Health Sciences In The Media

COVID-19 infections have slowed over the last week in Arizona, but hospitals remain crowded and modeling suggests January is likely to be one of the most difficult months of the pandemic in the state. “For hospitals, I think it’s going to be as difficult as it was last year, it just may be for slightly different reasons," said Joe Gerald, MD, PhD, an associate professor in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.

Saskia Popescu, PhD, an adjunct professor of public health, said the White House's new omicron measures must be paired with additional precautions at the community level, such as wearing masks at large events and limiting indoor gatherings in areas with high transmission.

A 2021 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows obesity among the top underlying conditions associated with COVID deaths. The CDC also reports a pattern of "significant" weight gain during the pandemic among our nation's children. "I think it's a wake up call for us to really rejuvenate metabolic health to really pour in resources into primary prevention, to change the school lunch program, to have healthy breakfasts, breakfast and lunch available for children," said Shad Marvasti, MD, associate professor of family and community medicine at the College of Medicine – Phoenix.

Many health experts agree that three weeks is too short of an interval for an optimal immune response period between COVID-19 vaccine doses for kids. Deepta Bhattacharya, PhD, a professor of immunology in the College of Medicine – Tucson, plans to hold off on a second dose for his children until eight weeks. “From an immunological standpoint, it makes more sense to wait," Dr. Bhattacharya said.

Postpartum care for mothers is important because the relapse rate in the first six months is high – nearly 80%. While postpartum is an especially vulnerable time, it’s also a good time for health care professionals to interact with people who are struggling with substance use, according to Alicia Allen, PhD, MPH, an assistant professor of family and community medicine in the College of Medicine – Tucson. “During pregnancy, there’s a lot more motivation, there’s a lot more support and there’s a lot more access to health care, so that’s a perfect place to start,” Dr. Allen said.

In the last year, more than 14,000 people have died of COVID-19 in Arizona, and nearly 400 people died from COVID-19 in the last week of November alone. “To have 400 deaths (in a week) a year after vaccines have been widely available, it’s incredibly disappointing and frustrating. Most of those deaths would have been preventable with greater vaccine uptake," said Joe Gerald, MD, PhD, a professor of public health policy in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.

University of Arizona Health Sciences students and faculty are working to figure out how to reach vaccine-hesitant individuals and communicate more effectively.

It is safe for kids to wear used underwear that has been laundered properly between wearers (and it’s also environmentally friendly and good for your budget).

Coronavirus infections and hospitalizations are continuing to climb at an alarming rate in the U.S. ahead of the busy holiday season.

Ronald Weinstein, MD, a pioneer in the development of telemedicine who most recently served as the co-founder and director of the Arizona Telemedicine Program at the UArizona, died Dec. 3 in Tucson.