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The outbreak history forgot
A lab tech with a pipette and petri dish during the Legionnaires disease outbreak of 1976.

A laboratory technician performs an unidentified test during an investigation of Legionnaires’ disease, which is caused by the Gram-negative bacterium, Legionella pneumophila.

(Image: CDC/Martin D. Hicklin, MD)

The outbreak history forgot

It’s been 50 years since Legionnaires’ disease was discovered in Philadelphia. David Barnes, associate professor of history and sociology of science, says people can learn a lot from that moment.

From Omnia

2 min. read

What to know about measles and the current outbreak
Microscopic view of the measles virus.

Image: Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Library via Getty Images

What to know about measles and the current outbreak

Healthcare epidemiologist and infectious diseases specialist Judy O’Donnell gives facts about measles and its symptoms and important information regarding vaccination and immunity.

4 min. read

The lasting impacts of West Nile virus on Pennsylvania bird populations
American goldfinch.

Image: Fernando Burgalin Sequeira / 500px via Getty Images

The lasting impacts of West Nile virus on Pennsylvania bird populations

Using mosquito surveillance data, researchers at Penn Vet have modeled the occurrence of West Nile virus in Pennsylvania bird species. Understanding how species traits influence response to the virus will improve wildlife conservation and disease management strategies.

From Penn Vet

2 min. read

The public health impacts of floods
The Philly freeway submerged in water after flooding from a hurricane.

Image: Philippe Gerber via Getty Images

The public health impacts of floods

Cheryl Bettigole, executive director of the Penn Center for Public Health and former health commissioner of Philadelphia, discusses the many ways communities are affected by floods

3 min. read

Applying AI to accelerate discovery, foster learning

From left to right: Penn President J. Larry Jameson, Hamsa Bastani of the Wharton School, and César de la Fuente of Penn Medicine at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. 

nocred

Applying AI to accelerate discovery, foster learning

At an Alumni Weekend panel moderated by President J. Larry Jameson, Presidential Associate Professor César de la Fuente of Penn Medicine and Hamsa Bastani of the Wharton School highlighted how research at Penn is putting AI insights and tools into practice.

3 min. read

How a free medical telesimulation platform is saving children’s lives
CHOP physicians Elizabeth Sanseau (left) and Vanessa Denny (right) with Kyle Cassidy of the Annenberg Extended Reality Lab (center) demonstrate how modules of Annenberg Hotkeys, a free, openly accessible interactive distance learning platform, are filmed.

CHOP physicians Elizabeth Sanseau (left) and Vanessa Denny (right) with Kyle Cassidy of the Annenberg Extended Reality Lab (center) demonstrate how modules of Annenberg Hotkeys, a free, openly accessible interactive distance learning platform, are filmed.

nocred

How a free medical telesimulation platform is saving children’s lives

A new study on sepsis training in Ghana builds on prior research showing the impact of Annenberg Hotkeys, a free platform developed in 2020. It is being used in other medical settings—and its co-creator sees potential in nonmedical uses.

3 min. read

‘Nudging’ both patients and providers boosts flu vaccine numbers
A person getting a bandage on their arm after a flu shot from a medical provider.

Image: Iparraguirre Recio via Getty Images

‘Nudging’ both patients and providers boosts flu vaccine numbers

A new study shows that when patients got text messages from their primary care practice, and the providers were nudged themselves to boost vaccination numbers, rates jumped.

Frank Otto

2 min. read

Safeguarding health for animals and people
Felicia Divito with an iPad at New Bolton Center.

Felicia Divito, New Bolton Center’s biosecurity administrative coordinator, remotely operates Tru-D, the center’s UV-C-emitting robot.

(Image: Courtesy of Penn Vet)

Safeguarding health for animals and people

Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital and New Bolton Center’s Infection Prevention and Biosecurity Programs are focusing on infection prevention, control measures, and biosecurity strategies to protect the animals, people, and communities served by its hospitals and facilities. 

From Penn Vet

2 min. read

Electronic medical records help save lives of HIV patients
Health care worker in mask stands at tablet with electronic medical record system.

Image: Abdallah Chilungo

Electronic medical records help save lives of HIV patients

Wharton’s Leandro “Leo” Pongeluppe and colleagues found that HIV clinics in Malawi that switched from paper to electronic medical records saw an estimated 28% reduction in deaths in five years.

2 min. read

Rabies resurgence in Peru highlights global threats of health inequity
An ambulance in Peru.

Image: Artur Widak via AP Images

Rabies resurgence in Peru highlights global threats of health inequity

A Penn Medicine analysis shows that surveillance of dog rabies in Arequipa, Peru, is lacking in areas with lower socioeconomic status and could spell problems for infectious disease worldwide.

Frank Otto

2 min. read