RESEARCH

In the commentary, recently published in the American Journal of Sexuality Education, CUNY SPH Health Educator, Ariel Davis, MPH, and the STEPS2 team examine how trauma-informed principles can strengthen sexuality education for individuals with developmental disabilities (I/DD), a population that is routinely excluded from comprehensive, affirming sex education. The publication was made possible by funding support from the SRJ Hub.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The STEPS2 Team recently published a letter to the editor in the Disability and Health Journal in response to a recent article regarding fraud prevention in disability research. 

The letter details the predictable patterns of imposter behavior encountered during recruitment for the STEPS2 Health Education study (an NIH-funded study led by Professors Suzanne McDermott and Heidi Jones) and shares adaptive strategies the team developed to effectively detect and exclude fraudulent participants.  

RESEARCH

High rates of vaccination for human papillomavirus (HPV) could eliminate cervical cancer and reduce other HPV-related morbidity, but adolescents with Autism may be left behind, suggests a new publication led by Abigail Lyons, alumna and researcher at CUNY SPH. 

The SRJ Hub supported this collaboration between the New York City (NYC) Office of School Health and CUNY SPH researchers to determine if public school students in NYC students with Autism, intellectual disability or other learning disabilities had lower rates of HPV vaccination than their peers without disabilities. The results were published in Vaccine.

RESEARCH

A new national study led by CUNY SPH Associate Professor Onur Baser finds that postpartum depression rose significantly among women and adolescents living in low‑income areas of states that banned or severely restricted abortion following the Dobbs decision.

RESEARCH

A new study led by researchers from the CUNY Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH) finds that the 2025 freeze on U.S. foreign assistance triggered disruptions to HIV services, medications, labs, and clinic operations across HIV clinics in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia-Pacific. 

RESEARCH IN PROGRESS

Dr. Meredith Manze is leading a needs assessment focused on strengthening sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for CUNY students, recognizing that unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and sexual assault can disrupt academic progress and long-term opportunity. This project will explore how to integrate sustainable linkages to SRH services on and off campus. 

In partnership with the Einstein-Rockefeller-CUNY Center for AIDS Research, the team will conduct 12 focus groups across three Bronx campuses to better understand students’ needs, care-seeking experiences, and interest in peer navigation for SRH care. Findings will inform the development of a student-centered, reproductive justice-informed service model. The project will also provide data-driven recommendations to guide campus stakeholders and system-wide planning.

APPOINTED

Dr. Danielle Greene, CUNY SPH Executive Director of State and Local Public Health Initiatives has been appointed to New York City’s new Gender and Racial Equity Advisory Board.

This board brings together experts with experience in health inequities and health care systems to advise the mayor and city council on issues related to gender and racial equity in the provision of covered health care and hospital services that affect staff and patients.

PRESENTATION

Earlier this month, Dr. Karmen Williams presented research on reproductive health apps and data at the 2026 the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Conference in Washington, D.C.

The presentation can be viewed here.

FELLOWSHIP

Emma Pliskin, student in the Community Health and Health Policy PhD program, recently received the CIDR supplementary fellowship for two years. She hopes to conduct research in sexual and reproductive health, particularly LGBTQ+ health and sterilization/permanent method use. 

CUNY SPH has launched a new MPH concentration in Sexual and Reproductive Justice and Health (MPH in SRJH) and welcomed its first cohort this spring semester.

This first-of-its-kind program at a school of public health reflects CUNY SPH's commitment to advancing equity and justice in public health. The degree will prepare future leaders to re-imagine sexual and reproductive health through a justice-centered, interdisciplinary lens. We couldn’t be prouder to see the SRJ Hub’s mission taking shape in the curriculum and are excited that this spring 2026 semester welcomes the program's first cohort.

The program is currently accepting applications for the fall 2026 semester. Interested students can find more info at: cunysph.me/MPHinSRJH

The Global 16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign is now a year-round initiative called #365ToEndGBV, centering grassroots organizing, bodily autonomy, and solidarity across regions. What started as a 16 day campaign running annually from November 25 to December 10, is now active year-round reflecting our fellow activists' unending commitment to the cause.

We’re excited to share a new communications toolkit, including messages, social media templates, and additional resources for activists to use throughout the campaign year.

Learn more about the campaign and access the toolkit here.

CONFERENCE

Apr 11,12  |  Amherst, MA  |  REGISTER

At this critical moment, Collective Power 2026 will bring together students, organizers, artists, and communities to confront the growing threats of oppressive powers and authoritarianism. Grounded in the Reproductive Justice framework, this year’s conference will center political education, cross-movement solidarity, grassroots organizing, and collective resistance as vital tools for liberation.

A conversation between Dr. Meredith Manze, Associate Professor of Community Health and Health Sciences at CUNY SPH, Tamara Marzouk, Director of Abortion Access at Advocates for Youth, Silpa Srinivasulu, Interim Executive Director of Programs and Director of Programs and Evaluation at the Reproductive Health Access Project, and Dr. Stacy Sun, OB/GYN and Family Planning Subspecialist at the University of Rochester.

This panel examined the interconnected roles of research, clinical training, and policy in abortion access advocacy, highlighting how these approaches together shape the current landscape. Panelists discussed practical strategies for preparing and supporting advocates within and across these diverse and overlapping arenas.