Medical Ethics

Racial bias in mortality prediction scores

In mass casualty situations like the COVID-19 pandemic, mortality prediction models alone could divert scarce critical care resources away from Black patients.

From Penn LDI

Reflecting on a year shaped by COVID-19

Penn Today brings together noteworthy stories and images from the past year and highlights ways for individual members of the Penn community to share their personal experiences.

Erica K. Brockmeier, Katherine Unger Baillie

Gutmann, Moreno talk ‘Pandemic Ethics’ at Power of Penn event

The co-authors of ‘Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven but Nobody Wants to Die’ joined virtually with moderator Andrea Mitchell and Penn Alumni to discuss the many bioethical concerns that have only heightened with COVID-19’s spread.

Lauren Hertzler

Direct-to-consumer COVID-19 testing

Concerns over direct-to-consumer COVID-19 tests may override the benefits, with issues of safety, efficacy, and ethics in question.

From Penn LDI

Who should get the COVID-19 vaccine first?

A group of global experts led by Penn offer a model that lays the groundwork for fair distribution and prioritize reducing premature deaths.

From Penn Medicine News



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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Nature

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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The Washington Post

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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