This presentation highlights the impact of undergraduate involvement in public health research and how student projects directly benefit communities. Through the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance’s Walk With Ease Kansas Data Project, students contributed to the evaluation of a workplace wellness program, creating data visualizations and employer-facing materials to promote healthier lifestyles.
In collaboration with Dr. Emily Gower in the UNC Department of Epidemiology, students also support two major vision health initiatives. The Women’s Health Initiative adds new in-home vision assessments to better understand how vision loss impacts quality of life, health, and independence among women aged 80 and older. Meanwhile, the Rural NC Vision Study brings free vision screenings and eye health resources to under served counties such as Lenoir and Cumberland. Together, these projects expand access to care and generate insights that guide future interventions tailored to North Carolina’s needs
By engaging directly with communities, analyzing health outcomes, and developing outreach tools, undergraduate researchers demonstrate how UNC research extends beyond campus—improving quality of life, reducing health disparities, and strengthening public health across North Carolina.