News

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Mysterious Biotech Startup Gave Anti-Aging Gene Therapy to Dementia Patients

Six dementia patients traveled to Mexico so that the company could inject them with an experimental anti-aging gene therapy beyond the view of the FDA’s watchful eye. Leigh Turner, PhD, comments on the role of academics in lending…
Graffiti stencil of a mask with the word COVID-19 below it

Leveraging Data Visualization Tools to Promote Health Equity

While health equity has been a top priority among leaders in the industry for several years, the equitable distribution of resources became even more critical during COVID-19. Nneka Sederstrom, PhD, MPH comments on outreach strategies to…
The word CORONAVIRUS spelled out in scrabble letters

Answering your questions about vaccine side effects

As more and more people are receiving their COVID-19 vaccines, there's a growing discussion about the kinds of side effects people are experiencing. Jennifer Needle, MD, MPH clarifies what we need to know.
The word CORONA written in chalk on a sidewalk with a circle around it and several circles drawn out from it like a network

Where does Minnesota stand in the hunt for herd immunity?

While Minnesotans were rushing to get vaccinate, this trend has slowed. Some question if herd immunity is possible. Nneka Sederstrom, PhD, MPH, MA, FCCP, FCCM discusses speed over equity in the pursuit of herd immunity. 
Bottle of COVID-19 Vaccine

Philly vaccine distribution shows racial and ethnic disparities

The city of Philadelphia finds higher rates of vaccine distribution among white individuals, leaving Black and Hispanic counterparts under-vaccinated. Nneka Sederstrom, PhD, MPH discusses the trend of policies favoring white people to the…
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Asian health leaders in Minnesota fill information gap about COVID-19 death rates

Minnesota Department of Health declined to break down COVID-19 deaths by ethnicity. Hmong health experts and University of Minnesota researchers - including JP Leider, PhD - stepped in to create their own report.  
Police in a standoff with riot gear on and an urban landscape behind them

Although proven dangerous, police have continued use of less-lethal projectiles against protesters

A U of MN study shows the use of less-lethal projectiles can violate United Nations guidelines - a practice used following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Clinical Ethicist Joel Wu, JD, MPH, HEC-C comments on the role of data in…
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New Article: COVID-19 and Catatonia: A Case Series and Systematic Review of Existing Literature

Dr. Nathan Scheiner, MD, MA - alum of the Center's MA program - recently published a paper on COVID-19 and Catatonia in the Journal of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. Scheiner, MD, MA, is in residency at the Department of…
Medical professionals in scrubs and white coats at a protest with signs reading: "Justice for George Floyd" and "White Coats for Black Lives"

Doctors decry use of so-called less-lethal weapons in Brooklyn Center

Health care workers protest in Brooklyn Center over the use of so-called less-lethal riot-control weapons following a week of clashes between police and civilians. Brooke A. Cunningham, MD, PhD comments on the importance of using evidence-…
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M Health Fairview to End Common Nationwide Practice of Using Race as Kidney Health Determinant

M Health Fairview will no longer use race as an automatic adjustment in determining kidney health, following recommendations from a task force of its physicians convened last summer. Brooke Cunningham, MD, PhD, comments on the role of…