A team of researchers led by USF College of Public Health (COPH) doctoral student Justin Swanson has found that although people under age 65 born with birth defects make up just 4.1% of inpatient hospitalizations, their medical treatment accounts for nearly 8% of total hospitalization costs. The study, “Inpatient Hospitalization […]

Dr. Russell Kirby, a USF Distinguished Professor and perinatal epidemiology expert at the USF College of Public Health, has been honored with a mentoring award that bears his name. Kirby became the first-ever recipient of the Russell S. Kirby Mentoring Award, presented by the National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN). […]

Russell Kirby, PhD, recently received the Paula Ransom Volunteer Partner Award from the March of Dimes. Kirby is a perinatal epidemiologist and a USF Health Distinguished Professor and Marrell Endowed Chair in the USF Health College of Public Health. The award celebrates “an individual whose commitment to the volunteer/staff partnership […]

In early March, shortly after World Birth Defects Day (WBDD) and before COVID-19 travel restrictions took effect, the National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN) held its annual conference in Arlington, Va. The conference’s 150 participants, including USF College of Public Health (COPH) faculty, students and staff who manage the USF […]

While smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of health problems for developing babies, such as preterm birth, low birth rate and birth defects of the lip and mouth, could there also be an association to congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a rare musculoskeletal birth defect? USF College of Public Health alumna […]

January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month Birth defects are a huge public health challenge. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every 4.5 minutes a baby in this country is born with a birth defect. In recognition of National Birth Defects Prevention Month, we posed some […]

January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month An increasing number of infants are being born with a syndrome resulting from exposure to opioids while in the womb, according to USF College of Public Health’s Dr. Russell Kirby. However, he says tracking it has become a new challenge. Infants born to […]

On April 5, the USF College of Public Health recognized two graduates who improve the public’s health and do it exceedingly well. This year’s recipients of the 2017 Outstanding Alumni Award are Drs. Zuber D. Mulla and Jason Salemi. The presentation was part of the college’s National Public Health Week […]