News

Short-term use of immunosuppressants not linked to cancer risk

New findings discovered by scientists at Pitt Public Health and Mass Eye and Ear provide reassurance to hesitant patients and clinicians.

Black Equity Coalition (BEC) Receives Grant from The de Beaumont Foundation

$1.1 million awarded for three years to BEC’s Data Justice Workgroup.

A $1.1 million grant from the de Beaumont Foundation is enabling the Black Equity Coalition’s Data Justice Workgroup to pursue data-driven initiatives with the City of Pittsburgh that advance racial justice and health equity among   the city’s Black communities,

Policies favoring high-volume hospitals may disadvantage rural cancer patients

With a shortage of experienced surgeons in rural America and rural hospital closures, providing appropriate surgical care to rural patients can be challenging.

A Pennsylvania study suggests links between fracking and asthma, lymphoma in children

The taxpayer-funded research by the University of Pittsburgh adds to a body of evidence suggesting links between the gas industry and certain health problems.

Tackling disparities: 3 ways to encourage flu shots in Black Allegheny County communities

Local data on these disparities is not easily accessible, said Department of Epidemiology professor Tiffany Gary-Webb.

Breathe Pennsylvania lung health research grants

To investigate and improve asthma severity in populations living in neighborhoods with environmental justice concerns, researchers in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health are conducting a study in Homewood.

Two Summer Public Health Programs Spark Passion in Younger Generations

Summer programs at Pitt Public Health introduce younger generations to the field of public health

More adults think marijuana safer than tobacco despite similar health dangers, study finds

A recent flood of cannabis advertising makes it harder for officials to explain the different risks of marijuana smoking, vaping and edibles, said Coleman Drake, assistant professor of health policy and management.

Homeless Pittsburgh seniors struggle to find accessible housing, with shelters filling gaps

"It’s a slippery slope for aging residents," said Evan Cole, research associate professor in health policy and management.

Alumni Spotlight: Christa Lese Martin, PhD

For Christa Lese Martin (PhD, HUGEN ’96), you might say the future was in her genes.

Though she had a high school interest in the biological sciences, Martin’s career path gained focus as she prepared for college. “I learned about the field of human genetics and decided then and there that was it,” she says. “And I haven’t turned back.”

How ‘fit’ is Pittsburgh? The American College of Sports Medicine has the answer.

In her research, Rockette-Wagner and her collaborators look at social-cognitive theory-based approaches to why people are or aren’t more active.

Pitt study points to new opportunities for HIV treatment

"It seems that animals with SIV who don't progress (to AIDS) have better inflammation control," said Cristian Apetrei.

Equality isn’t equity: Raising minimum wage linked to growing health disparities gap, despite health improvements

“We need to rethink wage policies in this country from the bottom up and bring in a level of nuance that wasn’t in the original policy,” Dr. Brittany Brown-Podgorski said.

Pitt’s Center for Vaccine Research is already preparing for the next pandemic

Amy Hartman, studies a group of mosquito-borne viruses called bunyaviruses. One line of her research is working to understand on a molecular level how the Rift Valley fever virus can infect animals as diverse as mosquitoes, cows and humans.

Microbiome could be key in preventing HIV progression

“It was a previous study with disappointing results that put us on the path to this latest discovery,” said lead author Cristian Apetrei.