https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/ysph/news-rss/?keywordId=570&orgId=109082&title=Recent+News A selection of the latest research, academic, and other newsworthy developments at Yale School of Public Health en-us Copyright 2026 Yale School of Medicine Fri, 15 May 2026 10:22:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/emma-bebarta-mph-26-graduating-student-spotlight/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/emma-bebarta-mph-26-graduating-student-spotlight/ Emma Bebarta, MPH ’26 , is a graduating student in Social and Behavioral Sciences. Wed, 13 May 2026 17:00:00 Z https://www.everydayhealth.com/pregnancy/no-clear-link-between-tylenol-use-during-pregnancy-and-autism-or-adhd/ https://www.everydayhealth.com/pregnancy/no-clear-link-between-tylenol-use-during-pregnancy-and-autism-or-adhd/ A study of 2.1 million births found no link between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and ADHD or autism when researchers compared sibling outcomes. YSPH Associate Professor Zeyan Liew is senior author of the study. Tue, 10 Mar 2026 04:00:00 Z https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00097-8 https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00097-8 A common pain reliever taken in pregnancy might raise the risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to recent research. But proof of cause and effect remains elusive. YSPH's Dr. Zeyan Liew, a lead investigator in this area, comments. Wed, 21 Jan 2026 05:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/study-examines-gestational-diabetes-in-american-samoan-women/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/study-examines-gestational-diabetes-in-american-samoan-women/ A research team led by Dr. Nicola Hawley, PhD, hopes its findings will lead to a better future for gestational diabetes screening recommendations and treatment. Tue, 09 Dec 2025 05:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/what-the-research-says-about-autism-and-tylenol-use-during-pregnancy/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/what-the-research-says-about-autism-and-tylenol-use-during-pregnancy/ Dr. Zeyan Liew, PhD, MPH, is one of the country's leading scientists when it comes to studying possible links between frequent acetaminophen use during pregnancy and child neurodevelopment conditions such as autism. Dr. Liew discusses the latest research on the issue in this 4 Essential Questions feature. Tue, 23 Sep 2025 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/new-report-calls-for-national-breastfeeding-strategy/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/new-report-calls-for-national-breastfeeding-strategy/ A new report by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine calls for an evidence-based national strategy to increase breastfeeding rates in the United States. Yale School of Public Health Professor Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, an international expert on breastfeeding, co-authored the NASEM report. Tue, 16 Sep 2025 04:00:00 Z https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/09/05/rfk-autism-tylenol-pregnancy/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/09/05/rfk-autism-tylenol-pregnancy/ A new study suggests there is a connection between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism. Dr. Zeyan Liew, a YSPH scientist who has extensively studied the issue, says there is evidence that acetaminophen may negatively affect fetal development, but much more research is needed to investigate how other potential factors, such as medication, diet, and chemicals, may influence neurodevelopment. Fri, 05 Sep 2025 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/laboring-for-change-reimagining-black-maternal-health-equity/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/laboring-for-change-reimagining-black-maternal-health-equity/ In a personal and insightful essay, Yale School of Public Health Research Scientist Dr. Jasmine Abrams, PhD, discusses the urgent need for better maternal health care for Black women in the United States and suggests solutions for improving care that go beyond addressing structural racism. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/data-scientists-discuss-digital-health-equity-at-yale-conference/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/data-scientists-discuss-digital-health-equity-at-yale-conference/ Experts shared insights on the transformative role of data science in public health at a two-day conference hosted by Yale School of Public Health in March. Mon, 24 Mar 2025 04:00:00 Z https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-024-02498-4 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-024-02498-4 Meet the biotech startups brewing milk in bioreactors to improve on baby formula. YSPH Professor Rafael Perez-Escamilla has concerns. Thu, 21 Nov 2024 05:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/yale-institute-for-global-health-hecht-award-sparks-collaboration-in-american-samoa/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/yale-institute-for-global-health-hecht-award-sparks-collaboration-in-american-samoa/ Over a decade ago, Dr. Nicola Hawley, PhD, connected with a colleague in American Samoa to learn more about prenatal care delivery and how pregnancy might provide an opportunity to impact chronic disease prevention interventions. Obesity and overweight are highly prevalent among pregnant Samoan women, and a previous study conducted by Dr. Hawley and her colleagues found those