An OHSU study finds that sensitive early caregiving may buffer children from the increased risk of ADHD symptoms associated with inflammation during pregnancy. “We know that genetics play a role in ADHD, but what this research demonstrates is that the early environment is also an important factor,” says Hanna Gustafsson, Ph.D. “Fetal brain development and risk for ADHD are influenced by the prenatal environment. Yet brain development doesn’t stop when a child is born; it continues throughout life and can be molded by children’s experiences, their family relationships, and their community."

A new study finds Oregon leads the nation in breastfeeding initiation after birth, with Hood River County ranking highest in the state and Clatsop County lowest. OHSU lactation consultant Annette Magner, RN, IBCLC, said Oregon’s nation-leading breastfeeding initiation rate reflects strong cultural and policy support for breastfeeding families. She says, “I see new parents blame themselves because they're not succeeding. We need to blame our society that we don't help you enough."

In an interview on The Debbie Nigro Show previewing Nutrition 2026, Diane Stadler, Ph.D., emphasizes that modern nutrition research continues to support many traditional healthy eating practices, including prioritizing whole foods, maintaining good nutrition alongside GLP-1 weight-loss medications, and choosing minimally processed foods.

New federal grants will support a high school medical assistant certification pathway, expanded dental care programs and other programs in Clatsop County, including OHSU’s Casey Eye Institute’s mobile vision clinics, eye exams, eyeglasses and referrals for students in the Seaside School District. Verian Wedeking says, “Families on the Oregon Coast often face limited access to eye care providers, particularly providers who accept Oregon Health Plan insurance. In addition, long travel distances, transportation challenges, language barriers, and work and school scheduling constraints can make it difficult to access care through traditional clinics.”

New federal grants will support a high school medical assistant certification pathway, expanded dental care programs and other programs in Clatsop County, including OHSU’s Casey Eye Institute’s mobile vision clinics, eye exams, eyeglasses and referrals for students in the Seaside School District. Verian Wedeking says, “Families on the Oregon Coast often face limited access to eye care providers, particularly providers who accept Oregon Health Plan insurance. In addition, long travel distances, transportation challenges, language barriers, and work and school scheduling constraints can make it difficult to access care through traditional clinics."

Portland author Lorna MacKinnon Day’s memoir Light of Day recounts her family’s experience with her son’s childhood cancer and her subsequent advocacy for pediatric cancer research. She notes The Sam Day Foundation and OHSU secured a $3.17 million research grant to support pediatric cancer research.

The 19th covers a study that finds higher rates of suicidal ideation among teen girls living in states with abortion bans, while no similar increase was found among teen boys. Benjamin Thornburg, M.D., says girls may be especially affected by abortion bans because of concerns about how the policies could shape their futures: “There’s a potential of loss of autonomy and personal freedom and there’s concerns over the future.”

OHSU leaders join Rep. Suzanne Bonamici in warning that uncertainty surrounding federal graduate student loan limits is discouraging enrollment in programs such as nursing and could disproportionately affect students from lower-income backgrounds. Susan Bakewell-Sachs, Ph.D., says incoming students have already told financial aid officers that they don’t have cosigners for private loans they think they need to take out to supplement what is expected to be inadequate federal loan amounts. Others have said they’re struggling to figure out how they would be able to afford the interest rates on private loans, often up to three times more than interest rates on federal loans.

After two years of losses, OHSU reports a preliminary positive operating margin of 2.2%, record research grant funding of $550 million and strong student enrollment growth. Shereef Elnahal, M.D., M.B.A., says, “We are proud of our teams across all missions at OHSU — clinical care, science and education — for accomplishing extraordinary things as they do every year, all while operating more efficiently. It has paid off. We broke records on patient volumes, treated the most complex conditions in our history, surpassed previous performance on grants and extramural funding, and took a positive step in a long-term journey to financial health."

A new study finds Oregon leads the nation in breastfeeding initiation after birth, with Hood River County ranking highest in the state and Clatsop County lowest. OHSU lactation consultant Annette Magner, RN, IBCLC, said Oregon’s nation-leading breastfeeding initiation rate reflects strong cultural and policy support for breastfeeding families. She says, “I see new parents blame themselves because they're not succeeding. We need to blame our society that we don't help you enough."