State to Start Assigning Specific Vaccine to Those Set for Shot March 5, 2021 The New Mexico Department of Health will soon identify in its coronavirus vaccination invitations which vaccine a person will receive, and most experts urge people to accept any of the three. Daniel Derksen, a family physician and director of the University of Arizona Center for Rural Health said the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has less stringent refrigeration requirements than the two others [Pfizer and Moderna] and “really helps states like New Mexico and Arizona,” with vast rural areas. Santa Fe New Mexican
My Doctor Wants Me to Pay a Yearly Subscription Fee — and That’s Increasingly Common March 5, 2021 Concierge health is a type of practice that promises patients more time with their doctor and more comprehensive healthcare. Another concern is that patients with more health problems will be left out of the benefits of concierge health. “The primary care physician may ‘cherry-pick,’ inviting the most healthy to join their concierge practice. Some studies have shown that concierge practices include fewer patients with diabetes or hypertension,” wrote Dr. James E. Dalen, professor emeritus and Dr. Joseph S. Alpert, professor of clinical translational sciences with the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson on the rising phenomenon. Fast Company
New Study Shows Steep Increase in Alcohol Consumption Amid Pandemic March 5, 2021 New data is revealing staggering statistics in regards to alcohol consumption during the pandemic. University of Arizona researcher William Killgore says alcohol use increased by up to 400% in one category, within the first six months of the pandemic. Killgore is a Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology, Medical Imaging at the UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson. He says the increase in alcohol consumption to cope with the stress of the pandemic is making the ongoing health crisis worse. KGUN-TV (Tucson, AZ)
What to Know About Johnson and Johnson’s COVID-19 Vaccine March 5, 2021 With the arrival of a new COVID-19 vaccine that only requires a single dose, we learned more about how it differs from the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines from Dr. Elizabeth Connick, chief of the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson infectious diseases division. KUAT-TV (PBS) "Arizona 360" Tucson, AZ
Two-Thirds of Adults 75 and Older in Maricopa County are Vaccinated March 4, 2021 There’s still a long way to go before we reach the 70% to 80% vaccination rates experts say will allow life to return to something like normal. But COVID-19 vaccination efforts have been picking up pace in Arizona. Dr. Joe Gerald with the Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona wrote in a recent COVID-19 report that Arizona remains in a state of elevated risk, but said, "while I believe this winter’s outbreak will be Arizona’s largest, a smaller wave is possible this spring. However, a spring wave should it occur will pose a lesser threat as most of those at risk of hospitalization and death will have been vaccinated. For this reason, the short-term outlook remains favorable." KJZZ-FM (NPR) Phoenix, AZ
Dr. Joe Gerald, Associate Professor at UArizona, COVID Modeling Team March 4, 2021 Dr. Joe Gerald, associate professor of public policy and management at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, is a guest on The Mike Broomhead Show to discuss COVID-19 trends in Arizona. KTAR-AM Phoenix, AZ
We May Not Have to Wear Masks on Planes Forever. But Should We? March 3, 2021 Experts say that even after the pandemic is over, masking up on a plane is a smart idea — and for some, it should be common practice. “We still have high levels of transmission, the threat of new variants and limited vaccine access, ” said Kacey Ernst, an infectious-disease epidemiologist at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, noting that global access will probably stay low even after the vaccine is readily available in the United States. “Air travel brings together people from all across the world, meaning risk gets pooled. As long as there is high levels of transmission, I expect the mask mandate will hold. The Washington Post
We May Not Have to Wear Masks on Planes Forever. But Should We? March 3, 2021 Experts say that even after the pandemic is over, masking up on a plane is a smart idea — and for some, it should be common practice. “We still have high levels of transmission, the threat of new variants and limited vaccine access,” said Kacey Ernst, an infectious-disease epidemiologist at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, noting that global access will probably stay low even after the vaccine is readily available in the United States. “Air travel brings together people from all across the world, meaning risk gets pooled. As long as there is high levels of transmission, I expect the mask mandate will hold.” The Washington Post
Telemedicine Models Show Some Benefit in OA March 3, 2021 Remote interventions using an Internet-based app and telephone outreach to engage patients with osteoarthritis to self-manage their disease have demonstrated the potential to improve some symptoms, at least in the short term, showing the potential for tools to interact with OA patients without having them come into an office or clinic. Dr. Kent Kwoh, director of the University of Arizona Arthritis Center in Tucson, is quoted. Medscape
Family-based Approach Eases ADHD Behaviors in Kids March 3, 2021 A new study by researchers at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health finds a family-centered approach for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children shows positive results in reducing behaviors such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Futurity