COVID-19 Vaccines Reduce Viral Load, Severity in Breakthrough Cases, Studies Find July 1, 2021 People who contract COVID-19 even after vaccination are likely to have a lower viral load, experience a shorter infection time and have milder symptoms than unvaccinated individuals, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. "If you get vaccinated, about 90% of the time you're not going to get COVID-19," said Jeff Burgess, an associate professor at the University of Arizona Health Sciences. "Even if you do get it, there will be less of the virus in you and your illness is likely to be much milder." Fox News
New Undergraduate Degree Will Focus on Wellness and Health Promotion June 30, 2021 A new Bachelor of Arts in Wellness and Health Promotion Practice prepares students to work in emerging roles such as health educators and wellness coaches. Read more Image
COVID-19 Vaccine Reduces Severity, Length, Viral Load for Those Who Still Get Infected June 30, 2021 Real-world data from the AZ HEROES study show COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections, and when breakthrough infections do occur, the level of infection and impact of the disease are significantly reduced. Read more Image
Study Finds Breast Cancer’s Response to Tumor Stiffness May Predict Bone Metastasis June 30, 2021 A score that quantifies the changes that make breast cancer cells more aggressive could help identify patients at risk for bone metastasis. Read more Image
Delta Variant Face Mask: CDC Director Breaks on WHO Guidance June 30, 2021 Some experts suggested the CDC should follow the World Health Organization's lead on requiring face masks to reduce the spread of the highly contagious variant. “The CDC needs to act quickly, without waiting, to follow the WHO guidelines and ask everyone to put the masks back on so we can stay open, protect folks, and keep the economy going,” Shad Fani Marvasti, MD, a professor at the College of Medicine – Phoenix, told Yahoo Finance Live. This article has appeared in 38 newspapers throughout the U.S. Miami Herald
COVID-19 Was Always Going to Be a Struggle for the CDC June 30, 2021 Evidence-based medicine in general can have a tendency to delay decisions and wait for more evidence despite no clear point at which the new evidence will be sufficient. There’s an idea that staying conservative is what preserves trust. But it’s not surprising to experts to see that idea backfire – it just shows that risk analysis is a thing that even scientists have a hard time coming to grips with. “People want public health, including the CDC, to tell them exactly what they can and cannot do, and that’s not possible,” said Saskia Popescu, an adjunct professor of public health at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. FiveThirtyEight
Pfizer, Moderna Vaccines Likely to Give Long-Lasting Protection, Study Finds June 30, 2021 A study published in Nature, found evidence that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines induced a persistent immunity to COVID-19, and that those who received either vaccine may not need a booster shot. “Anything that would actually require a booster would be variant-based, not based on waning of immunity,” Deepta Bhattacharya, an immunologist at the College of Medicine - Tucson, told The New York Times. “I just don’t see that happening.” This article was picked up and published on 57 digital sites for local TV news stations throughout the U.S. NewsNation.Now
Health Insider: Valley Doctor Weighs in on Concerns Over Delta Variant, New Mask Guidance June 30, 2021 Dr. Shad Marvasti, associate professor and director of public health prevention and health promotion curriculum at the College of Medicine – Phoenix, discusses why he thinks it is a good idea to bring back mask mandates to combat the Delta variant of COVID-19. KNXV-TV (Phoenix, AZ)
Dr. David Tzou Recognized with Health Sciences Career Development Award June 29, 2021 Read more Image
Accelerated Medical Degree Program Welcomes First Students June 29, 2021 Six high school graduates have been accepted to the College of Medicine – Tucson’s new accelerated MD program. Read more Image