Triatomine bugs, commonly known as kissing bugs, are vectors for a dangerous parasite that can cause a debilitating illness in humans called Chagas disease. Health experts say the disease is not only difficult to diagnose. “Clinicians should be better informed about Chagas as a potential underlying factor – even in the absence of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, which occurs years even decades after infection,” said Kacey Ernst, a professor and program director of epidemiology at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.

A new study suggests surgical oncologists can extend the lives of patients with stage II pancreatic cancer by taking an aggressive multimodality treatment approach and opting for neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by resection. “Even when the resection isn’t the best-case scenario, surgery can still double the life expectancy of patients. It’s a package. It’s not just surgery. It’s not just chemo or radiation. It truly is multimodality," said Dr. Amanda Arrington, a clinical associate professor of surgery at the College of Medicine – Tucson.

Dr. Richard Lane, a professor of psychiatry in the College of Medicine – Tucson and also a professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Arizona, writes that a brain-based perspective could explain how and why psychotherapy leads to enduring change.

Walmart awards $20,000 to UArizona Sarver Heart Center Minority Outreach Program/Community Coalition for Heart Health Education on National Day of Giving.

With COVID-19 vaccination rates declining in Arizona and other states, public and private entities are using incentives to reverse the trend and get more shots into more arms. “Unfortunately vaccines, like masks, have been politicized. People have been fed a great deal of misinformation, which has really confused the general public about the science and the safety involved," said Dr. Shad Marvasti, an associate professor and director of public health, prevention and population health curriculum at the College of Medicine – Phoenix.

Late spring and summer in Arizona bring blood-hungry kissing bugs and their bites, but doctors say there is no reason for alarm.

Scientists have found Pima County’s first case of the Delta variant, a new, highly transmissible variant of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. “At this point I’m still not alarmed that the Delta variant is going to have a major impact here in Arizona,” said Dr. Joe Gerald, an associate professor and director of the public health policy and management program at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.

Although the pandemic has led to more frequent and intensive cleaning procedures in many airports, certain germs are seemingly unavoidable in that environment. As a general rule, try to avoid crowded areas in airports to protect your health. “Germs are spread via contact with others and contaminated surfaces. The best defense is to avoid close contact with people, particularly if they exhibit illness symptoms," said Kelly Reynolds, a professor of environmental health sciences at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally, according to recent statistics, putting the spotlight on prevention and eliminating race and sex disparities. “Almost no U.S. racial or ethnic group achieves ideal nutrition in youth. Additional interventions are needed to change the trajectory for both adult and youth populations," said Dr. Khadijah Breathett, an assistant professor at the College of Medicine – Tucson.

A College of Medicine – Tucson assistant professor of pediatrics answers questions about COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness and the risk of side effects in children.