What Breakthrough Infections Mean for COVID Vaccines July 22, 2021 As coronavirus cases once again rise in the U.S., experts say breakthrough cases will also go up, but that doesn't mean the vaccines aren't working. "It may be that for the vast majority of vaccinated people who get infected, they just don't make enough virus to infect another person," said Janko Nikolich-Žugich, MD, PhD, an immunologist and professor of medicine at the College of Medicine – Tucson. NBC News
AZ HEROES Research Study Awarded $15M to Continue, Expand Evaluation of COVID-19 Immunity, Vaccine Effectiveness July 21, 2021 A research study that started by analyzing COVID-19 immunity and vaccine effectiveness in frontline workers is broadening to include children. Read more Image
Residents Create Art to Reflect on Experiences of 2020 July 20, 2021 Presentations of artwork spoke to the challenges faced by young physicians while serving as frontline healthcare providers during the pandemic. Read more Image
Menopausal Hormone Therapy May Reduce Odds for Dementia in Women July 20, 2021 Continuing coverage: Women on hormone replacement therapy for menopause go on to have a 58% lower risk of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions, a new study finds. "This is not the first study on the impact of hormone therapies on neurodegenerative disease reduction," said study senior author Roberta Diaz Brinton, director of the University of Arizona Center for Innovation in Brain Science. "But what is important about this study is that it advances the use of precision hormone therapies in the prevention of neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer's." U.S. News & World Report
Pediatricians’ Call to Mask All Students This Fall Sparks Conflict July 20, 2021 Ahead of this school year, the American Academy of Pediatrics published new guidance recommending students of all ages continue to use masks this fall, regardless of vaccination status. Ricardo Correa, MD, an endocrinologist and associate professor of medicine at the College of Medicine – Phoenix, was frustrated by the Arizona legislature's move to ban masks and COVID-19 testing in public schools. "That was not an evidence-based policy," he said. "If you don't know who is vaccinated and not vaccinated, then you cannot ban the mandate of having a mask in schools." WJLA-TV (Washington, DC)
Biden Said COVID Vaccine Misinformation on Social Media Is ‘Killing People.’ These Are the Biggest Myths Spreading Online. July 20, 2021 Health experts agree more needs to be done to combat misinformation online. Ricardo Correa, MD, associate professor at the College of Medicine – Phoenix, who helps lead a Spanish-language vaccine campaign called “¡Vacúnate ya!” responds to the biggest myths about the COVID-19 vaccine circulating on social media and why they’re false. USA Today
Two Bike Skills Parks to Open July 20, 2021 The Oak Creek School Mountain Bike Skills Park is set to break ground in the spring and will include both a bike track and an integrated fitness track with stations for activities such as pull-ups, sit-ups and other fitness challenges. The skills park will be built “by students for students” — by kids enrolled in the Verde Academy for Career Technical Education. The project will cost just over $100,000 to complete at no cost to the school district, thanks to grants and donations from the UArizona Center for Rural Health and other non-profit and private donors. Camp Verde Journal
College of Medicine – Tucson Medical Students to Receive White Coats July 19, 2021 Medical students, 120 each in the Class of 2025 and Class of 2024, will receive the frocks of their future profession at Centennial Hall events. Read more Image
How Pharmacy’s Poison Center Team Pivoted to Fight COVID-19 July 19, 2021 Providing information while combating misinformation made the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center vital to slowing the spread of the virus. Read more Image