Kathleen D. Belanger, Ph.D.
Rsrch Scientist/Scholar
Division of Chronic Disease Epidemiology
Dr. Belanger’s primary research focus is the effects of environmental factors on pregnant women, infants and children. She is conducting a cohort study, with Michelle Bell Ph.D., School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, investigating the effects of exposure to ambient air pollution during pregnancy on birth outcomes, including preterm delivery and aspects of fetal growth. Although previous studies have examined this question using birth certificate data, this is the largest study to use a well characterized cohort (more than 10,000 women) with detailed information about prior pregnancies, residence history during pregnancy, smoking, alcohol consumption, occupational and other exposures. In collaboration with Dr. Kimberly Yonkers, Department of Psychiatry, Dr. Belanger is co–investigator in a study of the role of depression and anti–depressant treatment during pregnancy on fetal growth.
As Deputy Director of the Center for Perinatal, Pediatric, and Environmental Epidemiology, Dr. Belanger is collaborating on studies investigating the role of traffic related pollutants in childhood asthma. These studies have measured exposure to air contaminants inside and outside of children’s homes, and examined the composition of air borne particles and their relationship to asthma symptoms.
In addition, Dr. Belanger is the Principal investigator for the New Haven cohort of children enrolled in the National Children’s Study. This is a national study, directed by the National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD), which is enrolling a representative sample of 100,000 children in the United States and following them until age 21. The study will measure a variety of environmental exposures during pregnancy and early childhood and relate these exposures to common childhood conditions including growth and development, asthma, obesity, and accidents.
For the past two years, Dr. Belanger has also reviewed epidemiological studies of the health effects of nitrogen dioxide and air borne particles for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She has contributed substantially to the Integrated Science Assessment for these pollutants, a scientific review to assess the potential need for additional regulatory action.
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