Medicine | Penn Today

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.

Analysis: U.S. FDA faces mounting criticism over Alzheimer’s drug approval

Jason Karlawish of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about the FDA’s decision to approve a new Alzheimer’s drug in spite of objections by some experts. "This decision has shaken the foundations of the scientific process and methods," said Karlawish.

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.

Q&A

The use and misuse of race in health care

In a Q&A, PIK Professor Sarah Tishkoff, the Perelman School of Medicine’s Giorgio Sirugo, and Case Western Reserve University’s Scott Williams shed light on the “quagmire” of race, ethnicity, genetic ancestry, and environmental factors and their contribution to health disparities.

Nurse in full PPE including a face shield.

A year later: Penn LDI COVID-19 rapid response research grant projects

The Rapid Response Grants for COVID-19 research projects have produced important new insights relevant to current pandemic response, as well as preparations for future infectious disease emergencies.

Save your skin: How you shower matters more than when, dermatologists say

Jules Lipoff of the Perelman School of Medicine said “less is more” when it comes to showering and cautioned against using antibacterial cleansers, which can dry out the skin. “It’s not necessarily healthier and in our interest to reduce bacteria all the time,” he said.

Column: High cost of hearing aids shows (yet again) the insanity of medical pricing

Matthew Grennan of the Wharton School spoke about the high cost of hearing aids. “Medical devices are this weird class of goods where the manufacturing cost is relatively low, but the value they create is high,” he said.

Dementia expert says evidence behind Biogen Alzheimer’s drug ‘wasn’t sufficient’ for FDA approval

Jason Karlawish of the Perelman School of Medicine expressed skepticism about the FDA’s approval of a new Alzheimer’s disease drug. “Another study is needed to establish whether this drug, in fact, is effective. Unfortunately, the FDA approved the drug for marketing, although they also do want another study,” he said.

Alzheimer’s drug poses a dilemma for the FDA

Jason Karlawish of the Perelman School of Medicine commented on an Alzheimer’s medication, saying, “Physicians like me, who would be prescribers, are saying, ‘I want an effective drug to prescribe to my patients—but this is not the drug.’”

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