7.14
Health Sciences
‘Disease knows no borders’
‘Disease knows no borders’
From the history of science to medical anthropology, governance, and economics, Penn experts look at the history of global health from different perspectives to see what the future may hold.
Among North Philadelphia’s Latino elders during COVID-19
Among North Philadelphia’s Latino elders during COVID-19
School of Nursing faculty member and LDI Senior Fellow Adriana Perez conducts research in two of the Philadelphia area’s largest Latino communities and provides insights into how COVID-19 is impacting each.
Penn Medicine launches COVID-19 convalescent plasma study
Penn Medicine launches COVID-19 convalescent plasma study
A two-part research initiative using plasma from people who’ve recovered from the virus will investigate how the therapy works for moderately and severely ill patients.
Counselors find new ways to treat patients under quarantine
Counselors find new ways to treat patients under quarantine
Like many areas of medicine, COVID-19 has uprooted the routine of mental health treatment. Telehealth is filling in the gaps—and may be a preview of what standard care looks like in the future.
Nature as a refuge in unsettling times
Nature as a refuge in unsettling times
Even before the pandemic, campus initiatives like NatureRx@Penn and the 30x30 Challenge encouraged time outside. These efforts are continuing, now that restorative outlets are more important than ever.
Blood test may help doctors catch pancreatic cancer early
Blood test may help doctors catch pancreatic cancer early
A blood test may be able to detect the most common form of pancreatic cancer while it is still in its early stages while also helping doctors accurately stage a patient’s disease and guide them to the appropriate treatment.
What the pandemic teaches us about nursing home care
What the pandemic teaches us about nursing home care
Balancing patient safety and financial stability grows more challenging as nursing homes manage post-acute care patients recovering from COVID-19.
Penn labs get creative to stay productive, connected
Penn labs get creative to stay productive, connected
In the face of a pandemic that has shuttered most physical laboratories across campus, researchers have shifted gears, maintaining work and social ties through grant- and manuscript-writing, virtual journal clubs, online coffee breaks, and more.
Commonly used blood pressure meds may affect outcomes on COVID-19
Commonly used blood pressure meds may affect outcomes on COVID-19
Penn Medicine launches an international trial to study whether the medications are beneficial or harmful in the treatment of hospitalized patients.
Penn Dental Medicine presses on with emergency care
Penn Dental Medicine presses on with emergency care
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn Dental Medicine has been able to offer emergency services to established patients with the help of teledentistry.
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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