University Medical Center opened a location in Fayette, Alabama, Feb. 5 that will provide prenatal care services to expectant mothers in a county that has a high infant mortality rate. UMC-Fayette will be open from 8:30 am to noon on Fridays. Dr. Cheree Melton, a family medicine-obstetrician at UMC in Tuscaloosa, will care for patients…
The 9th annual Tuscaloosa Africana Film Festival, featuring acclaimed movies from the African continent and broader African Diaspora, was held virtually this year, on Feb. 27- 28. Films were available each day from 6 pm to 6 pm and participants could join anytime during the 24-hour period. The film festival is presented by the Edward…
The College of Community Health Sciences worked closely in 2020 with The University of Alabama’s efforts to mitigate community spread of COVID-19 by conducting sentinel testing of employees and students. The College, which operates University Medical Center, is continuing the work in 2021. Sentinel testing is one of several important measures for preventing the spread…
Some people who have had COVID-19 can experience prolonged symptoms months after having the virus, health experts have learned. These people are often referred to as long-haulers. The most common long-term symptoms of the virus: extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, a chronic cough and chest discomfort, said Dr. Jane Weida, a family medicine physician at…
Members of the Tuscaloosa community have the opportunity to learn about trends in medicine and health and advances in medicine and research as part of the Mini Medical School program. Mini Medical School is a lecture series for The University of Alabama’s OLLI program provided by University Medical Center physicians. Eight lectures are presented each…
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been concern about the toll the virus is taking on the mental health of elderly individuals, but older adults appear to be weathering the virus better than people might think, according to several recent studies. “The conclusion is that while older people are vulnerable, they have remarkable coping skills…
High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for stroke and heart disease and has likely increased among people during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Suzanne Henson, a dietitian at University Medical Center. Henson said data from 2018-19 showed 68 million people nationwide with high blood pressure, or hypertension. She estimates that number is probably higher…
A mobile app developed by faculty at The University of Alabama’s College of Community Health Sciences and the Center for Advanced Public Safety is helping individuals manage their blood pressure while also providing valuable resources that promote a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Louanne Friend, associate professor and director of residency research with CCHS, was the principal…
Mistrust of the medical system has made some Black Americans hesitant to get a COVID-19 vaccine. It’s a mistrust rooted in history, and that includes the infamous U.S. study of syphilis that left Black men in Tuskegee, Alabama, to suffer from the disease. Dr. David Hodge, lead ethicist at the National Center for Bioethics and…
A paper co-authored by Dr. Dan Avery, professor emeritus at The University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences, was chosen as the STFM Research Paper of the Year. The award also acknowledges Dr. James Leeper, a biostatistician and professor emeritus at the College. The paper is titled “Who REALLY goes into primary care? Contributions…
