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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WBEZ Chicago
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Paxlovid saves lives. So why is it hard to access?
In clinical trials, the antiviral drug Paxlovid cut hospitalization and death rates in high-risk COVID-19 patients by 89%. But some people have struggled to get a prescription due to supply chain bottlenecks and confusion over eligibility. According to Dr. Robert Murphy, professor of medicine in infectious diseases at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, it has been difficult to get because patients need to get a prescription from their doctor and find a pharmacy that has Paxlovid in stock. However, in recent weeks organization in pharmacies has drastically improved allowing better access to the drug.
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Chicago Tribune
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Millennials wanted: Northwestern-led study on lung health aims to enroll 4,000 young adults
Northwestern University and the American Lung Association are leading a first-of-its-kind study that aims to enlist 4,000 millennials across the country to better understand why some people develop lung problems. Other studies have looked at cardiovascular health over time, and at the health of baby boomers, but this study will focus on lung health among U.S. millennials, said principal study investigator Dr. Ravi Kalhan, professor of medicine and preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Researchers are interested in conducting this study to learn more about the effects of climate change, pollution and vaping on long-term lung health.
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MSN online
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Study: At least half of those hospitalized with COVID-19 have symptoms 2 years later
Half of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 still have at least one symptom two years after their initial infection, a study published Wednesday found. Although physical and mental health greatly improved over time, the assessment of nearly 1,200 people hospitalized following their initial infection typically experience symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath and sleep problems up to two years later, the researchers said. Eric Lotta, MD, associate professor of neurology and surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, was co-author of the study.
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WTTW
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With Vaping Up and COVID Lingering, Northwestern Recruiting Millennials for Lung Health Study in Chicago
Nearly 40 cities across the country are recruiting young adults ages 25-35 to participate in a study that will track and analyze their lung health over their lifetime. “There has never been a study in the United States that actually examines people across (their) lifetime to understand who develops chronic lung disease and who doesn’t,” said Dr. Ravi Kalhan, principal investigator of the study and professor of preventive medicine. This study is the first federally funded longitudinal study of millennials, according to researchers. While the study is only currently scheduled to follow participants for five years, researchers are hopeful they’ll be able to sustain funding to follow individuals for decades.
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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.
