photo of the UNLV flashlight statue

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health News

The Department of Environmental and Occupational Health emphasizes the role of air, water, the home environment, and the workplace as critical determinants of health. Our accredited programs provide mentorship, community involvement opportunities, and research projects for students to grow as experts and leaders in their fields.

Current Environmental and Occupational Health News

students in spring
Campus News |

News highlights starring UNLV students and faculty who made local and national headlines.

cropped photo of smiling woman with dark hair
People |

Public Health professor Erika Marquez receives 2024 Community Engagement Award for her work breaking down barriers to reach marginalized communities.

young female student carrying football across field
Campus News |

Partnership with the Las Vegas Raiders uses sports to boost body image and mental well-being of teenage girls.

Spring Flowers (Becca Schwartz)
Campus News |

A roundup of the top news stories featuring UNLV students and faculty.

a UNLV football helmet placed on the turf with an Allegiant Stadium sign and empty bleachers visible in the background
Campus News |

As the nation's most-watched sports entertainment event rolls into town, UNLV researchers are available to provide expertise.

woman under tree poses by birds
People |

The director of UNLV’s Occupational Therapy program likens her field to the nest-building skills of birds.

Environmental and Occupational Health In The News

City Cast Las Vegas

Flag football has grown a lot as a sport since it reached Clark County high schools in 2012. Recently approved to debut at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, the sport has gained attention among girls and people concerned about brain injuries such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. In partnership with the Raiders, UNLV’s School of Public Health developed the RUSH program to address mental health for middle school girls by increasing their awareness of the rapidly-growing sport of flag football. Professor Dr. Jennifer Pharr shares details about the program and the future of high school sports in Las Vegas with co-host Dayvid Figler.

KVVU-TV: Fox 5

The Rush program focuses on keeping girls active as they grow older.

KSNV-TV: News 3

RUSH - Raiders, UNLV, Sports and Health - is happening this Friday. Created by the UNLV School of Public Health, RUSH is a sports clinic for local middle school girls to encourage them to pursue sports in high school.

Johns Hopkins Malaria Minute

On the steps of Capitol Hill, we meet the scientists bringing their scientific battle against malaria into the world of political advocacy. They join a 100+ group of advocates lobbying their members of Congress to fund critical interventions against malaria – becoming ‘malaria champions’ as well.

KTNV-TV: ABC 13

Early allergy season has officially arrived in the Las Vegas valley. Las Vegas local Jose Montalto tells Channel 13 that he recently started taking his allergy medicine. "[I noticed] an itch in the back of the throat, sneezing, a little more than usual," he said. "[I] thought is this a cold or is that an allergy? And then, you realize a couple days later oh. Not a cold. It's allergies."

Las Vegas Sun

Electric cars are making a dent in Las Vegas’ air pollution, but charging infrastructure is still limited and drivers statewide aren’t adopting the technology fast enough to reach emissions goals.

Environmental and Occupational Health Experts

A national authority on lead poisoning and human health.

Recent Environmental and Occupational Health Accomplishments

Jennifer Pharr (Environmental and Occupational Health) was featured as a guest on City Cast Las Vegas' podcast on the episode: "Is Flag Football The Future of High School Sports in Vegas?" Flag football has grown a lot as a sport since it reached Clark County high schools in 2012. Recently approved to debut at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles,…
Louisa Messenger (Environmental and Occupational Health) co-published a paper on "Insecticide Resistance in Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes: Possible Detection of kdr F1534C, S989P, and V1016G Triple Mutation in Benin, West Africa" in the journal Insects. The effectiveness of chemical control of Aedes (Ae.) aegypti is threatened by the…
Jennifer Pharr (Environmental and Occupational Health) was interviewed by Channel 3 KSNV's ARC Las Vegas to talk about "UNLV, Raiders using sports to boost teen health." Pharr discusses the RUSH program and how it will help boost body image and mental health of teen girls. The next RUSH clinic will be taking place on Friday, April 19 at UNLV…
Asma Tahir (Environmental and Occupational Health) was recently featured on the City Cast Las Vegas podcast for an episode titled, "Is Allergy Season Getting Worse in Las Vegas?" How did a desert town like Las Vegas get so pollen-y, and is allergy season getting worse? In this episode, co-host Sarah Lohman sits down with Asma Tahir, supervisor of…
Shawn Gerstenberger, Jorge Bertran, Melissa Marshall, Courtney Coughenour, Maxim Gakh (all Environmental and Occupational Health), and Chad Cross (Epidemiology and Biostatistics) published an article on "Environmental hazards and likelihood of mitigation in renter-occupied housing units in Clark County, Nevada" in the journal Housing and Society…
Louisa Messenger (Environmental and Occupational Health) co-published an article on "Chagas disease in immunocompromised patients" in the journal Clinical Microbiology Reviews.  As Chagas disease remains prevalent in the Americas, it is important that healthcare professionals and researchers are aware of the screening, diagnosis, monitoring…