Perelman School of Medicine

African American COVID patient wearing a respirator in a hospital bed.

Trauma patients with COVID-19 face greater risk of complications and death

Penn Medicine research shows COVID-19-positive patients with traumatic injuries have six times higher risk of death and complication than patients without COVID.

Lipid panel with check marks with a stethoscope resting on top of the file.

Lipids model how to explore for unexpected diseases

Lipids are known heritable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, but increasing evidence also supports shared genetics with diseases of other organ systems.

The pandemic, health inequities, and an ‘opportunity for change’

Experts across the University weigh in on which lessons the pandemic drove home and what immediate measures are needed to prevent future loss.

Microscopic image of cells labeled blue, green, and pink

With remarkable similarities to MS, a disease in dogs opens new avenues for study

Researchers at the School of Veterinary Medicine led by Jorge Iván Alvarez and Molly Church found that the canine disease granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis shares many of the same pathological and immunological features as MS.

Two people seated at a table in front of a panel that reads "Penn Medicine" many times over. The person on the left is wearing a gray suit, with a white shirt and red tie. The person on the right is wearing glasses, an orange shirt, and a black cardigan.

Penn mRNA pioneers receive the Princess of Asturias Award

Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó earned the prestigious honor for their foundational research that led to development of two lifesaving mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

Black hospital patient in bed with nurse in full PPE preparing to put oxygen mask on patient’s face.

Higher COVID-19 mortality among Black patients linked to unequal hospital quality

If Black patients were admitted to the same hospitals that serve a majority of white patients, Penn Medicine researchers show their risk of death would drop by 10%.

How mRNA vaccines help fight cancer tumors

Penn researchers are looking to mRNA vaccines for applications outside of infectious diseases, as they can not only prompt strong antibody responses to fight off invaders, like COVID-19, but also potent cytotoxic T cell responses.

Two people, one Black one white, sitting in a waiting room wearing masks.

Black and white women have same mutations linked to breast cancer risk

The prevalence of genetic mutations associated with breast cancer in Black and white women is the same, but the takeaway is not to change testing guidelines based on race alone, but focus on ensuring equal access to and uptake of testing to minimize disparities in care and outcomes.

Ball of red and blue prescription drug capsules.

Partisan politics and the opioid epidemic: A social media analysis

Researchers at Penn Medicine explored how partisanship might affect legislative progress on the opioid epidemic by analyzing the content of state legislators’ opioid-related social media posts over time.

Older person in doctor’s office smiling while using a fitness tracker.

Game-based program boosts physical activity among diabetes patients

Penn Medicine research shows that adding gamification with either competition or support increased physical activity for patients with Type 2 diabetes.

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