News from

Public Health

Reset All Filters
929 Results
A 24/7 virtual care service means freedom from on-call hours
Aileen John.

Aileen John is a regional medical director for Penn Medicine Primary Care.

(Image: Courtesy of Penn Medicine News)

A 24/7 virtual care service means freedom from on-call hours

A new initiative, Penn Medicine OnDemand, frees Penn primary care doctors from most on-call duties after work hours, while patients still have 24-hour access to virtual care.

From Penn Medicine News

2 min. read

Transforming community health and social connections in rural areas of the US
Two people unpacking boxes of Narcan in a rural community.

In 2024, members of the Social Action Lab toured rural areas in Appalachia to hear from nonprofit groups and others who help people with opioid use disorder move toward recovery.

(Image: Courtesy of the Social Action Lab)

Transforming community health and social connections in rural areas of the US

Dolores Albarracín, the Amy Gutmann Penn Integrates Knowledge University Professor, has long studied how to curb disease and improve health.

From Annenberg School for Communication

2 min. read

Methadone treatment for opioid use rising, but better access needed to reach more
A doctor writing out a prescription.

Image: Digicomphoto/Science Photo Library via Getty Images

Methadone treatment for opioid use rising, but better access needed to reach more

Researchers at Penn Medicine find that treatment numbers rose during the 2010s as the opioid crisis became prominent, including increases in buprenorphine, an easier-to-access medication.

Frank Otto

2 min. read

Study finds declining perceptions of safety of COVID-19, flu, and MMR vaccines

Study finds declining perceptions of safety of COVID-19, flu, and MMR vaccines

An Annenberg Public Policy Center panel survey finds that a sizable majority of Americans think the three vaccines that combat measles, mumps, and rubella are safe to take, although perceptions of the safety of all three vaccines showed a statistically significant drop over the past three years.

Planning ahead in an age of longevity
An elderly person holding a baby while blowing out candles on a birthday cake.

Image: Daniel Balakov via Getty Images

Planning ahead in an age of longevity

Tamara J. Cadet of the School of Social Policy & Practice discusses strategies for preparing—financially and physically— for an extended lifespan.

3 min. read

Safeguarding health for animals and people
Felicia Divito with an iPad at New Bolton Center.

Felicia Divito, New Bolton Center’s biosecurity administrative coordinator, remotely operates Tru-D, the center’s UV-C-emitting robot.

(Image: Courtesy of Penn Vet)

Safeguarding health for animals and people

Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital and New Bolton Center’s Infection Prevention and Biosecurity Programs are focusing on infection prevention, control measures, and biosecurity strategies to protect the animals, people, and communities served by its hospitals and facilities. 

From Penn Vet

2 min. read

Most would recommend RSV immunizations for infants, older adults, and during pregnancy

Most would recommend RSV immunizations for infants, older adults, and during pregnancy

In a nationally representative panel survey, Penn’s Annenberg Public Policy Center found an increase in awareness of immunizations that are available for RSV; about 6 in 10 respondents would recommend the vaccine or antibody injections to the groups recommended by the CDC, an increase from past years.

Health in Philly, past and present
Students standing listening to a person speaking.

Students in Andi Johnson’s course Health in Philly: Past and Present visited the nonprofit organization Bebashi in December to present their findings from interviews with staff.

nocred

Health in Philly, past and present

This fall, in Andi Johnson’s course Health in Philly: Past and Present, students worked closely with leadership of the health-focused nonprofit Bebashi to identify ways they could better support staff, while visiting other local health organizations to learn more about how they address issues facing city residents.

5 min. read

As measles cases rise, views of MMR vaccine safety and effectiveness and willingness to recommend it drop

As measles cases rise, views of MMR vaccine safety and effectiveness and willingness to recommend it drop

As the number of confirmed cases of measles in the U.S. rises, a new nationally representative panel survey by Penn’s Annenberg Public Policy Center finds a small but significant drop in the proportion of the public that would recommend that someone in their household get the MMR vaccine.

Electronic medical records help save lives of HIV patients
Health care worker in mask stands at tablet with electronic medical record system.

Image: Abdallah Chilungo

Electronic medical records help save lives of HIV patients

Wharton’s Leandro “Leo” Pongeluppe and colleagues found that HIV clinics in Malawi that switched from paper to electronic medical records saw an estimated 28% reduction in deaths in five years.

2 min. read