The Department of Epidemiology is one of the top research epidemiology departments in the country. The department’s many areas of emphasis focus on the prevention and treatment of chronic disease and contribute to the improved understanding of cancers, diabetes, osteoporosis, and aging, as well as the relationship of lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise to genetic susceptibility. Our research programs extend a global reach to South America, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
Faculty members in each of these areas offer major research and/or community service programs that provide excellent facilities for student research and field training.
- Aging
- Applied public health
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular and diabetes
- Clinical trials and methods
- Environmental
- Global health
- Infectious disease
- Injury prevention
- Molecular and genetic
- Obesity and nutritional
- Population neuroscience
- Prevention, lifestyle, and physical activity
- Psychiatric
- Reproductive, perinatal, and pediatric
- Social epidemiology and health equity
- Women’s health
Aging Epidemiology
Faculty Contact: Elsa S. Strotmeyer, PhD, MPH
- Areas of research broadly include: musculoskeletal health, mobility, and disability; body composition and sarcopenia; osteoporosis and osteoarthritis; falls and fall injuries; biology of aging and longevity; diversity, health equity and social determinants; health services; diabetes and cardiovascular aging; cognitive and mental health; sleep and circadian science; and clinical geroscience.
- Training Grant: Epidemiology of Aging. All trainees participate in a four-course series on aging, hands-on research training, research conferences, and seminars. Additional career development opportunities for post-doctoral students are available.
- All doctoral trainees design, implement, analyze data, and report the results of an independent study as part of the program with a goal of submitting three manuscripts for publication. Trainees are encouraged to present their research in a variety of venues, including Public Health Dean's Day, Aging Institute Research Day, and national scientific meetings.
- Faculty members primarily working in this area include: Jane A. Cauley, Samaneh Farsijani , Nancy W. Glynn, Megan Marron, Iva Miljkovic, Anne B. Newman, Caterina Rosano, Andrea L. Rosso, Elsa S. Strotmeyer, and Joseph M. Zmuda.
- Collaborating Faculty include: Steven M. Albert (Behavioral and Community Health Sciences), Emma J. Barinas-Mitchell, Jennifer S. Brach (Health and Rehabilitation Sciences), Daniel J. Buysse (Psychiatry), Maria Mori Brooks, Julie M. Donohue (Health Policy and Management), Samar R. El Khoudary, Toren Finkel (Cardiology) Daniel E. Forman (Geriatrics), Linda F. Fried (Renal-Electrolyte), Mary Ganguli (Psychiatry), Tiffany L. Gary-Webb, Susan Greenspan (Geriatrics), Erin Kershaw (Endocrinology), Oscar L. Lopez (Neurology), Kathleen M. McTigue (Internal Medicine), Neelesh Nadkarni (Geriatrics), Brad C. Nindl (Sports Medicine and Nutrition), Patricia L. Opresko (Environmental and Occupational Health), Sara Piva (Health and Rehabilitation Sciences), John R. Shaffer (Human Genetics), Akira Sekikawa, Rebecca C. Thurston (Psychiatry), Frederico G. Toledo (Endocrinology), and George C. Tseng (Biostatistics).
Applied Public Health Epidemiology
Faculty Contact: Catherine Haggerty, PhD, MPH
- Areas of focus include: population health status assessment; disease and injury surveillance; maternal and child health epidemiology; and environmental health epidemiology.
- Opportunities include practicum experiences, independent study and other applied projects. An enhanced practicum experience is the Summer Institute in Applied Public Health at the Allegheny Health Department.
- Faculty members currently working in this area include Tiffany L. Gary-Webb, Marshal Ma, Dara D. Mendez, Thomas J. Songer, Alexander Sundermann and Evelyn O. Talbott.
- Additional collaborators from the Allegheny County Health Department include: LuAnn Brink, Debra L. Bogen, and Kristen J. Mertz.
Cancer Epidemiology
Faculty Contacts: Jian-Min Yuan, MD, PhD
- Research focus areas include: aging and cancer; cancer molecular epidemiology; environmental exposures and gene-environment interaction in risk of cancer development; cancer screening and early detection; natural occurring compounds for primary prevention of cancer.
- An advanced course is offered in EPIDEM 2171 Cancer Epidemiology on topics of surveillance, etiology and prevention.
- Training Grant: Translational Research Training in Cancer Etiology and Prevention.
- Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Program Seminar series at the UPMC Hillman Cancer, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.
