Good News

A new study published in The Lancet Global Health examined the relationship between the built environment and obesity in 21 countries. Professor Perry Hystad was a co-author of the study, which was the first to assess built environment characteristics through photographs in diverse global communities to examine how the built environment is associated with body mass index and obesity.

Allison Myers, associate dean for Extension and Engagement and program leader for Family and Community Health, received the Policy Champion Award from the Oregon Public Health Association. Thanks, Allison, for being a champion of the COH and Family and Community Health!

Assistant Professor Andy Pitchford was voted president of the North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity. Congrats, Andy!

College of Health assistant professor of practice and child care policy researcher Megan Pratt recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to testify before U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren about the challenges facing the child care industry. Read more about her experience in OSU Today.

Faculty and staff from across the college recently welcomed new undergraduate and graduate students at several events, including the college welcome lunch, graduate student orientation, kickball with the dean and FORTE. 

They include Hanako Justice, Mikaela Swaim, Maia Farris, Debi Rothermund, Keri Fisher, Mendy Gayler, Jessica Iverson, Susan Peterson, Gabbi Merales Zott, Greg Vaughn, Samhita Dixit, Gina Cavanaugh, Alyssa Dart, Tonya Johnson, Hilary Roman, Andrew Mobbs, Zev Valancy, Laurel Kincl, Kathryn Stroppel, Adriana Harper, David Cortez, Marilyn Thompson, Megan MacDonald, Peggy Dolcini, Annie Hommel, Kim Hannigan, Michelle Bump, faculty supporting student clubs, and Associate Dean Doris Cancel-Tirado, who helped organize events and hoisted the college flag to lead students to convocation alongside Marie Harvey.

See more event photos on Facebook.

Suzanne Segerstrom, a professor of Human Development and Family Sciences and director of the Center for Healthy Aging Research, and David Dallas, an associate professor of nutrition and endowed director of the Moore Family Center, represented Oregon State University at the Pendleton Round-Up. Together, they presented blankets to the best-dressed Native American participants in the area.

Ainsley Beck, a senior studying nutrition with a dietetics option and minoring in human development and family sciences, is a dedicated and accomplished student involved in numerous campus activities.

Committed to her field, she is involved in Food Hero through OSU Extension and is a peer advisor for the College of Health. Ainsley is also a leader on campus, serving as president of the Nutrition and Dietetics Club and vice president of recruitment for Panhellenic. She is a proud member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and a PRAx Student Fellow. Learn more about Ainsley.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS) awarded a R56 grant of nearly $600,000 to Professor Perry Hystad (PI) to further develop a climate-change and health study within the global Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study.

This research will assess climate-driven exposures for PURE communities using state-of-the-art geospatial assessment methods and determine the direct and indirect impacts of climate-driven exposures on diverse health outcomes.

William Massey, associate professor in kinesiology, has been named the new Hallie Ford Center Youth Core director. His research on play, physical activity and youth development aligns with the HFC Youth Core. Will's recent work on coaching and the importance of recess for healthy development also fits the HFC's applied research focus.

Jonathan Garcia completed his tenure as Youth Core director. Jonathan expanded and strengthened the community-engaged work done in the HFC and was a key leadership team member. Jonathan is taking on a new position as program director of the Corvallis-based MPH

Professor Molly Kile shares information and recommendations in an article about tap water safety.

“You can’t always taste, smell or see dangerous particles in well water,” notes Molly Kile, ScD, the co-Principal Investigator of Oregon State University’s ASPIRE Children's Environmental Health Center. Private well water is not regulated by the EPA, so the only way to know what is in your drinking water is to get it tested. Kile recommends testing your private well water yearly.

Allison Myers, associate dean for Extension and Engagement within the College of Health and program leader for Extension Family and Community Health, was featured on The Roundhouse Foundation's podcast, Funding Rural. In the episode, "Building Communities for Health," Allison explores topics such as mental health and suicide prevention.

“I believe with every fiber of my being that communities can collectively work together to change conditions for health and to create conditions for health," Allison says.

Listen to the podcast. It is also available on major streaming platforms.

Physical Activity Course and Faculty Staff Fitness staff celebrate the start of the 2024-25 academic year with a first day of school photo. Welcome back!