What Will a Socially Distanced Halloween Look Like at Your Household? Oct. 31, 2020 Dr. Shad Marvasti, director of public health, prevention and health promotion with the University of Arizona College of Medicine, suggests that people participate in a "trunk or treat"-style Halloween to socially distance. KPNX-TV (NBC) Phoenix
Talk of 'Herd Immunity' Alarming for UA COVID-19 Researchers Oct. 31, 2020 Tucson researchers following Arizona's COVID-19 trends are bracing against the renewed push for "herd immunity" by the Trump administration. Antibody tests in recent weeks show a statewide positivity rate of about 10%, according to Arizona Department of Health Services data, while University of Arizona public health researcher Joe Gerald finds it closer to 12%. The positivity rate including all tests statewide since the pandemic began is around 7% while UA testing shows it is about 4% in Pima County. Regardless of the exact numbers, this means one thing to Dr. Janko Nikolich-Zugich, head of the University of Arizona's Department of Immunobiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine: Roughly 90% of Arizonans have not been exposed to the virus, and are therefore vulnerable. Arizona Daily Star
Phoenix Neighborhood Celebrates Halloween With Safety Precautions Oct. 31, 2020 Despite a surge in COVID-19 cases in the state, people still celebrated Halloween on Saturday. In the meantime, health experts are warning big Halloween parties and gatherings could be COVID-19 "super spreaders." Dr. Shad Marvasti with the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix is interviewed. KTVK-TV (3TV/CBS 5) Phoenix
AZ Orgs Prepare to Target Health Disparities, Community Health Oct. 30, 2020 The University of Arizona Health Sciences is poised to lead a statewide effort to address health disparities and community health gaps made apparent by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a University press release emailed to journalists. Patient Engagement HIT
Coronavirus antibodies may provide immunity for at least 5 months Oct. 30, 2020 Continuing coverage: University of Arizona Health Sciences will spearhead efforts to bolster community health outreach and engagement in light of COVID-19 disparities. The Health Site (India)
UArizona Health Sciences to Lead Statewide Outreach to Reduce Disparities in COVID-19 Research, Clinical Studies Oct. 29, 2020 The Arizona portion of an 11-state effort, funded by a $12 million federal award, to address the uneven impact of the pandemic on racial and ethnic minority communities will be led by the UArizona Health Sciences. Read more Image
Scientists Expand PET Imaging Options Through Simpler Chemistry Oct. 29, 2020 The University of Arizona has licensed new radio-labeling chemistry for PET contrast agents to startup TheraCea Pharma. Read more Image
What Arizona should be doing to combat the fall surge in coronavirus cases Oct. 29, 2020 Dr. Shad Marvasti, director of public health, prevention and health promotion with the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, is interviewed about how Arizona can better prepare for a new coronavirus surge. KJZZ (NPR) Phoenix
Some Plan To Move, Others Buy Guns: Election Has Many Americans Feeling High Anxiety Oct. 29, 2020 While the days leading up to most presidential elections carry a certain frenzied, exhausted energy fueled by attack ads and nonstop robocalls, this election cycle has felt abnormally anxiety-inducing for many Americans. “We’re certainly in the middle of a perfect storm,” said Dr. Esther Sternberg, research director at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. Humans respond physiologically to stress — we sweat, our hearts race — and those responses, Sternberg said, are essential for our survival. Working Women Report
Abbreviated Treatment Improves Quality of Life and Appears Safe in Some with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Oct. 29, 2020 Omitting radiation and giving fewer chemotherapy treatments may become the new standard of care for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) classified as either stage 1 or 2, according to the findings of the S1001 study led by a University of Arizona Health Sciences researcher. Cure Today