Public Health | Penn Today

A hand holding a cigarette with just the torso of the person showing in the background.

How do media depictions of tobacco influence smoking decisions for young adults?

Two studies from the Annenberg School for Communication’s Robert Hornik find that media portrayals of such behaviors can change actions and perception, but how and by how much depends on a range of factors.

The cycle of gun violence in Philadelphia is sickening

Zaffer Qasim and Chidinma Nwakanma of the Perelman School of Medicine write that we need to push our state lawmakers to use their power to enact gun laws that could save lives.

Eli Moraru, Charles Reeves, and Alex Imbot sit on Reeves' front porch in South Philadelphia

Reimagining the corner store to promote food justice

With a 2022 President’s Sustainability Prize, Eli Moraru and Alexandre Imbot will take raw ingredients payable with EBT and turn them into hot, heathy meals while providing nutritional education resources.

D.C.’s struggle to end homelessness is getting more complicated

Unhoused people in their 50s and 60s in three cities examined by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania had health conditions more akin to housed people who were 20 years older.

Extreme heat linked to rise in U.S. death rates

Sameed Khatana of the Perelman School of Medicine says extreme heat is associated with a higher mortality rate across the contiguous United States.

An empty hospital bed in a hospital room.

COVID mortality age patterns changed significantly during pandemic

Between March 2020 and October 2021, death rates from the virus decreased for those 80 and older and increased for those 25 to 54, results that held across racial and ethnic groups.

Screen grab of woman from 1970 Abortion documentary transposed over an image of the 2017 women's march on Washington.

‘Abortion and Women’s Rights 1970’: A film that’s newly timely

Five decades ago, ahead of the landmark ruling Roe v. Wade, political scientist Mary Summers worked on a documentary film. That film is gaining new viewers through a recently launched website.

A matter of trust: Community health workers in West Philly

As part of the Penn Medicine at Home enterprise, community health workers are one element of Penn’s initiatives to deliver quality care and improve health outside hospital walls.

A teenager sits on the ground on a cell phone beside a vehicle that had crashed into another vehicle.

Drivers licensed at 18 crash more than younger drivers with driver training

New drivers licensed before age 18 who are subject to mandatory driver education that includes behind-the-wheel training, in addition to Graduated Driver Licensing restrictions, are less likely to crash than drivers licensed at age 18 who are exempt from these requirements.

Panelists sit on a stage at Perry World House, while another is on a Zoom screen behind them

Symposium highlights range and reach of Penn Global research

The Penn Global Research and Engagement Grant is supporting 21 faculty-led projects that span research, capacity-building, and development efforts across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, India, China, and beyond.

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