- Faculty members currently working in this area include: Jane A. Cauley, Hung N. Luu, Robert E. Schoen (Medicine), Evelyn O. Talbott, Jian-Min Yuan, and Joseph M. Zmuda.
Cardiovascular & Diabetes Epidemiology
Faculty Contact: Akira Sekikawa, MD, MPH, PhD
- Cardiovascular areas of research broadly include: subclinical atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis (arterial stiffness); cardiovascular aging and longevity; women’s health; nutrition and environment; vascular aging; lipid metabolism; body composition and obesity; physical activity; novel CVD risk factors, high risk and international populations; peripheral nerve function; and evaluation of interventions.
- Diabetes areas of research include extensive programs in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. For type 1 diabetes, these include a 30-year follow-up study of childhood onset diabetes, Pittsburgh Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications Study, and the national DCCT/EDIC study also with over 25 years follow-up. For type 2 diabetes, the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study and the translation of the interventions to the community form the basis of much activity including a Diabetes Prevention Support Center.
- Training Grant: Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology Training Program. Designed to train individuals in cardiovascular epidemiology based on a pathophysiological understanding and experiential learning to thereby help develop in the future better prevention strategies. The Training Program is organized around three Research Cores: 1) subclinical atherosclerosis, 2) biostatistics/epidemiological methods and 3) cardiology, grounded in six areas of strength (i) vascular aging, (ii) women’s health, (iii) high risk & international populations, (iv) nutrition & environment, (v) physical activity and (vi) psychosocial factors. To address challenges and opportunities which epidemiological research faces, our Training Program is updated by introducing Big Data including but not limited to omics and electronic health data, mobile Health, and Cross-Cohort Collaboration components for which we have rich faculty expertise. This will position our trainees to be independent cardiovascular epidemiologists in multidisciplinary research setting competent in traditional and novel epidemiological methods in CVD.
- Faculty members currently working in this area include: Emma J. Barinas-Mitchell, Marnie Bertolet, Maria M. Brooks, Janet Catov (Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences), Jane A. Cauley, Tina Costacou, Samar R. El Khoudary, Linda Fried (Medicine), Tiffany L. Gary-Webb, Bethany Barone Gibbs (Health and Human Development), Andrea M. Kriska, Allison L. Kuipers, Oscar L. Lopez (Neurology), Jared W. Magnani (Cardiology), Oscar Marroquin (Medicine), Iva Miljkovic, Rachel G. Miller, Matthew F. Muldoon (Cardiology), Suresh Mulukutla (Medicine), Anne B. Newman, Trevor J. Orchard, Sanjay R. Patel (Medicine), Bonny Rocket-Wagner, Bruce L. Rollman (Medicine), Akira Sekikawa, Thomas J. Songer, Elsa S. Strotmeyer, Evelyn O. Talbott, and Rebecca C. Thurston (Psychiatry).
Clinical Trials & Methods
Faculty Contact: Steven H. Belle, PhD, M.Sc.Hyg.
- The activities of the Clinical Trials & Methods group contribute to all areas of emphasis, specializing in design and conduct of studies, including observational and interventional, and statistical methods.
- The didactic component includes 6 courses (EPIDEM 2110 Principles of Epidemiology, EPIDEM 2180 Epidemiological Methods I, EPIDEM 2181 Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials, EPIDEM 2189 Epidemiological Methods of Longitudinal & Time-To-Event Analyses, EPIDEM 2191 Advanced Theory and Methods for the Analysis of Epidemiological Data, EPIDEM 2230 Secondary Data Analysis). Journal clubs have covered several topics including survey sampling, latent variable modeling, and causal inference.
- The Epidemiology Data Center (EDC) was established in 1980 as a section of the Department of Epidemiology, founded and formerly directed by Katherine M. Detre, MD, DrPH, and now under the co-direction of Steven H. Belle, PhD, MScHyg; Maria M. Brooks, PhD; and Stephen R. Wisniewski, PhD. The EDC has collaborated in over 100 research studies and personnel currently contribute to, or coordinate, data management and analysis activities for 26 research projects sponsored by federal and various other governmental or private agencies and by industry. For more information, see the EDC website.
- The EDC hosts the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Design, Biostatistics, and Epidemiology (DBE) Core providing data management and analysis support and consultation to researchers. Services include: grant application development and the pairing of researchers with statistical collaborators. It also hosts a Journal Club.
