The WWAMI School of Medical Education is a collaboration among 6 universities in five
northwestern states (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho) and the University
of Washington School of Medicine. The University of Washington School of Medicine
ranked as #1 in the US for Primary Care Education in 2022 by US News & World Report.
Here at UAA, WWAMI is proud to offer both the Doctor of Medicine program in partnership
with the University of Washington, as well as a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in
Pre-Medical Studies to prepare students for medical school.
Rural Alaskan communities are seeking grant funding to address health risks related to climate change. Associate Professor Micah Hahn from the Institute of Circumpolar Health Studies spoke to Alaska Public Media about her team’s efforts to help communities create climate adaptation strategies.
Alaska is prepared to handle harsh winter weather, but climate change has triggered a new threat – heat. Micah Hahn with the Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies (ICHS) is teaming with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Alaska branch to develop the state’s first hot weather warning system based on the local temperature threshold.
Historically, ticks haven’t been a problem in Alaska. But factors like climate change and tourism have created a welcoming environment for new species that can transmit illnesses to humans. Micah Hahn with the Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies is tracking them. “Our work over the past six years is to understand the baseline–where we are with the ticks that exist in Alaska.”
UAA Associate Professor of Environmental Health Micah Hahn is leading a research project around climate change, health, wildfire smoke and environmental justice in Alaska that recently received a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
According to results from research led by Micah Hahn, an environmental epidemiologist here at UAA, Alaskans' health starts suffering when temperatures climb to 70 degrees, and that local and state officials should consider policies to respond to heat-related health problems that are expected to increase as the climate continues to warm.
Highlights
Research
Researchers at UAA are active in medical studies related to health disparities, cancer
and community engagement. Come back soon to learn more about WWAMI research.
This annual event, co-hosted by Alaska WWAMI and the UAA College of Health, provides
information to anyone interested in pursuing careers in healthcare including medicine.
High school students, undergraduates, and college graduates are invited to attend.
The UW School of Medicine's Service Learning program provides students with opportunities
to hone their skills while addressing the health needs of our underserved communities.
WWAMI offers six Pathways giving students the opportunity to pursue a particular interest
and develop knowledge and skills specifically tailored to working with specific communities
domestically and abroad.