A commentary written by Joseph S. Alpert, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson and editor-in-chief of The American Journal of Medicine, examines the increase in patients with serious illnesses avoiding urgently needed care over concerns they’ll contract COVID-19 in hospitals.

Medical experts say people should keep wearing masks until more people are vaccinated. From a public health perspective, it’s too soon to lift the mitigation efforts, as not enough people are vaccinated and variants can spread, according to Dr. Farshad Fani Marvasti, a physician and associate professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix.

The annual event – held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic – marks a rite of passage for students as they start their careers after graduation.

The ongoing pandemic has given rise to a significant and alarming trend of increased alcohol use and abuse – especially among younger adults, males and those who have lost their jobs – according to a new study by University of Arizona Health Sciences researchers.

Fitbit data shows that people between the ages of 18 and 24 saw the most variation in sleep during the early months of the pandemic. "Younger adults may live under increased circadian pressure to advance their sleep period to conform to social norms and work schedules. When the opportunity was presented, this age group went to bed later but slept more," wrote Michael A. Grandner, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson.

A unique approach to tackling these two diseases has allowed Dr. Gregory Thatcher to look beyond traditional causes to find novel therapies.

Questions about COVID-19 vaccine safety, speed of vaccine development, side effects, efficacy and variants will be answered by at a free virtual town hall.

Dr. Sairam Parthasarathy says sleep apnea and insomnia are on the rise, and the pandemic has only made matters worse. March is National Sleep Awareness Month.

There is growing interest among Maricopa County's Board of Supervisors to reconsider the county's mandate requiring masks in public. Elected officials need to proceed with caution right now, said Dr. Farshad Fani Marvasti, director of public health, prevention and health promotion at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, since lifting a mask mandate "is kind of like giving the full green light to people, to act without caution."