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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The Washington Post
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Study: Many users of skin-lightening products are unaware of risks
Those who rely on skin-lightening products are largely unaware of their potential harm and don’t consult a doctor before trying them. Nearly half of the participants said they didn’t know what active ingredients were in the skin-lightening products. That’s of particular concern, the researchers write, because of the risks posed by skin-lightening products, many of which are unregulated and can be adulterated with toxic ingredients such as mercury. In a news release, Roopal Kundu, MD, the founder and director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Ethnic Skin and Hair and one of the study’s authors, said it’s important for dermatologists to understand the cultural factors behind skin lightening, even among patients who lighten their skin for medical reasons. “Cultural mindfulness … allows for the safe, effective, comprehensive and compassionate treatment of dermatological disease across all communities,” said Kundu, who is also a professor of dermatology and medical education at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine.
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The Washington Post
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Study: Many users of skin-lightening products are unaware of risks
Those who rely on skin-lightening products are largely unaware of their potential harm and don’t consult a doctor before trying them, according to an analysis in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology. They’re also more likely to exhibit colorist attitudes – beliefs that those with lighter skin are more beautiful and socially advantaged than those with darker skin – than people who don’t use such products. In a news release, Roopal Kundu, MD, the founder and director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Ethnic Skin and Hair and one of the study’s authors, said it’s important for dermatologists to understand the cultural factors behind skin lightening, even among patients who lighten their skin for medical reasons. “Cultural mindfulness … allows for the safe, effective, comprehensive and compassionate treatment of dermatological disease across all communities,” said Kundu, who is also a professor of dermatology and medical education at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine.
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TIME
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Celebrities Are Getting Full-Body Health Scans – Should You?
Convincing Americans to get their recommended health screenings can be an uphill battle. Data show that lots of people skip suggested cancer screenings even though they’re typically covered by insurance. Some studies have found that full-body scans can catch early signs of cancer and other health problems in some patients. “People [think] that knowing about something is always good,” says Dr. Jeffrey Linder, chief of general internal medicine at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. But “there’s a reason why doctors don’t test everybody for everything all the time.” Many people have nodules, cysts, or masses in their bodies that could look concerning on a scan, but are actually harmless; similarly, some test results may fall outside the “normal” range without actually being dangerous, Linder says. It’s hard not to get anxious about an abnormal finding, though, so many patients end up scheduling follow-up tests that may be risky, invasive, expensive, and ultimately unnecessary, he says.
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Yahoo! News
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Vaginal penetration can be painful for some. But sex isn’t supposed to hurt, say experts.
If sex is uncomfortable or even painful for you, it’s understandable to wonder if sex is just supposed to hurt. And, if this has been the way sex has always been for you, you may simply think this is the way it should be. Doctors say they see this regularly in patients. “This is a big issue we have as ob-gyns — that there is almost this expectation that sex is supposed to hurt,” Dr. Lauren Streicher, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, explains. “People who have always had pain just assume that this is normal. It’s not.” Streicher recommends making a specific appointment to talk to your ob-gyn about having pain during sex rather than bringing it up at a well-woman visit. “So many women wait until their annual visit, but there often isn’t enough time to really dive into what’s going on,” she says. “It’s meant to be a well-woman visit, but this isn’t a well woman — it’s a problem.”
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Yahoo! News
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The best hair growth products of 2023
Hair loss impacts millions of people in the U.S., and not just aesthetically; it’s linked to a greater risk of developing stress and depression. To add insult to injury, hair loss is complicated and the right solution requires understanding the underlying cause of the thinning and loss. “The most common cause of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, aka male pattern hair loss or female pattern hair loss,” explains Amy Forman Taub, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor at Northwestern University Medical School. “The second most common is called telogen effluvium and can be caused by many things, including severe stress, childbirth, certain drugs and thyroid abnormalities,” Taub says. Thankfully, in most cases, hair thinning and loss can be treated and reversed with great success. “People can also develop hair loss from underlying medical conditions like alopecia areata,” Taub says. And, of course, there’s the genetic role our DNA plays in hair loss. The good news is that regardless of the source of your thinning and balding, there is a treatment to help reverse or reduce the shedding. Products that target hair loss and thinning can include serums, shampoos, oils, foams, prescription medications, and vitamins and supplements.
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Yahoo! News
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Halle Berry, 56, is sharing her menopause journey. Does it help or hurt when celebrities tell all?
