Medicine | Penn Today

Is your weight healthy? BMI alone can’t answer that question

Mitchell Lazar of the Perelman School of Medicine says that a ratio of waist-to-hip circumference may better predict metabolic health than BMI but is harder to measure accurately.

Microscopic view of granulomatous tissue.

New biomarkers can help target treatment for chronic skin disease

Researchers at Penn Medicine have found a pathway in certain lymphoid cells that, once targeted, inhibit granulomas from forming in patients with sarcoidosis.

Closeup view of an eyeball with a vision test graphic.

Gene therapy trial sees massive improvement in vision

Patients with a rare disease affecting their sight have experienced quick vision improvements that sustained for the full yearlong Penn Medicine study, with some experiencing a 10,000-fold improvement in their vision.

A person opening the top of a semaglutide prescription pen.

Weight management drug does not increase risk of depression or suicidal behavior

In new clinical trials, researchers from Penn Medicine find that for people without known major psychopathology, taking semaglutide for weight loss are at no increased risk of mental health issues.

A group of Penn Medicine emergency responders with face masks look over plans during an emergency drill.

Keeping calm in case of catastrophe

How emergency medical teams at Penn Medicine build the playbook for disaster preparedness.

Study of gender-affirming care reveals immune system sex differences

Montserrat Anguera of the Perelman School of Medicine and the School of Veterinary Medicine comments on the work to comprehensively examine the impact of gender-affirming care on the immune system.

Doing the work to end health disparities

Ala Stanford is a surgeon, a national leader in health equity, and professor of practice at Penn. Her new book chronicles her path from North Philly, how she served thousands during the COVID-19 pandemic, and her work to end health disparities.

A gloved hand holding up a small tooth x-ray.

A new path to dental care for cancer patients

A collaboration between Penn Medicine and Penn’s School of Dental Medicine, pioneered by oncology nurses Margaret “Peg” Rummel and Jen Jacobs, helps cancer patients get the dental care they need in order to be cleared to start radiation.

Ellie Mayers and Gladys Smith in front of a sign reading Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Maternal Fetal Medicine Reproductive Genetics at Penn Medicine.

Questioning restrictions on physical activity for those at risk of preterm birth

Undergraduates Ellie Mayers and Gladys Smith worked as research assistants this summer gathering data from pregnant patients for a study by Penn Medicine physician Beth Leong Pineles, researching bed rest orders and physical activity restrictions for those at risk of preterm birth.

Members of the Penn Medicine community play basketball with kids at the Roberto Clemente Park.

Penn Medicine, 76ers restore community basketball court

The latest product of the partnership between two iconic Philadelphia institutions, a newly refurbished court at Roberto Clemente Park will support healthy behavior in the community.

Filters