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USC University of Southern California

News Archive

  • Race Symposium 2019

    What do forgiveness, “fake news,” and Black Twitter have in common?

    According to researchers, the answer is racism.

  • Aranda

    María Aranda, executive director of the USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging, gave expert testimony before the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors during one of its standing meetings, as the board discussed approving a motion to bring about systemic change to create a more age-friendly Los Angeles.

  • Nurse LGBT health

    In honor of National LGBT Health Awareness Week, family nurse practitioner Amber Richert examines the unique health care needs of LGBT patients—and the destigmatization required to increase their access to LGBT-affirming health care.

    Around 3.5 percent of Americans identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual, and roughly 0.03 percent identify as transgender. And while these individuals often have unique health care needs, many encounter serious obstacles when trying to access equitable, high-quality care.

  • Brunie Chavez

    As a young girl, Brunilda Chavez, MSW ’80, never thought she would have the chance to pursue a graduate degree. She was from a traditional Mexican-American family, and girls were expected to work and turn over their paychecks to the family. There was no money for college.

  • old hand

    Former model and restaurateur B. Smith is a likely representation of life with Alzheimer’s disease. Beyond the gasps over Smith’s home life — she lives with her husband and his live-in girlfriend — her situation points to real-world challenges faced by black families caring for loved ones who have this life-altering condition.

  • LEAD

    Jonathan Grube noticed a problem in his everyday dealings with community members as an officer for the Los Angeles Police Department. Due to recent changes in national immigration policies, undocumented immigrants and their families were afraid that any interaction with him would result in deportation.

  • Davis and Barr

    Initial studies with young adults show dramatic drops in stress, cravings, impulsivity and risk of relapse after practicing mindfulness.

    Mindfulness might offer more than relief from daily stress. Research now suggests it can boost recovery from addiction and trauma.

    Investigators at USC believe the contemplative practice could represent the next major breakthrough in the treatment of substance use and major mental health issues.

  • Social Work PhD

    The decision to pursue a doctoral degree in social work should hinge upon a careful consideration of research opportunities and personal career ambitions.

    When weighing options for their future, many undergraduate and master-level students inevitably ask themselves, should I pursue a PhD? In the field of social work, a doctorate level education provides the opportunity to develop a specialization in a particular area of interest and to be on the forefront of research surrounding urgent, real-world issues affecting our society.

  • adriana_guerrero

    In honor of Women’s History Month, meet MSW student and Marine Corps veteran Adriana Guerrero, who is committed to serving victims of sexual assault and violence both inside and outside of the military.

  • National Social Work Professional Month

    It’s National Professional Social Work Month, and Professor John Brekke is advocating for a reimagination of social work as both a practice- and science-focused discipline.

    With roots in the rise of social activism and the widening class divides of 19th century America and Britain, the discipline of social work has undergone a long—and in many ways ongoing—evolution. At various moments throughout the decades, the practice of social work has married elements of policymaking, health care, education, psychology and anthropology.