Identifying county-level effect modifiers of the association between heat waves and preterm birth using a Bayesian spatial meta regression approach.

High temperature is associated with adverse health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable subpopulations including pregnant individuals and their unborn babies. Several recent studies have investigated the association between temperature and preterm birth at different geographic scales and across different spatial locations. However, there has been less focus on characterizing spatial heterogeneity in risks and identifying modifiable factors that contribute to the observed variation.

Influence of fire characteristics on the associations between smoke PM exposure and acute cardiorespiratory health events.

Background: Wildland fire smoke is a significant source of PM pollution in the western United States, with varying chemical composition and toxicity depending on fire characteristics.

Methods: We analyzed emergency department and urgent care visits in the Reno/Sparks, Nevada region during fire seasons (July-September) from 2012 to 2019. Wildland fire smoke PM concentrations were determined using a novel approach that combined EPA monitor data, atmospheric dispersion modeling, fire emissions inventories, and Bayesian time-series modeling to estimate daily fire-specific smoke PM concentrations.

A time-to-event analysis of the association between ambient air pollution and risk of spontaneous abortion using vital records in the U.S. state of Georgia (2005-2014).

We examined the association between ambient air pollution exposure and risk of spontaneous abortion (SAB) using Georgia state-wide fetal death records from 2005-2014. Each SAB case was matched to four non-SAB pregnancies by maternal residential county and conception month. Daily concentrations of ten pollutants were estimated and linked to maternal residential census tracts.

The High-resolution Urban Meteorology for Impacts Dataset (HUMID) daily for the Conterminous United States.

Many current gridded surface meteorological datasets are inadequate for quantifying near-surface spatiotemporal variability because they do not fully represent the impacts of land surface heterogeneity. Of note, explicit representation of the spatial structure and magnitude of local urban warming are usually lacking. Here we enhance the representation of spatial meteorological variability over urban areas in the conterminous United States (CONUS) by employing the High-Resolution Land Data Assimilation System (HRLDAS), which accounts for the fine-scale impacts of spatiotemporally varying land surfaces on weather.

Influenza Activity and Preterm Birth in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area: A Time-Series Analysis from 2010 to 2017.

Background: Annual influenza epidemics lead to a substantial public health burden, and pregnant people are vulnerable to severe outcomes. Influenza during pregnancy is hypothesized to increase the risk of adverse birth outcomes, but population-based epidemiologic evidence remains limited and inconsistent.

Methods: We conducted a time-series analysis to estimate short-term associations between community-level seasonal influenza activity and daily counts of preterm births in Atlanta, United States from October 17, 2010 to July 10, 2017.

Associations between satellite-derived estimates of PM2.5 species concentrations for organic carbon, elemental carbon, nitrate, and sulfate with birth weight and preterm birth in California during 2005-2014.

Background: Characterizing the spatial distribution of PM species concentrations is challenging due to the geographic sparsity of the stationary monitoring network. Recent advances have enabled valid estimation of PM species concentrations using satellite remote sensing data for use in epidemiologic studies.

Objective: In this study, we used satellite-based estimates of ambient PM species concentrations to estimate associations with birth weight and preterm birth in California.

Antimicrobial exposure during infancy in a longitudinal California cohort.

Background: To describe temporal and sociodemographic patterns of antimicrobial exposure during the first year of life in a large US cohort.

Methods: Singleton infants born 1998-2014 enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Northern California integrated health system (n = 345,550) were followed longitudinally via comprehensive electronic health records, capturing all systemic antimicrobial inpatient administrations and outpatient dispensings. Antimicrobial exposure was summarized by maternal and infant characteristics, birth year, inpatient/outpatient status, age in months, and drug class.

Maternal obesity and childhood asthma risk: Exploring mediating pathways.

Background: Growing evidence for the effect of maternal obesity on childhood asthma motivates investigation of mediating pathways.

Objective: To investigate if childhood body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain (GWG) and preterm birth mediate the association of maternal obesity on childhood asthma risk.

Methods: We used electronic medical records from mother-child pairs enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Northern California integrated healthcare system.

Effects of air pollution on adverse birth outcomes and pregnancy complications in the U.S. state of Kansas (2000-2015).

Neonatal mortality and morbidity are often caused by preterm birth and lower birth weight. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and gestational hypertension (GH) are the most prevalent maternal medical complications during pregnancy. However, evidence on effects of air pollution on adverse birth outcomes and pregnancy complications is mixed.

