Summary
Joshua Garn is the associate dean of academic affairs and an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health. In his administrative role, he works with students and faculty to strengthen academic programs and help position the School of Public Health for long-term success.
Garn’s research focuses on understanding and quantifying environmental exposures, particularly water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and their impact on infectious disease and educational outcomes. His work includes studying diarrhea, the gut microbiome, soil-transmitted helminths, trachoma, stunting, school absence, enrollment and cognitive development. He has also conducted research on breastfeeding and nutritional exposures in relation to gastrointestinal and anthropometric outcomes.
Garn has a growing interest in identifying proteomic and genetic markers of post-infection irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with the goal of improving understanding of its mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment. His methodological expertise includes the design, implementation and analysis of randomized trials, observational studies and systematic reviews. He is currently involved in experimental and epidemiologic research in Africa and South Asia.
Selected publications
- Levy, K., Garn, J. V., Adriano, Z., de Barros, B., Fagnant-Sperati, C. S., Hubbard, S., Júnior, A., Manuel, J. L., Mangamela, M., McGunegill, S., Miller-Petrie, M. K., Snyder, J. S., Victor, C., Waller, L., Konstantinidis, K. T., Clasen, T., Brown, J., Nalá, R. & Freeman, M. C. (2023). Study design and rationale for the PAASIM Project, a matched cohort study on urban water supply improvements and infant enteric pathogen infection, gut microbiome development, and health in Mozambique.BMJ Open.
- Apanga, P. A., Freeman, M. C., Sakas, Z. & Garn, J. V. (2022). Assessing the sustainability of an integrated rural sanitation and hygiene approach: A repeated cross-sectional evaluation in 10 countries.Global Health: Science and Practice, 10(3).
- Apanga, P. A., Christiansen, E. J., Weber, A. M., Darrow, L. A., Riddle, M. S., Tung, W.-C., Liu, Y., Kohnen, T. & Garn, J. V. (2022). The role of breastfeeding laws and programs on exclusive breastfeeding practice among mothers in the special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).International Breastfeeding Journal, 17, 46.
- Garn, J. V., Wilkers, J., Meehan, A. A., Pfadenhauer, L. M., Burns, J. & Freeman, M. C. (2022). Interventions to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene for preventing soil-transmitted helminth infection.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 6, CD012199.
- Apanga, P. A., Garn, J. V., Sakas, Z. & Freeman, M. C. (2020). Assessing the impact and equity of an integrated rural sanitation approach: A longitudinal evaluation in 11 Sub-Saharan Africa and Asian countries.International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17, 1808.
- Garn, J. V., Boisson, S., Willis, R., Bakhtiari, A., al-Khatib, T., Amer, K., Batcho, W., Courtright, P., Dejene, M., Goepogui, A., Kalua, K., Kebede, B., Macleod, C. K., Marie Madeleine, K. I., Mbofana, M. S. A., Mpyet, C., Ndjemba, J., Olobio, N., Pavluck, A. L. & Freeman, M. C. (2018). Sanitation and water supply coverage thresholds associated with active trachoma: Modeling cross-sectional data from 13 countries.PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 12(1), e0006110.
- Freeman, M. C., Garn, J. V., Sclar, G. D., Boisson, S., Medlicott, K., Alexander, K. T., Penakalapati, G., Anderson, D., Mahtani, A. G., Grimes, J. E. T., Rehfuess, E. A. & Clasen, T. F. (2017). The impact of sanitation on infectious disease and nutritional status: A systematic review and meta-analysis.International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 220(6), 928–949.
- Garn, J. V., Sclar, G. D., Freeman, M. C., Penakalapati, G., Alexander, K. T., Brooks, P., Rehfuess, E. A., Boisson, S., Medlicott, K. O. & Clasen, T. F. (2017). The impact of sanitation interventions on latrine coverage and latrine use: A systematic review and meta-analysis.International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 220(2), 329–340.
- Garn, J. V., Trinies, V., Toubkiss, J. & Freeman, M. C. (2017). The role of adherence on the impact of a school-based water, sanitation, and hygiene intervention in Mali.American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 96(4), 984–993.
- Garn, J. V., Brumback, B. A., Drews-Botsch, C. D., Lash, T. L., Kramer, M. R. & Freeman, M. C. (2016). Estimating the effect of school water, sanitation, and hygiene improvements on pupil health outcomes.Epidemiology, 27(5), 752–760.
- Trinies, V., Garn, J. V., Chang, H. & Freeman, M. C. (2016). The impact of a school-based water, sanitation, and hygiene program on absenteeism, diarrhea, and respiratory infection: A matched-control trial in Mali.American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 94, 1418–1425.
- Garn, J. V., Mwandawiro, C. S., Nikolay, B., Drews-Botsch, C. D., Kihara, J. H., Brooker, S. J., Simiyu, E. W., Okoyo, C. & Freeman, M. C. (2016). Ascaris lumbricoides infection following school-based deworming in Western Kenya: Assessing the role of pupils’ school and home water, sanitation and hygiene exposures.American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 94(5), 1045–1054.
- Garn, J. V., Greene, L. E., Dreibelbis, R., Saboori, S., Rheingans, R. D. & Freeman, M. C. (2013). A cluster-randomized trial assessing the impact of school water, sanitation and hygiene improvements on pupil enrolment and gender parity in enrolment.Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, 3(4), 592–601.