Author: Jini I Davis

CPES Research Highlighted by Pew: Promoting Public Health via Cross-Sector Data Sharing

Posted on April 2, 2026April 3, 2026 by Jini I Davis

We’re proud to share that research and expertise from the Center for Prevention Evaluation and Statistics (CPES) at UConn Health, led by Dr. Megan O’Grady, were featured in a recent article published by The Pew Charitable Trusts, highlighting Connecticut’s leadership in cross-sector data sharing to strengthen public health policy and practice.

The Pew article, “Improving Connecticut’s Public Health Through Cross-Sector Data-Sharing,” examines how Connecticut is using collaborative, cross-agency data efforts to inform prevention strategies and improve health outcomes statewide. Central to this work is the State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW) Prevention Data Portal, a resource developed through partnerships among the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), CPES at UConn Health, and the Connecticut Data Collaborative.

CPES plays a key role in supporting and managing the Prevention Data Portal, which brings together local, state, and federal data sources to make complex public health information accessible and actionable. The portal provides free, publicly available products—including epidemiological profiles, data stories, and infographics—covering topics such as substance use, mental health, suicide, and other critical public health issues affecting communities across Connecticut.

As Pew notes, Connecticut’s experience demonstrates how strong leadership, cross-sector partnerships, and practical use cases can help overcome common barriers to data sharing—without requiring major new investments in infrastructure. The lessons highlighted in the article offer a roadmap for other states seeking to use data more effectively to guide prevention, promote health equity, and inform policy decisions.

This national recognition underscores CPES’s ongoing commitment to data-driven prevention and collaboration in service of healthier communities. We invite you to read the full Pew article to learn more about how Connecticut’s approach to cross-sector data sharing is making an impact—and how CPES research continues to support this important work.

Read the Pew article:
Improving Connecticut’s Public Health Through Cross-Sector Data-Sharing

Department of PHS Proudly Supports the Black Family Wellness Expo

Posted on March 24, 2026April 6, 2026 by Jini I Davis

On March 21, 2026, the Department of Public Health Sciences was proud to sponsor and host a table at the Black Family Wellness Expo. It was a powerful community event dedicated to advancing health equity and addressing health disparities through education, connection, and access to resources.

The Expo brought together families, community organizations, and health advocates for a day focused on wellness, prevention, and empowerment. Attendees had access to free health screenings, educational materials, and trusted resources designed to support healthier individuals and families. For our department, the event represented an important opportunity to engage directly with the community and share practical tools that promote healthy living.

Throughout the day, faculty and staff connected with families, answered questions, and distributed healthy recipes from the Department of Public Health Sciences cookbook—a resource developed to make nutritious, culturally relevant meals more accessible. These conversations reinforced the value of meeting people where they are and providing information that can be immediately applied in everyday life.

“It was truly gratifying to learn that the community regards UConn as a pillar of educational support. Many families expressed their appreciation to Public Health Sciences for sharing healthy recipes from our department cookbook.” ~ Jini Korcz

Hearing directly from families about the impact of UConn’s presence underscored the importance of sustained community partnerships. Events like the Black Family Wellness Expo highlight how academic institutions can play a meaningful role beyond campus—supporting prevention, education, and trust-building in the communities we serve.

The Department of Public Health Sciences remains committed to advancing health equity through community‑engaged research, education, and outreach. We are grateful to the organizers, partners, and families who made this event such a meaningful success, and we look forward to continuing this important work together.

photo of Black Family Wellness attendees

Dr. Angela Bermúdez-Millán Keynote Speaker for Health Symposium

Posted on March 20, 2026March 20, 2026 by Jini I Davis

We were proud to have Dr. Angela Bermudez-Millan, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences, serve as the keynote speaker at the 63rd Connecticut High School Science and
Humanities Symposium hosted by UConn Health.

Dr. Bermúdez‑Millán shared her work as a public health nutrition researcher, focusing on the social determinants of health and food insecurity—while inspiring the next generation of scientists to pursue research rooted in community impact and health equity.

Thank you for empowering Connecticut’s future STEM leaders with your passion, research, and commitment to public health.

Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/eGXMayVS

PHS Shines at CPHA Conference 2026

Posted on March 12, 2026March 16, 2026 by Jini I Davis

The Connecticut Public Health Association (CPHA) held its Annual Conference on Tuesday, March 10, at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford. This year’s theme was entitled: Public Health Matters: People. Purpose. Progress. This highlighted how public health grows from the collective actions we take to support healthier communities.

Reflecting that theme, the Department of Public Health Sciences distributed a garden‑to‑table cookbook paired with seed packets. Attendees were able to get a bag with a seed starter kit, an assortment of seeds, and the cookbook. The idea was simple but powerful: public health begins with what we cultivate – literally and figuratively. Planting seeds mirrors the work of public health professionals who invest in people, nurture community well‑being, and help progress take root. The cookbook, featuring recipes from our faculty inspired by the very seeds shared with attendees, underscored how everyday choices around food, environment, and community shape healthier lives.

The department was strongly represented throughout the conference. Ten public health students presented a total of 14 posters, joined by MPH alumni and a current MPH student who delivered an oral presentation. Faculty and departmental researchers also contributed to the program, offering a range of presentations that provided valuable public health insights to the community.

To learn more about the conference, read about it on UConn Today here.

A collage of items on table at CPHA and people smiling

A collage of people smiling in front of table at CPHA

A collage of speakers and panelists at CPHA

a collage of students at CPHA in front their research posters

The Decline of Teen Sleep: A Public Health Issue We Can’t Ignore

Posted on March 9, 2026March 9, 2026 by Jini I Davis

New national data shows that teens across the U.S. are sleeping far less than they used to — and the trend is accelerating. A new analysis from UConn researcher T. Greg Rhee, published in JAMA, reveals that more than half of teens now report getting under five hours of sleep per night, a level associated with emotional, cognitive, and physical health risks. The percentage of teens getting the recommended eight hours has dropped sharply since 2007, and the decline spans all demographic and behavioral groups. Researchers argue that societal factors — from school schedules to evening demands — may be driving the crisis and call for population‑level interventions.

Read the full article here

Coming Together for Good: Our Winter Donation Drive Success

Posted on February 27, 2026March 5, 2026 by Jini I Davis

This year’s Winter Donation Drive was a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together with generosity and heart. Thanks to the kindness of so many supporters, we were able to collect an incredible 602 donated items. This includes of a mix of clothing, food, and essential hygiene products that will make a meaningful difference for individuals and families facing hardship this season.

In addition to these items, we also received 29 fast‑food gift cards and 30 all‑day bus passes, both of which provide immediate, practical support for people navigating daily challenges. These contributions help ensure that our neighbors not only stay warm, but also have access to meals and transportation when they need it most.

Our team has already begun distributing the donations. Some of the items were delivered to the Center Church warming shelter, where they’ll be put to use right away during the coldest months of the year. We also shared the gift cards with Officer Jim Barrett, who works closely with community members in need and will help get these resources into the right hands.

And we’re not done yet. Next week, we’ll be making another delivery, this time to Hands On Hartford, an organization that continues to be a vital partner in supporting local residents. We’re excited to keep the momentum going and extend the impact of your generosity even further.

Every donation, every share, and every act of support helped make this drive a success. We’re grateful for everyone who contributed and for the ongoing commitment of our community to show up for one another. Together, we’re proving that small acts of kindness can create big waves of change.

Why Homelessness Is a Public Health Concern – Interview with Hartford Police

Posted on February 23, 2026March 5, 2026 by Jini I Davis

Homelessness in Hartford is rising — but it’s more than a housing issue. It’s a public health issue.

In this conversation, Community Service Officer Jim Barrett from the Hartford Police Department shares his perspective from the front lines of homelessness outreach. He discusses what’s driving the increase in homelessness in Hartford, the challenges people experience that the public may not always see, and how unstable housing affects health, safety, and access to care.

We explore:
• How lack of stable housing impacts physical and mental health
• The role of community partnerships and donation drives
• Why small items like bus passes and $5 gift fast food gift cards can make a big difference
• What the public should understand about homelessness in Hartford

Homelessness affects entire communities — from emergency services to healthcare systems to neighborhood well-being. Addressing it requires collaboration, compassion, and public health solutions.

If you’re interested in public health, community outreach, social determinants of health, or local Hartford initiatives, this conversation offers insight into how law enforcement and community partners are working together to support vulnerable populations.

