Does the design of the places you work and live affect your health? Can a change in those designs make a positive impact on your wellbeing? The Design Institute at WSU Spokane is hosting “Built Environment and Public Health,” a lecture that will address how design can prevent and reduce illnesses affecting the public.
Kenn Daratha, assistant professor in the College of Nursing at WSU, will discuss his research in understanding geographic differences in determinants of health and illness including diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. The campus community and public are invited to attend this free lecture on Tuesday, March 18 from 4-5:30 p.m. on the Riverpoint Campus in the Academic Center room 20 at 600 N Riverpoint Blvd.
“In Kenn Daratha, we’re privileged to have a top researcher in Washington health issues right here at WSU Spokane,” said David Wang, professor of architecture. “Kenn will help our students envision what an ideal design for a rural Washington town might be when factors such as obesity, management of diabetes and heart disease is cranked into the mix. This is again a demonstration of how sharing knowledge in an interdisciplinary venue takes place at WSU Spokane.”
Daratha’s recent investigations include the areas of diabetes and reduction of comorbidities, urban vs. rural differences in population health, and understanding interventions that prevent and reduce adolescent obesity. He also joined forces with fellow faculty member, Ruth Bindler, RNC, Ph.D. to assemble a multi-organizational, multi-disciplinary team to address the adolescent obesity epidemic.
Event parking is available in the Pay and Display lot located just off of Spokane Falls Boulevard to the west of the South Campus Facility or through Parking Operations in the South Campus Facility behind the Bookie at 412 E. Spokane Falls Blvd. A map to help guide you to your campus location can be viewed or printed at the following link: http://www.spokane.wsu.edu/campusresources/Facilities/documents/CampusMap2006.pdf.
Daratha’s lecture is the final lecture in the Design Research Spring Lecture Series. If you are unable to attend this lecture, you can view an archived version of the presentation via video stream at http://experience.wsu.edu/NewSite/Calendar/Calendar.aspx.
