4/22
Wellness
Children younger than 5 eligible for COVID-19 vaccines
In a Q&A, Lori Handy of Penn Medicine and CHOP discusses what it means now that this final group can get protection, plus offers recommendations for families with concerns about doing so.
Pride Wellness Walk
Penn’s monthly Wellness Walk was Pride-themed in June, providing an opportunity for staff and faculty to cultivate community and health.
With summer’s return, a guide to avoiding drowning
Zaffer Qasim of the Perelman School of Medicine analyzed the mortality data of drowning victims in the United States to prescribe treatment measures. Among other recommendations, he encourages everyone to get training in basic life support.
Incarceration associated with negative mental health risks for Black men
A review of literature from the past decade found that for this group in the U.S. such a detention was linked to higher levels of psychological distress, more severe symptoms of PTSD and depression, and more.
Making a game of it: Contests help new moms increase their steps
A Penn Medicine study used wearable tech to foster activity in high-risk, diverse populations, specifically postpartum women to reduce their cardiovascular risk.
Feeling foggy? Your head is in the clouds for a reason
It may be because you’re languishing—a feeling of stagnation or emptiness. And naming it is a first important step to bringing clarity to one’s experiences, says Wharton’s Adam Grant.
How to safeguard your sleep from insomnia over COVID-19 worry
Penn Medicine research have tips for helping insomnia, which has seen an increase throughout the pandemic. It’s not just the disease—worrying about COVID has contributed to lack of sleep.
People and Places at Penn: Winter solace
From the Class of 1923 Ice Skating Rink to La Casa Latina, four students speak to what motivates them through the season.
Why are alcohol- and drug-related deaths rising in the U.S. and not elsewhere?
With insights from anthropology and neuroscience, Penn researchers Michael Platt and Peter Sterling find that, in comparison, 16 other wealthy nations offer communal assistance at every life stage, support that protects individuals and families long term.
LG Health’s Food Farmacy pairs nutrition counseling with access to healthy food
Food Farmacy aims to improve health outcomes, nutrition-related knowledge and skills, and dietary habits among patients who are experiencing food insecurity through a combination of one-on-one meetings with a registered dietitian and access to healthy food options.
In the News
My brother’s recovery from a car crash became a lesson in how to talk to doctors and nurses
Emily Largent of the Perelman School of Medicine writes that communication is part of healing, as she experienced when her brother was in a car accident and unable to notify family himself.
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Millennial HR professionals are entering the C-suite, and their priorities reflect their lived experiences: ‘We spend a lot of time getting to know folks deeply’
Matthew Bidwell of the Wharton School points to an uptick in student interest in employee wellness strategies.
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Stressed? Depressed? Mindfulness training could offer long-term relief
Yvette Sheline of the Perelman School of Medicine is quoted on how many cultures have used different variations of mindfulness, and that classes are generally affordable and accessible in most cities.
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The less college students sleep, the worse their grades, study finds
Two hundred Penn students and staff participating in a seven-week online course to build better sleep habits have reported an overall decrease in symptoms of insomnia, according to Rebecca Huxta of Wellness at Penn.
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New on the job: Penn director of well-being initiatives creates tools for success
As Wellness at Penn’s inaugural director of well-being initiatives, doctoral candidate Jackie Recktenwald of the Graduate School of Education is looking to improve student health and wellness across campus.
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The foods that keep you hydrated
Dan Negoianu of the Perelman School of Medicine says there’s really no data behind the eight-glasses-of-water-a-day advice.
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