UCGHI Student Ambassador Blog

A Space for Student Voices

UC Davis student typing on computer in front of mural

Welcome to the UCGHI Student Ambassador Blog, where UCGHI Student Ambassadors from the Center for Gender and Health Justice and the Center for Planetary Health bring you a fresh perspective on the world's current events and news through the lens of passionate and insightful student writers. UCGHI believes that the student voice is powerful, and by amplifying their diverse voices, we can foster meaningful discussions and contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding the pressing issues of gender justice and planetary health.

Exploring the Intersections of Migration, Climate Justice, and Gender

By Ashley Moore, UCSF

2022 - 2023 Student Ambassador Cohort - Center for Gender and Health Justice

June 2, 2023

The global climate crisis is one of the greatest threats currently confronting humanity. Indeed, the now unfolding consequences of the crisis threaten virtually every major sphere of human existence, including ecological sustainability, economic security, political stability, human rights, and health equity.

Fake News and Deforestation: The Double Threat to Planetary Health

By Tiago Tasca, UC Santa Cruz

2022-2023 Student Ambassador Cohort - Center for Planetary Health

June 2, 2023

Brazil, known for its vast Amazon rainforest, rich biodiversity, and crucial global player in the fight against climate change, has been grappling with the dual challenges of deforestation and the spread of fake news, especially during the administration of the former far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro.

Telehealth Use Can Overcome Disparities in Access for Medication Abortion

By Kalani Phillips, MPH, UC Irvine

2022-2023 Student Ambassador Cohort - Center for Gender and Health Justice

June 2, 2023

Threats to medication abortion access are ongoing, and barriers to access persist, including racial, socioeconomic, and geographic barriers. However, one positive result of the COVID-19 pandemic is that access to telehealth broadly increased access to medication abortion.

Pathways of Antibiotic Exposure: a case study of California’s Central Valley

By Brittany Lauren Morgan Bustamante, PhD, MPH, UC Davis

2022-2023 Student Ambassador Cohort - Center for Planetary Health

June 2, 2023

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health issue expected to worsen with climate change. Excessive & unnecessary exposure to antibiotics leads to AMR, and understanding the pathways of antibiotic exposure can help identify high-risk population, document & understand disparities, & implement interventions.

The Cesarean Gap: Addressing the Racial Disparity Among Cesarean Deliveries in the U.S.

By Angelika Sarmiento, UC Berkeley 

2022-2023 Student Ambassador Cohort - Center for Gender and Health Justice

June 2, 2023

There is a significant disparity within the healthcare system that places mothers of color at higher risk for post-partum medical complications through the push for cesarean deliveries (C-sections).

Emerging Infection Diseases/Zoonotic Diseases

By Ruwini Rupasinghe, UC Davis

2022-2023 Student Ambassador Cohort - Center for Planetary Health

June 2, 2023

Zoonoses are diseases and infections that are naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and humans via direct or indirect contact (e.g., through mechanical or biological vectors or fomites).

Reproductive Justice and Respectful Maternity Care

By Celestine Ofori-Parku, PhD, UCSF

2022-2023 Student Ambassador Cohort - Center for Gender and Health Justice

June 2, 2023

Reproductive Justice is a framework that uses human rights principles to resist discriminatory laws and policies based on race, gender, and class. Reproductive Justice is achieved when women, girls, and LGBTQ individuals have the power and resources to make healthy decisions about their bodies and families.

Environmental Health Disparities as an Environmental Justice Issue

By Andrew Tseng, UC RIverside

2022-2023 Student Ambassador Cohort - Center for Planetary Health

June 2, 2023

Environmental health disparities are often overlooked as contributors to health. There are many communities like the one pictured above, which are exposed to a poor-quality of environment.

Women’s Health and Wellbeing in Armenia

By Celine Khackiki, UC San Diego

2022-2023 Student Ambassador Cohort - Center for Gender and Health Justice

June 2, 2023

In the innermost, mountainous regions of the Caucasus region lies a small country called Armenia. With a total population of less than three million people, women compose approximately 52.2% of this demographic.

Nutrition & Food Security

By Guadalupe Perez, UC Merced

2022-2023 Student Ambassador Cohort - Center for Planetary Health

June 2, 2023

Nutrition and food security will always be an important topic to discuss because of food insecurities and malnutrition which impacts many countries.

Gender-Based Violence Within the Latine Community

By Grecia Garcia, UC Berkeley

2022-2023 Student Ambassador Cohort - Center for Gender and Health Justice

June 2, 2023

Gendered violence occurs when physical, emotional, or psychological treatment is negatively imposed on one's gender identity.