Confounding by Conception Seasonality in Studies of Temperature and Preterm Birth: A Simulation Study.

Background: Seasonal patterns of conception may confound acute associations between birth outcomes and seasonally varying exposures. We aim to evaluate four epidemiologic designs (time-stratified case-crossover, time-series, pair-matched case-control, and time-to-event) commonly used to study acute associations between ambient temperature and preterm births.

Methods: We conducted simulations assuming no effect of temperature on preterm birth.

CRITICAL WINDOW VARIABLE SELECTION FOR MIXTURES: ESTIMATING THE IMPACT OF MULTIPLE AIR POLLUTANTS ON STILLBIRTH.

Understanding the role of time-varying pollution mixtures on human health is critical as people are simultaneously exposed to multiple pollutants during their lives. For vulnerable subpopulations who have well-defined exposure periods (e.g.

The role of state breastfeeding laws and programs on exclusive breastfeeding practice among mothers in the special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Background: It is unclear if state laws supporting breastfeeding are associated with exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice among low-income mothers participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The main objectives of our study were to assess the relationship between such laws and EBF among WIC-participating mothers and to assess whether this association varied by employment status. We also assessed how mother's exposure to WIC breastfeeding consultation was associated with EBF.

Acute association between heatwaves and stillbirth in six US states.

Background: Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and may acutely increase the risk of stillbirth, a rare and severe pregnancy outcome.

Objectives: Examine the association between multiple heatwave metrics and stillbirth in six U.S.

Time-series analysis of daily ambient temperature and emergency department visits in five US cities with a comparison of exposure metrics derived from 1-km meteorology products.

Background: Ambient temperature observations from single monitoring stations (usually located at the major international airport serving a city) are routinely used to estimate heat exposures in epidemiologic studies. This method of exposure assessment does not account for potential spatial variability in ambient temperature. In environmental health research, there is increasing interest in utilizing spatially-resolved exposure estimates to minimize exposure measurement error.

Acute associations between heatwaves and preterm and early-term birth in 50 US metropolitan areas: a matched case-control study.

Background: The effect of heatwaves on adverse birth outcomes is not well understood and may vary by how heatwaves are defined. The study aims to examine acute associations between various heatwave definitions and preterm and early-term birth.

Methods: Using national vital records from 50 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) between 1982 and 1988, singleton preterm (< 37 weeks) and early-term births (37-38 weeks) were matched (1:1) to controls who completed at least 37 weeks or 39 weeks of gestation, respectively.

The interrelationship between water access, exclusive breastfeeding and diarrhea in children: a cross-sectional assessment across 19 African countries.

Background: Access to an improved water supply and practicing exclusive breastfeeding are essential for improving maternal and child health outcomes. However, few studies have been equipped to assess the interdependencies between access to improved water, practicing exclusive breastfeeding, and child health. The primary aim of our study was to assess whether access to an improved water supply and water-fetching were associated with mothers' practice of exclusive breastfeeding.

Caesarean delivery and the risk of atopic dermatitis in children.

Background: Caesarean delivery (C-section) may disrupt maternal-infant microbial transfer and alter immune system development and subsequent risk for atopic dermatitis.

Objective: Investigate the association between C-section and atopic dermatitis by age four and examine potential sources of bias in the relationship in a large cohort study.

Methods: Maternal and child information was collected through Kaiser Permanente Northern California's (KPNC) integrated healthcare system.

Cesarean delivery and the risk of allergic rhinitis in children.

Background: Cesarean delivery (C-section) may influence the infant microbiome and affect immune system development and subsequent risk for allergic rhinitis (AR).

Objective: To investigate the association between C-section and AR at ages 6, 8, and 10 years.

Methods: Data were collected prospectively through Kaiser Permanente Northern Californias (KPNC) integrated healthcare system.

Hormonal Profiles of Menstrual Bleeding Patterns During the Luteal-Follicular Transition.

Context: Menstrual cycle function is determined by a complex endocrine axis that controls the ovaries and endometrium. While the late luteal phase is characterized by declining progesterone and estrogen, how these hormonal profiles relate to menstrual bleeding patterns is not well understood.

Objective: Characterize associations between luteal phase hormonal profiles and subsequent menstrual bleeding patterns, specifically spotting before bleeding.