Category: Health

In an eight-year-long study led by the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Waisman Center, researcher Maureen Durkin analyzed the census statistics of 1.3 million children and found that kids who had the lowest socioeconomic development were the least likely to be diagnosed with autism; an indication not that children of a lower economic status are less likely to have autism, but rather that they are not afforded access to the care that they need.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Black healthcare students are using these trying times to embrace what’s next for them and gain experience that a textbook can’t teach — all in the name of making sure marginalized voices get heard.

The first program of its kind in Wisconsin designed to help improve the quality of life for young people diagnosed with cancer has launched Thursday at UW Carbone Cancer Center.

UW-Madison announced “thousands” of open appointments for vaccines Wednesday, as the state looks to continue a strong vaccine rollout.

“There is simply no question that getting a COVID-19 vaccine will greatly reduce the risk of getting COVID-19, and will negate the intensity of COVID-19 symptoms,” UW Health Senior Medical Director Dr. Matt Anderson said. “The choice is clear.”

A nurse at UW Hospital is on the front lines of a health battle she didn’t see coming. Andrea Moskal, 36, has spent more than a third of her life caring for patients in the transplant unit. “Self-care in nursing is on the low end because that’s not our mindset. We think of others first,” she said.

Dr. Jim Conway, a UW Health infectious disease pediatrician and medical director of the immunization program, says the drop is “troubling.” “As people gather more and travel more, unvaccinated children are at risk of being exposed to more than just COVID-19, and without vaccines they are at risk of contracting dangerous but preventable diseases,” said Dr. Conway.

“Our goal is to collect medications from patients in their homes that they may be holding on to and no longer need,” said student Dan Funk. “This will help to prevent any misuse of any medications, but also will help to remove any medications that could potentially lead to an accidental poisoning.”

UW-Madison adds weekend vaccine availability in a last-ditch effort get its campus vaccinated before a majority of students and staff leave for the summer.

With amped-up supply, UW-Madison is making a push for COVID vaccines before the semester ends.

With COVID-19 vaccine supply nearing demand and Wisconsin more than halfway to reaching its goal of immunizing 80% of residents, health officials, hospitals and UW-Madison said Thursday that many injection appointments are available.

UW also discourages attendance at Mifflin Block Party to keep COVID-19 spread low.

Previously, the University directed students to get a vaccine on or off-campus, wherever there were appointments available — as UW-Madison only had the supplies to administer around 700-1000 doses in a typical week. Starting this week, students are encouraged to look on campus for vaccine appointments due to the newly expanded appointment schedule.

A new program at UW Health tries to ensure a safe space for people with special needs who want to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

UW Health’s Transplant Center performed 64 paired kidney exchanges in 2020, which is more than any other transplant center in the U.S.

The UW Health Transplant Center performed more paired kidney exchanges in 2020 than any other transplant center in the entire country, the health system announced Wednesday.

Doctors are encouraging parents of children ages 16-17 to get their teen vaccinated against COVID-19, saying the less chance there will be of a vaccine backup as more children become eligible and in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“When the time is right, it will be vital to vaccinate children if we hope to provide broad immunity for Americans against this dangerous virus,” Conway said. “However, children are not small adults and we must make sure these vaccines are safe for them.”

The new funds will support organizations that are working to address inequities in Madison, according to a news release, and are in addition to the more than $3 million UW Health has committed every year to support organizations making a difference in our community.

Most of the vaccine doses UW Health has received have been Pfizer, but health care workers plan to pause use of any Johnson & Johnson shots they have on hand.

UW Health senior medical director of primary care Matt Anderson said this news should not impact what people think about other COVID vaccines, including Pfizer and Moderna. Anderson said several months of data show those vaccines to be safe and effective.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison paused Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine distribution following an April 13 advisory from the CDC and FDA.

According to UW Health, liver disease and cirrhosis, or significant scaring of the liver, can be caused by multiple different conditions. It includes viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and also heavy alcohol consumption.

UHS does not currently have the supply to serve all students who are eligible, encourages students to seek vaccine at a variety of locations.

To help equitably vaccinate the public against COVID-19, UW Health is partnering with community organizations serving communities of color for population-specific vaccination clinics, the health system announced Tuesday.

Latinx-owned businesses, like restaurants and markets, were able to get their workers vaccinated at a clinic on Monday. Nearly 200 people got their shots.