THE COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Magazine
Working to enrich the lives of others through research and outreach.
Health and the Environment
Understanding how exposure affects human health
Protecting Children
Working to prevent abuse and support survivors
Cultivating Entrepreneurs
Supporting entrepreneurs to innovate and thrive
View the articles
Feature Article
Using artificial intelligence to evaluate newborn health
Much can be learned about the health of both a mother and her newborn by examining the placenta. Penn State faculty developed and patented software to evaluate a placenta with only a photograph, and they are working to improve and disseminate their innovation to people who need it.
Understanding abuse to aid recovery and protect children
In the last 10 years, Penn State has taken unprecedented steps to address child abuse and neglect through ground-breaking, interdisciplinary research. Penn State’s training, outreach, and research are making a difference across the nation.
Language, culture, and pesticides: how to protect farmworkers
Farmworkers in the United States are exposed to pesticides, machinery, and other potential hazards. Researchers are working to provide the protective equipment and the health literacy needed to improve farmworkers’ well-being.
Building resilience from childhood abuse
For some abused children, trauma is embedded throughout their lives, while others do not experience negative health outcomes. New research from Human Development and Family Studies examines how childhood sexual abuse does—or does not—impact the hormone cortisol in adults.
Placing technology in the hands of those who need it
Zita Oravecz and Tim Brick, associate professors of human development and family studies, plan to launch a company for their Wear-IT smartphone app, which measures emotional and physiological states in everyday life and can intervene when it is most needed.
Benefiting Students In Need
Get Involved
Many ways to show your support
Health and Human Development has myriad opportunities for alumni and friends to volunteer and engage with our students, faculty, staff, and alumni. We are always looking for alumni to speak in classrooms, mentor students, build professional networks, and more.
Make a gift