Hospitals may divert ambulances to avoid treating certain patients
Some hospitals may strategically divert ambulances to avoid treating low‐paying patients who are uninsured or who have Medicaid, according to a recent analysis.
Charleen Hsuan, assistant professor of health policy and administration at Penn State, led a study that examined whether hospitals are…
Smoking may impair body's blood pressure autocorrect system
Smokers may be at a higher risk for developing hypertension, and an overactive response to normal drops in blood pressure may help explain why, according to researchers.
"The human body has a buffering system that continuously monitors and maintains a healthy blood pressure," said Dr. Lawrence…
Despite dire predictions, levels of social support remain steady in the U.S.
Although Americans have faced waves of social, technological and economic disruption over the last few decades, a new study indicates that their perceptions of available social support have remained steady and, in some cases, may even be strengthening.
In a study that examined data that spans…
Psychology professor named 2019 Society for Prevention Research Fellow
Karen L. Bierman, Evan Pugh Professor of Psychology and director of the Penn State Child Study Center in the College of the Liberal Arts, has been named a fellow of the Society for Prevention Research (SPR). SPR introduced Bierman as a fellow during the organization’s annual awards and fellows…
Society for Prevention Research honors Diana Fishbein with Presidential Award
Diana Fishbein, professor of human development and family studies and director of the Program for Translational Research on Adversity and Neuroscience at Penn State, received the Presidential Award from the Society for Prevention Research(SPR) at its annual meeting May 30 in San Francisco.
The…
Seed funding available for autism spectrum disorder
SSRI is requesting pilot research project proposals aimed at advancing solutions for those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Funding will be granted to applications that best align with the mission of improving the treatment for and understanding of ASD.
SSRI is encouraging the…
HR 68 revisions approved for postdocs and fellows
HR 68 policy for postdoctoral scholars and fellows has been approved in the Faculty Senate and by President’s Council. Please see the document below - bold font indicates revised policy.
The start date for the policy is being scheduled for July 1, 2019.
HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES
HR68 Postdoctoral…
Penn State professor promoted to editor-in-chief of Sleep Health journal
Orfeu Buxton, professor of biobehavioral health and Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) co-funded faculty member at Penn State, was recently named the next editor-in-chief for the journal of the National Sleep Foundation, Sleep Health.
Buxton was promoted after serving as an associate editor…
Summer 2019 Scholarly Communications Workshops offered by University Libraries
This summer, students, faculty and staff can participate in communications workshops that cover topics such as open access, copyright and fair-use policies.
The workshops, which take place through Aug. 13, are coordinated by Ana Enriquez, scholarly communications outreach librarian, and will take…
Researchers awarded for translating research into evidence-based policymaking
The Society for Prevention Research (SPR) recently recognized two Penn State researchers for their significant impacts in the field of prevention science, at its annual meeting in San Francisco.
Max Crowley, assistant professor of human development and family studies and director of the Social…
Course on addiction and recovery offered Fall 2019
An opportunity to obtain a Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) certification, a Certified Family Recovery Specialist (CFRS) certification, or a better understanding of addiction and recovery, is available for Penn State students this fall. Curriculum & Instruction 497 is a 4-credit course that…
For many, friends and family, not doctors, serve as a gateway to opioid misuse
In a common narrative of the path to opioid misuse, people become addicted to painkillers after a doctor prescribed them pills to treat an injury and then, later, switch to harder drugs, such as heroin. However, nonmedical opioid users were more likely to say they began abusing opioids after…
Actress Lauren Holly featured in Battling Opioids podcast
Actress Lauren Holly grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in the midst of the opioid epidemic and is now using her talent to shed light on the important issue. In season three of Designated Survivor, coming to Netflix June 7, Holly acts as a privileged, political figure who falls to opioid…
All of Us Journey tour to visit Hershey area
Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute and Penn State Cancer Institute will host the National Institutes of Health's All of Us Journey, a traveling, hands-on informational exhibit to raise awareness about the All of Us Research Program - an ambitious effort to gather data from 1…
Studying implications of policy and law for treatment of substance use disorders
People who suffer from substance use disorder need effective treatments, however, 90 percent of those who need treatment do not receive it. One Penn State professor and his team are looking into the legal and financial barriers to treatment and how the law can be used to break down or build…
Seven key health measures may help predict future risk of heart disease
Seven key measures of heart health may help predict future risk of cardiovascular disease, according to researchers. They added that improving these measures also may help decrease the risk of CVD in the future.
The team of researchers, including three from Penn State, studied how seven key health…
Can trust in social media news be improved?
More than two-thirds of Americans get their news from social media sites, according to a 2018 Pew Research Center study. But more than half who read news on social media expect it to be inaccurate.
Penn State researchers are working to improve the prediction of people’s trust in what they read…
Jensen co-authors chapter in Gender, Agriculture and Agrarian Transformations
Leif Jensen, associate director of SSRI and distinguished professor of rural sociology and demography, co-authored a chapter in Gender, Agriculture and Agrarian Transformations edited by Carolyn Sachs, professor emerita of rural sociology. Jensen and other authors wrote the section titled 14…
Penn State researcher explores mental health and the LGBT community
With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, Penn State researcher and assistant professor Britney Wardecker stresses the importance of not only raising general awareness of mental health but also recognizing how different groups are affected by mental health issues in unique ways. …
Marching for climate change may sway people's beliefs and actions
Americans have a long tradition of taking to the streets to protest or to advocate for things they believe in. New research suggests that when it comes to climate change, these marches may indeed have a positive effect on the public.
A team including Penn State researchers found that people tended…
Collaboration brings 'Opioids: The Crisis Next Door' conference to Schuylkill
Penn State Schuylkill and Lehigh Valley Hospital - Schuylkill, part of the Lehigh Valley Health Network, are teaming up to present the 2019 Wellness Conference, titled "Opioids: The Crisis Next Door." The conference will address the facts about the disease of addiction, the signs of opioid abuse,…
Penn State participates in Social Science Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C.
Penn State researchers recently attended the Consortium of Social Science Association’s (COSSA) 2019 Social Science Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., taking part in a full schedule of events to bring awareness to social and behavioral sciences.
During the advocacy day, COSSA members met with…
Exercise may help teens sleep longer, more efficiently
Getting more exercise than normal — or being more sedentary than usual — for one day may be enough to affect sleep later that night, according to a new study led by Penn State.
In a one-week, micro-longitudinal study, the researchers found that when teenagers got more physical…
U.S. Births Fell To A 32-Year Low In 2018; CDC Says Birthrate Is In Record Slump
The U.S. birthrate fell again in 2018, to 3,788,235 births — representing a 2% drop from 2017. It's the lowest number of births in 32 years, according to a new federal report. The numbers also sank the U.S. fertility rate to a record low.
Not since 1986 has the U.S. seen so few babies born. And it'…
PROSPER conference convenes experts and youth to help prevent substance abuse
“We are now addressing a generation that could become addicted if they take a pill a few times. Prevention is critical,” said Steve Forzato, deputy chief of statewide drug initiatives for the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, to the audience assembled May 14 at the Ruth Pike Auditorium for…