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Racism can erode physical well-being
The chronic stress of experiencing discrimination can gradually erode people’s physical well-being over time, according to Mary Bassett, director of the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University. Bassett was one of several experts…
Assessing the mental health of pregnant and postpartum women during COVID-19
A new survey aims to shed light on the level of stress that pregnant and postpartum women are facing around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to assess their well-being and mental health. The survey is sponsored…
History of neonatal deaths could help identify high-risk pregnancies
Mothers in India who had a history of neonatal death—defined as losing a child within 27 days of birth—were at the greatest risk of experiencing additional neonatal deaths, according to new research led by Harvard T.H. Chan School…
Exposure to phthalates before pregnancy could increase preterm birth risk
Exposure to the class of chemicals known as phthalates, which are found in a wide array of products from perfume to kids’ toys, was associated with preterm birth in new research led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of…
Gaining insight into women's health
Could an app help scientists better understand menstruation, fertility, and menopause? On the latest episode of This Week in Health, Shruthi Mahalingaiah and JP Onnela talk about the groundbreaking Apple Women’s Health Study. Shruthi Mahalingaiah, an assistant professor of environmental, reproductive, and…
Exercise may boost sperm quality
Men who exercise regularly appear to have higher quality semen compared with men who don’t exercise regularly, according to new research led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers and colleagues. The study examined data collected…
Understanding the risks of ‘forever chemicals’
News about a family of toxic synthetic chemicals called PFASs—“per- and polyfluoralkyl substances”—has recently been making headlines in New England. In Connecticut, PFASs were found to be leaching out of landfills in Hartford and Ellington. In Massachusetts, a…
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Apple formally launch Women’s Health Study
Groundbreaking study will collect and analyze data on menstrual and gynecological health to improve overall understanding of women’s health needs. Study has potential to be largest study of its scope and scale. For immediate release: Thursday, November 14,…
Researchers team up across disciplines and institutions to improve women’s reproductive health
A team of Boston-area researchers, including Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Shruthi Mahalingaiah, are undertaking a new research project to address women’s reproductive healthchallenges. The project, supported by a $1.2 million four-year grant from the National…
Exploring coercive practices regarding contraception
Global family planning policies may incentivize health care providers to coerce women into adopting contraceptive services they don’t fully understand or want, according to a new study in the journal Social Science & Medicine. Study author Leigh Senderowicz,…