Policy Pub: Bouncing Back: What the Science of Resilience Can Teach Us

This post is based on a webinar sponsored by Florida State University’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. Resilience is defined by aspects, such as self-reliance, perseverance, and flexibility in difficult situations. While resilience is often thought of as being a psychological characteristic, or something innate, research tells us there are things that can be done…

Ph.D. Spotlight: Social Relationships as Resources in Later Life: The Dynamics of Structural and Functional Support

The field of sociology has long acknowledged the importance of social relationships. Some of the most well-known research in sociology on relationships stems from the foundational work of Durkheim, who found those who were socially integrated were less likely to commit suicide than those who were socially isolated. Durkheim’s was among the first sociological studies to argue…

Sedentary Time Linked to Weather for Kids in Mexico City

Global increases in sedentary behavior – like sitting or lying down – are worrisome for public health as they may be harbingers of increased mortality and morbidity, such as obesity and high blood pressure. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 25% of adults and more than 80% of adolescents across the world are not physically…

Ph.D. Spotlight: The Disablement Process of Aging United States Veterans.

Being that military service was a normative part of early adult life for today’s older U.S. population, the number of veterans aged 60 and older in 2015 was estimated to be over 9.3 million. Older United States (U.S.) veterans are a population at risk for disability due to their early life experiences with military service…

Ph.D. Spotlight: Frank Annie on Structural Health Outcomes in the Appalachian Region

Dr. Annie’s dissertation investigates the overall impact of chemical exposure, health care disparities, and current health care issues facing the Appalachian Region of the United States while adding to the research of human disease ecology and essential health care delivery. His dissertation is structured as three-papers and offers a thorough exploration of theoretical frameworks connected…

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Kerry Fang’s Research in China

I recently received the Lincoln Institute China Program International Fellowship to conduct the project “Land Tenure and the Health of Children: Evidence from Rural China.” The project will use the 2003 “Ban of Land Adjustment” in China as a natural experiment to investigate whether secured land tenure improves children’s health outcomes. Unpacking the relationship between land tenure…

New Abortion Laws Contribute to Sexist Environments that Harm Everyone’s Health

This piece first appeared in The Conversation. Nine states have passed laws in 2019 alone that restrict abortion at the earliest stages of pregnancy. Those of us who study public health are becoming increasingly concerned about the potential for negative health consequences of these kinds of policies on women. That’s because research has shown that laws limiting reproductive rights and services…

Does Disability, Perceived Discrimination and Depression Vary by Race?

Although the African Americans experienced higher rates of physical disability compared to whites and Hispanics, the harmful psychological effects of having a physical disability did not alter the very strong statistical relationship between racial discrimination and depression.