7.14
Health Sciences
The case against separating breastfeeding mothers and infants during the pandemic
The case against separating breastfeeding mothers and infants during the pandemic
In a Q&A, Diane Spatz of Penn Nursing and CHOP discusses why it’s safe and beneficial to keep them together, even when the mother tests positive for COVID-19.
Examining health inequities with a global lens
Examining health inequities with a global lens
Rising senior Adriana Discher examined public health measures and disparities in four countries—three in person and one virtually—during a semester abroad program this spring.
Already in fiscal crisis, rural hospitals face COVID-19
Already in fiscal crisis, rural hospitals face COVID-19
LDI’s Eighth virtual “Experts at Home” seminar on May 29 brought together top academic and government experts to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural health and hospitals.
Videos, webinars and lots of feedback: Medical training’s shift amid COVID-19
Videos, webinars and lots of feedback: Medical training’s shift amid COVID-19
Because hands-on learning and in-person simulations have been so altered during the coronavirus pandemic, there is now high demand for updated training videos and shifting best practices.
8 minutes, 46 seconds
8 minutes, 46 seconds
Hundreds of health care workers remembered George Floyd and other victims of police violence at a White Coats for Black Lives event at Franklin Field.
After opioid overdose emergency, few patients receive timely follow-up
After opioid overdose emergency, few patients receive timely follow-up
For people with diagnosed opioid use disorder, timely follow-up care after leaving the hospital can save lives. But a recent national study showed that just 16% of privately insured patients obtain that essential care.
New cancer immunotherapy targeting myeloid cells slows tumor growth
New cancer immunotherapy targeting myeloid cells slows tumor growth
Researchers found that inhibiting a molecule hijacked by tumor cells to suppress the immune system shrank tumors.
Can Yelp reviews identify better skilled nursing facilities?
Can Yelp reviews identify better skilled nursing facilities?
A new study suggests that hospitals, payers, and patients might learn something useful about the quality of skilled nursing facilities by checking online Yelp reviews.
Coronavirus or COVID? A glossary to help navigate pandemic vocabulary
Coronavirus or COVID? A glossary to help navigate pandemic vocabulary
As scientific jargon and new words become prevalent in headlines, social media, and everyday conversations, Penn Today provides key definitions and context for making sense of COVID-19.
Performing organ transplants safely amid the COVID-19 outbreak
Performing organ transplants safely amid the COVID-19 outbreak
The unique challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, coupled with fewer organ donations, led to a tremendous reduction in transplant procedures in the United States. But the Penn Transplant Institute is working through the crisis.
In the News
The New York Times
Who gets a vaccine first? U.S. considers race in coronavirus plans
Harald Schmidt of the Perelman School of Medicine said courts would likely strike down any vaccine prioritization model based on race and ethnicity, proposing instead an approach that considers socioeconomic status. “It’s imperative that we pay attention to how COVID has impacted the health of minorities differently; otherwise it compounds the inequalities we’ve seen,” he said.
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Axios
Fighting the coronavirus infodemic
Alison Buttenheim of the School of Nursing spoke about the spread of misinformation online. "In our hyper-polarized and politicized climate, many folks just inherently mistrust advice or evidence that comes from an opposing political party," she said.
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BBC News
Coronavirus: Wear masks in crowded public spaces, says science body
Paul Edelstein of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about the effectiveness of face masks in preventing the spread of COVID-19. "There are people without symptoms going about their daily business who are unknowingly breathing out droplets that are carrying the virus," he said. "If they had their faces covered the majority of those droplets would be caught before they can infect other people. Wearing face coverings can help save lives and prevent disabling illnesses."
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NBC News
How blood type may affect your coronavirus risk
Lewis Kaplan of the Perelman School of Medicine said people with a lower risk of contracting COVID-19 according to their blood type shouldn’t get overly confident. "It might mean they have less risk, but if you engage in risky behavior, we don't know just how much risk you need to incur to overwhelm whatever potential protection you might have," he said. "We have no clue."
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The New York Times
The wilderness of rare genetic diseases and the parents navigating it
Jim Wilson of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about his research at Penn’s Orphan Disease Center. “When I was practicing clinical genetics, it was limited to diagnosis and prognosis,” he said. “Now, in a limited number of diseases, there are potential treatments, if not cures.”
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