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Public Health
Health capabilities, explained
Jennifer J. Prah of the School of Social Policy & Practice has developed a method for assessing the individual and collective ability to be healthy.
More than 2 million additional Americans faced food insufficiency following SNAP benefits drawdown
A study from Penn Medicine finds that after discontinuing pandemic-related food assistance benefits, Americans faced a substantial increase in food insufficiency, which can contribute to chronic diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.
To increase acceptance of an RSV vaccine, explain the FDA’s vaccine approval process
A new report by Penn’s Annenberg Public Policy Center shows a need for more public visibility of the FDA’s rigorous review process to sway public opinion about the safety of vaccines and maternal health during pregnancy.
Survey finds gaps in knowledge about maternal health
New survey data from the Annenberg Public Policy Center analyzes public knowledge of maternal health risks, vaccine safety, and mental health outreach options.
People with a conspiracy mindset resist childhood vaccination
Research by Dan Romer and Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center explains the role that having a conspiracy mindset plays in adult reluctance to vaccinate children.
Comparing urban and rural excess mortality during COVID-19
The first-ever county-level study of excess mortality in the United States shows monthly excess deaths spread from large cities to rural counties in the second year of the pandemic.
Smoke safety: What to know and how to keep safe with poor air quality
Olajumoke O. Fadugba of the Perelman School of Medicine addresses why smoke irritates the body, why people with allergies and asthma are particularly affected, and how to stay safe. Writer: Kristina García
Why the Vaccine Safety Reporting System should be renamed
VAERS, the federal health system for reporting “adverse events” after vaccination, is designed to assist in the early detection of complications and responsive action. But the flood of social media references to the system during the COVID-19 pandemic created confusion.
Promoting exercise for healthy brain aging in the Latino community
Penn Nursing’s Adriana Perez engages the Latino community in fitness classes through Tiempo Juntos Por Nuestra Salud.
Act First, a PEP winner, wants to teach Philly students critical first aid—and the confidence to follow through
Kenneth Pham and Catherine Chang, winners of the 2023 President’s Engagement Prize, will teach Philadelphia high school students CPR, Narcan administration, and blood loss prevention.
In the News
Posts mislead about COVID-19 vaccine safety with out-of-context clip of FDA official
Jeffrey S. Morris of the Perelman School of Medicine says that many adverse medical events, even those clearly unrelated to vaccines, have been reported an order of magnitude more for COVID vaccines during the pandemic than any time before.
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Philadelphians hope a cleaner city will reduce gun violence. Will Oh or Parker make it a reality?
A $3 million blight reduction project in Philadelphia is informed by Penn research showing that cleaning up trash and revitalizing vacant lots can reduce gun violence rates by as much as 29%.
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Universal basic income is working—even in red states
Researchers at Penn concluded that a basic income program in Stockton, California, could have profound positive impacts on local public health.
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NJ’s Camden County deploying virtual reality to teach students about naloxone
Penn partnered with New Jersey’s Camden County to create a virtual reality training video for administering the opioid-reversing drug Narcan.
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An overdose drug is finally over-the-counter. Is that enough to stop the death toll?
Shoshana Aronowitz of the School of Nursing says that over-the-counter Narcan is a baby step in the right direction, not a game changer.
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A new community-driven initiative is asking Philly to spend more housing funds on the lowest-income households
Rebecca Yae of the Weitzman School of Design’s Housing Initiative at Penn says that it’s important to consider deeper income targeting with affordable housing for people with the lowest incomes.
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