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Public Health
How misinformed vaccine beliefs affect policy views
There is broad support in the U.S. for pro-vaccination policies, but as many as 20% of Americans hold negative views about vaccines. The Annenberg Public Policy Center shows that such misinformed vaccine beliefs are the strongest driver of opposition to pro-vaccination public policies.
A data-driven approach to understanding domestic violence during the pandemic
Four takeaways from Penn researchers show there’s more to learn to protect those at risk for intimate partner violence.
Poultry in a pandemic: Getting the facts on keeping backyard flocks
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Penn Vet’s Sherrill Davison has seen an increase in phone calls from new flock owners looking for general management resources for their birds. Here, she offers health and safety advice for keeping flocks healthy.
Wide variation across hospitals in nurse staffing is threat to public’s health
Researchers at the Penn found that the understaffing at hospitals during the first surge of COVID patients has had adverse consequences on nurses and on patient care.
Iranian, American health experts share coronavirus experiences in rare talk
The coronavirus crisis and the move to online events presented Penn’s Middle East Center with a rare opportunity to foster the first public conversation about the virus between senior health officials in Iran and counterparts in the United States.
Trauma centers weathered increase in gun violence from city’s COVID hotspots
A study evaluating how Philadelphia’s Level 1 trauma centers responded during the worst of COVID-19 showed a disproportionate number of patients from the hardest-hit neighborhoods.
Countering anti-vaccination influences from social media—with conversation
A new study explores to what extent social media messages effect vaccination behavior, and finds individuals exposed to negative online discussions about flu vaccines makes them less likely to get a flu shot.
Penn’s Student Campus Compact, explained
In a Q&A, Gary Purpura of the Office of the Provost discusses the Student Campus Compact and behavioral expectations of students on campus in the fall semester.
Community health worker interventions can reduce hospitalizations
A new study adds to the growing evidence base that community health workers can help meet the challenges of traditional health care delivery and strained health systems.
Primary care, delivered
Class of 2019 alumni, in collaboration with Sayre Health Clinic, bring housing and food insecure people in Philadelphia primary care through a medically outfitted van.
In the News
Posts mislead about COVID-19 vaccine safety with out-of-context clip of FDA official
Jeffrey S. Morris of the Perelman School of Medicine says that many adverse medical events, even those clearly unrelated to vaccines, have been reported an order of magnitude more for COVID vaccines during the pandemic than any time before.
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Philadelphians hope a cleaner city will reduce gun violence. Will Oh or Parker make it a reality?
A $3 million blight reduction project in Philadelphia is informed by Penn research showing that cleaning up trash and revitalizing vacant lots can reduce gun violence rates by as much as 29%.
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Universal basic income is working—even in red states
Researchers at Penn concluded that a basic income program in Stockton, California, could have profound positive impacts on local public health.
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NJ’s Camden County deploying virtual reality to teach students about naloxone
Penn partnered with New Jersey’s Camden County to create a virtual reality training video for administering the opioid-reversing drug Narcan.
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An overdose drug is finally over-the-counter. Is that enough to stop the death toll?
Shoshana Aronowitz of the School of Nursing says that over-the-counter Narcan is a baby step in the right direction, not a game changer.
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A new community-driven initiative is asking Philly to spend more housing funds on the lowest-income households
Rebecca Yae of the Weitzman School of Design’s Housing Initiative at Penn says that it’s important to consider deeper income targeting with affordable housing for people with the lowest incomes.
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