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Interview with CHE Partner, Linda C. Giudice, MD, PhD, MSc
 Professor and Chair, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
Founder, Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment (PRHE) at University of California at San Francisco
Co-Director, 2007 UCSF-CHE Summit on Environmental Challenges to Reproductive Health and Fertility
Steve Heilig: What first brought you into the environmental health movement?
I have a long-standing interest in environmental contaminant impacts on reproductive health that began with my patients with infertility and our lab studies on steroid hormone actions in endometrium and endometriosis.
My key research interests include endometriosis (note the below link to research on environmental contaminants, dioxin), implantation and ovulatory disorders and infertility.
My professional activities include serving as the current chair of the National Institute of Health's Reproductive Medicine Network and Chair of the Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee to the Federal Drug Administration. I am on the Executive Board of the Reproductive Scientist Development Program and the Frontiers in Reproduction Board of Scientific Counselors. I am also currently President of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation and serve on its Executive Council, as well as on the Board of Directors of the Society for Women’s Health Research and the Board of Directors of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
In 2004, as Division Chief of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Stanford School of Medicine and Founding Director of the Women’s Health @ Stanford Program, I joined CHE’s Fertility/Early Pregnancy Compromise Working Group (CHE Fertility), led by Alison Carlson. This began a long-standing collaboration, and together we established a Reproduction and Environment Special Interest Group (SIG) within the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, and in February 2005 we co-directed a landmark workshop at the Vallombrosa Retreat Center, titled Understanding Environmental Contaminants and Human Fertility Compromise: Science and Strategy. Considered highly successful by the participating researchers, clinicians and women’s/community health leaders, Vallombrosa was also the incubator and inspiration for our upcoming UCSF-CHE Summit on Environmental Challenges to Reproductive Health and Fertility, co-directed with Alison Carlson, to be held January 28–30, 2007 at UCSF’s Mission Bay Conference Center.
What is the primary goal/mission of your organization?
In October, 2005, when I became Chair of the Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences Department at UCSF, we established the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment (PRHE). PRHE’s administrative manager, Mary Wade, is working closely with Alison Carlson on the 2007 Summit. PRHE is unique, nationally, because of its scope, its trans-disciplinary approach, and its partners, whose expertise is vital to achieving common goals. PRHE’s focus is the relationship of contaminant exposures - at low-dose "background" or concentrated levels - and the health of pregnant women, pregnancy outcomes, fetal development, prenatal origins of adult disease, fertility compromise, reproductive tract disorders, including endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, uterine fibroids, ovarian failure, and reproductive and hormone-dependent cancers.
The goals of PRHE include understanding epidemiologic and molecular mechanisms underlying adverse reproductive, pregnancy, and developmental health outcomes, as well as reproductive and hormone-dependent cancers related to environmental exposures, and how to prevent these disorders. PRHE has five main activity areas:
What have been the most significant obstacles and success you have encountered and achieved in this work to date?
The impact of the 2005 Vallombrosa Workshop continues to be significant, through dissemination of its scientific consensus statement and publication of its science and community health presentations. The 40 participants we convened at Vallombrosa included nationally recognized environmental reproductive health researchers, health professionals, professional society representatives, reproductive health advocacy groups, and local, national and federal funders. Vallombrosa results include:
- The Vallombrosa Consensus Statement on Environmental Contaminants and Human Fertility Compromise --- a scientific consensus statement on the state of environmental reproductive health research and priorities for future investigation;
- Challenged Conceptions: Environmental Chemicals and Fertility --- a companion lay monograph;
- A special issue of the journal Seminars in Reproductive Medicine devoted to articles based on the scientific presentations at Vallombrosa --- to be published May 2006;
- Capitol Hill briefings sponsored by Senator Barbara Boxer on the Vallombrosa documents and issues on February 16, 2006, for Senate and House Member staffers as well as women’s health and reproductive advocacy organization leaders.
What is the number one change you would like to see for the future of environmental health?
Increased funding for reproductive health and environmental contaminant research.
What continues to inspire you in your work?
I am inspired by CHE and all whose passions are to prevent and understand environmental effects on reproductive health and development and to make a difference in the public health.
Any comments or suggestions for CHE itself?
- Keep up the good work!
- We must insure that the pipeline of advocacy and environmental voices is maintained, and that research on many levels is supported to achieve our common goals.
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Posted: 19 July 2006
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