Behavioral Health

One in four Americans develops insomnia each year

About 25 percent of Americans experience acute insomnia each year, but about 75 percent of these individuals recover without developing persistent poor sleep or chronic insomnia.

Penn Today Staff , Greg Richter

‘Candy aspirin,’ safety caps, and the history of children’s drugs

When St. Joseph Aspirin for Children was introduced in the 1940s, it was formulated to be attractive in taste and color to its young audience. Dubbed “candy aspirin,” the product became popular—fast. As a consequence, aspirin poisonings of children under five skyrocketed.

Michele W. Berger

Wrongful convictions reported for 6 percent of crimes

For capital crimes like rape and murder, wrongful convictions happen in about 3 to 5 percent of cases. Such an estimate had proved elusive for the prison population as a whole—until now, thanks to work from Penn criminologists.

Michele W. Berger

A potential new weapon in the battle against addiction

New research revealed that FDA-approved drugs to treat diabetes and obesity may reduce cocaine relapse and help addicts break the habit. Such medications work by targeting receptors for glucagon-like peptide 1, a hormone in the brain.

Michele W. Berger

The human story of coal’s downturn

A forthcoming report from the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy will offer a range of strategies to directly impact the economic and mental health crisis in coal country.



In the News


CBC News

From vaccines to Froot Loops: Why RFK Jr.’s health-related theories have sparked so much controversy

According to the Annenberg Public Policy Center, COVID vaccine-related deaths reported in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System are unverified. David Mandell of the Perelman School of Medicine says that numerous studies have disproven a link between child vaccination and increased risk of autism.

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Forbes

Insomnia may be more common than you think. Here’s what to know

According to Penn Medicine, about 1 in 4 Americans experiences difficulty with sleep each year.

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Health.com

Can you really learn from mistakes? New research shows it's harder than you think

Yvette Sheline of the Perelman School of Medicine explains why the best way to learn is being rewarded by success.

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National Geographic

Here’s why planning a trip can help your mental health

Matthew Killingsworth of the Wharton School explains how the anticipation of having a vacation planned can lead to increased happiness.

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The Guardian

Trouble sleeping? This therapy can help with insomnia

Michael Perlis of the Perelman School of Medicine says that the distinctive difference between CBT and CBT-I is the inclusion of the principles and practice of sleep medicine.

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Delaware News Journal

She feared schizophrenia would leave her son dead or in jail. Then, he nearly killed a man

Yvette Sheline of the Perelman School of Medicine says that genetics play a role in schizophrenia, although there’s no agreed-upon single cause.

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