News

Beth Hoffman
July 12, 2024

Class explores how media impacts perceptions of health issues

“For better or worse, media is such a large part of our lives,” notes Beth Hoffman, assistant professor of behavioral and community health sciences who started a new class this spring, “Entertainment Media and Health.” The challenge is to harness it for good, she says.
East Palestine train derailment fire
July 11, 2024

Pitt toxicologist: Based on EPA sampling, 'a source of vinyl chloride' could remain in East Palestine

"If it's still turning up, that tells me that there is a reservoir or a source of vinyl chloride that remains in the community," said Dr. James Fabisiak, associate professor of environmental and occupational health.
Alexander Sundermann
July 10, 2024

Dr. Alexander Sundermann joins Next Gen Diagnostics as its Director of Infection Prevention Services

Next Gen Diagnostics announces that Alexander Sundermann, assistant professor of epidemiology, has joined NGD as its Director of Infection Prevention Services.
Julie Bonnett, Photo Credit: Ashley Hoffman
July 8, 2024

When it comes to menopause, 'it's not all in your head,' and Pittsburgh-based research is proving it

Samar El Khoudary, a professor of epidemiology, researches cardiovascular disease in midlife women, and how menopause may contribute.
Plastic water bottles. Photo Credit: Getty Images
July 3, 2024

Plastics are everywhere and pose a real threat to our health

Jennifer Adibi, assistant professor of epidemiology said, “So, these chemicals are not bound within the product to something that would make it inert or unable to move out of the product.”
Mary Tranchine and Kim Beringer (second row, first and second from the left, respectively.)
July 1, 2024

After 40 years, these Pitt employees have seen plenty of change

Congratulations to Department of Epidemiology's Kim Beringer and Mary Tranchine for 40 years at the University of Pittsburgh!
Older women walking. Photo credit: Getty Images
June 28, 2024

Older women's health is woefully understudied

Jane Cauley, a distinguished professor of epidemiology , wants more data about the condition among older Black, Asian and Hispanic women, who are undertreated. She also wants better drugs with fewer side effects.
Photo credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
June 24, 2024

Record-breaking rise in deadly infections in Japan renews focus on the mysteries of strep

“When a patient comes in with group A strep in the blood, unless they have a wound, you often don’t know how it got into the body,” said Lee Harrison, professor of epidemiology and infectious diseases and microbiology.
(LEFT TO RIGHT) TINA NDOH, SALLY WENZEL, TIFFANY GARY-WEBB, JEANINE BUCHANICH, AND DARA MENDEZ,
June 21, 2024

Advocates listen and learn, celebrate and plan at first Environmental Justice Summit

May 9-11 was Pittsburgh’s first Environmental Justice Summit with the theme Reflections, Connections, and Collaborative Action.
Pitt Public Health Building
June 18, 2024

Pitt Public Health reaccredited for another seven years

Pitt Public Health was reaccredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) for an additional period of seven years.
Photo credit: Andrew Rush/Post-Gazette
June 17, 2024

'Every one of us is at risk': How to protect against the health risks that accompany extreme heat

“Every one of us is at risk,” said Dean Maureen Lichtveld.
Attendees of the EJ Summit
June 17, 2024

Finding affinity and joy in environmental justice work

Ndoh and Wilson met in January to begin planning the “Environmental Justice Summit: Reflections, Connections, and Collaborative Action,” which was held May 9-11 at Pitt’s Community Engagement Centers in Homewood and the Hill District, as well as additional locations in Hazelwood and Clairton.
Lindsay Sabik, associate professor of health policy and management 
June 11, 2024

Learning to “aim high” within male-dominated fields in public health

During a Breaking Barriers: Women in Oncology discussion, Lindsay Sabik, associate professor of health policy and management discussed her research on disparities in the health care system, learning to navigate the field as a woman and mother and advice she would give to women just beginning to work in her field.
Photo credit: Arden S. Barnes / The Washington Post via Getty Images
June 10, 2024

Climate change is deadly. Exactly how deadly? Depends who's counting

"We went from the federal government saying 89 [people died] to another academic institution saying 2,000 and yet another saying 5,000," says Dean Maureen Lichtveld.
Members of the Pitt Staff Council
June 4, 2024

Public Health staff take more than a few seats at the Pitt Staff Council table

Pitt Public Health staff take leading roles on the University of Pittsburgh Staff Council.