USC Department of Population and Public Health Sciences

What's the link between pregnancy and high blood pressure years after birth? Shohreh Farzan, PhD, associate professor at USC Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, explains the study that found that women with blood pressure levels in a range considered clinically normal during pregnancy but no mid-pregnancy drop in blood pressure face an increased risk of developing hypertension in the five years after giving birth. Studies like these pave the way for simple changes in clinical practice which may help identify and treat this high-risk group. Read the full study in the comments. ???

NEW RESEARCH: Blood pressure patterns during pregnancy predict later hypertension risk, study finds ??Women with blood pressure levels in a range considered clinically normal during pregnancy but no mid-pregnancy drop in blood pressure face an increased risk of developing hypertension in the five years after giving birth. ??These women—about 12% of the population studied—would not be flagged as high-risk by current medical guidelines, but the new findings could help identify them as candidates for early intervention. ??Click the link below to learn more about the study's findings. Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California Shohreh Farzan, PhD Zhongzheng Niu USC Research and Innovation University of Southern California Ricky Bluthenthal https://lnkd.in/gAY59SVY

Friday started out with a deeply engaging, future-looking panel with thought leaders from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) NIOH, NIREH, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) NEERI and CCDC India at #CliCONOEH2025. Breaking knowledge domes, partnering vs collaborating, data access, and co-creation and co-learning came out as themes.?? I then got to visit Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram and the Adalaj stepwell in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Gandhi’s wheel of life was a brilliant reminder of how when we talk about environmental and social determinants of health - the basic tenants of health, community, and dignity unite us all - within very beautiful and critically important local cultures and contexts. The stepwell is a mind-blowing, intricate work of art centered around water as a source of life. There is no clearer example of how water and ecosystem health = human health and vice versa. ?? I then had the honor of meeting our University of Southern California Global and USC India leadership and our brilliant USC alumni and be welcomed into the gorgeous home of Sonal Ambani and Vimal Ambani. This trip to #India was a welcome reminder of how beautifully diverse and colorful our world is and how much we all have in common, despite how fragile it can all seem at times. My deepest thanks and gratitude for the grand hospitality and opportunity to learn and connect.??? USC Alumni Association Kavita Munjal Sudha Kumar Shishir Kumar Upadhyaya Nupur Khurana Ankit Sheth Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California USC Spatial Sciences Institute NEXUS Network for Exposomics in the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) NIH Climate and Health Initiative

EVENT: Join us for April’s SCEHSC Seminar, where Luz Huntington Moskos PhD, RN, CPN, FAAN will present her research on environmental health challenges in rural Ohio River communities, highlighting industrial toxin exposure, health impacts, and community-driven action. ? ? Huntington-Moskos partners with Kentucky communities to enhance environmental health literacy and support action. As a Betty Irene Moore Fellow (2021-2025), her research focuses on adolescent report-back strategies to promote health behavior change. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gc93VaQd Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California

EVENT: The Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Applied Studies (IDEAS)?Initiative and the?USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health?(IIGH)?invite you to a virtual seminar featuring our very own Chanita Hughes-Halbert, PhD, Interim Executive Vice Chair, Vice Chair for Research and Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Halbert is a nationally recognized leader in cancer prevention and minority health research. She has dedicated her career to reducing the disparities in cancer outcomes that affect patients from underrepresented communities, with a primary focus on African American communities. Among her many achievements, she has identified sociocultural, psychological, genetic and environmental determinants of cancer health disparities and translates this information into interventions to improve health equity among racially and ethnically diverse populations, as well as other medically underserved groups. For her many contributions, Hughes-Halbert was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2017. Register here: https://bit.ly/41NgAbg

EVENT: The USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health (IIGH), with support from the USC Office of the Provost, is pleased to host the USC Global Health Symposium. This dynamic event will bring together faculty, students, and staff from across all corners of the USC campus who are working in different facets of global health. The event will feature a keynote address, two plenary discussions, a student panel, a student poster session, and a range of opportunities for networking and collaboration, showcasing the wide range of global health expertise, diversity, and talent that the university offers. ???Friday, March 28, 2025 ??University Park Campus ? Register here: https://lnkd.in/g7f-qSSG

USC students organize LA wildfire relief efforts to distribute medical supplies to local organizations including evacuation shelters, mobile kitchens, centers for seniors and more. ??“The wildfires impacted our local community and with the proximity being so close to USC, it definitely invoked a great sense of urgency compared to our regular drives,” says Emily Hsieh, a progressive degree student in the?Master of Science in Global Medicine?program. ??“It was a very meaningful couple of days where we pulled together to distribute masks to various organizations,” says Sophia Dettweiler, another progressive degree student in the Master of Science in Global Medicine program and the vice president of operations. ? Read more about their drive and mission: ??https://lnkd.in/g8PHzQ9p Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California Master of Science in Global Medicine | Keck School of Medicine of USC Ricky Bluthenthal USC Office of Sustainability

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the California Consortium for Cancer Health Equity Symposium and supporting with on-the-day logistics. It was an incredible event bringing together public health researchers, cancer equity leaders, industry partners, and community health advocates to discuss the critical role of patient and community navigation in advancing cancer health equity. The day was filled with insightful discussions and powerful presentations from experts across California, highlighting the innovative work being done to address cancer disparities. I learned so much from the speakers and panels, and I left feeling truly inspired by the dedication of this community. Huge thanks to everyone who made this event possible! Special shout out to the Choices Lab. Looking forward to continuing the conversation and working towards more equitable cancer care for all.

NEW RESEARCH: USC study shows persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are associated with higher blood pressure in teenagers after bariatric surgery (a weight loss intervention) which inadvertently releases POPs stored in fat into the bloodstream. ?? “While bariatric surgery is an effective treatment used to address severe obesity and improve cardiometabolic health, it also releases POPs stored in fat into the bloodstream,” says Shudi Pan, the study’s first author and a fourth year PhD candidate. Click below to read about the implications of her findings. ?? https://lnkd.in/gYmEAffd Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California University of Southern California USC Research and Innovation Ricky Bluthenthal

It was a great first day at the American Academy of Health Behavior Conference. Had the opportunity to share some of the work we’ve be doing to increase the capacity of oncology navigation services at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center using methods in implementation science. Thank you to my poster buddy Emily Richardson for the picture!