Health and Well-Being

New research from the University of Kansas shows a “risk gene” linked to higher odds of developing autoimmune diseases such as diabetes or lupus may also provide a survival advantage fighting viral infections like coronavirus.

A researcher from the University of Kansas has led a large-scale study of veterans to better understand how psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders are connected.

Researchers in the KU School of Social Welfare have updated training materials that prepare health care providers to prevent, identify and treat substance use disorders across Kansas. SBIRT — Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment — is an evidence-based approach to talking with people about their substance use.

A KU clinical psychology scholar sought to test whether emotions experienced within dreams — like fear and joy — change feelings the following morning. Garrett Baber and colleagues published the findings in the peer-reviewed journal Sleep.

Researchers have analyzed responses from more than 195,600 Americans surveyed over 10 years. The key finding: Chronic pain is tied to smoking and vaping at higher rates.

KU professor Rikki Roscoe has contributed to the new book “Mental Health Communication for Underserved Populations,” detailing ways to reduce stigma and secrecy among soldiers and veterans who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health issues.

The latest available data shows a vital shift toward community-based care for nearly 1 million Americans, but University of Kansas researchers warn that Medicaid uncertainty could force a return to institutions.

A study from the University of Kansas has found that high levels of social capital, such as civic participation, leads to better public health. However, the improvement was not equal among white and Black populations in the same communities with high levels of social capital, meaning more work is necessary to improve health outcomes for all, according to the authors.

SteroCore, a startup emerging from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, is developing a novel oral testosterone therapy designed to work with, rather than bypass, the liver’s natural physiology. The company’s approach aims to address longstanding challenges in testosterone replacement therapy.

Past research has found that some subpopulations — including immigrants and veterans — who experience disproportionate exposure to trauma are more likely to become entrepreneurs. New work from a KU School of Business researcher introduces a trauma-informed approach as an evidence-based tool to mitigate trauma's effects on functioning and entrepreneurial success.