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Dr. Antonia Villarruel to chair national committee tackling U.S. health disparities

Dean Antonia Villarruel of the School of Nursing is the newest chair of the National Academy of Medicine’s Culture of Health program. “The Culture of Health Program is well-positioned to build and strengthen the evidence base to address structural racism. This work will be accomplished together with communities and the multiple private- and public-sectors that intersect to promote health,” she said.

Closeup look at a Black person’s hands holding onto crutches.

Return to work and the path to recovery after serious injury in Black men

In a new study from the School of Nursing, researchers investigated the ways that returning to work after an injury predict mental health outcomes in Black men living and recovering in Philadelphia.

Person sitting in a desk chair at the image's front, with a blurred desk in the background that contains a computer with two screens, a print, and a shelf with several photographs.

Infants experiencing opioid withdrawal more often treated in poorer quality hospitals

The research from the School of Nursing analyzed information from three datasets accounting for 25% of U.S. births annually.

Close up head shot of a smiling young person wearing a black V-neck shirt.

Doulas help families meet breastfeeding goals

Research from the School of Nursing shows that these support professionals can be another tool to improve outcomes for newborns and parents.

Nurse in a face mask and protective gear stands with a clipboard outside a hospital entrance that is roped off with police tape.

Modeling how violence permeates health and health care

While violence from wars or civil conflicts is a documented occupational hazard for health care workers, little is known about the impact on these workers and corresponding health services as a result of violence caused by widespread organized crime activity.

Nursing Times

UK nursing universities continue to rank highly despite COVID-19 challenges

Dean Antonia Villarruel of the School of Nursing spoke about Penn’s recognition as the world’s top-ranking school for nursing. “Whether globally or right here in our own backyard, Penn Nursing-prepared nurses are by the bedside, conducting research, in the boardroom, and in government, advocating for a better, healthier tomorrow,” she said.

WHYY (Philadelphia)

‘This is something that we weren’t taught’: How a brand-new nurse learned to treat an unknown disease

Linda Aiken of the School of Nursing said short staffing in hospitals has been exacerbated by the pandemic. “Chronic understaffing in hospitals and chaotic and inefficient work environments put nurses in a very poor position to be able to respond to the COVID surge because they were already reaching deep inside themselves in the normal context of care,” she said.

African American woman breastfeeding a newborn baby on a couch.

Addressing breastfeeding disparities for African American mothers

Despite an abundance of data on the importance of breastfeeding and human milk for babies and their mothers, a disparity exists for African American mothers and infants, where breastfeeding is initiated only about 69% of the time.

The New York Times

College student’s simple invention helps nurses work and patients rest

Anthony Scarpone-Lambert, a senior in the School of Nursing, collaborated with a nurse to invent a wearable LED that nurses can use to illuminate their work without waking sleeping patients. “I would say it’s been through COVID that this kind of innovation came to life,” he said. “It highlights the really important message that frontline health care workers and patients really deserve more support now more than ever.”

Outline of a human brain made up of healthy, nutritious food.

Dietary adherence and the fight against obesity

While eating less and moving more are the basics of weight control and obesity treatment, finding ways to help people adhere to a weight-loss regimen is more complicated.

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