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How Penn is handling COVID vaccinations
Two people wearing face masks seated at a table, one is preparing a vial of vacccine with a syringe, a University of Pennsylvania shield and logo is on the back wall.

How Penn is handling COVID vaccinations

Jack Heuer, vice president of the Division of Human Resources, details Penn’s process and planning.

Dee Patel

The White House issues its first-ever proclamation on Black maternal health

The White House issues its first-ever proclamation on Black maternal health

Elizabeth Howell of the Perelman School of Medicine said that severe maternal morbidity, in which women experience severe complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, impacts more than 50,000 U.S. women each year. “Similar to maternal mortality, Black and brown women have elevated rates of maternal morbidity,” she said.

An approach to COVID-19 vaccination equity for Black neighborhoods
A person receives a vaccination at a Penn Medicine vaccine site by a masked professional while other masked people wait on folding chairs in the room.

Iris Reyes, a professor of clinical emergency medicine, vaccinates a Philadelphian at a West Philadelphia COVID-19 vaccine clinic. (Image: Penn Medicine News)

An approach to COVID-19 vaccination equity for Black neighborhoods

A new paper centers racial equity and address the structural barriers that have prevented Black and other underrepresented minority communities from being vaccinated against COVID-19 at equitable rates.

From Penn Medicine News

Biden, public health officials face crossroads on COVID-19

Biden, public health officials face crossroads on COVID-19

Aaron Richterman of the Perelman School of Medicine said promoting how effective COVID-19 vaccines actually are would help convince more people to get vaccinated. “Nothing is ever 100 percent, but these are as effective as any vaccine that’s ever been tested,” he said. “That’s how I would frame that.”

Dr. Antonia Villarruel to chair national committee tackling U.S. health disparities

Dr. Antonia Villarruel to chair national committee tackling U.S. health disparities

Dean Antonia Villarruel of the School of Nursing is the newest chair of the National Academy of Medicine’s Culture of Health program. “The Culture of Health Program is well-positioned to build and strengthen the evidence base to address structural racism. This work will be accomplished together with communities and the multiple private- and public-sectors that intersect to promote health,” she said.

In Peru, a race to vaccinate dogs as two epidemics collide
Person kneeling on ground while their dog is vaccinated on a sidewalk in Peru, the medical workers are wearing PPE and working in a temporary plastic tent bubble to protect against COVID.

Vaccinators in Arequipa reported feeling safer within the booths compare to using only PPE. During a pandemic, reduced workforce meant hiring nonmedical personnel to perform vaccinations, so PPE protocols were harder to follow. (Image: Penn Medicine News)

In Peru, a race to vaccinate dogs as two epidemics collide

A team of workers in Peru, led by Penn Medicine’s Ricardo Castillo-Neyra, led a two-month rabies vaccination campaign.

Lauren Ingeno

Big tobacco is coming for legal marijuana

Big tobacco is coming for legal marijuana

Andy Tan of the Annenberg School for Communication and Shaleen Title of Ohio State University expressed concerns about tobacco companies’ involvement in the burgeoning legal cannabis industry. “The tragic public health consequences of cigarettes were exacerbated through sustained profit-driven predatory marketing practices and deregulatory efforts,” they wrote. “Instead of repeating that history, federal policy makers should work with tobacco control and state-level marijuana experts to prevent Big Tobacco 2.0.”