- Faculty members in this Area of Emphasis include: Emma J. Barinas-Mitchell, Balasubramani K. Goundappa, Steven H. Belle, Marnie Bertolet, Maria Mori Brooks, Samar R. El Khoudary, Anthony Fabio, Sheryl F. Kelsey, Wendy C. King, Kristine M. Ruppert, Robert Schoen (Medicine), Sonja Swanson, and Stephen R. Wisniewski.
Environmental Epidemiology
Faculty Contact: Evelyn O. Talbott, Dr PH, MPH, FAHA
- This area of emphasis program has trained over 75 doctoral and graduate students in the area of environmental epidemiology with graduating students entering government, industry as well as very prestigious academic research centers. Our focus is upon observational studies of the health effects in populations exposed to both personal and environmental risk factors, a majority concerned with exposure to air pollutants and other toxicants. We continue to partner with the CDC environmental Public Health Tracking program as well as the ATSDR/CDC National ALS Registry, to conduct our studies which have included the association of air pollution and air toxics and chronic diseases such as asthma, cardiovascular disease as well as childhood lead poisoning in children living near a lead industry source. The area of environmental epidemiology considers PM2.5 as well as air toxics modeled by the USEPA and associations with health effects including ALS, childhood autism, and asthma. In addition to monitoring activities aimed at testing for exposure in the environment and field surveys of affected and non-affected individuals, geographic information system work using spatio-temporal models and mapping are encouraged.
- Description of research; current work involves: Exposure to PM2.5 and other air pollutants and systemic inflammatory biomarkers related to neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases such as childhood autism, ALS, dementia, etc. Association longterm and short term exposure to PM2. And it scomponents and risk of ALS using the CDC ALS Registry and biorepository (CDC/ATDR) Drs. Vincent Arena, ALS Center, Jeanine Buchanich. Health Effects of Hydraulic Fracturing in SW PA (PADOH funded study, January 2021-April 2023). (Includes perinatal birth outcomes as well as well as childhood cancer case control studies). (In collaboration with Drs Jian Min Yuan, Jeanine Buchanich , Jim Fabisiak, Ravi Sharma)
- Coursework: suggested: Introduction to Environmental Epidemiology, (epid 2223) (Dr Luann Brink lead), Fate and Transport, (EOH), Risk Assessment (EOH), Geospatial Analysis.
- Research Opportunities: Several large datasets resulting from the hydraulic fracking project involving air toxics exposure and survey data, Childhood and adult asthma, childhood cancer and Unconventional Natural Gas development , Uranium Mill tailings and USEPA Toxic Release Inventory exposures. Pesticides and Neurodegenerative effects including ALS. Gene environment interaction involving C9orf32 genetic mutation and Sporadic ALS.
- All doctoral trainees conduct an independent study with the requirement to submit three manuscripts for publication. Hands-on training in the area of environmental epidemiology is offered with collaborations at both the local, state and national levels. We offer many opportunities for field and lab experience at all of these levels. Courses for this concentration include: Introduction to Environemtal Epidemiology (EPIDEM 2223), Fate and Transport (EOH), Risk Assessment (EOH), Geospatial Analysis.
- Faculty members currently working in this area include: Jian-Min Yuan, PhD, MD, Professor, Luann Brink, PhD Adjunct Professor, Evelyn O. Talbott, , Evelyn O. Talbott (Behavior and Community Health Sciences), and Akira Sekikawa Ravi Sharma (Behavior and Community Health Sciences), and Akira Sekikawa.
- Additional collaborators include: Jeanine M. Buchanich (Biostatistics), James Fabisiak, PhD (Environmental and Occupational Health), and Mary Ganguli (Dementia and Air Pollution) Psychiatry.
Global Health Epidemiology
Faculty Contact: Jean B. Nachega, MD, PhD, MPH
- Areas of research Include: maternal and child health (rural India); functional disability in aging (rural India); diabetes (Rwanda); hypertension, cardiovascular disease (rural India and Tobago); impaired kidney function (Tobago); infectious diseases/HIV/Tuberculosis (Brazil, India, Mozambique, and South Africa); COVID-19 (Ghana, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Mozambique); Sickle Cell Disease (Ghana); bone health (Tobago); prostate cancer (Tobago and Nigeria); cancer (China); environmental health (China); application of the Internet and Mobile technology for global health and prevention; infectious diseases/dengue modeling (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Brazil, and Columbia); and atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Japan).
- Training Grant: University of Pittsburgh HIV-Comorbidities Research Training Program in South Africa.
- Development of the internet Supercourse with 50,000+ members from over 170 countries, teaching over 50,000,000.
