News
Vanderbilt biostatisticians continue to revolutionize pragmatic clinical trials, says Self
Apr. 25, 2024—Progress across biomedicine and health is attended by a series of well-knit statistical inferences. Statistical inference tells you whether that obscure human trait that has seized your imagination is apt to be a blind alley or a useful (and publishable) biomarker of disease risk. It estimates how many willing patients you’ll need to test your...
Ajayi amongst recipients of Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center Leadership Award for promotion of women’s goals and gender equity
Apr. 24, 2024—This spring, the Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center named five people from the Vanderbilt community as recipients of its annual awards. The Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center Leadership Award honors an undergraduate or graduate student who demonstrates leadership in activities that contribute to the achievements, interests and goals of women or that promote gender equity. This year, two students...
Intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) treatment likely not associated with increased diabetes, but may be associated with elevated blood sugar, says Roumie
Apr. 23, 2024—Intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) treatment is likely not associated with increased diabetes, but may be associated with more impaired fasting glucose, according to new findings published in Hypertension. Researchers arrived at their conclusion in a new analysis of data from The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT). In the present analysis, the researchers compared the impact of...
Horst discusses value of patient-provider relationship in the management of inflammatory bowel disease
Apr. 22, 2024—Dr. Horst, from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, discusses the importance of establishing a good patient-provider relationship in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) when a patient is hesitant to start therapy. “Every patient has different needs, but communication always plays a key role in treatment settings. When I connect with patients with IBD, I...
Rise in U.S. measles cases attributable to parents delaying and withholding routine MMR vaccines, says Schaffner
Apr. 18, 2024—Nearly a third of all U.S. measles cases in the past four years happened during a three-month stretch in 2024, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rise in measles, a highly infectious virus, is troubling, experts warned. Officials attribute it to the drop in the U.S. vaccination rate for the deadly...
Dusetzina unpacks variance of insulin costs for Medicare Part-D beneficiaries
Apr. 16, 2024—The cost of insulin in the United States has risen considerably in recent years, with some estimates finding that Americans have paid around 10 times more for the drug than people in other developed countries. But recent changes by the government and drug manufacturers have started to drive insulin prices down, something President Joe Biden often mentions...
Aliyu discusses future of Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health
Apr. 15, 2024—Muktar Aliyu, MD, DrPH, MPH, is director of the Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health (VIGH) and professor of Health Policy and Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He holds the Endowed Directorship in Global Health. VIGH facilitates the expansion and coordination of global health research, technical assistance and training initiatives at VUMC. What do you see as...
Horst introduces billable asynchronous eVisits as a care option at VUMC to facilitate telehealth communication efforts
Apr. 11, 2024—New program establishes eVisit protocol using asynchronous messaging that may address the concern or lead to a more in-depth telehealth or in-person appointment. Health care delivery and communications with patients through online portals has grown immensely in recent years — and in some ways has increased the complexity of interactions between clinicians and patients. To...
Talbot appointed as chair to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the CDC
Apr. 10, 2024—Infectious diseases researcher H. Keipp Talbot, MD, MPH, has been appointed chair of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ACIP advises the CDC on adult and childhood immunization, including the age when a vaccine should be given, the number of doses needed, the amount of...
Schaffner weighs in on rise of bacterial meningitis cases
Apr. 8, 2024—An increase in cases of bacterial meningococcal disease has prompted federal health officials to issue a health alert, warning healthcare providers in the United States to be on the lookout for people with symptoms of the rare but potentially fatal illness. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 143 people in...