11/15
Medical Ethics
Heart disease-protective diabetes drug is not used equitably
The medication GLP-1 RA treats diabetes and is linked to positive outcomes for heart disease patients, yet a Penn Medicine study has found inequities in its use along racial, ethnic, and economic lines
Improving diversity in cancer clinical trials
The Cancer Clinical Trials Community Ambassador Training Program at the Abramson Cancer Center was established in August 2021 to create spokespersons and resources to increase awareness and access to cancer clinical trials in the diverse Philadelphia communities.
Three Penn faculty named Hastings Center Fellows
Holly Fernandez Lynch, Quayshawn Spencer, and Connie Ulrich have been named Hastings Center Fellows for deepening public understanding of complex ethical issues in health, health care, science, and technology.
Learning to listen in troubled times
The SNF Paideia Program and partners featured Ernesto Pujol and Aaron Levy, an artist and an interdisciplinary scholar who have transformed both what it means to listen and what the act of listening can achieve as part of a lecture and workshops.
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.
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.
Project reveals ongoing unreported violations of rights with medical deportations
Researchers in the Legislative Clinic at Penn Law and Free Migration Project have released a new report on the use of medical deportations in the U.S.
Researchers study thought process behind revealing Alzheimer’s test results
Two qualitative studies try to understand individuals’ decision-making process as they choose whom, why and how to share information regarding their Alzheimer’s disease biomarker and genetic testing results.
The potential role of vaccine certificates in the next phase of the pandemic
Public health law expert Eric Feldman and medical ethicist Emily Largent discuss the legal and ethical implications of companies and organizations requiring proof of vaccination to reengage with different sectors of the economy.
Abramson Cancer Center doubles the percentage of Black participants in clinical trials
Afive-year community outreach and engagement effort more than doubled the percentage of participants, improving access and treatment for a group with historically low representation in cancer research.
In the News
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Second brain implant by Elon Musk’s Neuralink: Will it fare better than the first?
Anna Wexler of the Perelman School of Medicine and Leonard Davis Institute says that Elon Musk’s predictions for Neuralink’s health care capabilities risk misleading potential study volunteers.
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As Biden ends campaign, focus shifts to health for remainder of his term
PIK Professor Ezekiel Emanuel says that the presidency is an administration with a team led by the president, not a one-man show.
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