Rutgers Health

08/28/2026

Can a tape measure help improve health outcomes?

According to a Rutgers Health study of 1,900 U.S. adults, waist circumference performed nearly as well as more complex obesity assessment methods in identifying excess body fat and related health risks. The research supports broader use of waist measurements in routine clinical care and highlights the limitations of relying on BMI alone.

Measuring waist size may be one of the simplest and most effective ways to detect obesity-related health risks, according to a study by Rutgers Health researchers.

08/26/2026

Rutgers researcher and neurosurgeon Dr. Hai Sun has received a five-year, $2.9 million NIH grant to advance epilepsy research.

The study aims to improve how physicians identify the brain networks that trigger seizures, helping make surgical treatments safer and more effective for patients whose epilepsy cannot be controlled with medication.

Read more: go.rutgers.edu/nvy6avsv

08/25/2026

For young people living with spinal cord injuries, the journey to adulthood can come with unique challenges. Through the True Grit residential program—hosted on Rutgers University—New Brunswick's Livingston Campus—the Rutgers School of Health Professions and RWJBarnabas Health's Children's Specialized Hospital are helping participants build the skills, confidence, and support networks needed to thrive. ❤️

A recent Rutgers Health study found that program participants showed progress toward their goals and reported new possibilities for higher education, employment, independent living, and mentorship.

Learn more about the program and its impact: go.rutgers.edu/plgnarkl

08/20/2026

Even AI knows when to call in the experts.

When a pregnant woman accidentally took the wrong medication, an AI platform directed her to New Jersey Poison Control at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, where specialists provided personalized guidance. Some health decisions require more than information. They require human expertise.

If you have questions or concerns about a poisoning, medication error, overdose, toxic exposure or the safety of a product or substance, contact the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 or chatting online.

Specially trained poison specialists provide free, confidential expert medical guidance and individualized assessment 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

When a 32-year-old pregnant woman accidentally took her husband's antidepressant medicine, she did what millions of Americans are increasingly doing for health information: She turned to artificial intelligence (AI) for answers.

08/06/2026

Consuming common foods such as corn chips and popcorn may put pregnant women at risk of being exposed to mycotoxins – harmful substances produced by mold – according to Rutgers researchers.

Their study found hormone-mimicking mycotoxins in 100% of participants, which may contribute to greater gestational weight gain and lower infant birthweight. It also underscored the need for more research in this area.

“Mycoestrogens are among the most common food contaminants worldwide, yet evidence on their dietary sources in the United States has been limited,” said the study’s lead author, Zorimar Rivera-Núñez, an assistant professor at Rutgers School of Public Health. “They have potent estrogenic properties, but we know very little about how these exposures may affect pregnant women and their developing babies.”

“Pregnancy represents a unique opportunity for prevention,” she added. “By understanding how everyday dietary choices contribute to environmental chemical exposures, we can provide families with information that supports both maternal and child health.”

08/05/2026

Did you know? 🤔

Rutgers Health is the 7th largest sponsoring institution for graduate medical education in the U.S., training more than 1,700 residents and fellows across 150+ residency and fellowship programs.

From primary care to highly specialized fields, Rutgers Health is helping prepare the next generation of physicians to serve communities in New Jersey and beyond.

08/04/2026

A new school-based initiative from Rutgers School of Dental Medicine is expanding access to preventive dental care for students in underserved communities. Led by pediatric dentistry professor Mary Beth Giacona, the program provides dental sealants and oral health education directly in schools, helping prevent cavities before they start and improving long-term health outcomes for children.

Since launching in Franklin Township schools earlier this year, the program has already reached more than 150 children and continues to grow with the support of Rutgers dental students and community partners.

For more than four years, Mary Beth Giacona has been working on a plan to bring the expertise of Rutgers School of Dental Medicine into underserved communities and provide free dental care to children from low-income families.

07/30/2026

Robert Wood Johnson Medical School welcomed 165 students to the Class of 2030 at its White Coat Ceremony, celebrating their first steps toward becoming physicians. As the first class to train in the new HELIX building, they are entering a transformative time for medical education at Rutgers Health.

“As you put on your white coat today, wear it with humility, integrity and compassion,” Dean Amy P. Murtha told the incoming class. “Let it remind you not only of what you are learning, but who you are becoming.”

Learn more about the incoming class: go.rutgers.edu/3rylvvg8

07/24/2026

A Rutgers-led study of nearly 500,000 adults found that patients who consistently repeated at-home colorectal cancer screenings were more likely to have cancers detected at earlier stages, when treatment is often more effective.

The research also highlights the important role health systems can play in helping people stay on track with preventive care.

Nearly half of patients who completed an at-home test for colorectal cancer fail to repeat the screening consistently, according to Rutgers Health researchers who also found primary care provider behaviors can increase patient consistency – and catch more cancers early.

07/23/2026

Why do some brains lose their ability to adapt and respond to changing demands?

A new Rutgers study found that reduced flexibility in brain network dynamics may help explain differences in mental health experiences across individuals. The research could support more personalized approaches to understanding and treating psychiatric conditions in the future.

Learn more: go.rutgers.edu/uzlk6sax