Disparities in COVID-19 vaccine equity persist, though the situation has improved
Healio - Jean Nachega explains that these data show that vaccine access inequity is still a reality, especially in low- and middle-income countries, though the situation at least in terms of COVID-19 vaccines has somewhat improved.
Transgender and gender diverse youth often avoid medical care after negative experience with health care providers
BCHS graduate Taylor Boyer's recent study focuses on transgender and gender diverse youth.
A half century-long journey
50 years of Pitt’s Genetic Counseling Program…and counting
Pitt’s Healthy Home Lab receives funding to make homes safer for older adults
UPMC-Pitt is one of seven institutions to receive a portion of a $5.7 million research grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD.
How cancer cells can become immortal – new research finds a mutated gene that helps melanoma defeat the normal limits on repeated replication
A defining characteristic of cancer cells is their immortality. Cancer cells, however, can overcome this limitation to form tumors and bypass “mortality” by continuing to replicate.
Lewis Kuller, longtime chair of epidemiology at Pitt, dies at 88
Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle- Lewis H. Kuller, who built a world-class Department of Epidemiology, which he chaired for 30 years, has died.
Brace yourself for a triple wave of seasonal viruses
WIRED- "It’s like a dream and a nightmare for someone doing prediction,” says Mary Krauland, a Health Policy and Management research assistant professor who models SARS-CoV-2 and influenza outbreaks.
Air pollution raises mortality risk, worsens lung function in fibrotic ILD
Healio- In patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease, exposure to small particulate matter was linked to increased mortality, poor lung function and faster disease progression.
COVID-19 cases hold steady in Allegheny County
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette- Tiffany Gary-Webb, an associate professor of epidemiology and a member of the Black Equity Coalition, discussed concerns about racial disparities with COVID-19.
With over-the-counter birth control pills likely to be approved, pharmacists and pharmacies could play an ever-increasing role in reproductive health care
YAHOO- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is set to review a drugmaker’s application for the first over-the-counter birth control pill in November 2022, with a decision expected in the first half of 2023.
After rehab for opioids, nearly half of Medicaid beneficiaries do not receive follow-up care
UPMC- Despite strong evidence for the importance of outpatient care after inpatient residential treatment for opioid use disorder, nearly half of Medicaid beneficiaries are not receiving follow-up care.
Researchers call for action on lead-contaminated meat due to EHN reporting
EHN-The paper, published last month in the American Journal of Public Health, cites an EHN.org investigation that found lead fragments are a known danger in hunted meat, but most states do not inspect for possible contamination.
Polynesian study yields new clues to genetic causes of high cholesterol
UPMC- The discovery of a genetic variant that is relatively common among people of Polynesian ancestry, but incredibly rare in most other populations, is giving clues to the genetic underpinnings of high cholesterol in all people.
Grants of note
It’s a Grant Quintet for Public Health