conditions to be associated with adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. They also discovered a lack of data about gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the U.S. territory, but they estimate that about 40% of women in American Samoa will develop GDM during pregnancy. At the time, screening rates for gestational diabetes were low, largely due to a lack of awareness about the condition and issues with supply-side service provision. Wed, 20 Nov 2024 05:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/connecticut-health-foundation-launches-advisory-committee-for-statewide-blueprint-on-maternal-health-equity-focused-on-black-patients/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/connecticut-health-foundation-launches-advisory-committee-for-statewide-blueprint-on-maternal-health-equity-focused-on-black-patients/ The Connecticut Health Foundation has convened an advisory committee to help inform the creation of a blueprint for maternal health equity in Connecticut, focused on Black patients. The Yale Global Health Leadership Initiative and the Yale Equity Research and Innovation Center (ERIC) will help facilitate the work. Tue, 01 Oct 2024 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/five-things-infant-formula-companies-dont-want-you-to-know/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/five-things-infant-formula-companies-dont-want-you-to-know/ In recognition of National Breastfeeding Month and World Breastfeeding Week, which begins today, Yale School of Public Health Professor Rafael Pérez-Escamilla discusses five key, science-based facts that formula milk companies may not want people to know. Thu, 01 Aug 2024 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/ambient-heat-during-pregnancy-linked-to-increased-risk-of-childhood-cancer/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/ambient-heat-during-pregnancy-linked-to-increased-risk-of-childhood-cancer/ Yale School of Public Health researchers evaluate the association between exposure to hot temperatures during pregnancy and the risk of cancer in children. Wed, 03 Jul 2024 22:30:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/group-prenatal-care-shows-promise-in-reducing-maternal-health-disparities/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/group-prenatal-care-shows-promise-in-reducing-maternal-health-disparities/ Group prenatal care shows promise in reducing maternal health disparities, say Yale School of Medicine and Yale School of Public Health researchers. Tue, 25 Jun 2024 14:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/samoan-children-as-young-as-six-are-at-risk-of-diabetes-yale-study-shows/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/samoan-children-as-young-as-six-are-at-risk-of-diabetes-yale-study-shows/ YSPH researchers are studying obesity in Samoa, including the first longitudinal study of child health in the Pacific. Tue, 06 Feb 2024 05:00:00 Z https://www.wtnh.com/news/health/health-headlines-new-postpartum-depression-pill/ https://www.wtnh.com/news/health/health-headlines-new-postpartum-depression-pill/ In today’s health headlines, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the first oral medication to treat postpartum depression. Thu, 12 Oct 2023 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/ickovics-earns-aphas-martha-may-eliot-award/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/ickovics-earns-aphas-martha-may-eliot-award/ Jeannette Ickovics, the inaugural Samuel and Liselotte Herman Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the Yale School of Public Health, will receive the 2023 Martha May Eliot Award from the American Public Health Association (APHA). Thu, 14 Sep 2023 12:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/metabolomic-research-links-diet-to-paraben-food-preservatives-in-urine-findings-important-for-women-trying-to-conceive/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/metabolomic-research-links-diet-to-paraben-food-preservatives-in-urine-findings-important-for-women-trying-to-conceive/ Yale researchers identify diet-related metabolites associated with paraben concentrations in the urine of pregnant women. Parabens can disrupt endocrine activity in the body and they have been associated with changes in fertility in women. Wed, 13 Sep 2023 18:00:00 Z https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307422 https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307422 Residential proximity to oil and gas wells has been increasingly recognized to threaten the health and environmental quality of nearby communities. Thu, 07 Sep 2023 04:00:00 Z https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/lactation_and_wellness_space_opens_at_union_station https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/lactation_and_wellness_space_opens_at_union_station After years of struggling to find a private space to breastfeed her children, LaKayla Farrow can now do so in peace in a newly opened room on the second floor of Union Station. Located on the second floor of the city’s transit hub at 50 Union Ave., a new Lactation and Wellness space designated for those seeking to pray or chestfeed (a gender-inclusive alternative to the commonly used ​“breastfeed”) was opened at a press conference on Tuesday morning. Tue, 01 Aug 2023 18:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/nicole-deziel-testifies-to-the-health-risks-of-oil-and-gas-exploration/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/nicole-deziel-testifies-to-the-health-risks-of-oil-and-gas-exploration/ The health impacts of living near an oil or gas well include increased adverse pregnancy outcomes, childhood cancers, hospitalizations, asthma exacerbations, mental health issues, and mortality among the elderly. Thu, 04 May 2023 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/new-way-of-measuring-neonatal-mortality-uncovers-paradoxical-racial-disparity/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/new-way-of-measuring-neonatal-mortality-uncovers-paradoxical-racial-disparity/ A new research letter published in JAMA Pediatrics is the first to compare two methodological approaches to neonatal mortality rates side-by-side. Mon, 24 Apr 2023 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/a-year-of-breastfeeding-costs-families-as-much-as-dollar11000-study-finds/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/a-year-of-breastfeeding-costs-families-as-much-as-dollar11000-study-finds/ The direct and indirect costs of breastfeeding are far higher than people might assume, making the choice to breastfeed rather than bottle feed less automatic for many families. Tue, 04 Apr 2023 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/experts-call-for-an-end-to-the-exploitative-marketing-used-by-the-baby-formula-milk-industry/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/experts-call-for-an-end-to-the-exploitative-marketing-used-by-the-baby-formula-milk-industry/ A newly released Series on breastfeeding published in The Lancet argues that formula milk companies exploit parents’ emotions and manipulate scientific information to generate sales at the expense of the health and rights of families, women, and children. Wed, 08 Feb 2023 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/new-lancet-series-highlights-the-continuing-struggle-that-breastfeeding-women-face-across-the-globe/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/new-lancet-series-highlights-the-continuing-struggle-that-breastfeeding-women-face-across-the-globe/ A Lancet Series published on Feb. 8, 2023, highlights the continuing struggle that women across the globe face to meet their breastfeeding goals. Yale School of Public Health Professor Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, a leading authority on breastfeeding policy and early childhood nutrition, is co-author of all three Series articles and the lead author of the first paper featured in the Series. Wed, 08 Feb 2023 04:00:00 Z https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/07/health/baby-formula-marketing/index.html https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/07/health/baby-formula-marketing/index.html Less than half of infants around the world are breastfed as recommended, and baby formula is in high demand despite failing to offer the same health and developmental benefits as breast milk, experts say. According to a new report, misleading claims and political influence are to blame. Tue, 07 Feb 2023 04:00:00 Z https://ctmirror.org/2022/11/22/ct-rsv-flu-hospital-capacity-connecticut-childrens-yale-new-haven/ https://ctmirror.org/2022/11/22/ct-rsv-flu-hospital-capacity-connecticut-childrens-yale-new-haven/ Connecticut’s two children’s hospitals, already dealing with a deluge of respiratory syncytial virus cases among young kids, are bracing for flu cases to swell as the colder weather sets in and a surge in patients tests capacity. Tue, 22 Nov 2022 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/major-funding-award-supports-yale-efforts-to-address-maternal-health-inequities/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/major-funding-award-supports-yale-efforts-to-address-maternal-health-inequities/ A team of Yale researchers, working collaboratively with Yale New Haven Hospital, community partners and two regional hospitals, is exploring ways to improve health outcomes among pregnant and postpartum women in priority populations that have been historically underserved and experience systemic racism. A $18 million funding award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) will support the study. Thu, 17 Mar 2022 04:00:00 Z https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/03/01/1082775961/infant-formula-promoted-in-aggressive-and-misleading-ways-says-new-global-report https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/03/01/1082775961/infant-formula-promoted-in-aggressive-and-misleading-ways-says-new-global-report "Advertisements will make me buy infant formula, if I see a beautiful and chubby baby on TV, well-fed and smiling." Tue, 01 Mar 2022 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/birth-outcomes-improved-through-expect-with-me-group-prenatal-care/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/birth-outcomes-improved-through-expect-with-me-group-prenatal-care/ Expectant mothers who received group prenatal care through Expect With Me, a program co-developed by the Yale School of Public Health, had significantly better birth outcomes than their peers receiving traditional one-on-one prenatal care, a new study finds. Fri, 03 Dec 2021 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/elevate-joins-ysph-bringing-maternal-and-child-mental-health-expertise/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/elevate-joins-ysph-bringing-maternal-and-child-mental-health-expertise/ The Elevate Policy Lab has joined the Yale School of Public Health’s Office of Public Health Practice. Thu, 10 Jun 2021 