In a new study, OHSU researchers highlight disparities in maternal mental health care among low-income immigrants and call on more states to expand Medicaid access to address mental health conditions new parents face during the perinatal period. Maria Rodriguez, M.D., says, “We know that mental health during pregnancy is absolutely critical to preventing maternal morbidity and mortality, and also to improving quality of life for the pregnant individual, the baby and their family. This study demonstrates the positive effects that access to care can have for this population, who are so often overlooked."

In a new study, OHSU researchers highlight disparities in maternal mental health care among low-income immigrants and call on more states to expand Medicaid access to address mental health conditions new parents face during the perinatal period. Maria Rodriguez, M.D., says, “We know that mental health during pregnancy is absolutely critical to preventing maternal morbidity and mortality, and also to improving quality of life for the pregnant individual, the baby and their family. This study demonstrates the positive effects that access to care can have for this population, who are so often overlooked.”

OHSU enrolls the first participant in a clinical trial evaluating a reduced dose of post-transplant cyclophosphamide for patients with blood cancers who receive peripheral blood stem cells from partially matched unrelated donors. Rachel Cook, M.D., says, “This trial is a step towards significantly improving patient outcomes by aiming for more personalized and less toxic treatment protocols.”

Sherene Shalhub, M.D., is a guest editor for a special issue of the Journal of Vascular Surgery Cases, Innovations and Techniques that focuses on genetic arteriopathy.

In a story about raising awareness around heart health, Abigail Khan, M.D., says, “Women may present with more subtle signs. They may present with more symptoms like shortness of breath or nausea, or in some cases they might present with chest pain but it’s assumed to be something else.”

Marcel Curlin, M.D., and Dawn Nolt, M.D., discuss OHSU research that found up to a four-fold increase in immune response by switching arms in a multidose vaccine. Curlin says, “Any small increase of antibody levels like a two-fold increase would translate into a mortality benefit for those that are most vulnerable to COVID or those most likely to experience a bad outcome.”

Research by Jane Zhu, M.D., and others finds the opioid use disorder medication buprenorphine is less accessible in areas of the United States with racially and ethnically diverse populations than in predominantly white areas.

Ahmad Masri, M.D., discusses the development of cardiac myosin-inhibiting drugs and other potential treatments for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

In a story about raising awareness around heart health, Abigail Khan, M.D., says, “Women may present with more subtle signs. They may present with more symptoms like shortness of breath or nausea, or in some cases they might present with chest pain but it’s assumed to be something else.”

The OHSU Brain Institute will host its annual Brain Awareness Season lecture series in March and April, including an April 22 conversation with U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a long-time advocate for neuroscience research.