Leigh Hopper
Leigh Hopper is a media relations specialist with USC University Communications. She previously worked in communications for UCLA, in state government at the Texas Medical Board and as a medical reporter at the Houston Chronicle.
Stories by Leigh Hopper:
Stress accelerates aging of immune system, study finds
Everyday stressors, traumatic events, job strain and discrimination prematurely weaken the body’s mix of immune cells, potentially increasing a person’s risk of disease.
Supreme Court abortion ruling on Roe v. Wade: 5 things that could happen next
A USC expert on medicine access, drug utilization and pharmaceutical policy weighs in on what’s at stake across the country.
USC Children’s Health Study, now 30 years old, raises nationwide awareness of pollution’s harms
The research helped establish clean-air norms and inspired dozens of spinoff studies on air quality.
AI could save lives by identifying relapse risk in potential liver transplant patients
Predicting the variables that could lead to damaging alcohol use in post-surgical cases may spur lifesaving interventions, a USC study finds.
Scientists discover genetic variants that speed up and slow down brain aging
The findings could provide potential targets for new Alzheimer’s drugs.
USC experts discover brain differences in young children with binge eating disorder
The study suggests that binge eating disorder is wired in the brain from an early age, says lead author Stuart Murray, director of the Eating Disorders Program at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
Ending disparities in Black health is a year-round priority for USC experts
USC research underscores the fact that prejudice in America’s communities, politics and economic systems is a serious detriment to Black Americans’ health.
A brother’s struggle inspires new Alzheimer’s and dementia research collaboration
After watching his twin brother lose a 15-year fight with the memory-robbing illness, Dan Epstein decided to do something about it. The result: an unprecedented research collaboration between USC and UC San Diego.
With a $50 million gift, USC and UC San Diego join forces in Alzheimer’s research
A transformative donation from the Epstein Family Foundation will accelerate Alzheimer’s research at the two universities in a push to find better treatments and a cure.
Stroke drug shows promise in treating Alzheimer’s and dementia
Mouse study of human stroke medication reveals potential defense against Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
USC researcher envisions Siri-like assistants and VR travel for older people and their caregivers
Professor Skip Rizzo’s 89-year-old mother test-drives his innovations.
USC and CHLA win $24.5 million NIH grant to establish center aimed at improving Latino health across Southern California
The Southern California Center for Chronic Health Disparities in Latino Families and Children will focus on reversing obesity and obesity-related chronic diseases in Latinos with culturally sensitive solutions.
Supporting the invisible, unpaid army of Alzheimer’s caregivers
More assistance is needed for the estimated 11 million people caring for loved ones with dementia, USC experts say.
USC’s John Carpten to chair President Biden’s National Cancer Advisory Board
As chair of the presidential board, Carpten will be in a position to guide the nation’s cancer research efforts.
Federal funding for Alzheimer’s multiplies at USC
More than 90 federal grants totaling $92 million were awarded to USC researchers in 2020, underscoring the university’s status as one of the nation’s leading research centers as we acknowledge World Alzheimer’s Day 2021.
Steve Shapiro brings a big-picture approach to medicine at USC
USC’s top doc envisions the university as a role model for health equity and academic excellence.
People who manage their asthma can improve their chances against COVID-19
To avoid severe COVID-19 outcomes, people with asthma should stay on top of the condition with control medication, a new USC study finds.
ICE violated its own internal medical standards, potentially contributing to deaths of mostly healthy men
Many of the deaths were due to delayed care or an inadequate response to abnormal vital signs, USC researchers found.
Costco beats Medicare in generic drug savings nearly 50% of the time
Intermediaries are negotiating good drug prices but lack the incentives to pass savings to beneficiaries and taxpayers, a USC study finds.
USC researchers share discoveries on Alzheimer’s disease and discuss strategies to fight the illness
A newly approved yet controversial drug, in particular, brings both hope and challenges for patients and clinicians.
One-third of all neighborhoods in the largest U.S. cities have been ‘pharmacy deserts’
Lack of geographical access to pharmacies has disproportionately affected Black and Latino city dwellers, a USC study finds, and may contribute to health disparities.
Traffic-related pollution linked to early markers for cardiovascular disease in children
Signs of pre-symptomatic stiffening of the arteries were seen in kids with daily exposure to auto emissions, a USC study finds.
A seminal trial in American history, USC experts say after Derek Chauvin verdict
The guilty verdict in the killing of George Floyd is a relief to many — but experts in race, politics and more say it’s just the first step.
L.A.’s legacy of oil drilling impacts lung function in residents living near active and inactive wells
The harm can rival that of secondhand smoke or living next to a freeway, USC researchers say.