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Women, families, and communities

A baby girl born in the United States today can expect to live to age 80. Worldwide, women can expect to live 68 years. How do you explain such a disparity in the lives of women globally? And what can we do to safeguard the health of all women so that they lead healthy and fulfilling lives?
     Faculty in the RSPH are working to ensure that, starting right here in Atlanta. A current study at Grady Memorial Hospital is helping African American women who work there fight obesity through increased physical activity at work and at home. Emory is also a partner in the Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network, a national effort to prevent the 25,000 stillbirths that occur every year. Both studies are based in the Women’s and Children’s Center, led by Jules and Uldeen Terry Professor Carol Hogue.
    Two years ago, RSPH associate professor Kathryn Yount found herself at the center of two highly publicized court cases in Atlanta that involve female genital cutting. Her testimony, which led to passage of a Georgia law defining this practice as a criminal act, draws on her research of gender issues in Egypt. Yount’s research there demonstrates that changing women’s status in society is key to improving their health and well-being. In this country, a national survey led by behavioral scientist Gina Wingood seeks to pinpoint the social factors that affect women’s sexual health and possibly increase their risk of HIV/AIDS. These and other studies underscore the collective power of research in improving health for women, families, and communities.
     This summer, our aspirations for the future became even brighter with the announcement of a $50 million gift from the Rollins Foundation and family to construct a second RSPH building. Their generosity will more than double the size of our physical space and expand our ability to protect health and prevent disease everywhere. What a great way to start the new academic year!

Sincerely,

James W. Curran, MD, MPD
Dean

   
         
   
   
    This summer, our aspirations for the future became even brighter with the announcement of a $50 million gift from the Rollins Foundation and a family to construct a second RSPH building.    
 

   
     
 

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