How long might immunity to the coronavirus last? Years, maybe even decades, according to a new study – the most hopeful answer yet to a question that has shadowed plans for widespread vaccination. These studies "are all by and large painting the same picture, which is that once you get past those first few critical weeks, the rest of the response looks pretty conventional," said Deepta Bhattacharya, an immunologist at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson who was not involved in the studies.

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix's Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OEDI) Taking Action received the 2020 INSIGHT Into Diversity Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award for several programs: hosting a national conference and a series of dialogue sessions to address police brutality and protests around the country. Through these sessions, a 12-step action plan was developed to work toward dismantling racism as well as eradicating the barriers and deficits that it creates.

Some groups have been hit by the rising trend more than others. For instance, although people of all races can develop colorectal cancer at a young age, the spike has mostly been seen among Alaska Natives, American Indians, and Whites. However, Blacks are still more likely to get colorectal cancer at a young age than Whites, even though the gap is shrinking, said Nathan Ellis, PhD, of the University of Arizona Cancer Center.

More studies will be required to back up the not-yet-peer-reviewed findings, but it's not "unreasonable to think that these immune memory components would last for years," Deepta Bhattacharya, an immunologist at the University of Arizona told the New York Times. It may also be another layer of good news on the vaccine front, since vaccinations typically provide better, longer-lasting protection than natural infections. If that holds true in the case of COVID-19, people would theoretically get to avoid an annual booster shot. Bhattacharya was not involved in the study cited in this article.

The University of Arizona Health Sciences is launching Wellness Wednesdays: Celebrating Health & Holiday — a free, seven-week e-newsletter series beginning Nov. 18, designed to encourage participants and build a sense of community to increase health and decrease stress.

Protecting mental health is important for fighting stress and keeping healthy. Resources are available for support during the COVID-19 era.

Dr. Shad Marvasti is a guest on KTAR’s “Gaydos and Chad” show to talk about whether Arizona should enter another shutdown as Covid-19 cases continue to rise. Dr. Shad is an associate professor of family community and preventive medicine and director of public health, prevention and population health curriculum at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix.

The Arizona Center for Rural Health at the University of Arizona joins Wickenburg Community Hospital and clinics in celebrating National Rural Health Day November 19, 2020.

A recent study published in the journal “Immunity” shows people who recover from even mild COVID cases produce antibodies that are expected to protect against infection for at least five to seven months, and possibly much longer. The team of researchers, led by Deepta Bhattacharya, an immunobiologist at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, has tested nearly 30,000 people in Arizona since the research started April 30, according to a recent Healthline article.

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can relieve pain, according to a new study by University of Arizona Health Sciences researchers.