PRESCRIPTION DRUG EXPERT: Dr. Salvatore J. Giorgianni, Jr., Pharm.D. is Senior Science Adviser to the Men’s Health Network and a Past-Chair/Chair-Emeritus of the American Public Health Association and former Alumni Association Board Member of Columbia University School of Public Health.
CDC changes testing guidelines to include asymptomatic people
On Friday, the CDC changed its COVID-19 testing guidelines from August to encouraging asymptomatic people who have had close proximity to an infected person to get a test rather than only those who show symptoms. As reported by USA Today, the CDC estimates that 40% of infections are asymptomatic and a startling 50% spread before symptoms begin. This change has already inflicted controversy over the availability of tests which has so far proven to be difficult even for those at strong hospitals in large metropolitan areas.
Almost half of teachers are at risk for COVID-19 complications
As schools across the country hope to resume some form of in-person learning this fall, a survey from the Education Week Research Center indicated that 43% of teachers have identified a physical condition that would warrant being at higher risk for complications from the virus (Flores and Rodriguez and Hauk 2020). This data comes as school districts and states across the nation grapple with how to move forward with their curriculum and deal with an onset of controversy over important plans such as fall athletics and post-high school planning.
If vaccine is distributed by population, overall deaths will decrease
Researchers from Northeastern University found that there would be a 61% decrease in deaths related to COVJD-10 if the successful vaccine were distributed proportionally according to the needs of the specific population whereas only 31% of deaths would be reduced if wealthier countries got it first (Flores and Rodriguez and Hauk 2020). Despite these numbers relating to the availability of the vaccine around the world, the Pew Research Center survey conducted from September 8th to the 13th found that 49% of adults say that will not take a vaccine at this time and that number has fallen by 21% since May of this year.
BIO: Spanning a 40+ year career as a practicing clinical pharmacist, he is an advocate for better health services and resources to enhance the health of boys and men. He has held faculty appointments at both Columbia University and Belmont University and has authored over seventy peer reviewed and general media articles in healthcare and health policy.
WEBSITE: www.
ABOUT: Men’s Health Network (MHN) is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health awareness and disease prevention messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation.
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TWITTER: @MensHlthNetwork
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