Epidemiology News

Professor of Epidemiology Samar El Khoudary

Why sleep is the single most important way to protect your health post-menopause

Samar R. El Khoudary, professor of epidemiology at Pitt's School of Public Health, encourages women to "take the reins on their heart health."
baby with measles laying down with stuffie

Alarming number of measles cases sees U.S. on course to no longer consider the disease eradicated

“This is very worrisome,” said Donald Burke, former dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and an epidemiologist. Measles cases, he said, are “going in the wrong direction.”

Alex Sundermann

We're Racing to Implement AI in Healthcare. But Who's Guiding the Way?

Alexander Sundermann, DrPH, assistant professor of epidemiology at Pitt Public Health, cautions against a full speed approach to implementing AI into clinical practice without adequate testing and oversight.
2025 Pitt Health Science Ascending Star awardees

5 Pitt health sciences faculty members received 2025 Ascending Star Awards

Sonja Swanson, associate professor of epidemiology, is one of five faculty members in Pitt's Schools of the Health Sciences to receive a 2025 Ascending Star Award. She will give a research talk on September 4 at 3:30 p.m. in Alan Magee Scaife Hall, room 3785.
Dr. Samar El Khoudary

In Good Health: Vaccines, menopause, and cardiovascular disease

Epidemiology's Samar El Khoudary discusses cardiovascular disease and the menopausal transition live on NPR's news magazine show 1A.
Dr. Tiffany Gary-Webb

Tiffany Gary-Webb channels Senegal trips into collaborative disease research

Dr. Gary-Webb's focus on African American populations in the U.S. has expanded to include the Caribbean, Jamaica and Dakar, Senegal, with recent travels and collaborations geared toward improving health outcomes for noncommunicable diseases.
Tiffany L. Gary-Webb

Dr. Felicia Hill-Briggs Health Equity Trailblazers in Diabetes Award debuts

Tiffany L. Gary-Webb, PhD, MHS, professor of epidemiology, received the inaugural Dr. Felicia Hill-Briggs Health Equity Trailblazers in Diabetes Award.
Maria Mori Brooks talking to student

Research funding makes advancements in women’s health possible

Professor of Epidemiology Maria Mori Brooks is the principal investigator of the SWAN coordinating center, located in Pittsburgh. She has an integral role in determining how each site collects data and how it is analyzed.
Dara Mendez

Intersections: Local laws aid black moms

Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Associate Director of the Center for Health Equity, Dara D. Méndez joins KDKA to discuss local efforts to help black moms give healthy births.
Akira Sekikawa

COPD in Japan vs. the US: Comparing Prevalence and Mortality Rates

Despite historically higher smoking rates, Japan has significantly lower COPD prevalence and mortality than the U.S.—a paradox that may be explained by elements of the Japanese diet and public health practices, as discussed by Akira Sekikawa, professor of epidemiology.
people posing for a photograph

A Pitt professor is bringing her global perspective to this African medical research partnership

Tiffany Gary-Webb, professor of epidemiology, has partnered with an African medical research alliance to better understand the prevalence and underlying causes of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Senegal.
Dara D. Méndez

Dara Méndez was honored by Pittsburgh’s Professional Women’s Network

Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Associate Director of the Center for Health Equity, Dara D. Méndez, has won the Ladies Who Lead Award from Pittsburgh’s Professional Women’s Network.
Pitt’s Faculty Honors Awardees

Health Sciences award recipients at Faculty Honors Convocation

On April 3, five Pitt Public Health faculty members were celebrated at Pitt’s Faculty Honors Convocation for their outstanding achievements.
PHRESH team data collectors

In the Hill District and in Homewood, citizens and scientists take a PHRESH approach to better health

Today, PHRESH has grown to include six separate studies (so far). Each study looks at how neighborhood investments and improvements in infrastructure — which includes parks, businesses (like grocery stores), housing, schools, libraries, community centers, and more — impact people’s health outcomes.
Pitt Public Health list of rankings

U.S. News and World Report 2025 graduate school rankings released

Pitt Public Health and several departments and programs perform well in the latest graduate school rankings.