Using marijuana carries legal risks, but the consequences of occasionally lighting up do not include long-term loss of lung function, according to a new study in the Jan. 11, 2012, issue of the 
Monica Baskin, PhD, Associate Professor in the UAB Division of Preventive Medicine, has joined the Birmingham-Jefferson Food Policy Council, a group established in fall 2011 to strengthen the food system in Jefferson County. A private-public partnership, the council is tasked with examining the local food system, educating the community, and recommending solutions to policy makers in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.Mission Statement
Our MISSION and VISION is to optimize the health and well-being of individuals, communities, and populations through collaborative research, training, and dissemination of knowledge.
We Aspire To:
* Reduce burden of disease,
* Increase opportunities for healthier living,
* Enhance the quality of life of all people.
Overview
The Division of Preventive Medicine (DOPM) is dedicated to medicine and public health through research, teaching, and dissemination and translation of knowledge for improved health outcomes. From its inception in 1967, the DOPM has played a key role in the many groundbreaking trials contributing to the knowledge of medical and health systems, behavioral aspects of disease, epidemiology, prevention, control, and disease outcomes. As a research-oriented division, we serve as the home for preventive medicine activities within the Department of Medicine. Our division supports over 26 primary faculty and approximately 250 staff. We also have active programs for the training of post-doctoral fellows and clinical scholars.
A focus on health disparities and women’s health guide many Division activities. Our research pillars are:
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Diabetes and Obesity
- Cancer Prevention and Control
- Substance Use and Misuse
- Life-course and Aging
In addition, our division has the following research themes:
- Health Outcomes
- Health Disparities and Health of Vulnerable Populations
- Community Based Research and Behavioral Science
- Population Based Clinical Trials and Observational Studies
- Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Research Methodologies