News

A novel technique to estimate intravillous fetal vasculature on routine placenta histologic sections

Dr. Janet Catov and her team piloted a novel continuous villous vascular estimation method using immunohistochemistry and a digital pixel count algorithm.

Celebrating & Learning from Our Community: Pittsburgh Reproductive Justice, Reproductive Healthcare, and Reproductive Rights

Students and community organizations are coming together for Celebrating & Learning from Our Community: Pittsburgh Reproductive Justice, Reproductive Healthcare, and Reproductive Rights later this month on Thursday, February 22--Saturday, February 24, 2024.
RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEdAAt_ObB8v1rxKXhelxO9HEg5Uhphl7vohyhctjOBI3sVw/viewform

Blood Pressure Trajectories Through the First Year Postpartum in Overweight or Obese Individuals Following a Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy

Dr. Janey Catov and her team compared pregnancy and postpartum blood pressure (BP) trajectories among individuals with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy who developed persistent hypertension at 1-year postpartum compared with individuals with normalization of BP.

Read the rest of their paper here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38073563/

2024 Health Disparities & Social Justice Poster Competition

University of Pittsburgh's Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion is holding their 2024 Health Disparities & Social Justice Poster Competition. Deadline for abstract submissions is Thursday, February 15th.

Understanding Shield Laws

In anticipation of extraterritorial application of antiabortion laws, many states enacted laws that attempt to shield abortion providers, helpers, and patients from civil, professional, or criminal liability associated with legal abortion care. Professor Greer Donley and her colleagues analyzed and compared the statutory schemes of the seven early adopting shield states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.

 

Six Identified Interpersonal Communication Components of Breast Cancer Care Patient Navigation

Interpersonal communication in breast cancer care patient navigation is understudied. To combat this, Dr. Jill Demirci and her team report an interpretation step of a concept mapping study, where key stakeholders shared their perspectives on six identified interpersonal communication components of breast cancer care patient navigation.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37947858/

A provider survey assessing fetal impact of CFTR modulator use in males with CF during assisted and unassisted reproduction and partner pregnancy

Most males with cystic fibrosis (CF) are infertile but with CF transmembrane conductance regulator modulator-conferred benefits, more are utilizing assisted reproductive technologies. However, no human data exists and there are many unknowns.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37953181/

Screening of Aftershock: A Documentary Film

Following the preventable deaths of two young women due to childbirth complications, two bereaved fathers galvanize activists, birth-workers and physicians to reckon with one of the most pressing American crises of our time—the US maternal health crisis.

The February Newsletter is here!

Contraceptive Use Among Traditional Medicare And Medicare Advantage Enrollees

The freedom to use one’s preferred contraceptive method—or no method—is fundamental to reproductive autonomy, which is a particularly salient issue for disabled people, who face substantial barriers to person-centered contraceptive care while also being subjected to interference in reproductive decision making.

Young Black Women's Desired Pregnancy and Birthing Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Black pregnant women encounter structural racism and intersectional bias from healthcare providers. By centering their perspectives and experiences of racial discrimination in healthcare settings, public health and medical professionals can utilize anti-racist frameworks to create more equitable, just practices in reproductive healthcare.

Read more about Drs. Ashley Hill and Natacha De Genna's findings here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38106375/

Calling all Pennsylvania Doulas!

We are looking for doulas who have provided care to pregnant and postpartum people in Pennsylvania during the last year to join our research study on medical insurance and racial health equity by participating in one, 40-60-minute interview. You will receive $50 in compensation for your time.
 

Proceedings Release: Defining and Evaluating In-Home Drug Disposal Systems For Opioid Analgesics Workshop

Dr. Tamar Krishnamurti was one of the panelists discussing real world implementation considerations for in-home opioid disposal systems for National Academies Sciences Engineering Medicine's drug forum publication on drug disposal systems for opioids. 

Creating Healing-Centered Spaces for Intimate Partner Violence Survivors in the Postpartum Unit: Examining Current Practices and Desired Resources Among Health Care Providers and Postpartum People

Drs. Chang, Miller, and Ragavan explored how intimate partner violence (IPV) is currently discussed with postpartum people in the postpartum unit as well as future methods and strategies for intervention and support.

Read more about their findings here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37971822/

Calling all Pennsylvania clinicians!

We are looking for clinicians across the state of Pennsylvania to join our research study on medical insurance and racial health equity by participating in one, 40-60 minute interview.
Who's eligible:
Clinicians (e.g., physicians, midwives, nurses, NPs, PAs, and others) who:
- Provide care for pregnant and postpartum populations, infants, and children
- Serve Black families
- Serve Medicaid beneficiaries