SPHHS Announces Spring '24 Dean's Seminar Series Lineup
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![Collage of photos from left to right: Song Liang, Theo Schall, and Krystal Kittle](/public-health-sciences/sites/g/files/ijdqth186/files/styles/text_area_full_xl/public/2024-01/Liang_Schall_Kittle_featured.jpg?itok=7NjkbMZk)
The School of Public Health and Health Sciences (SPHHS) has announced its Dean’s Seminar lineup for the Spring 2024 semester featuring talks from SPHHS faculty members Song Liang, Theo Schall, and Krystal Kittle.
Song Liang, Professor and Chair of Environmental Health Sciences, kicks off the spring series with a talk titled "Exploring Why Young Children in Sub-Saharan Africa Get Sick from Gut Bugs: Environment, Behaviors, and Risks" on February 29. In his talk, he’ll explore the complex interplay of environmental, social, and behavioral factors driving human exposure and spread of enteric pathogens like campylobacter in sub-Saharan Africa. He’ll also explore how these insights may inform policies for tackling these health hazards, considering the impact of environmental/climate change, and highlight ongoing research needs and challenges in addressing these evolving health threats.
Assistant Professor of Health Promotion and Policy Theo Schall joins the seminar series on March 28 with a talk titled "Insurance Coverage of Gender-Affirming Care: Barriers to Care, Current Policy, and Emerging Threats." In this seminar, Schall will describe the current policy landscape around coverage of gender-affirming care (including hormones, surgeries, and other interventions) and discuss emerging threats including state laws and automated denial systems. He will also summarize results from a mixed methods set of research projects examining insurance denials and the effects of denials on transgender and gender-diverse people and their providers.
Finally, Assistant Professor of Health Promotion and Policy Krystal Kittle will close the series on April 24 with a talk titled "Health Risks and Protective Factors of Sexual and Gender Minority Informal Caregivers of Alzheimer and Dementia Patients." This presentation describes the unique caregiving experiences, risk and protective factors and related health of sexual and gender minority (SGM) informal caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). The presentation will also touch on the unique experiences of subgroups of SGM ADRD caregivers, such as those who also identify as Latino. For example, SGM ADRD caregivers often have fewer financial and social resources than non-SGM ADRD caregivers and they may be caring for someone who does not accept their SGM identity (e.g., biological family members), which can increase stress and adverse outcomes associated with caregiving.
The Dean’s Seminar Series provides opportunities for SPHHS students, faculty, and staff to engage SPHHS faculty members - along with invited presenters including community and state leaders, nationally recognized scholars, and exceptional alumni - on a variety of scientific topics representing the wide range of disciplines found within public health and health sciences. They are presented in an effort to engage all types of listeners from all different experiences and backgrounds.