New data from an ongoing University of Arizona Health Sciences research study show that the COVID-19 vaccines remain effective following the predominance of the delta variant, although at a lower rate than prior to its emergence. The newly released findings from the longitudinal AZ HEROES research study at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health point to a need for more vaccinations to offset the decline in effectiveness.

In this follow-up to her column about her cancer diagnosis, Dr. Taylor Riall explores how the experience led her to a new understanding of being a patient.

Health officials are warning against using a drug called ivermectin for unapproved use as a medicine to prevent or treat COVID-19. The drug, which has been approved only as an anti-parasitic treatment for humans and animals such as livestock and horses, has been the subject of a spike in calls to the Mississippi Poison Control Center. The Banner Poison and Drug Information Center in Phoenix and the UArizona Poison and Drug Information Center in Tucson have seen an increase in calls about ivermectin exposure and human use.

The top U.S. public health officials announced this week that all Americans can get a booster shot starting the third week of September. The federal guidance says adults over the age of 18 will be eligible for another dose of Pfizer or Moderna eight months after their second dose. Deepta Bhattacharya, PhD, professor of immunobiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, said getting a booster soon after a second shot “raises the possibility that it won’t work that well.” He explained that third doses will likely work much better after fully vaccinated people lose some of the antibodies in their systems.

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.”

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.

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.

Understanding your emotions and a willingness to adjust after months of social distancing are key to a successful return.

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.