Ban Al-Sahab

Ban Al-Sahab

Ban Al-Sahab , PhD

Assistant Professor - Tenure Track

Biography

Ban Al-Sahab, PhD, is a tenure-track assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine. Her research interest revolves around examining epidemiological evidence that aims to improve maternal, child and adolescent health at the population level. More specifically, her area of focus is on understanding how early life adversities, particularly exposure to cannabis during the prenatal period, impacts mother's and children's health. In her current research that is funded by an NIH administrative supplement grant, she investigates the prevalence, associated characteristics, and health implications of prenatal cannabis use using data from a large statewide pregnancy cohort (MARCH- Michigan Archive for Research in Child Health). She also has an internal grant that looks at the level of participation of women using cannabis during pregnancy in prenatal care and in research. Prior to joining the department, Ban was a postdoctoral fellow/ research associate at the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Michigan State University. Ban has a B.Sc. in Public Health and Development Sciences from Balamand University and an M.S. in Epidemiology from the American University of Beirut. In 2011, she earned her Ph.D. in Epidemiology from York University, Toronto, Canada.

Employment

Assistant professor, Michigan State University, East Lansing, 2023 -

Publications

Effect of Perceived Neighborhood Environment on Cannabis Use during Pregnancy among African American Women Journal of Urban Health (2025)

Biases in Electronic Health Records Data for Generating Real-World Evidence: An Overview. Journal of healthcare informatics research (2023)

Comparison of functional fitness outcomes in experienced and inexperienced older adults after 16-week tai chi program. Alternative therapies in health and medicine (2014)

Aging expectations are associated with physical activity and health among older adults of low socioeconomic status. Journal of aging and physical activity (2014)

Reported maternal postpartum depression and risk of childhood psychopathology. Maternal and child health journal (2013)

Age at menarche and current substance use among Canadian adolescent girls: results of a cross-sectional study. BMC public health (2012)

Prevalence and characteristics of teen motherhood in Canada. Maternal and child health journal (2012)

The epidemiology of alcohol utilization during pregnancy: an analysis of the Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey (MES). BMC pregnancy and childbirth (2011)

Impact of breastfeeding duration on age at menarche. American journal of epidemiology (2011)

Epidemiology of acute soccer injuries in canadian children and youth. Pediatric emergency care (2011)

Age at menarche in Canada: results from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children & Youth. BMC public health (2010)

Early menarche predicts incidence of asthma in early adulthood. American journal of epidemiology (2010)

Which method of breastfeeding supplementation is best? The beliefs and practices of paediatricians and nurses. Paediatrics & child health (2010)

Intimate partner violence as a risk factor for postpartum depression among Canadian women in the Maternity Experience Survey. Annals of epidemiology (2010)

The influence of parent-child relationship on safety belt use among school children in Beirut. Health promotion international (2010)

Prevalence of smoking during pregnancy and associated risk factors among Canadian women: a national survey. BMC pregnancy and childbirth (2010)

Prevalence and predictors of 6-month exclusive breastfeeding among Canadian women: a national survey. BMC pediatrics (2010)

Epidemiology of acute head injuries in Canadian children and youth soccer players. Injury (2009)

Prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema among Lebanese adolescents. The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma (2009)

Epidemiology of eczema among Lebanese adolescents International Journal of Public Health (2008)

Predictors of breast-feeding in a developing country: results of a prospective cohort study. Public health nutrition (2008)

Determinants of university students physical exercise: a study from Lebanon. International journal of public health (2008)

Cigarette and nargileh smoking practices among school students in Beirut, Lebanon. American journal of health behavior (2007)

Argileh smoking among university students: a new tobacco epidemic. Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (2004)

In the News

Ban Al-Sahab

Environment Influences Prenatal Cannabis Use

Environmental context is an important predictor of health behavior. Understanding its effect on cannabis use among pregnant women has not been well understood.