Public Health | Penn Today

In a warming world, public needs to know more about protections from mosquito-borne illnesses

A panel survey of U.S. residents finds that only 15% worry that they or their families will contract dengue, West Nile virus, or other mosquito borne-illnesses.

Got canker sores? Try switching your toothpaste

Richard Wender of the Perelman School of Medicine says that canker sores often start with a minor trauma to the mucosal lining, like a sharp edge on a tooth or a pair of prickly braces.

A vibrant collection of discarded electronic cigarette vapes.

How synthetic nicotine brands market e-cigarettes to young people on social media

A study finds that most ads for e-cigarettes on Instagram, a platform dominated by users under the age of 25, do not adhere to FDA health warning requirements.

Hanzhong Luo has his body heat scanned in a cooling shelter prototype.

Testing a novel, community-driven response to heat islands in Philadelphia

Researchers from three University of Pennsylvania schools collaborated with a Hunting Park nonprofit to design, build, and test a prototype of a cooling shelter to place at a bus stop.

Vials labeled "SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 Vaccine" lit up with neon light on a machine filling them.

More accept COVID-19 vaccine misinformation, and willingness to vaccinate has declined

A health survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds a rise in the number of Americans believing COVID-19 vaccination misinformation, and a lower willingness to vaccinate.

A group of Penn Medicine emergency responders with face masks look over plans during an emergency drill.

Keeping calm in case of catastrophe

How emergency medical teams at Penn Medicine build the playbook for disaster preparedness.

Doing the work to end health disparities

Ala Stanford is a surgeon, a national leader in health equity, and professor of practice at Penn. Her new book chronicles her path from North Philly, how she served thousands during the COVID-19 pandemic, and her work to end health disparities.

Members of the Penn Medicine community play basketball with kids at the Roberto Clemente Park.

Penn Medicine, 76ers restore community basketball court

The latest product of the partnership between two iconic Philadelphia institutions, a newly refurbished court at Roberto Clemente Park will support healthy behavior in the community.

A sign in a stairwell pointing the way to a cooling center.

As temperatures break records, many are unaware of symptoms of heat-related illnesses

A new survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds that more of the U.S. public sees the link between extreme heat and climate change, but not all extreme heat risks are understood by all.

The threat of mpox has returned, but public knowledge about it has declined

A national survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center in July finds that Americans lack understanding and concern about mpox, highlighting a need for more public health outreach and communication about mpox contagion and vaccines.

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