- Development of Project Tycho, a global health data repository released in November of 2013 providing open access to high resolution disease data for research, training, and public health public policy.
- Faculty members currently working in this area include: Donald S. Burke, Jane A. Cauley, Catherine L. Haggerty, Lee H. Harrison (Medicine), Andrea M. Kriska, Iva Miljkovic, Jean B. Nachega, Anne B. Newman, Trevor J. Orchard, Akira Sekikawa, Evelyn O. Talbott, Jian-Min Yuan, and Joseph M. Zmuda.
Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Faculty Contact: Lee H. Harrison, MD
- Areas of research include: epidemiology and genomic epidemiology of serious, vaccine-preventable, drug-resistant and hospital-associated bacterial infections; prevention of HIV infection; infectious diseases surveillance; computational modeling of disease and intervention strategies; hospital transmission of bacteria, SARS-CoV-2, and other respiratory viruses.
- Training Grants: HIV research in Mozambique, Public Health Genomics In South Africa, T32: Pitt Training Program in Antimicrobial Resistance (includes doctoral and post-doctoral trainees from a variety of departments, including Department of Epidemiology).
- All doctoral trainees conduct an independent study with the requirement to submit three manuscripts for publication. Trainees can choose traditional epidemiology or genomic epidemiology as the basis of their doctoral research.
- Faculty members include: Steven H. Belle, Catherine L. Haggerty, Lee H. Harrison (Medicine), Jean B. Nachegan and Alexander Sundermann.
- Collaboration with the Allegheny Health Department: Kristen J. Mertz.
Injury Prevention Epidemiology
Faculty Contacts: Thomas J. Songer, PhD, MPH; Anthony Fabio, PhD, MPH
- Applied research in broad areas of unintentional and intentional injury including but not limited to injury from motor vehicle crash, falls, poisoning, head trauma, violence, and treatment of injury.
- Emphasis on the application of epidemiologic methods in population and clinical settings to understand key risk and prognostic factors for primary and secondary prevention of injury.
- Trainees participate in academic training in injury epidemiology and applied research training on specific injury and violence topics using mentors from multiple disciplines in the fields of epidemiology, statistics, trauma, behavioral sciences, surgery, psychiatry, criminology, and others.
- Faculty members currently working in this area include: Steven M. Albert (Behavioral and Community Health Sciences), Anthony Fabio, Thomas J. Songer, Sonja Swanson, and Stephen R. Wisniewski.
Molecular & Genetic Epidemiology
Faculty Contact: Joseph M. Zmuda, PhD
- Areas of current research broadly include aging, cancer, reproduction and early development, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, infectious disease, obesity, sarcopenia, and osteoporosis.
- Course requirements vary depending on student background and needs.
- Didactic and laboratory courses are offered.
- Primary Faculty members currently working in this area include: Catherine L. Haggerty, Hung N. Luu, Iva Miljkovic, Jian-Min Yuan, and Joseph M. Zmuda.
Obesity & Nutritional Epidemiology
Faculty Contact: Sameneh Farsijani, PhD, RD
- Areas of research include: nutritional epidemiology, obesity epidemiology, especially optimal weight gain during pregnancy, body composition, bariatric surgery, dietary intake, supplement use and sarcopenia.
- Relevant courses include EPIDEM 2560 Nutritional Epidemiology and Nutrition Assessment Laboratory.
- Faculty members currently working in this area include: Lisa M. Bodnar, Tina Costacou, Samar R. El Khoudary, Wendy C. King, Andrea M. Kriska, Iva Miljkovic, Trevor J. Orchard, Akira Sekikawa, and Jian-Min Yuan.
Population Neuroscience
Faculty Contact: Caterina Rosano, MD, MPH; Andrea Rosso, PhD, MPH
- Focuses on the application of epidemiology methods, cutting-edge neuroimaging and state-of-the art neuropsychological assessment methodologies in population and clinical studies, with goal to advance etiological research and evaluation of specific therapies in the disorders of the central nervous system.
- Targets the interdependent nature of clinical characterization, epidemiological methods, and multimodal assessment of disorders of the central nervous system through rigorous academic training and applied research opportunities.
- Maximizes the potential for applied research training and for successful field placements of the trainees through multidisciplinary mentored work with leaders in the fields of epidemiology, psychiatry, neuroscience, neurology, and others.
- Training Grant: Population Neuroscience with a focus on aging related dementia: 3 pre-docs, 2 post-docs. Research grants of individual faculty support post- and pre-docs positions to work on a variety of topics, including traumatic brain injury and women’s health.
