Epidemiology News

The nine-member Board of Health
January 16, 2025

Transparency and equity on minds of Allegheny County’s almost entirely new health board members

While serving on the board, Dara Mendéz, associate professor of epidemiology and associate director of the Center for Health Equity will “ensure” that people who “have been historically and contemporarily excluded … are centered in our decision making and processes.”
Andrea Rosso
January 9, 2025

Taking a stride toward early ADRD detection

"Understanding what mechanisms are behind reduced mobility and why it may be more common among people who are at risk of dementia can help us create interventions that will help them," said Andrea Rosso associate professor in epidemiology.
illustration of brain as a maze
January 6, 2025

Study shows women experiencing sexism feel equivalent of 9 years of cognitive decline

“This is the first time I’ve seen a measure like structural sexism linked to cognitive decline,” said Elizabeth Shaaban, assistant professor of epidemiology.
children painting at a park
December 16, 2024

Milwaukee’s approach: How officials and advocates want to address racism as a public health crisis

“If we’re not going to name racism in the first place, then we’re not going to start to develop solutions to address it,” said Dara Méndez, associate professor of epidemiology and associate director of the Center for Health Equity.
Clareann Bunker, PhD
December 13, 2024

In memoriam: Clareann Bunker, PhD

A trailblazer in advancing global epidemiologic research, Clareann Bunker, PhD, faculty member in the School of Public Health’s Department of Epidemiology for more than three decades, passed away on November 20, 2024.
Boar's Head meat logo
December 6, 2024

PulseNet identifies and stops foodborne illness outbreaks. Health care needs something similar

Alexander Sundermann, assistant professor of epidemiology, highlights the existence of PulseNet, a robust system for detecting foodborne outbreaks, and contrasts it with the lack of a similar system for tracking infections in healthcare settings.
Tiffany Gary-Webb
December 4, 2024

Data Justice Project aims to improve lives of Black Pittsburghers

“Now our focus has shifted from covid to broader social determinants of health, thinking about neighborhoods, neighborhood change, population change and the built environment,” Professor of Epidemiology, Tiffany Gary-Webb said.
Poster presentations
November 22, 2024

Event promotes school-wide practice projects

Sixteen graduate students from four departments at the School of Public Health took part in the first-ever Public Health Practice Showcase held Friday, Nov. 15, at the Community Engagement Center in the Hill District.
mother and child
November 18, 2024

Study: Racism and sexism keeps Black moms from losing pregnancy weight

The finding flies in the face of a culture of “individual responsibility” around maternal health, said Dara Méndez, associate professor of epidemiology and associate director of the Center for Health Equity.
Dara Mendez
November 15, 2024

Allegheny County Executive announces new Board of Health appointments

Dara D. Méndez, PhD, MPH, associate professor of epidemiology and associate director of the Center for Health Equity, has been included in a group of eight new members appointed to the Allegheny County Board of Health.
graphic of cholesterol
November 15, 2024

Quality cholesterol boost – a menopause must

HDL helps reduce inflammation and supports healthy blood vessel function, which is crucial for brain health and development,” explains Samar R El Khoudary, professor of epidemiology.
alumni award winners
November 11, 2024

Pitt Public Health honors alumni at awards ceremony

The University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health will recognize seven alumni for their outstanding service to the field of public health at an awards ceremony on Nov. 22.
Dara Méndez
November 11, 2024

Experiences of discrimination linked to postpartum weight retention

“Beyond individual choices and behavior, we have to account for an individual's environment, because that can have an impact on health, too,” said lead author Dara Méndez, Ph.D., M.P.H., associate professor of epidemiology and associate director of the Center for Health Equity.
older gentleman working out
November 4, 2024

Reducing sedentary behavior may lower clinical fracture risk for older men

“Older adults are told to get sufficient sleep and exercise regularly, but guidelines lack detail about an optimal 24-hour day that includes both activities,” Lauren Roe, aging T32 predoctoral fellow in the department of epidemiology.
John Tukakira
October 22, 2024

Student Spotlight: John Tukakira

Get to know Epidemiology MPH student ambassador John Tukakira.