School of Population and Public Health

Wildfire smoke has immediate harmful health effects: UBC study

Exposure to wildfire smoke affects the body’s respiratory and cardiovascular systems almost immediately, according to new research from the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health.

Jun 24, 2020

Q&A: UBC researchers warn of dangers of air pollution during COVID-19 outbreak

With all attention on COVID-19 and concerns about the capacity of our health care system to cope, emphasis has rightly been placed on social distancing, handwashing and increasing hospital capacity.

Mar 30, 2020

Peer mentorship programs vital for supporting women leaving prison

New UBC research underscores the value of peer mentorship programs in supporting incarcerated women navigating the transition from prison back into the community.

Feb 18, 2020

UBC experts on Vancouver’s 2019 Empty Homes Tax data

The City of Vancouver released initial 2019 Empty Homes Tax statistics this morning, which showed that almost 15 per cent fewer properties were declared vacant last year. UBC experts are available to comment.

Feb 7, 2020

Living near major roads linked to increased risk of dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and MS

Living near major roads or highways is linked to higher incidence of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis (MS), suggests new research published this week in the journal Environmental Health.

Jan 23, 2020

Canadians dying at a higher rate in areas with more air pollution

Air pollution – even at levels below national and international air quality guidelines – is associated with an increased risk of deaths in Canada, according to new UBC research.

Nov 25, 2019

Drug discount cards could actually cost patients more

New research published today in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) reveals that brand-name drug discount cards are leading to higher health care spending in Canada—increased costs that are ultimately passed on to patients.

Nov 12, 2019

Having the freedom to move around their neighbourhoods on their own helps give children the confidence they need to navigate the world.

Benefits of letting children run free far outweigh the risks

This physical inactivity crisis owes a lot to the decline in children’s independent mobility, which is the subject of a new documentary called Running Free: Children’s Independent Mobility from UBC’s school of kinesiology.

Sep 10, 2019

UBC experts on B.C. PharmaCare announcement

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix will be making an announcement on B.C.’s PharmaCare program this afternoon.

Sep 5, 2019

UBC experts on opioid crisis lawsuits

A court in Oklahoma has found Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries helped fuel the U.S. state’s opioid crisis and has ordered the company to pay $572 million. UBC experts are available to comment.

Aug 27, 2019

Science says when kids participate in team-based extracurricular activities, they have better mental health

Extracurricular activities that nurture a sense of belonging with peers appear to bolster preteen’s mental health, new research from the University of British Columbia suggests.

Aug 26, 2019

UBC experts on federal government announcement on drug pricing changes

The federal government has announced changes to drug prices in a step towards national Pharmacare.

Aug 9, 2019

Music students do better in school than non-musical peers

High school students who take music courses score significantly better on math, science and English exams than their non-musical peers, according to a new study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology.

Jun 24, 2019

UBC experts on World Health Day

World Health Day is on Sunday, April 7. This year’s theme focuses on universal health coverage. UBC experts are available to comment.

Apr 5, 2019

B.C. Legislature in the snow. Credit: Tracy O/Flickr

UBC experts on B.C. budget

The B.C. NDP government is unveiling its second provincial budget this afternoon. UBC experts are available for comment.

Feb 19, 2019

UBC experts on B.C. climate plan

The B.C. government is set to unveil a new climate plan today.

Dec 5, 2018

Many Canadians borrowing money to pay for prescription drugs

An estimated 731,000 Canadians have to borrow money in order to pay for drugs prescribed by their physician, according to new research from the University of British Columbia.

Nov 20, 2018

UBC experts on speed limits and safety

The provincial government has rolled back speed limits on certain sections of B.C. highways. UBC experts are available to comment.

Nov 6, 2018

Sense of belonging in school key to children’s positive mental health

Anti-bullying measures alone are not enough to encourage positive mental health for children in schools, suggests a new study from the University of British Columbia.

Aug 27, 2018

Indigenous people in B.C. suffer transportation-related injuries at a higher rate than the total population, a new UBC study has found.

Indigenous people face higher risk of transportation injuries in British Columbia

Indigenous people in British Columbia suffered transportation-related injuries at a rate 1.89 times higher than the province’s total population between 1991 and 2010, a new University of B.C. study has found.

Jan 31, 2018