University of Utah Health Research

Global climate change has real consequences for human health. Rising temperatures and changing patterns of precipitation increase food and water insecurity and spur the spread of many infectious disease, while extreme weather events put people at further risk. Health care systems are responding to this challenge not just by delivering quality care but also by reevaluating their own impact on climate. More than 4% of the greenhouse gases that drive climate change come from health care systems, and in the United States, health care’s contribution to carbon emissions is even greater. One way that hospitals and clinics can reduce their carbon footprint is through telemedicine, which uses videoconferencing or other technology to increase access to care and eliminate the need for patients to travel to meet with their provider. Mollie R. Cummins, PhD, RN, professor at the University of Utah College of Nursing, analyzed more than 79,000 telemedicine visits that took place during 2021 and 2022, when remote visits surged due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to figure out just much of a difference this approach can make. She and her colleagues found that the median round-trip driving distance between the patients and providers involved in these interactions was 49 miles. Based on these data, they estimated that telemedicine reduced U.S. carbon emissions by 1.44 million metric tons annually—the amount that would be generated by using 165 million gallons of gasoline. Their findings have influenced policy discussions and clinical practice. Although telemedicine use fluctuates varies depending on public health needs and other factors, the positive environmental impact is clear. “Telemedicine isn't just about convenience, it's a step toward a greener future for health care,” Cummins says. Continue reading Pioneering the Future: Finding Health Insights with a Big-Picture View. https://lnkd.in/gykYZErD

Fifteen centers have been chosen to participate in an innovative research network focused on advancing heart transplant care. We are proud to announce that University of Utah Health, under the leadership of Josef Stehlik, M.D., M.P.H., has been selected to contribute to this significant initiative. https://lnkd.in/eQvYCasZ

A reminder that the DHI is accepting applications for the 2026 Digi-Stars Scholars, a program that brings outstanding early-career leaders in digital health to the University of Utah to share their work and engage with our research community. You now have until May 15th to nominate yourself or a colleague to be considered for this program! If you would like to apply, check out the QR code on the attached flyer or follow this link (https://shorturl.at/9zZDJ) to fill out our online application.

University of Utah researchers team up to develop and test a smartwatch that tracks electrical properties of pulsating blood. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ekWgEtuM

U of U Health researcher Mary Jo Pugh PhD, FAAN, FANA, FAES , studies how traumatic brain injury can increase the risk of mental and physical health conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and suicide, helping identify opportunities for earlier intervention and care. Learn more in Pioneering the Future: Finding Health Insights with a Big-Picture View. https://lnkd.in/gykYZErD

The University of Utah has been ranked 27th out of 243 U.S. research universities by the Cure Innovation Index, a prestigious ranking of health care innovation which aims to measure how well institutions are creating health care solutions via research. https://lnkd.in/g_Xiq8VB

Anticonvulsant Drug Development Program has helped bring nearly a dozen epilepsy medications to patients. For program director and researcher Karen Wilcox, PhD, finding better epilepsy treatments means integrating creativity, hard work, and natural wonder. University of Utah Health

From genome sequences to records of nationwide health care visits, scientists are mining large datasets to gain new understanding of health challenges, how we address them, and what we can do better. Experience the full story: https://lnkd.in/gykYZErD

By using health data to its full potential, Kensaku Kawamoto, MD, PhD, MHS, FACMI, FAMIA, is working toward a world where every patient receives the right care, every time.

Let’s rally together and build the ultimate grant-writing playlist! What songs fuel your writing sessions, deadline crunches, and “just one more revision” moments? Drop your recs in the comments below.