- Faculty members working in this area include: Jane A. Cauley, Beth Shaaban, Iva Miljkovic, Janet Catov (Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences), Mary Ganguli (Psychiatry) and Rebecca C. Thurston (Psychiatry), Ann D. Cohen (Psychiatry), Oscar L. Lopez (Neurology), and Beth E. Snitz (Neurology), Howard J. Aizenstein (Geriatric Psychiatry), Meryl Butters (Psychiatry), Lana Chahine (Neurology), Peter J. Gianaros (Psychology), Amy Wagner (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation), Andrea L. Weinstein (Psychiatry) and Zongqi Xia (Neurology).
For a full list of projects click here
Prevention, Lifestyle, & Physical Activity Epidemiology
Faculty Contact: Bonny Rockette-Wagner, PhD
- This Area of Emphasis involves training and research translating the proven benefits of lifestyle intervention on a broad range of health outcomes including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer, and function/fatiguability in older adults. This program encompasses the conceptual and practical foundation needed for such public health translation initiatives. Learning objectives include a thorough understanding of the epidemiological basis for disease prevention, as well as behavioral intervention theory, and lifestyle intervention training. A critical understanding of the methodological issues in designing and evaluating these efforts is conveyed through coursework, independent study, and lab work related to physical activity measurement. Additional resources include the Glynn Accelerometer Reading Center and the Physical Activity Resource Center (PARC).
- The faculty involved in this Area of Emphasis in the Department of Epidemiology are widely diverse in their focus, expertise and resulting funded research studies. Under the umbrella of prevention, lifestyle intervention and movement, examples of the resulting recent studies developing from these diverse focus areas include the Diabetes Prevention Program and Translation Efforts; Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA); Composite Protective Lifestyle Factors and Risk of Cancer in the Singapore Chinese Health Study; Cognition, and Hearing Evaluations in Elders; Psychosocial Issues and Bariatric Surgery; Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications; Cognitive Decline, Brain Aging, Physical Environment & Mobility; Task Specific Timing and Coordination Exercises in Older Adults; the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN); Predicting Obesity-related Health Outcomes in Clinical Care using Health Record Data, the Development of a Physical Activity Intervention for Coordination with Clinical Care (ActiveGOALS), and the Tobago Health Studies Lifestyle Data.
- Faculty members currently working in this area include: Lisa M. Bodnar, Jennifer Brach (Physical Therapy), Tiffany L. Gary-Webb, Nancy W. Glynn, Marquis Hawkins, Wendy C. King, Andrea M. Kriska, Hung N. Luu, Kathleen M. McTigue (Medicine), Iva Miljkovic, Anne B. Newman, Trevor J. Orchard, Bonny Rockette-Wagner, Andrea L. Rosso, Elsa Strotmeyer, Elizabeth M. Venditti (Psychiatry), and Jian-Min Yuan.
Psychiatric Epidemiology
Faculty Contact: Natacha De Genna, PhD
- The Psychiatric Epidemiology area of emphasis focuses on the acquisition of epidemiological, biostatistical, and psychiatric concepts and methods, and on their application to research in the field of psychiatric disorders including substance use and substance use disorders.
- Training is accomplished through course work in epidemiology and biostatistics, and through courses in psychiatric epidemiology that were designed specifically for the area.
- The training experience includes the opportunity to work on research projects with faculty mentors who are active researchers in psychiatry and epidemiology within the Graduate School of Public Health and the Department of Psychiatry within the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
- Training Grant: Developmental Alcohol Research Training Program.
- Courses: EPID 2310 Psychiatric Epidemiology, EPID 2400 Psychosocial Factors in Disease
- David A. Brent (Psychiatry), Natacha De Genna (Psychiatry), Mary Amanda Dew (Psychiatry), Mary Ganguli (Psychiatry), Kenneth Perkins (Psychology), Sonja Swanson, and Stephen R. Wisniewski.
Reproductive, Perinatal, & Pediatric Epidemiology
Faculty Contact: Dara Mendez, PhD, MPH
- Areas of research broadly include: fetal origins of disease; maternal and child health inequities; reproductive justice; causes of pregnancy complications and adverse outcomes including spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, intrauterine growth restriction, and preeclampsia; obesity and nutrition among pregnant women; fertility and contraception; breastfeeding; sexually transmitted infections; and maternal substance use. Major clinical sites for collaboration include UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and Magee-Womens Hospital, the obstetrics, gynecologic, and reproductive sciences specialty hospital associated with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Global health research experiences are available through a study of pregnancy being conducted in India. Community-partnered research opportunities are available as part of The Pittsburgh Study, supported and coordinated through the University Pittsburgh Department of Pediatrics. The EMBRACE (Equity in Maternal and Birthing outcomes and Reproductive HeAlth through Community Engagement) Maternal Health Center of Excellence is also housed and co-led by faculty in the Department of Epidemiology.
