Looking to fulfill the public health needs of Arizona and the nation, 260 undergraduate and graduate degrees were awarded to students by the UA Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at a convocation ceremony in May. The graduates celebrated in style with family and friends at Centennial Hall.

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With concern growing over a potential epidemic related to the Zika virus, a team of scientists with collaborators from the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health has defined high-risk areas in the United States. The team was led by scientist Andrew Monaghan of the National Center for Atmospheric Research and Kacey Ernst, PhD, associate professor and infectious disease epidemiologist at the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health. Dr. Ernst spoke before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Research and Technology, in Washington, D.C., on May 25.

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A study by researchers at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health finds that African American men with a high degree of West African genetic ancestry have a lower risk of obesity. “We found that West-African genetic ancestry may afford protection against central adiposity (“belly fat”) in African American men, but not in African American women,” says the study’s lead author, Yann Klimentidis, PhD, an assistant professor who studies genetic epidemiology at the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health.

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Walking and hiking offers a host of health benefits from helping you lose weight and lifting your mood to controlling diabetes and lowering your blood pressure. Tumamoc Hill is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Tucson, Arizona. UA Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health alum Gregory Haft and Deanna Lewis, a doctoral student, decided to find out why. “It feels like it’s the people’s hill,” says Lewis, who is also a physician assistant and founder of Dequenesh Community Health Clinic. On the day they collected data, the team counted 1,008 walkers between 4 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. They surveyed 396 people to find out who they are, what they do, why and how often they walk Tumamoc. The data showed that people walk 1 to 2 times a week for 30 to 60 minutes. People cited many reasons for walking and hiking Tumamoc, including exercise, fun, the natural beauty and a sense of community. Lewis says the study shows that Tumamoc is an incredible asset to the community of Tucson.

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Scholarships are available for kids to attend the Healthy 2B Me Summer Camp in June and July. The UA Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health offers a series of week-long summer camps for children ages 7-10 designed to share public health messaging with lots of fun interactive activities in team building and friendship, sun safety, tobacco prevention, nutrition and physical activity, germ safety, swimming and more! Lessons will be taught by experts from the UA Canyon Ranch Center for Prevention & Health Promotion, and members of the Tucson Community. Healthy 2B Me Camp will be held at the UA Campus Recreation Center in Tucson. Sign your child up now for one of the remaining sessions offered June 20-24 or July 11-15. Camp hours are 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Contact Nicole Bergier, H2BMeCamp@gmail.com, 520-626-5470.

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