who have sex with men, post-secondary female students, women who work in bars, people who inject drugs, and people living with HIV at risk of dropping out of antiretroviral therapy.
Associate Editor
Jennifer Beard is a clinical associate professor of global health at Boston University School of Public Health and the associate editor of Public Health Post. She was a co-principal investigator for the multi-study Ghana Operations Research for Key Populations project, which focused on HIV prevention and other needs of young female sex workers and their intimate partners, prisoners, men who have sex with men, post-secondary female students, women who work in bars, people who inject drugs, and people living with HIV at risk of dropping out of antiretroviral therapy.
Michael Stein is the dean ad interim at Boston University School of Public Health, editor-at-large for Public Health Post, and author, most recently of the books Me vs Us: A Health Divided, Accidental Kindness: A Doctor’s Notes on Empathy, and The Turning Point: Reflections on a Pandemic with Sandro Galea. He is a physician and health services researcher who is an international authority on the intersection of primary care, mental health, and substance use disorders.
Editor-at-Large
Michael Stein is the dean ad interim at Boston University School of Public Health, editor-at-large for Public Health Post, and author, most recently of the books Me vs Us: A Health Divided, Accidental Kindness: A Doctor’s Notes on Empathy, and The Turning Point: Reflections on a Pandemic with Sandro Galea. He is a physician and health services researcher who is an international authority on the intersection of primary care, mental health, and substance use disorders.
Monica L. Wang is an associate professor of community health sciences at Boston University School of Public Health and the executive editor of Public Health Post. An award-winning researcher, educator, and thought leader, she specializes in social determinants of health and health equity, with a focus on chronic disease prevention and community-engaged interventions. With over a decade of experience leading NIH-funded health disparities research, Dr. Wang has made significant contributions to understanding and addressing systemic health inequities. Her work, spanning academic research and public scholarship, has been featured in leading journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association and the American Journal of Public Health and media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Public Radio, Forbes, National Geographic, The Boston Globe, The Conversation, and CBS.
Executive Editor
Monica L. Wang is an associate professor of community health sciences at Boston University School of Public Health and the executive editor of Public Health Post. An award-winning researcher, educator, and thought leader, she specializes in social determinants of health and health equity, with a focus on chronic disease prevention and community-engaged interventions. With over a decade of experience leading NIH-funded health disparities research, Dr. Wang has made significant contributions to understanding and addressing systemic health inequities. Her work, spanning academic research and public scholarship, has been featured in leading journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association and the American Journal of Public Health and media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Public Radio, Forbes, National Geographic, The Boston Globe, The Conversation, and CBS.
Mallory Bersi joined Public Health Post after several years of working as a writer in public health communications. She received her MPH from Boston University School of Public Health with a focus in health communication and promotion and maternal and child health. When she is not getting lost in a good book or (overly) invested in TV characters, she enjoys experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
Managing Editor
Mallory Bersi joined Public Health Post after several years of working as a writer in public health communications. She received her MPH from Boston University School of Public Health with a focus in health communication and promotion and maternal and child health. When she is not getting lost in a good book or (overly) invested in TV characters, she enjoys experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
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Learn MoreWorking night shifts takes a toll on one's health, but a recent intervention may help nurses better adjust to their changing schedules.
The more time young people spend scrolling on social media, the more likely they are to develop anxiety and attention difficulties.
Gender-specific differences in how depression develops from childhood to early adulthood highlight the need for tailored prevention programs.
LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately affected by eating disorders due to stressors such as discrimination, harassment, and trauma.
Expanding SNAP eligibility criteria could be a vital step in addressing food insecurity as a driver of substance use.
More and more people are willing to spend thousands of dollars and subject themselves to invasive procedures for a full head of hair.
On gender inequities in science and the need to uplift all genders to advance and elevate the work of science.
Policies that address poverty can have positive spillover effects on broader outcomes, including improving child well-being.
If 200 million adults chose to cut their red and processed meat intake by 30%, over one million cases of type 2 diabetes could be prevented.
The maldistribution of the dental workforce across the country disproportionately affects the health of rural and uninsured populations.
On researchers' transdisciplinary ventures and their role in fostering innovation across the scientific enterprise.
The average American consistently consumes over 50% of their daily at-home calories from ultra-processed foods.
From 2019 to 2022, e-scooter injuries nearly tripled, with the use of alcohol and other substances playing a key role in injury risk.
Prolonged noise exposure can result in negative mental and physical health outcomes, including heart disease, hearing loss, and anxiety.
Despite the safety warnings, people are using e-bikes and scooters unsafely, leading to a rise in injuries.
Cities with higher rates of biking and more biker-friendly infrastructure tend to be safer for all road users, including pedestrians.
Younger adults, women, and those with higher educational attainment were more likely to believe climate change will harm their health.
Chronic exposure to air pollutants contributes to and worsens skin conditions, highlighting yet another ill effect of a changing climate.
Among low-risk pregnant mothers, Black mothers were 149% more likely than White mothers to undergo an unscheduled C-section.
In states where Medicaid covers 12-month supplies of birth control pills, most contraceptive users only receive a 1-3-month supply at a time.
Despite growing awareness of the condition, around 75% of women with PCOS go undiagnosed.
Restrictive divorce laws in some states not only fail to protect pregnant individuals but may also actively contribute to harm.
Only 18 states offer comprehensive pregnancy care for undocumented mothers in the United States.
Following the implementation of a strict abortion ban in Texas, there was a 12.9% rise in infant deaths across the state.
The persistent inequity in COVID-19 vaccination rates has had daunting health, social, and economic consequences worldwide.
The Mini-PASS initiative shows that portable water systems can be a safe, effective alternative to modern plumbing in rural communities that lack infrastructure.
AI chatbots can share useful health information, but to be effective, they must use trusted sources and simple language to bridge knowledge gaps.
In 2020, unused hotels were transformed into critical COVID-19 response infrastructure, offering valuable lessons for future public health crises.
As global temperatures rise, dengue fever is emerging as a growing threat in regions once considered low-risk.
Higher levels of antimicrobial resistance were present among those living in more vulnerable, disadvantaged communities.
Public Health Post is a daily population health publication written by Boston University School of Public Health students and leading public health experts. Every day, we spotlight critical intersections in public health and social justice to advance conversations about health in the United States.