Colgate-Funded UCSF and NYU Study Launches to Examine Whether Improving Oral Health Can Help Reduce Preterm Birth Risk

Growing evidence suggests that periodontal disease during pregnancy may be associated with serious complications, including preterm birth, low birth weight, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes. Yet oral health remains one of the most overlooked components of prenatal care.

From Granny Midwives to Birth Justice: A Black Legacy Lives On

Granny midwives, the Black women in the rural South who ensured safe and healthy deliveries, were more than traditional birth attendants. They were community-based caregivers whose work laid the groundwork for birth justice, protecting Black women’s ability to give birth safely in a society that…

Placental Research Symposium Unites Science and Community to Advance Maternal Health

Placental Research Symposium Unites Science and Community to Advance Maternal HealthNot even rain could dampen the enthusiasm of the scientists, clinicians, doulas, and community members who gathered for the “Connecting Cells to Community” research symposium at the University of California, San…

Center and Care Study Reveals Critical Needs of Black Families with Preterm Infants

A new study reveals gaps in post-NICU support for Black families with premature infants, highlighting urgent needs to better serve a vulnerable population.

PTBi Researcher Showcases Studies at the Largest Pediatric Research Conference

Scott Oltman, an epidemiologist with UCSF and PTBi, attended the 2025 Pediatric Academic Societies to present his study, plus several more from academic colleagues who couldn’t attend.

Harriet Jacobs, a Pioneer in Women’s Rights

This post contains mentions of violence, abuse, and enslavement One of the most important books in U.S. history, “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl,” an autobiography by Harriet Jacobs, was almost lost to history.

Shanell Williams Transitions to Rafiki Coalition After 10 Years at PTBi

Shanell Williams, Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships at the UCSF California Preterm Birth Initiative (PTBi), is departing after 10 years to serve as Executive Director of the Rafiki Coalition for Health and Wellness.

Biddy Mason, Trailblazer in Medical and Black History

In the 1930s, when artist Bernard Zakheim was painting a series of murals at UCSF titled “The History of Medicine in California,” he included Biddy Mason, a healer, nurse, and midwife, as one of the historically significant figures.

New Study Explores the Growing Challenge of Preterm Birth and Related Inequities

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medicine Association Open Network examines the conditions and trends that are contributing to an alarming increase in preterm birth in the US.

Newborn Screening Data Reveals Vital Clues to Understanding SIDS in New Study

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the most cited cause of infant mortality in the world, with the United States reporting over 1,300 deaths annually from the disorder. Even with advanced diagnostic tools, no clear medical explanation or cause has been found. Despite its prevalence, SIDS has…