New research sheds light on how parents teach children to navigate physical risk

A study from CPH assistant professor Elizabeth O'Neal offers fresh insight into how mothers and fathers guide elementary‑aged children through potentially risky physical activities, and how these approaches differ for sons and daughters. Published February 24, 2026

Novak writes about public health impacts of immigration crackdowns

Nicole Novak, research assistant professor of community and behavioral health, recently co-authored an article about the public health impacts of intensive immigration enforcement. (The Conversation) Published February 18, 2026

Webinar: Understanding the Burden of HPV-Associated Cancers

The College of Public Health and Iowa Immunizes are launching a new webinar series celebrating two decades of cancer prevention, protection, and progress made possible by the HPV vaccine. The series begins on March 6 with a session dedicated to exploring the current burden of HPV‑associated cancers and the impact of vaccination. Published February 17, 2026

University of Iowa researchers launch new statewide project to gather stories from public health workforce

Researchers from the UI College of Public Health's Prevention Research Center for Rural Health (PRC-RH), in partnership with the Iowa Public Health Association, are launching a statewide research effort to better understand how Iowa’s public health workforce perceives the current environment surrounding public health in the United States. Published February 12, 2026

Faith Ibitoye is building connections, empowering adolescents, and strengthening communities

Faith Ibitoye is a graduate student from Nigeria interested in child and adolescent health. She recently answered some questions about what sparked her interest in public health and why she finds the work so valuable and fulfilling. Published February 9, 2026

Askelson talks about change to vaccination recommendations

Professor Natoshia Askelson commented on the CDC's new recommendations for the childhood vaccine schedule that reduces the recommended number of vaccines for children from 17 to 11. Published February 4, 2026

UI College of Public Health launches Maternal and Child Health certificate program

CPH will launch a new graduate-level certificate in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) beginning in the fall semester of 2026. The program is designed to strengthen Iowa’s MCH workforce, particularly in rural communities, by equipping trainees with leadership competencies and hands-on experience in MCH. Published January 28, 2026

Nominations for 2026 Outstanding Alumni Awards due March 2

The UI College of Public Health is pleased to announce that it is accepting nominations for its 2026 Outstanding Alumni Awards. This award program recognizes outstanding alumni in two categories: first, recent graduates who have completed College of Public Health programs within the past ten years and, second, other alumni for accomplishments throughout their careers. Published January 14, 2026

CPH faculty lead innovative projects backed by Obermann Center grants

College of Public Health faculty members Nichole Nidey and Shannon Lea Watkins are helping drive forward new interdisciplinary research projects recently funded by the UI's Obermann Center for Advanced Studies Interdisciplinary Research Grant Program. Published January 12, 2026

VIDEO: What is Public Health?

Have you ever struggled to explain to someone exactly what public health is and why it matters? Here's a great new overview video of about all of the things we study, research, discuss, and advocate for at the UI College of Public Health - public health for beginners, if you will. So the next time you get the question about what it is that you do, here's a great place to start.  Published December 15, 2025