10.26
Public Health
An update on COVID-19’s impact on the University
An update on COVID-19’s impact on the University
At the October University Council meeting, key milestones in Penn’s reopening process were discussed, as well as the role of testing, contact tracing, and compliance with the Campus Compact in Penn’s COVID-19 mitigation strategy.
Contact tracing: A piece of a multilayered campus public health strategy
Contact tracing: A piece of a multilayered campus public health strategy
With the goal of mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and supporting the community with health guidance and information, contact tracing is part of Penn’s systemic approach to keeping the campus healthy during the pandemic.
Past successes, future questions as United Nations turns 75
Past successes, future questions as United Nations turns 75
Perry World House held a series of virtual talks with global leaders looking at the organization’s current efforts, ongoing struggles, and future.
A farm for the community
A farm for the community
The Food and Wellness Collaborative, which emerged from the ‘Your Big Idea’ competition, has turned an expanse of turf into a productive growing space.
Is your drinking water toxic? This app may help you find out
Is your drinking water toxic? This app may help you find out
A new tool developed by Penn Medicine researchers informs users about their potential exposure to hydraulic fracturing chemicals.
Across U.S. Catholic archdioceses, child protection policies vary widely
Across U.S. Catholic archdioceses, child protection policies vary widely
A report from CHILD USA, led by Professor of Practice Marci Hamilton, found that such policies lack uniformity, aren’t comprehensive, and often don’t take a victim-centered approach.
U.S. COVID deaths may be underestimated by 36%
U.S. COVID deaths may be underestimated by 36%
The research team found that more of these deaths occurred in places with greater income inequality, more non-Hispanic Black residents, and other factors indicating a pattern related to socioeconomic disadvantage and structural racism.
Virtual reality trains public to reverse opioid overdoses
Virtual reality trains public to reverse opioid overdoses
A group of interdisciplinary researchers from Penn and the Philadelphia Department of Public Heath have developed a virtual reality immersive video training aimed to save lives from opioid overdoses.
State laws are key to HIV prevention efforts
State laws are key to HIV prevention efforts
Data show that four of five people who could benefit from PrEP did not access the medication in 2018. A new study from Penn Nursing finds that states with comprehensive nondiscrimination laws for sexual and gender minorities have a higher PrEP-to-need ratio.
Belief in conspiracy theories is a barrier to controlling spread of COVID-19
Belief in conspiracy theories is a barrier to controlling spread of COVID-19
Belief in conspiracy theories about the coronavirus pandemic is not only persistent but also is associated with reluctance to accept a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available.
In the News
WHYY (Philadelphia)
Philly Council calls for hearings as city’s auto fatality rate soars
Erick Guerra of the Stuart Weitzman School of Design attributed a spike in car crashes in part to increased alcohol consumption. “People are drinking more during COVID so probably a high share are drunk. And people know there’s a higher consequence, so they run,” he said. “The other reason is just speed…. When there are less people on the road, you can go faster. And that really impacts the fatality rate.”
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Los Angeles Times
Have L.A.'s homeless people dodged a COVID-19 catastrophe?
Dennis P. Culhane of the School of Social Policy & Practice spoke about the seemingly low rate of COVID-19 infections among homeless people in Los Angeles. “It’s possible being outside is protective relative to inside,” he said. Still, without more comprehensive antibody testing, “I’m not so sure we can say there hasn’t been a huge hit.”
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WHYY (Philadelphia)
When it comes to its gun violence epidemic, Philly is struggling to control the spread
Elinore Kaufman of the Perelman School of Medicine and Therese Richmond of the School Nursing weighed in on gun violence as a public health issue in Philadelphia. “For my patients, I think it’s been pretty awful,” Kaufman said. “And for their families and their loved ones and their community, it’s just as sad.”
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WHYY (Philadelphia)
Nurses take charge
Patricia D’Antonio of the School of Nursing was interviewed about the role of nurses in advocating for public health reforms.
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The New York Times
Study links gas flares to preterm births, with Hispanic women at high risk
Heather Burris of the Perelman School of Medicine commented on a study that linked gas flares to premature births, particularly in Hispanic women.
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The New York Times
Southern Iraq’s toxic twilight
Marilyn Howarth of the Perelman School of Medicine says oil rain, a byproduct of oil production, can be carcinogenic. “The oil itself can contain traces of heavy metals, arsenic, and radioactivity, which could be a source of lung cancer,” she said.
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