University Arizona Distinguished Professor of Public Health Dr. Richard Carmona, the 17th Surgeon General of the United States, is interviewed about his role as Gov. Doug Ducey's senior advisor on public health emergency preparedness.

Experts weigh in on THC vs. CBD

The addition of pembrolizumab to chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, significantly improved PFS and OS among women with persistent, recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer, results of the randomized phase 3 KEYNOTE-826 study showed. Bradley J. Monk, MD, FACS, FACOG, a professor at the College of Medicine – Phoenix and director of gynecologic oncology research at US Oncology Network, said KEYNOTE-826 will rapidly launch pembrolizumab as the global standard of care in first-line metastatic cervical cancer.

A clinical study at the University of Arizona is underway, working to understand COVID-19 infection and the transmission of the virus among vaccinated people. Elizabeth Connick, MD, chief of infectious diseases and professor of medicine and immunobiology at the College of Medicine – Tucson, said their goal is to answer the question of whether or not vaccinated people who are exposed to COVID-19 still shed the virus from their nose and mouth and infect others.

More than 10,000 Americans have reported tinnitus as a possible side effect of the COVID-19 vaccine, and some are now questioning why the FDA and CDC are not taking a deeper look into their claims about hearing problems. "Tinnitus is a serious thing," said Elizabeth Connick, MD, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at College of Medicine – Tucson. They're not making it up, and it's very important not to have them feel marginalized."

Members of the Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center are optimistic about the potential of cannabis as a viable non-opioid alternative to treat pain.

Dr. Garcia and the ‘Nosotros’ team at the College of Public Health have carved out a niche in Hispanic outreach in Tucson.

Pima County has 65.3% of its population partially vaccinated and only 55% fully vaccinated. That’s one of the best in the state but is still far from what’s needed. Joe Gerald, MD, PhD, an associate professor of public health policy and management at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, has been the go to numbers guy since the beginning of the pandemic 18 months ago. “I think it’s almost certain that we will be living with Covid-19 in some form or another for years to come,” he said. “Maybe forever in all likelihood.”

Three grants are funding studies to address the diverse needs of an aging population, including treatments and interventions that promote healthy aging.