Child Health

Antibiotic pills displayed in a pill bottle

Antibiotic Use during Pregnancy: Too Much of a Good Thing?

Lixin Zhang, PhD ’99

The discovery and use of antibiotics is one of public health’s great achievements, but antibiotic use is not without its problems. At therapeutic doses, antibiotics exert a strong selection pressure on the microbial community. When antibiotics interact with an infant’s developing microbiome, they can affect gut health and with it the child’s health for years to come.

Micrograph of the epidermis and dermis of human finger skin.

The Worst Disease You've Never Heard Of: Caring for Children with Epidermolysis Bullosa

Bailey Brown, BS ’20

Children with epidermolysis bullosa are often called butterfly children—their skin seems to be as fragile as a butterfly’s wing. While there is no cure for EB, ongoing clinical trials have developed treatments to manage symptoms. Public health clinicians can help patients and their families build support networks by connecting them to local support groups and other families caring for children with EB.

3 people in a business meeting

Homelessness and Job Security: Challenges and Interventions

Nisha Bharat, Jenna Cicatello, Emily Guo, and Vennela Vallabhaneni

On any given night, half a million people in the US face homelessness. Many people experiencing homelessness face a range of challenges with finding stable jobs. Providing resources to overcome common obstacles to stable employment is a good first step in combating this pervasive problem.