Health
Acme reopens despite new report of additional health code violations
A reinspection report by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health's Office of Food Protection cleared Acme, located at 40th and Walnut Streets, to reopen to the public.
Wistar Institute launches biomedical technician training program
The 12-week paid program will consist of a cohort of 18 students who will train to work in biotech laboratories and in manufacturing cell and gene therapies.
College Green art installation aims to raise suicide awareness, destigmatize mental health
The “Send Silence Packing” interactive display tours college campuses across the country and partners with local student volunteers to raise mental health awareness.
Acme closed temporarily after City's inspection finds mice feces, debris in store
A recent inspection of the building found multiple instances of mice feces and a live mouse, as well as an accumulation of debris and grease in several areas of the store.
For the first time, Student Health Service will offer the flu vaccine to all students for free
This year, Penn's annual flu clinic that administers flu vaccines is free for all Penn students, faculty, staff, and post-doctorate students.
Penn Health System partners with largest insurer in Philadelphia
A new contract between the University of Pennsylvania Health System and health insurer Independence Blue Cross is set to become effective July 1, 2017.
This Annenberg study finds that living in the moment may make people healthier
Annenberg professor Emily Falk led this study that demonstrated a positive correlation between a sedentary person's “mindfulness” and his or her self-reported “vigorous physical activity” after exposure to media content that encouraged them to exercise.
CAPS is hiring four new staff members to extend hours and outreach
Counseling and Psychological Services at Penn will extend its hours to evenings and weekends and will expand its outreach by placing full-time staff members in professional schools.
Why so many students are getting the flu this year
“What’s happening in larger numbers this year is that people's symptoms are so bad that they have to be admitted to the hospital or the ER," Director of Campus Health Initiatives at the Student Health Service Ashlee Halbritter said.
Peer counseling helpline launches a texting service
RAP-Line began in 1990 as a calling service and added letter writing as an additional peer support service in 1996. Now, RAP-Line will make Penn the third college campus nationwide — after Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where the service originated, and University of Chicago — to offer the Lean On Me text message service.
Penn wins lawsuit against family of brain cancer victim
A federal judge has ruled in favor of Penn in a recent lawsuit against a neuroscientist who died after exposure to radiation while researching at the University. The plaintiffs plan to appeal the result.
Penn engineers create Zika test for the masses
The total cost of the materials and reagents needed for the device is only $2, making it potentially more accessible to the masses. However, the device must still undergo more tests before it is ready for patient use — and according to the researchers, it will not be available before the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Penn study shows calorie 'traffic lights' cut calorie consumption by ten percent
A green light indicates low calorie content, yellow indicates medium calorie content and red indicates high calorie content.
Penn health system faces multiple lawsuits this spring
In the past couple of months, Penn Health has been the object of three separate lawsuits.
Students work towards easier access to SHS health records
Some students are trying to streamline the paper process by adopting a completely electronic system instead.
Students and SHS push for more queer-friendly healthcare services
This past Monday, the newly-formed LGBT Health and Wellness Working Group held its first meeting. The group operates as part of the LGBT Center Advisory Council, which also oversees other working groups focused on development, faculty diversity and student engagement.
During Fling festivities, health concerns are ever-present
Spring Fling is a defining part of the Penn experience — but for some students, the desire to have a good time can take precedence over concern about possible risks to their health and safety.
Penn Speaks for Autism brings awareness with month-long programming
April is Autism Awareness Month and Penn Speaks for Autism is working to get a dialogue started about Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD.
Philly is no Flint, city officials say, but still can improve water safety
The water crisis in Flint, Mich. has many Philadelphians concerned about the safety of the city’s drinking water.