Author: PRHE

PRHE’s mission is to create a healthier environment for human reproduction and development through advancing scientific inquiry, clinical care and health policies that prevent exposures to harmful chemicals in our environment.

How climate change and air pollution affect pregnancy and human development

~ PRHE

To recognize the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment (PRHE) has partnered with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) to produce a series of infographics for health professionals to communicate with their patients about the adverse impacts of climate change, … Continue reading How climate change and air pollution affect pregnancy and human development

Fluoride exposure among pregnant women in California

~ PRHE

Water fluoridation has been cited as one of the dental field’s most successful interventions to improve dental health. Since 1945, when the United States implemented community water fluoridation, rates of cavities have declined. Also, providing fluoridated tap water to most residents, regardless of income, education, or socioeconomic status, can reduce disparities in dental health. Fluoride … Continue reading Fluoride exposure among pregnant women in California

So many chemicals—how do we decide which ones to study?

~ PRHE

The question is no longer whether environmental chemical exposures produce adverse health effects in children, but rather which chemicals have the most harmful impact. Fetuses and children are especially susceptible to environmental influences. Scientists and physicians are concerned that over the last 10-30 years, the prevalence of certain childhood diseases has increased, including adverse birth … Continue reading So many chemicals—how do we decide which ones to study?

Bridging communities and science

~ PRHE

La importancia de la intencionalidad al incluir poblaciones subrepresentadas en investigaciónes clínicas Las versiones de este post aparecen en español e inglés a continuación. The importance of intentionality when including underrepresented populations in clinical research Versions of this post appear in both spanish and english languages below. Coordinadores de estudios investigativos tienen un papel importante … Continue reading Bridging communities and science

UCSF medical students to deans: Prepare us for climate change and environmental hazards

~ PRHE

There are an infinite number of ways that the environment affects health, from endocrine-disrupting chemicals in our food supply to warming temperatures driving infectious diseases to new territories. It can feel overwhelming to consider a patient’s environmental exposures during a 20-minute visit, while still learning the basic anatomy of the human body. As medical students … Continue reading UCSF medical students to deans: Prepare us for climate change and environmental hazards

PRHE at American Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Expo 2019

~ PRHE

The Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment invites you to the following events at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Expo 2019. November 2-6, 2019 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Monday, November 4th Translating Environmental Health Sciences for Diverse Audiences to Protect Children’s Health Session 3354.0 Time: 3:00 - 4:30pm Location: 104B Protecting children’s … Continue reading PRHE at American Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Expo 2019

Bringing the environment into the clinic

~ PRHE ~ 1 Comment

People trust doctors, such as their pediatricians and obstetricians/ gynecologists (OB/Gyns), to give them important health information about their pregnancy and children. But by and large, pediatricians and OB/Gyns nationwide are not doing their part to protect children from toxic environmental chemicals that increase risks of cancer, endocrine disruption, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, and lower … Continue reading Bringing the environment into the clinic

ROBINS-E: Good studies gone bad

~ PRHE

Assessing environmental hazards often requires the evaluating a diverse body of evidence of varying quality. It is critical to consider the credibility of the individual studies used in the evaluation to reach conclusions through a consistent, transparent, and empirically-demonstrated methods such as those used in systematic review. The GRADE Working Group recently released one such … Continue reading ROBINS-E: Good studies gone bad

Paint strippers need informed solutions, not regrettable substitution

~ PRHE

Methylene chloride is a chemical used in paint strippers that is bad for the environment and very toxic — it can even kill you. Methylene chloride is dangerous for workers and consumers and we need safer strippers- but my new research shows the dark side of making a substitution without a careful evaluation. My colleagues from … Continue reading Paint strippers need informed solutions, not regrettable substitution