11/15
Health Care Policy
Four takeaways from the IPCC’s report on climate adaptation and vulnerability
Four takeaways from the IPCC’s report on climate adaptation and vulnerability
The assessment gets explicit about the effect of climate change on people, places, and ecosystems. Experts from Penn weigh in on what it means.
Addressing substance use and pain key to limiting self-directed hospital discharge
Addressing substance use and pain key to limiting self-directed hospital discharge
A new study from the School of Nursing suggests that stigma toward persons with substance abuse disorder may account for an under-assessment and management of pain, which leads to self-directed patient discharges.
Past plagues, current pandemics, and public hygiene messaging
Past plagues, current pandemics, and public hygiene messaging
History Ph.D. candidate Sarah Xia Yu discusses her research on public hygiene in China and what the past might tell us about how governments could better communicate public health messages.
Africa’s Iron Lady
Africa’s Iron Lady
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former president of Liberia and a Nobel Peace Prize winner, came to Perry World House as part of the Global Order Colloquium.
Hospitals with more nurses linked to better outcomes, more satisfied patients
Hospitals with more nurses linked to better outcomes, more satisfied patients
According to a new study published in Medical Care, hospitals that employ more inpatient nurse practitioners have lower surgical mortality, higher patient satisfaction, and lower costs of care.
A new approach to determining post-acute care for older adults with dementia
A new approach to determining post-acute care for older adults with dementia
Two new studies measure the outcomes of home health care versus a skilled nursing facility for patients with dementia after being discharged in hospitals, and find that the mental status at the time of discharge is more relevant than a dementia diagnosis.
More than a third of Congressional members held significant health care assets
More than a third of Congressional members held significant health care assets
Due to their role in shaping health care policy, lawmakers should divest from assets while in office, Penn Medicine researchers recommend.
Four things to know about the latest IPCC climate report
Four things to know about the latest IPCC climate report
The assessment describes ‘unequivocal’ human influence that no doubt caused ‘widespread and rapid changes’ to the atmosphere, oceans, and more. Professors Mark Alan Hughes and Michael Weisberg discuss the findings, plus how we can avoid passing the point of no return.
Scaling the model of care for patients with opioid use disorder
Scaling the model of care for patients with opioid use disorder
Data show that concurrent with the opioid overdose crisis, there has been an increase in hospitalizations of people with opioid use disorder. One in ten of these hospitalized medical or surgical patients have comorbid opioid-related diagnoses.
100 years of insulin
100 years of insulin
On July 27, 1921, Canadian doctors Frederick Banting and Charles Best successfully isolated the hormone insulin, one of the most important breakthroughs in treating diabetes. Experts from around the University share their thoughts on the medical triumph on the 100th anniversary.
In the News
Philadelphia Inquirer
Can ‘magic’ mushrooms help one of the most painful conditions?
Dominic Sisti of the Perelman School of Medicine says there’s compelling evidence that psilocybin is efficacious, safe, and seems to help people with cluster headaches.
FULL STORY →
Stat
Being a patient can be a full-time job. This ICU nurse wants to make it easier
Michael Anne Kyle of the Perelman School of Medicine is linking survey data and medical records to determine exactly how administrative burdens impact health care.
FULL STORY →
WHYY (Philadelphia)
Should we put health warning labels on food?
Christina Roberto of the Perelman School of Medicine discusses whether ultra-processed packaged food should have warning labels to highlight nutritional content.
FULL STORY →
NBC News
Elder care costs are outpacing inflation. Americans want a lifeline
Shekinah Fashaw-Walters of the Perelman School of Medicine says that Black and Hispanic Medicare beneficiaries are less likely to access higher-quality home health agencies.
FULL STORY →
Philadelphia Inquirer
When it comes to restaurant portions, size matters, Penn researcher says
Sophia Hua of the Perelman School of Medicine is analyzing how smaller portions at restaurants could make dining out healthier and could help combat obesity.
FULL STORY →
WHYY (Philadelphia)
Philadelphia-area health experts see shift in attitudes on vaccination in ‘post-COVID’ era
Alison Buttenheim of the School of Nursing comments on attitude shifts around vaccines following the pandemic.
FULL STORY →