Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment (UCSF)

10/01/2026

If you've ever driven through California's Central Valley, you've probably noticed the smell from industrial animal farms. But for the people who live near these facilities, it's not just a nuisance... it may be a health risk.

A new PRHE blog by EaRTH Center affiliate Saskia Comess, PhD shares findings from a study of 800,000 California births that found living near concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) is associated with increased risk of preterm birth. Wind direction mattered too, suggesting airborne pollution is a key pathway — and the communities bearing the greatest exposure burden are among the most economically vulnerable. Read the full blog ⬇

If you’ve ever driven along I-5 through the California Central Valley, you likely detected an acrid stench that permeates the air. The noxious odor comes from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), industrial-scale meat and dairy production facilities that confine large numbers of animals...

09/24/2026

The first eight weeks of pregnancy are a period of remarkable fetal development, and a new PRHE study suggests wildfire smoke during this critical window may have serious implications. Researchers found associations between wildfire-related fine particulate matter and several structural birth defects, including spina bifida, in pregnancies in California's San Joaquin Valley. PRHE Acting Director Dr. Amy Padula explains what the findings mean and why timing of exposure matters. Read the full blog ⬇

The earliest weeks of pregnancy are a period of remarkable development. In a matter of weeks, the foundations of the brain, spinal cord, heart, and other major organs begin to take shape. That rapid development also makes this a particularly important period for understanding how environmental expos...

09/01/2026

Rates of fertility and fecundity have declined substantially over the last 40 years, while rates of miscarriage and preterm birth have increased. Climate-related exposures — from extreme heat and air pollution to microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals — may be an important and underrecognized contributor.

A new blog from former UCSF Environmental Research and Translation for Health Center scholar Anna Claire Fernández synthesizes the latest evidence on climate change and reproductive health, and raises a timely new question: as AI data centers multiply and energy demands surge, who bears the environmental costs — and what could that mean for reproductive health outcomes in vulnerable communities?

Investigating climate change impacts on reproductive health reveals a minefield of urgent questions: How do heat and pollution affect fetal development? What role do endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as microplastics and PFAS, play in infertility? Why have fecundity and fertility declined over th...

08/14/2026

Big win in California: paraquat is being phased out. The science has been clear for years — now policy is catching up. 🌱

More details on the ban here: https://www.thenewlede.org/2026/08/california-phasing-out-paraquat-parkinsons-disease/

08/13/2026

When wildfire smoke fills the air, health warnings tend to focus on children, older adults, and people with heart or lung conditions. But what about pregnant people?

PRHE Acting Director Dr. Amy Padula spoke with Climate, Gendered about her research at the intersection of wildfire smoke and reproductive health — including what we know about pregnancy complications, fertility treatments, and which communities bear the greatest burden.

Are mothers' lives at risk due to smoke exposure? Are pregnancy outcomes? Should IVF be delayed? Is s***m affected? CG spoke with Amy Padula, a professor at UC San Francisco and the Acting Director of the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, about these and other potential impacts.

08/04/2026

Save the date!

PRHE partner UCSF Environmental Research and Translation for Health Center is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, August 19 at 11 AM PT with Dr. Stephanie Gaw on how wildfire smoke exposure may affect placental function and what multi-omic research is revealing about maternal and fetal health.

Register at earth.ucsf.edu/events.

07/29/2026

If you've seen smoky skies recently, this is worth reading — especially if you're pregnant or have young children.

In our latest blog, PRHE Acting Director Dr. Amy Padula draws on years of research to explain how wildfire smoke affects pregnant people and their babies. A PRHE study of more than 4.5 million California births found that high smoke exposure was linked to serious complications, with the greatest burden falling on communities already facing health inequities.

Swipe through our infographic series for practical steps to protect yourself, and read the full blog here: https://wp.me/p96JEP-2dm

07/07/2026

A new PRHE study published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology shows that social conditions — like poverty, discrimination, and limited healthcare access — can compound the harm of chemical exposures.

Read our new blog, guest authored by lead author Dr. Jessica Trowbridge, to learn more: https://prheucsf.blog/2026/07/07/why-social-conditions-must-be-part-of-environmental-health-risk/

07/01/2026

Dr. Jessica Trowbridge, Associate Research Scientist at PRHE and a breast cancer survivor, testified today with Breast Cancer Prevention Partners on the Safer Food Packaging Act (AB 1148) at a CA State Assembly Committee on Health hearing.

Drawing on both her research and lived experience, Dr. Trowbridge spoke about the health risks associated with bisphenols and phthalates in food packaging and the importance of reducing exposure to these harmful chemicals. 👏

06/29/2026