11/15
Public Health
As temperatures break records, many are unaware of symptoms of heat-related illnesses
As temperatures break records, many are unaware of symptoms of heat-related illnesses
A new survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds that more of the U.S. public sees the link between extreme heat and climate change, but not all extreme heat risks are understood by all.
The threat of mpox has returned, but public knowledge about it has declined
The threat of mpox has returned, but public knowledge about it has declined
A national survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center in July finds that Americans lack understanding and concern about mpox, highlighting a need for more public health outreach and communication about mpox contagion and vaccines.
To get drivers to put down their phones, make it a game
To get drivers to put down their phones, make it a game
A large trial of strategies to reduce distracted driving presented by Penn Medicine experts show that those that were “gamified” yielded a lasting reduction in handheld phone usage while driving.
When there’s money to lose, phone usage while driving drops
When there’s money to lose, phone usage while driving drops
New research from Penn Medicine finds that feedback plus cash incentives designed with insights from behavioral science reduces phone use while driving.
States differ widely in requirements for young driver training
States differ widely in requirements for young driver training
A new paper from Annenberg Public Policy Center shows how states differ in licensing requirements for teens, and how the crash rate correlates to training; the authors advise for families of teens to go beyond the minimum state requirements to keep teen drivers safer.
Text reminders about COVID-19 boosters are as effective as free rides, new study finds
Text reminders about COVID-19 boosters are as effective as free rides, new study finds
In a new megastudy, Katy Milkman of the Wharton School and collaborators at Penn’s Behavior Change for Good Initiative led research on reminders and free rides to and from pharmacies to boost COVID-19 vaccination rates.
Who, What, Why: Nursing student and Peace Corps alum Eva Farrell
Who, What, Why: Nursing student and Peace Corps alum Eva Farrell
Serving in the Peace Corps as a math and science teacher in Kenya from 2012 to 2014 inspired MSN student Eva Farrell to go into nursing.
Bells toll around Penn, across the city, for National Gun Violence Awareness Day
Bells toll around Penn, across the city, for National Gun Violence Awareness Day
On Friday, June 7, bells tolled at 1 p.m. at 44 locations around the region, as part of Penn Live Arts’ “Toll the Bell” community initiative.
Knowledge a factor in closing Black-white COVID-19 vaccination gap
Knowledge a factor in closing Black-white COVID-19 vaccination gap
New research from the Annenberg Public Policy Center shows that exposure to knowledge about vaccine safety and efficacy from trusted sources can matter.
False belief in MMR vaccine-autism link endures as measles threat persists
False belief in MMR vaccine-autism link endures as measles threat persists
As measles cases rise across the United States and vaccination rates for the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine continue to fall, a new survey finds that a quarter of U.S. adults do not know that claims that the MMR vaccine causes autism are false.
In the News
The Washington Post
Got canker sores? Try switching your toothpaste
Richard Wender of the Perelman School of Medicine says that canker sores often start with a minor trauma to the mucosal lining, like a sharp edge on a tooth or a pair of prickly braces.
FULL STORY →
CPR News
Colorado has the most cases of bird flu among dairy cows in the U.S.
The School of Veterinary Medicine has developed a bird flu vaccine that is to be tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
FULL STORY →
Forbes
FDA Study finds infectious H5N1 bird flu virus in 14% of raw milk samples
Patrick E. Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center says it is important that anyone planning to consume raw milk be aware that doing so can make you sick and that pasteurization reduces the risk of milk-borne illnesses.
FULL STORY →
The Hill
This Juneteenth, we must invest in our future as well as remember our past
Victor Roy, an incoming assistant professor at the Perelman School of Medicine, writes that “baby bonds” could help mitigate the worsening racial wealth gap.
FULL STORY →
Los Angeles Times
Column: How a blunder by a respected medical journal is fueling an anti-vaccine lie
Jeffrey S. Morris of the Perelman School of Medicine says that even with a 100% effective vaccine, there would have been high levels of morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 in 2021.
FULL STORY →
Philadelphia Inquirer
RFK Jr.’s vaccine misinformation campaign started after he ignored a Philly doctor
Paul Offit of the Perelman School of Medicine and Melanie Kornides of the School of Nursing comment on Robert F. Kennedy’s misinformation campaign against vaccines.
FULL STORY →