It’s no secret that kids get sick- a lot, but a study led by faculty at the University of Utah School of Medicine shows that they are also a source of viral infections for the rest of the family. People in childless households were infected with viruses that cause cold and flu for 3-4 weeks during the year. By contrast, families with six children were infected for up to 45 weeks – 87 percent of the year. Dr. Carrie Byington, professor of pediatrics and co-director of the Utah Center for Clinical and Translational Science talks about the findings and what they mean for families and physicians ..read more

There are 26 million Americans with diabetes, and nearly 80 million with pre-diabetes. Though pre-diabetes may sound relatively harmless, it’s not. Patients with the condition are at risk for developing not only diabetes, but also heart disease and stroke. Dr. Timothy Graham, Director of the University of Utah Diabetes and Heart Disease Prevention Clinic describes what pre-diabetes is, why there has been a rise in the condition over the past twenty years, and how he is working both in the clinic and the laboratory to reverse its effects in patients ..read more

You might have heard about a new cannabis-based treatment for children with severe forms of epilepsy such as Dravet syndrome. Cannabidiol, also referred to in Utah as “Alepsia”, has been reported to be effective in reducing seizures, but some families that want access for their children can’t obtain it because it’s illegal in many states. Dr. Francis Filloux explains this proposed treatment, talks about the concerns surrounding it, including its relationship to marijuana and discusses the evidence regarding its effectiveness and why he thinks it’s a potentially viable option in certain cases ..read more

MacArthur Fellows, recipients of the highly-regarded “genius grants”, are chosen for their extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits. So, what makes someone a “genius”? In a conversation with 2020 fellow and U of U Health evolutionary geneticist Nels Elde, PhD, he explains his scientific research and how it unleashes his creativity ..read more

Headlines are talking about a new one-size-fits-all type of cancer treatment. Are these claims real or are they just hype? Dr. John Phillips, professor of hematology at University of Utah Health has been involved with the potentially groundbreaking research. Learn more about what this study really means for cancer treatment and patients ..read more

Millions of Americans with diabetes inject themselves with insulin every day, or multiple times a day, to manage their disease. While that’s hard enough the soaring price of the drug has made things that much harder. Nurse practitioner and researcher Dr. Michelle Litchman discusses the plight of people with diabetes who are having to undergo extremes such as foregoing basic needs and taking part in underground trading just to stay healthy ..read more

Sedation is commonly used in the intensive care unit (ICU) to make patients who require mechanical ventilation more comfortable, and less anxious. But sedation can have serious side effects, including delirium, that can endanger a patient’s life. Dr. Richard Barton, Director of Surgical Critical Care at University of Utah Health, and Nick Lonardo, Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator, describe the hazards and how to avoid them. The research behind their recommendations was published in the American Journal of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine ..read more

Anyone who has had back pain—and that’s nearly all of us—knows how debilitating it can be. Even more frustrating is that for many, that pain comes back, again and again, no matter what they try. Julie Fritz, Ph.D., associate dean for research in the College of Health talks about what makes back pain, and back pain treatment, different. She explains why the way to make progress is to match the right methods—be it physical therapy, mindfulness, or a combination of approaches—to the right person ..read more

Despite major advances in treating and preventing heart disease, the condition is still a leading cause of death in the U.S. At the Utah Cardiac Recovery Symposium, Dr. Gary Gibbons, director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, outlined the institute’s strategic vision for improving the health of Americans in a conversation with Dr. Stavros Drakos, a cardiologist and professor of Internal Medicine at University of Utah Health. Photo credit: National Institutes of Health ..read more

The United States infant mortality rate ranks among the worst for wealthy nations, a clear sign that our nation’s health needs improving. This year’s Frontiers in Precision Medicine III symposium will focus on combining the best approaches from two seemingly disparate disciplines—population health and individualized medicine—to pave the way toward a brighter future. Symposium organizer and assistant professor of Population Health Sciences Adam Bress, Pharm D, explains controversies that will be addressed in dynamic and interactive panel-based discussions led by national experts in the fields o ..read more