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Michael B. Bracken

PhD, MPH, FACE
Susan Dwight Bliss Professor Emeritus

Contact Information

Michael B. Bracken, PhD, MPH, FACE

Office Location

Mailing Address

  • Chronic Disease Epidemiology

    PO Box 208034, 60 College Street

    New Haven, CT 06520-8034

    United States

Research Summary

Professor Bracken has published some 400 articles and chapters, providing major contributions in the fields of perinatal epidemiolology, clinical trials and evidence–based medicine. His 1984 textbook, Perinatal Epidemiology, defined the field of perinatal epidemiology, predicting the role of fetal and early childhood illness on later chronic disease.

Bracken was involved in the discoveries of CFH polymorphism for age–related macular degeneration, the first study to successfully use genome–wide association methodologies and HapMap to identify a disease polymorphism. Professor Bracken is a founder of the evidence–based medicine paradigm. He co–edited one of the first evidence–based texts, Effective Care of the Newborn Infant, forming the basis for the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group. In 2007, the British Medical Journal named the book one of the influential texts in evidence–based medicine.

Specialized Terms: Perinatal and pediatric epidemiology; Evidence-based health care and medicine

Extensive Research Description

The first randomized trials for evaluating therapies for acute spinal cord injury were designed and directed by Professor Bracken. He is a consultant for international corporations and government agencies and his government service includes NIH study sections and Council. He previously sat on the NIH Expert Panel on Genes Environment and Health.

  • Identification of genetic polymorphisms that increase disease susceptibility and their interaction with lifestyle risk factors.
  • Co-Founder and Co-Editor, Cochrane Neonatal Review Group, Cochrane Collaboration.

Coauthors

Research Interests

Epidemiology; Gynecology; Neurology; Pediatrics; Perinatal Care; Evidence-Based Medicine

Public Health Interests

Child/Adolescent Health; Pharmacoepidemiology

Selected Publications