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/yale-school-of-public-health-launches-maternal-child-health-promotion-track/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/yale-school-of-public-health-launches-maternal-child-health-promotion-track/ A new academic track that promotes the health of mothers and their babies and children is being launched by the Yale School of Public Health at the beginning of the new academic year this fall. Mon, 19 Apr 2021 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/three-decades-devoted-to-brazil/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/three-decades-devoted-to-brazil/ Rafael Pérez-Escamilla has spent a significant amount of time over the past 30 years in South America’s largest country, Brazil, where he has worked with colleagues to improve health outcomes and also help to train a cadre of health professionals. Wed, 10 Mar 2021 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/parental-birth-abnormalities-and-offsprings-autism-linked/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/parental-birth-abnormalities-and-offsprings-autism-linked/ In a study of medical registry records of nearly 400,000 parent-child pairs from Denmark, a Yale School of Public Health study found that parents who themselves born very prematurely are nearly twice as likely to have children with autism spectrum disorder. Thu, 07 Jan 2021 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/data-initiative-seeks-to-improve-early-childhood-development-in-brazil/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/data-initiative-seeks-to-improve-early-childhood-development-in-brazil/ An index that evaluates the performance of municipalities for early childhood development was developed through a partnership between researchers from Yale and Brazilian universities. Yale School of Public Health associate researcher Gabriela Buccini explains the partnership project that monitors early childhood development indicators in Brazil. Fri, 04 Dec 2020 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/elevating-from-a-distance-a-partnership-to-help-mothers-during-the-pandemic/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/elevating-from-a-distance-a-partnership-to-help-mothers-during-the-pandemic/ Elevate is working with WHRY to generate the science necessary to break the cycle of poverty through effective mental health interventions for mothers and families. Wed, 17 Jun 2020 04:00:00 Z https://endocrinenews.endocrine.org/endocrine-society-educates-congress-about-the-science-of-pfas-exposure/ https://endocrinenews.endocrine.org/endocrine-society-educates-congress-about-the-science-of-pfas-exposure/ The Endocrine Society hosted a congressional briefing on November 6th, 2019, on the latest science with policy makers on how federally funded research is helping to understand and address the health effects of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS. Expert scientists gathered to discuss widespread contamination issues and diverse health effects attributed to PFAS exposure. Zeyan Liew, PhD, MPH, from the Yale School of Public Health shared his research exploring the effects of PFAS on maternal thyroid function and neurodevelopmental outcomes in exposed children. Tue, 07 Jan 2020 04:00:00 Z https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2019/12/03/high-exposure-to-harmful-chemical-impacts-thyroid-hormones-in-pregnant-mothers/ https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2019/12/03/high-exposure-to-harmful-chemical-impacts-thyroid-hormones-in-pregnant-mothers/ Studies conducted by Assistant Professor, Zeyan Liew, at the Yale School of Public Health, focus on a group of harmful chemicals known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) that can affect hormones during pregnancy crucial to fetal development. Efforts are underway by Yale professors, Dr. Krystal Pollitt and Dr. John Fortner, to investigate the chemical structures and ban the use of PFAS as well as determine routes for removing or destroying the substances from the environment. Tue, 03 Dec 2019 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/filmmaker-alumna-at-ysph-this-week/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/filmmaker-alumna-at-ysph-this-week/ Yale School of Public Health alumna Elizabeth Bayne, M.P.H. '06, M.F.A., is the director of Chocolate Milk, a documentary that explores racial disparities in breastfeeding. Mon, 02 Apr 2018 04:00:00 Z https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/low-levels-of-vitamin-b12-in-pregnancy-may-increase-the-risk-of-preterm-birth-study-finds/ https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/low-levels-of-vitamin-b12-in-pregnancy-may-increase-the-risk-of-preterm-birth-study-finds/ Nutrition during pregnancy affects the growing fetus, and identifying appropriate nutritional supplementation in pregnancy has been a hot topic for decades. Vitamin B12 is an essential nutritional component found only in animal-derived products like meat, milk and eggs. Low intake of such products increases the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. The proportion of pregnant women with vitamin B12 deficiency ranges from a small percentage in some Western countries, like Norway, to over two thirds in developing countries, such as India. In a newly published paper, all previous studies on effects of vitamin B12 levels in pregnancy were evaluated and their results pooled in a meta study. The question asked was whether vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy was harmful for the fetus? Thu, 16 Feb 2017 04:00:00 Z