Subscribe here for more conversations on public health, community engagement, and local impact.

Rooted in Health: Public Health Sciences Cookbook

Posted on January 30, 2026March 5, 2026 by Jini I Davis

Welcome to a space where public health takes root. It’s a celebration of what we plant, nurture, and share as a community committed to health and well-being.

At the UConn Department of Public Health Sciences, we believe public health starts in the places we live, learn, work, and grow. From the food on our tables to the systems that shape our daily lives, public health connects us all. That’s why we’ve created this garden-to-table collection featuring recipes from our faculty each inspired by the seeds we are distributing to the community.

Our recipes feature our seed packets featuring cucumbers, various peppers, tomatoes, and herbs.

Please note: This is just a selection of our esteemed faculty members. Those featured have made contributions to this recipe book.

Why It Matters: The Health Behind the Ingredients
Public Health Benefits of Home Gardening

Home gardening is more than a hobby—it’s a public health practice.

Gardening encourages physical activity, reduces stress, and provides access to fresh, affordable produce. It also fosters resilience in communities by improving food security and giving people more control over their nutrition. Growing food at home supports both physical and mental well-being while strengthening connections between individuals, families, and their environment.

If you would like to receive our printed recipe booklet, be sure to stop at our tabling events, or you can set a time to pick it up by calling 860-679-5470.

For more information send us an email at publichealth@uchc.edu

Welcome Our New Faculty: Dr. Jianghong Li

Posted on January 29, 2026March 5, 2026 by Jini I Davis

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Jianghong Li to the UConn Department of Public Health Sciences. Dr. Li joins our faculty as a social and behavioral scientist with more than 25 years of experience conducting applied research alongside underserved and marginalized populations experiencing health disparities.

Dr. Li’s work is deeply rooted in community-based and community-engaged research, with a strong emphasis on stakeholder involvement, empowerment, and resilience. Her approach reflects a commitment to partnering with communities to co-create knowledge and solutions that are responsive, ethical, and sustainable.

With extensive experience in NIH grant development, Dr. Li has served as a Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on more than 20 NIH-funded studies. She has also contributed as key personnel on numerous projects supported by federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), as well as state governments and international organizations including UNICEF and the World Bank.

Methodologically, Dr. Li brings a wide-ranging and highly relevant skill set to the department. Her expertise includes social network data collection and analysis, recruitment and sampling of hidden populations, mixed-methods research, and intervention development, including peer-led, network-based, and multilevel approaches. She also applies systems thinking and stakeholder-engaged system dynamics modeling to support strategic planning and inform policy decision-making within complex health and service systems.

Dr. Li’s scholarship and practice align strongly with the mission of public health: advancing equity, strengthening communities, and translating research into meaningful impact. We are excited to have her join our academic community and look forward to the expertise, mentorship, and collaboration she will bring to our students, faculty, and partners.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Jianghong Li to the department.

Welcome Jessie Gleckel to Our Department!

Posted on November 25, 2025March 5, 2026 by Jini I Davis

We are thrilled to welcome Jessie Gleckel to our department, a seasoned leader in public health whose extensive experience spans practice, research, and evaluation on local, national, and international stages. Her impressive career has seen her excel in roles at prestigious organizations, such as PATH, Public Health – Seattle & King County, the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence.

Jessie’s diverse background has enabled her to collaborate effectively with both small and large nonprofit organizations, governmental health agencies, and federal institutions. Her passion and dedication are particularly evident in her focus areas, which include:

Prevention and research on sexual and intimate partner violence
Advocacy for sexual and reproductive health and rights
Promotion of gender equity in HIV prevention, care, and treatment
Quality improvement in correctional health

Beyond her focus areas, Jessie brings a wealth of expertise in:

Providing technical assistance to various stakeholders
Building strong, collaborative partnerships across different sectors
Conducting thorough assessments and evaluations
Designing innovative tools and processes for quality improvement and assurance

Jessie holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Washington’s Community-Oriented Public Health Practice Program and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Public Health at Rutgers University.

Her arrival heralds an exciting new chapter for our department as we continue to strive for health equity and innovation in public health. Join us in welcoming Jessie Gleckel to our team, where her leadership and vision will no doubt make a significant impact.