Yale Bulletin and Calendar

September 14, 2001Volume 30, Number 2



Michael B. Bracken



Michael B. Bracken appointed to
Bliss Professorship in Public Health

Michael B. Bracken, the newly appointed Susan Dwight Bliss Professor of Public Health, specializes in the epidemiology of diseases of pregnant women and newborns and has also been instrumental in developing successful therapies for acute spinal cord injuries.

Bracken combines these two interests in his research and as director of both the Yale Perinatal Epidemiology Unit and the National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study. The former, which he has led since 1979, conducts research in obstetric, perinatal and neonatal disease. The latter, which Bracken has overseen since 1977, conducts randomized trials of therapies for preventing paralysis after spinal cord injury.

Some of Bracken's work in the area of perinatal and neonatal diseases is focused on environmental risk factors for disease. He has edited two books, "Perinatal Epidemiology" and "Effective Care of the Newborn Infant" (with J.C. Sinclair). He has authored hundreds of articles, in which he has explored such issues as the associations between prescribed drug use in pregnancy and congenital malformations, of maternal caffeine intake on fetal growth and of maternal cigarette smoking and preterm delivery. He has also examined decision-making regarding abortion and pregnancy, and risk factors for newborns' low birth weight, among others.

Bracken and his colleagues identified the first successful therapy for acute spinal trauma in 1990. His articles in this area have examined the effectiveness and timing of the drugs methylprednisolone and naloxone in treating spinal trauma and the effectiveness of surgery in treating spinal cord injuries in combination with drug therapies.

A native of England, Bracken was educated at the University of Bristol and the University of London before earning three Yale degrees: a M.P.H. in health education in 1970, a M.Phil. in epidemiology in 1971 and a Ph.D. in epidemiology in 1974. He joined the Yale faculty in 1971 and became a full professor in epidemiology and obstretrics and gynecology in 1986. Since 1997, he has also been a professor of neurology and has held a joint appointment at the Graduate School.

The Yale researcher has been honored with a National Rehabilitation Week Research Award, the Wakeman Award for Neuroscience Research and the L.W. Freeman Award from the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, among others.


T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Final Tercentennial weekend will include convocation, Bowl gala

Entrepreneur-environmentalist Edward Bass named Yale trustee

University announces major enhancements to financial aid

School of Music building now named Leigh Hall

Yale AIDS vaccine shows promise for humans

Faculty honored with Amistad Freedom Awards

Michael Merson named Lauder Professor of Public Health


Two scientists are appointed to Bliss Professorships in Public Health

Zhao named Hiscock Professor of Public Health, Genetics

Peru's growth 'From Village to Empire' is exhibit's theme

Display explores life and work of Colonial-era Jewish silversmith

Yale Rep opens season with 'splendid confection' by Shaw

Foundation's gift aids studies of cancers affecting women

'Gender Matters' conference to explore role of women at Yale

Yale Employee Day at Bowl features free admission, treats

Aboard the BioBus

Symposium will reflect on work of Yale alumni architects

President Richard C. Levin presents Freshman Address

Yale College Dean Richard H. Brodhead presents remarks to Freshman Assembly

Graduate students enter the 'creative milieu' of Yale

Scenes from Moving-In Day 2001

Symposium on the conservation of early Italian paintings . . .

Committee to search for British Art Center director



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