Colorado School of Public Health News and Stories

Insurance expansions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) were linked with an increase in patients receiving care at accredited cancer hospitals in Pennsylvania, according to a study published in Health Services Research by University of Pittsburgh and Colorado School of Public Health researchers.

Within the Denver metropolitan area as well as other Colorado communities, the most vulnerable residents face mounting climate-related challenges such as toxic air quality, droughts, increased fire and flood risk, and extreme weather. The Community Collaborative Research Center (CCRC) at the University of Colorado Denver facilitates participatory research, collaborative planning, and short-term projects between university researchers and grassroots and civic partners to develop equitable solutions that address the impacts of climate change and other systemic inequalities.

Fountain Valley residents are seeing the levels of forever chemicals in their blood drop over time, although the level of one substance remains high compared to people across the nation, results of recent studies show. Researcher Anne Starling, with the Colorado School of Public Health, presented the findings during a virtual meeting Tuesday that focused on early results from a multi-site forever chemical study with more than 1,000 participants from the Fountain Valley.

“Timeliness of care makes a big difference in outcomes,” said Dr. Evelinn Borrayo, associate director in the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement at the University of Colorado Cancer Center and professor in the Department of Community & Behavioral Health at the Colorado School of Public Health, who leads the five-year trial. “Timely treatment improves survivorship, quality of life and mental health.”