Laura Johnson of the College of Public Health discusses how domestic abuse is not just physical or emotional but can be financial, too, while Deborah Cai, senior associate dean of the Klein College of Media and Communication, considers the question of whether it’s OK to ask a person if they’re vaccinated. An overview of the Trauma Victims Support Advocates Program also highlights the university’s top media hits for the month of August.

Public health’s role has never been more important
The role of public health has arguably never been more significant than it is now. Between climate change, COVID-19 and aging populations, there is a lot to handle. Laura Siminoff, dean of the College of Public Health, discussed the important role public health plays during a special Q&A with The Philadelphia Inquirer. “What we understand about public health now is that people are not islands. They live in communities. Public health has to address their living conditions, the way they can or cannot access healthcare, the way the entire healthcare system responds to them,” Siminoff said.
The Philadelphia Inquirer | Aug. 26, 2021

Formaldehyde helps keep shirts wrinkle free
Formaldehyde, a colorless, strong-smelling and flammable chemical, is often used during the embalming process to preserve a body, but it has other purposes, too. It can be found in a number of non-wrinkle shirts, and it’s the key ingredient when it comes to keeping those shirts nice and neat. “Formaldehyde keeps the fabric’s fibers in place after a spin in the washing machine,” said David S. Brookstein, senior associate dean of the College of Engineering.
MEL | Aug. 26, 2021

Improving health outcomes for pregnant Black women
In far too many instances, pregnancy ends up being fatal for Black women. And according to a 2020 report from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee, many of these deaths could have been prevented. Sharon Herring, associate professor of medicine and director of the Program for Maternal Health Equity at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, is doing her part to change this. Together with Maternal Wellness Village, she is leading a study that looks at how having access to community support services can improve health outcomes for pregnant Black people.
The Philadelphia Inquirer | Aug. 25, 2021

Why do so few people get monoclonal antibodies?
Monoclonal antibodies are both free and effective against COVID-19, but the vast majority of folks are not getting them. One of the challenges is that there are a number of logistical challenges behind getting the antibodies to those who want them. “Momentum is a tough thing to get going and I’m glad it’s starting to,” said Jason C. Gallagher, clinical professor of pharmacy practice and infectious diseases at Temple University School of Pharmacy. “But it still needs to be improved.”
The Washington Post | Aug. 20, 2021

How do you ask, “Are you vaccinated?”
How exactly does one approach the topic of vaccination status? Is it even acceptable to discuss in the workplace? Deborah Cai, senior associate dean of the Klein College of Media and Communication, joins the KYW In-Depth podcast to discuss the intricacies of this question and outlines how to delicately address this question as more and more companies prepare to return to the office this fall.
KYW Newsradio | Aug. 19, 2021

Study abroad before coming to Temple
Students hoping to enroll at Temple can help their chances by studying abroad for a semester with Verto. The five-year-old startup guarantees students admission into at least one of their partner schools after they spend a semester or more earning college credit by taking its courses abroad or in Hawaii. Twelve students are expected to come from Verto to enroll at Temple University this spring. “We communicated to them that rather than waiting for us to make a decision as to whether or not we can offer a space for the fall, here is a direct conduit into Temple,” said Shawn Abbott, vice provost for Admissions, Financial Aid and Enrollment Management.
The Wall Street Journal | Aug. 14, 2021

Alumna pursues entrepreneurial path in midst of pandemic
At just 24 years old, Brooke Lambert, CPH ’20, is well on her way to building her smoothie empire. This summer, she opened her second Mangos & More location on the Ocean City Boardwalk. The healthy food eatery serves smoothies, bowls, breakfast selections, coffee and frozen yogurt. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to pull off opening a new business during a pandemic, but I did,” Lambert said.
The Press of Atlantic City | Aug. 12, 2021

Domestic abuse can be economic, too
When we think of examples of domestic abuse, we think of both physical and emotional abuse. However, it can be much more than that. Financial abuse, according to Laura Johnson, assistant professor of social work in the College of Public Health, is controlling or coercive behavior related to a partner’s material life. For instance, it could be creating astronomical debt, not allowing access to income or harassing someone at their job until they are fired. “You can be broken up and be in different states, and the [abuser] could still be running up money under your accounts,” said Johnson. “Trying to prove that that isn’t your debt becomes extremely difficult. So, on one end, you can have no money, and on another end, you could owe tons of money.”
The 19th | Aug. 10, 2021

NIL rules could help Olympians stay in school
In the past, following the conclusion of the Olympics, athletes were faced with a tough decision. They could either continue with their college careers or cash in on their fame. However, thanks to new name, image and likeness laws, the decision may have just gotten a lot easier. According to Thilo Kunkel of the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management, the laws could be a gamechanger for Olympic athletes. Now, they can build and monetize their brands via social media without leaving college to do so. The benefit is also there for college sport fans, too, as this will help keep the best athletes in school for a longer period of time.
Forbes | Aug. 7, 2021

Secrets to staying healthy and happy
People in Japan, Hawaii and Norway are among the happiest and healthiest in the world. What’s their secret? Shigenori Nagatomo, a professor of religion in the College of Liberal Arts, said the key is embracing the Buddhist concept of time. “Many people often daydream, thinking that there is something better someplace else other than where they are. But there’s an ultimate reality unfolding right before your eyes, all the time—so you want to fully engage yourself in that,” Nagatomo said.
CNBC | Aug. 6, 2021

Trauma advocates are unsung heroes at Temple Hospital
When victims of violence arrive at Temple University Hospital, members of the Trauma Victims Support Advocates Program are there to greet them. The program, which was created by Scott Charles, has since become a hallmark of the hospital. “One of the things that I recognize from being here so many years is that when it comes to law enforcement officers, when they’re injured in the line of duty, we pull out all the stops, and it doesn’t matter if you’re treated at this hospital or any hospital throughout the city. There is an understandable outpouring of support, a sense of urgency. And what I wanted was to have a similar response for the person who gets shot in North Philly, who might’ve been born in this hospital, who grew up down the street from here, whose grandma gets her heart medicine here, and think about the needs of their families, and their needs as individuals,” Charles said.
The Philadelphia Inquirer | Aug. 5, 2021

Hope Center survey reveals COVID’s impact on college students
COVID-19 has impacted a number of different segments of the population, including college students. A new survey from the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice revealed that nearly 7% of all college students have become sick with COVID-19 since the spring of 2020. Infection rates were also higher among racial and ethnic minorities than they were among white students.
The Chronicle of Higher Education | Aug. 3, 202