- The training program provides concentrated, tailored training on the patterns, risk factors, and interventions that might improve reproductive, perinatal, and pediatric health, as well as women's health across the lifespan. All trainees will participate in coursework, research field work, and professional development including courses in EPIDEM 2719 Reproductive Epidemiology, EPIDEM 2709 Epidemiology of Women's Health, and EPIDEM 2310 Pediatric Epidemiology; a Maternal and Child Health Equity Scholars group; independent research; grant writing; manuscript preparation; and scientific conference presentations.
- Faculty members currently working in this area include: HYPERLINK https://www.sph.pitt.edu/node/4055 Lisa M. Bodnar, Janet Catov (Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences), Natacha De Genna (Psychiatry), Catherine L. Haggerty, Dara D. Mendez, James Roberts (Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences), Martina Anto-Ocrah (Medicine & Epidemiology), Marquis Hawkins (Psychology), Sonja Swanson, and Evelyn O. Talbott.
Social Epidemiology and Health Equity
Faculty Contact: Anthony Fabio, PhD, MPH
- Research areas
- Maternal and child health
- Chronic disease and nutrition
- Interpersonal violence and behavior disorders
- Gun injuries
- Walkability
- Cognition and aging
- Training/Education
- EPIDEM 2143 Social Epidemiology (Anthony Fabio and Dara D. Mendez)
- Health Equity Certificate (Emma Barinas-Mitchell, Director)
- Center for Health Equity (Dara D. Mendez, Interim Director, and Tiffany L. Gary-Webb, Associate Director)
- MCH Equity Scholars Program (Dara D. Mendez, Director)
- Related Initiatives
- Faculty members currently working in this area include: Anthony Fabio, Tiffany L. Gary-Webb, Dara D. Mendez, and Andrea L. Rosso.
Women's Health Epidemiology
Faculty Contact: Maria M. Brooks, PhD
- Areas of research broadly include: women’s health across the lifespan, pregnancy, maternal and child health and adverse pregnancy outcomes and women at late life. Menopause and Aging focuses on furthering our understanding of chronological aging versus ovarian aging. Emphasis is placed on a broad range of topic areas including the musculoskeletal health, reproductive health, cardiovascular disease, cancer, mental health, physical function and disability, body composition, and lifestyle.
- Examples of specific research include the following:
- Healthy weight and dietary intake as they affect maternal and child health;
- Black women’s health across the life course and equitable approaches to centering women from marginalized populations;
- Sleep, physical activity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women during and after pregnancy;
- Early pregnancy origins of exposure related risk to the long-term health of the child by studying the placenta as a relevant mediator of the effects of maternal exposure e.g. endocrine disrupting chemicals called phthalates and effects on fetal development;
- Adverse pregnancy outcomes and the development of CVD outcomes in later life;
- Mechanisms linking the menopausal transition, sex hormones, lipids, ectopic fat deposition, and subclinical measures of CVD;
- Aging including the study of risk factors and sequelae of frailty, physical and cognitive disability;
- Studies of key outcomes in older women including fractures, CVD, falls, cancer and mortality;
- Key Studies/resources of Women’s Health AOE:
- Study of Women’s health Across the Nation (SWAN);
- Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF);
- The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI);
- Magee Obstetric and Infant database (MOMI);
- Medicare Linkage of our cohorts
- Courses:
- EPIDEM 2709 Epidemiology of Women’s Health
- EPIDEM 2719 Reproductive Epidemiology
- EPIDEM 2340 Pediatric Epidemiology
- EPIDEM 2725 Reproductive Development from Model Organisms to Humans
- Faculty members currently working in this area include: Emma J. Barinas-Mitchell, Lisa M. Bodnar, Maria Mori Brooks, Janet Catov (Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences), Jane A. Cauley, Alicia Colvin, Natacha De Genna (Psychiatry), Samar R. El Khoudary, Catherine L. Haggerty, Andrea M. Kriska, Nina Markovic (Dental Medicine), Dara D. Mendez, Kristine M. Ruppert, Akira Sekikawa, Evelyn O. Talbott, and Rebecca C. Thurston (Psychiatry).