Menopause used to be a taboo topic that celebrities rarely spoke about. But lately, a slew of famous women have opened up about the life transition. Halle Berry, 56, is the latest celebrity to talk about her experience with menopause. “We’re all going through it. And we learn from one another when we talk about it, when we become curious, and when we share with each other what we’re going through.” But it can be tricky when celebrities — who aren’t doctors — offer medical advice, Dr. Lauren Streicher, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and author of Hot Flash Hell, tells Yahoo Life. “On the one hand, people are paying attention since celebrities, of course, have far more credibility in our society than anyone,” she says. “People are finding it easier to talk about.” She continues, “But the problem is that they’re talking about it, making recommendations and selling products which are often bogus. Those recommendations are not scientifically based, but people are latching onto what they’re selling and doing. The reason that all these celebrities are suddenly speaking out is because there is a lot of money to be made in menopause.”
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The Washington Post
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Patients grapple with side effects of popular weight-loss drugs
As more people turn to blockbuster diabetes and obesity drugs such as Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro, some are grappling with an unwelcome trade-off: how to balance uncomfortable, sometimes painful, side effects with the benefits of reduced food cravings and the loss of substantial weight. Most people who take the drugs don’t experience serious side effects, and even minor ones — nausea, diarrhea, vomiting — mostly can be controlled with a careful diet and medical supervision. But patients say some unwelcome and scary effects — including heart palpitations — surprised them, forcing them off the medication. Obesity experts say patients’ experiences with side effects vary. “Some people get very sick, and others have no side effects at all,” said Robert F. Kushner, a professor of medicine (endocrinology) and medical education at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine who conducted pivotal trials involving semaglutide, which were paid for by Novo Nordisk. Kushner also has worked with other health-care companies. Obesity experts say many side effects can be reduced by a cautious approach to two important areas: dosing and diet. To avoid nausea and vomiting, high-fat foods — which take longer to digest — or large amounts of food should be avoided, particularly right after the injections.
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NBC 5 Chicago
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Northwestern doctors perform double-lung transplants in patients wtih rare condition
Northwestern Medicine on Monday celebrated the health system’s first double-lung transplants for two patients who have a rare genetic condition that alters the normal positions of their organs. These paitents were both born with situs inversus, a genetic condition where the organs in the chest and abdomen develop in a reversed or mirrored image from their normal positions, according to Northwestern. “The right lung is where the left lung should be, and the left lung is on the right side, and then the heart is flipped,” said Dr. Ankit Bharat, chief of thoracic surgery. Northwestern Medicine is a pioneer in double-lung transplants. It performed the procedure for COVID-19 patients who were severely ill, and more recently started giving double-lung transplants to people who have advanced lung cancer. Bharat and pulmonologist Dr. Catherine Myers also encouraged more people to donate their organs, so more lives like Vega’s and Deer’s can be saved. Bharat said fewer than 10% of all organs eligible for donation end up being donated.
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WTTW
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Lack of Diversity in Clinical Trials a Problem – But Change May Be Coming
Clinical trials are the way pharmaceutical companies and other health care researchers determine whether a new drug or treatment is safe — but the participants in those trials are overwhelmingly White. Dr. Jecca Steinberg, a resident in the obstetrics and gynecology department at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, has conducted research into the lack of diversity in clinical trials. Steinberg said that while there are historical factors that discourage communities of color from participating in clinical trials, those may be becoming less of a factor. “Recent data has demonstrated that all individuals regardless of their race and ethnicity are equally willing to participate in clinical trials and research,” said Steinberg. “The hesitancy actually lies with researchers who are afraid to approach people who are not of their race due to fear of stigma or bias or stereotyping their patients, assuming they might not be interested.”
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ABC 7 Chicago
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Back to School: How parents can help kids manage stress, anxiety
Summer break is almost over, and thousands of Chicago students will return to school in the next coming weeks. Most kids are excited, but for some, the potential challenges of a new school year are a source of stress. Ellen Astrachan-Fletcher, PhD, lecturer of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine shared advice on how to reduce the amount of anxiety going into a new school year. “Start talking to your kids. Start spending time with them. Ask them how they’re feeling about going back to school. How can we help if they’re feeling any anxiety?” she said. Some things they would be worried about are bullies, lunchroom drama, academic pressures and more. Validating their concerns and asking them how you can help will give your child comfort.
