Studies have ranged from examining the association between recurrent heart disease and periodontal disease to investigating relationships between work stress and cardiovascular issues in police officers.
Clinical trials have focused on lipid-lowering medications' effects on subclinical cardiovascular disease as well as the role of hormone therapy, diet and vitamin supplements on heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
Studies have explored environmental exposures in relation to morbidity and mortality, looking at both individuals who are occupationally exposed and others in the general population.
Projects have ranged from studying the effects of weight-loss alternatives to gastric bypass surgery to conducting a community health assessment of Western New York residents to investigating the promotion of hand washing to prevent the flu in Bangladesh.
Past and ongoing studies are looking at the major causes of morbidity and mortality in postmenopausal women--work that has led to major shifts in the way clinical care is approached for this group.
Jean Wactawski-Wende, PhD, principal investigator of UB’s Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Center, discusses the significance of the WHI, one of the longest and most comprehensive studies ever done on postmenopausal women.