In December, the Gillings School of Global Public Health announced its exceptional award recipients for health equity research. This year’s honorees are Sarah Mills, Austin Waters, Fred Tusabe, and Emile Charles. Their research addresses serious health disparities affecting various communities.
Alexia Kelley, the assistant dean for research at Gillings, expressed excitement about the recipients’ work. She emphasized how their efforts align with the school’s mission to improve health for everyone, not just in North Carolina, but globally.
This year marks a change in the award’s criteria. Previously open only to faculty, it now includes a doctoral candidate, a Master of Public Health student, and an undergraduate. Kelley noted that this year’s seminar will allow all four winners to present their research together, fostering a rich discussion on health equity.
The selected recipients represent different stages in their careers, allowing for a well-rounded view of the challenges and opportunities within health equity research. Mills, for example, is an assistant professor focused on how local environments and laws affect racial and economic disparities in tobacco use.
Her latest study looks at menthol cigarettes, which are heavily marketed to Black communities and those with lower incomes. Mills found that the tobacco industry continues to push these products in these vulnerable populations, raising concerns about public health. This work highlights the ongoing struggle to change policies and practices that perpetuate health inequities.
The research done by this year’s awardees shows the Gillings School’s commitment to addressing complex health issues. Their work covers vital areas like tobacco policy, sanitation in Uganda’s healthcare facilities, and the health of LGBTQ+ cancer survivors. These efforts are essential for creating healthier communities and promoting equity in healthcare access and outcomes.
