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100 years of insulin
insulin lab

Homepage image: Laboratory on the University of Toronto campus where Banting and Best carried out some of their research on insulin. (Image: Courtesy of Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto)

100 years of insulin

On July 27, 1921, Canadian doctors Frederick Banting and Charles Best successfully isolated the hormone insulin, one of the most important breakthroughs in treating diabetes. Experts from around the University share their thoughts on the medical triumph on the 100th anniversary.

Kristen de Groot

Researchers study thought process behind revealing Alzheimer’s test results
Gloved hand holding a scan of four brains

Image: pangoasis via Getty Images

Researchers study thought process behind revealing Alzheimer’s test results

Two qualitative studies try to understand individuals’ decision-making process as they choose whom, why and how to share information regarding their Alzheimer’s disease biomarker and genetic testing results.

From Penn Memory Center

The potential role of vaccine certificates in the next phase of the pandemic
a person wearing a mask with a QR code on their phone scanning their ticket in an airport

The potential role of vaccine certificates in the next phase of the pandemic

Public health law expert Eric Feldman and medical ethicist Emily Largent discuss the legal and ethical implications of companies and organizations requiring proof of vaccination to reengage with different sectors of the economy.

Erica K. Brockmeier

Racial bias in mortality prediction scores
African American COVID patient wearing a respirator in a hospital bed.

Racial bias in mortality prediction scores

In mass casualty situations like the COVID-19 pandemic, mortality prediction models alone could divert scarce critical care resources away from Black patients.

From Penn LDI

Amid record pandemic travel, what’s safe? And the debate over vaccine passports

Amid record pandemic travel, what’s safe? And the debate over vaccine passports

PIK Professor Ezekiel Emanuel spoke about so-called “vaccine passports” and privacy. “In public health there’s a principle that you should use the least restrictive method necessary,” he said. “This allows us to say, ‘Those people who’ve gotten vaccinated, you don’t have to adhere to certain restrictions because you are now immune.’”

Vaccines are about to become a free-for-all. Here’s how to ensure it’s done equitably

Vaccines are about to become a free-for-all. Here’s how to ensure it’s done equitably

Harald Schmidt of the Perelman School of Medicine co-authored an op-ed calling for equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution. “Three things are central: prioritizing more vulnerable communities; conveying that doing so is good for both public health and equity; and making clear that equity is not the enemy of efficiency,” Schmidt and his co-authors wrote.