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Public Health
All hands on deck: Fentanyl in Philadelphia
In 2017, fentanyl surpassed heroin as the leading drug involved in overdose deaths, increasing from 57 percent of opioid-related deaths in 2016 to 84 percent in 2017.
Racial disparities in sudden cardiac death rates cannot be explained by known risk factors
Despite controlling for factors including income, smoking, and cholesterol levels, black patients remain at high risk.
Staying alert to the rare but real risks of acute flaccid myelitis
Sarah Hopkins, a pediatric neurologist at the Perelman School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, has seen an increase in cases of the paralyzing condition this year. She explains what parents and pediatricians should watch for.
Cluster of cocaine-fentanyl overdoses in Philadelphia underscores the need for action
Recent outbreaks prompt Penn physicians to call for more coordinated rapid responses with front-line providers, health departments, and poison centers.
Breaking the cycle of despair for people with dementia
A new book dissects the challenge of living with the disease for individuals who have it, and for their caregivers.
Campus Conversation to explore wellness in an atmosphere of hate
“A Campus Conversation on Hate and its Aftermath: How to Preserve One’s Wellness in Challenging Times” is being held on Monday, Nov. 5, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Houston Hall.
Penn alumnus and staff member named TIAA Difference Maker
The two-time Penn alumnus and staff member at the Netter Center for Community Partnerships has been selected as a TIAA Difference Maker 100 honoree for his efforts to improve nutrition for the young people of West Philadelphia.
Revisiting the rate of medical exemptions following California vaccine bill
The proportion of California kindergarten students who received all required vaccines at the start of school increased a year after the state eliminated nonmedical vaccine exemptions for school entry—but not without problems.
Two apps target cancer risk in marginalized populations
The tech-based mobile health interventions from Nursing’s Anne Teitelman focus on preventive health actions, including the HPV vaccine.
5 tips to scare away cavities
Beyond the inevitable sugar high, what are the implications of consuming a glut of candy? Pediatric dentist Maria Velasco suggests coming up with a plan, then giving away the rest of the treats.
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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