Health Sciences In The Media

Like most of the United States, the Navajo Nation in the southwest has suffered dramatically, perhaps disproportionately, from the COVID pandemic. A University of Arizona Center for Rural Health report found that “more than a third of the people live without electricity, paved roads, cell phone service, landlines, safe housing, or other essentials of modern life.”

Melanie L. Bell, Ph.D., from the University of Arizona in Tucson and colleagues estimated the prevalence of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) -- defined as experiencing at least one symptom ≥30 days – and the prevalence of individual symptoms among 303 non-hospitalized individuals with a positive lab-confirmed COVID-19 test and mild or moderate disease with follow-up for a median 61 days.

A free webinar, “Preventing Cognitive Decline at Late-Life,” will be hosted by the Institute for Mental Health Research (IMHR) September 9. Jordan Karp, MD, a member of the IMHR Scientific Advisory Council, who is an internationally-recognized geriatric psychiatrist, professor and chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the College of Medicine – Tucson, will share his research on cognitive decline.

COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to rise in Iowa, and among the health care workers who have been vital to caring for the sickest patients are nurses. Now just about a year and a half into the pandemic, many are at risk of burning out. "We, for so long, have really shied away from making legislation about staffing, for example, and really trying to address burnout," said Jessica Rainbow, PhD, RN, an assistant professor in the College of Nursing.

Continuing coverage: University of Arizona Health Sciences researchers have developed a new therapy for Alzheimer’s disease designed to restore cognitive function in early-stage patients. The therapy is now proceeding through a Phase 2b clinical trial. Roberta Diaz Brinton, PhD, director of the UArizona Center for Innovation in Brain Science, is the lead investigator.

Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences say using nanotechnology to deliver chemotherapy, could be a more effective way to fight aggressive tumors. "We found that our nano platform can not only increase effectiveness of the immunotherapy but also can activate our body's own memory immunity," said Jianqin Lu, PhD, an assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the College of Pharmacy.

Mia Smitt, a recently retired nurse practitioner, writes about coccidioidomycosis, citing the the University of Arizona Valley Fever Center for Excellence as a great reference for both health care providers and the public.

The roll-out of a booster vaccine is set to start the week of Sept. 20, aimed at people who had their second dose more than eight months ago. Those most vulnerable, including seniors and health care workers, would be eligible first. Some health leaders disagree with the move saying the primary concern shouldn't be for a booster of the vaccine, but rather getting our country and those in developing countries their first dose. "I personally, at this point, would not place third boosters shots as a priority in our public health response," said Joe Gerald, MD, PhD, an associate professor of public health policy and management at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. "I still think we should be focused on getting people our first and second shots."

Many vaccinated people have questions about how much protection they have against the virus. Deepta Bhattacharya, PhD, an immunobiologist at the College of Medicine – Tucson, discusses the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, the delta variant, and whether people may need a booster shot after eight months.

University of Arizona Health Sciences has announced it will launch HealthTech Connect, a consortium designed to build opportunities for companies and organizations to pursue cutting-edge innovations in health technology.