Teen on phone.

As the United States government considers major policy decisions regarding social media, including a potential forced sale of TikTok and new legislation to protect young users, the comprehensiveness of research informing these decisions faces scrutiny. Jon-Patrick Allem, an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health, discussed the NASEM report in a recent American Journal of Public Health editorial. He laid out his ideas for improvement with Rutgers Today.

Personal holding figure house to the sky

Disability Pride Month, held annually every July, is a time to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community. The month of July was chosen back in 1990 as a part of the celebration of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities.

The Community Living Education Project (CLEP) was founded at Rutgers in 1991. A core belief of CLEP is that all individuals must have the opportunity to choose where and how they want to live. CLEP supports people with disabilities and their families as they explore the many possibilities of community living.

Person pouring water from tap.

The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced new federal rules requiring water companies to reduce the amount of so-called forever chemicals – which have been linked to increase cancer risk and other illnesses – in drinking water nationwide. Robert Laumbach, a clinical researcher with the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute who has been studying forever chemicals in the drinking water in Gloucester County, talked to Rutgers Today about what they are and how they impact human health.

Sam Nemeth

Samuel ‘Sam’ Nemeth, a Master of Public Health student specializing in Population Aging at Rutgers School of Public Health, is currently investigating how prosocial behaviors help increase the chances of recovering from physical and cognitive impairments, and how using an mHealth app, the practice of medicine and public health supported by mobile devices, may improve mental health in older adults.

We spoke with Sam about his passion for population aging and public health, and why this intersection is crucial to recognize during Older Americans Month and beyond.