Public Health | Penn Today

Black churches fill a unique role in combating vaccine fears

Paris Butler of the Perelman School of Medicine and a colleague spoke to 21 Philadelphia faith leaders to answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. “Being an African American myself, and growing up in a Baptist church, I understand the value of that trusted voice,” Butler said. “If we don’t reach out to them, we’re making a mistake.”

Vaccines already brought good news. Better messaging can bring more

Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center co-authored an op-ed about how ambassadorship and other forms of public health messaging can alleviate vaccine hesitancy.

Single hospital bed in an abandoned hallway

Delayed emergencies in COVID times

A new study shows how often people put off non-COVID emergency care during the pandemic, who stayed home, and what kind of care they deferred.

A community health care worker wearing a face shield and mask leans toward a seated community member in a face mask asking question prior to receiving a vaccine.

How Penn Medicine is getting COVID-19 vaccines to communities that need it most

Direct outreach to elderly and vulnerable populations, and working with Philadelphia faith leaders has led to community-based clinics throughout West Philadelphia.

Young child’s face covered in a face mask covered in cartoon foxes.

The evolving science of face masks and COVID-19

Experts agree that masks should be used—and increasingly, they are emphasizing the use of better masks to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Medical worker wearing a face mask and latex gloves holds a syringe tagged with a vaccine label.

How vaccines protect communities

While individuals who are vaccinated feel relief that they’re better protected, the rollout of vaccines to anyone in their community is still good news.

‘Hassle factor’ and distrust shadow wide U.S. vaccine hesitancy

Alison Buttenheim of the School of Nursing commented on a New Orleans public health campaign that uses Mardi Gras imagery. “If you’re from New Orleans, a lot of that resonates for people who are local,” she said. “We need inspiration, and local campaigns in every city. I think that was very successful and needs to be replicated.”

Nurse in a face mask and protective gear stands with a clipboard outside a hospital entrance that is roped off with police tape.

Modeling how violence permeates health and health care

While violence from wars or civil conflicts is a documented occupational hazard for health care workers, little is known about the impact on these workers and corresponding health services as a result of violence caused by widespread organized crime activity.

students walking around campus wearing masks and sitting outside eating food

Campus public health measures help mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Alongside regular saliva-based COVID-19 testing, other tools such as contact tracing, quarantine and isolation facilities, and health and well-being monitoring platforms are critical for protecting and supporting the campus community.

What to know about at-home tests for colorectal cancers

Shivan Mehta of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about take-at-home tests as a convenient way to screen patients for colon cancer. “The FIT test has been around for a very long time,” he said. “It’s a lot easier to do than a colonoscopy. But in order to have similar effectiveness to colonoscopies, it has to be done every year. Both have pros and cons. Ultimately, the best test is the one that someone completes.”

Filters