Media Coverage
The work done by Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine faculty members (and even some students) is regularly highlighted in newspapers, online media outlets and more. Below you’ll find links to articles and videos of Feinberg in the news.
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Crain’s Chicago Business
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Northwestern sheds light on long COVID
Northwestern Medicine researchers have found that patients who continue to test positive for COVID more than 14 days after their initial positive test were more likely to experience delirium and longer hospital stays, were less likely to be discharged home and had a greater six-month mortality than those without persistent viral shedding of COVID-19. “This is an important finding because many studies suggest that patients who are delirious during hospitalization are more likely to have long-term cognitive issues and may experience accelerated cognitive decline with aging,” said Eric Liotta, MD, MS, professor of neurology and surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Further, “This study is one of the first to inform the care of patients who continue to test positive for COVID-19,” said Ayush Batra, MD, professor of neurology and pathology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
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Chicago Tribune
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Parents struggle with baby formula shortage in the Chicago area. ‘It’s kind of scary.’
For months, many times of formulas have been tough to find partly because of supply chain issues and a recall of certain formulas. Many children who are treated as part of the Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases Program at Lurie Children’s hospital rely on formula to meet their nutritional needs, said Dr. Joshua Wechsler, the program’s medical director and professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. In recent months, Wechsler has seen some patients lose weight because they can’t get as much formula as they need, and a few have had to be hospitalized.
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The New York Times
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A Comprehensive Guide to Birth Control
Over the past few decades, the number of birth control methods available in the United States has grown sharply. Condoms are the most popular option for over-the-counter birth control, and don’t require a prescription or doctor’s visit. They can help prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, but not everyone knows how to use them correctly, said Dr. Melissa Simon, vice chair for research in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
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CBS News
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Parents desperate, searching for options amid persistent nationwide baby formula shortage
Parents are struggling to keep up with the nationwide shortage of baby formula, with several retailers now limiting how much you can buy. Dr. Joshua Wechsler, professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and pediatrician at Lurie Children’s Hospital, says a number of his patients have lost weight, and others have had to be hospitalized, because they are so dependent on formula. Doctors say the best advice is to call your pediatrician first for alternatives. Your pediatrician will also have the best specific advice for your specific child, because each kid has a different need.
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The Washington Post
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Rise in perinatal and postpartum depression needs to be tackled
People suffering from perinatal and postpartum depression need support, and coping strategies that go beyond medications, experts say. Research, including a new study at Northwestern University, shows that medications are not always effective in treating postpartum depression. Researchers involved in this study include Northwestern faculty members Jody Ciolino, PhD, Catherine Stika, MD, Dorothy Sit, MD, Sheehan Fisher, PhD, Crystal Clark, MD, Sheehan Fisher, PhD, Alfred L. George, MD, Michael J. Avram, PhD, Laura Rasmussen-Torvik, PhD, Katherine Wisner, MD, and Jacqueline K. Gollan, PhD.
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US News & World Report
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Severe COVID May Age Survivors’ Brains 20 Years: Study
A serious bout of COVID-19 can prompt a serious loss of brain power, new research warns, triggering a drop in IQ that’s equivalent to aging from 50 to 70 in a matter of months. According to Dr. Colin Franz, assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation and neurology, “As a physician who regularly sees people post-COVID, I am not surprised that there are persistent mental health issues like memory or concentration in the months after hospitalization. This is one of the more common concerns our ‘long-COVID’ patients bring to us.” Franz’s advice for those with persistent brain health issues post-COVID is to seek help from a comprehensive post-COVID clinic.
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Yahoo! News
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COVID is Rising Again and Here Are Signs You Caught It
Although the COVID vaccines are highly effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death from the virus, it is possible to experience symptomatic illness. Experts say BA.2 symptoms don’t seem to be that different from Omicron or Delta. “This is the same virus, SARS coronavirus 2, so we’re seeing the same symptoms,” Dr. Michael Angarone, associate professor of medicine in infectious diseases at Northwestern University, shared.
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The Washington Post
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Coronavirus wave this fall could infect 100 million, administration warns
The Biden administration is warning the United States could see 100 million coronavirus infections and a potentially significant wave of deaths this fall and winter, driven by new omicron subvariants that have shown a remarkable ability to escape immunity. Further, the projected summer wave in the South, is particularly concerning because of the region’s lower vaccination and booster rates. “We’re seeing a very high rate of cases in the South during the summer moths, possibly because so many people are inside because its so hot there,” said Mercedes Carnethon, epidemiologist at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
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Chicago Tribune
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After coming off an ‘unusual April,’ experts say having the ‘winter blues’ during this cold, dreary spring is normal
Cold temperatures and decreased sunlight can result in decreased motivation and access to stimulating activity and exercise, said Dr. Sheehan Fisher, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “We are vulnerable to start to have ‘winter blues’ during the winter months, but some individuals have more severe symptoms that recur regularly during the winter months that may indicate seasonal affective disorder.” Fisher said treatments such as light therapy and behavioral psychotherapy are possible solutions that can help alleviate negative feelings associated with dreary weather.
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WebMD
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Why Do Clinical Trials Still Underrepresent Minority Groups?
For decades, the participants in clinical trials for new drugs and medical devices haven’t accurately represented the diverse groups of patients they were designed for. One commonly cited reason for this lack of representation is that people have color have lingering feelings of mistrust toward the medical field. But blaming the disproportionately low numbers of Black participants in clinical trials on medical mistrust is an easy answer to a much more complicated issue, says Clyde Yancy, MD, professor of medicine (cardiology) and medical social sciences. Yancy also shares that many trials add financial barriers and don’t provide proper transportation for participants who may live far away. The diversity of the study team itself – the institutions, researchers and recruiters – also contributes to a lack of diversity in the participant pool.
