Health and Medicine

One person wearing a stethoscope takes the blood pressure of another person

Q&A: What can we do to prevent and control hypertension?

Praveen Veerabhadrappa, associate professor of kinesiology at Penn State Berks, was part of a panel of 43 scientists from 18 countries convened by the International Society of Hypertension College of Experts to review current research on new directions in hypertension prevention and develop recommendations that individuals can apply to their own lives. 
Panoramic view of the 2022 CSUA Substance Use Disorder Stigma Reduction Summit attendees.

Substance use disorder summit jumpstarts the discourse on stigma reduction

The Consortium on Substance Use and Addiction recently hosted the first annual Substance Use Disorder Stigma Reduction Summit at University Park. The event brought in researchers, practitioners and government partners from across the nation to consider research, policy and practice around the issue of stigma reduction in numerous fields like criminal justice and healthcare.
Two People Jumping In Front of a Sunset

Stigma work by researchers showcased at Shatterproof’s Addiction Stigma Summit

Two faculty members at Penn State Berks, Jennifer Murphy, associate professor and chair of the criminal justice department, and Brenda Russell, professor of psychology, had their stigma work with students showcased at Shatterproof’s Stigma of Addiction Summit earlier this summer. Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming addiction treatment, ending stigma, and supporting communities. 
Light Detectors

Wearable device may help shine light on health benefits of outdoor lighting

Taking an interdisciplinary approach — and mixing in a little do-it-yourself initiative — a team of Penn State Berks researchers developed a wearable device that can tell the difference between indoor and outdoor lighting. The device could help scientists better understand the health benefits of outdoor lighting and even lead to wearables that could nudge users to get more outdoor time.
Opioids poster thumbnail image

Campaign seeks to change attitudes toward opioid addiction

Did you know that people who experience stigma toward their drug use are less likely to seek out help? And did you know that opioids are medications prescribed by doctors to treat persistent or severe pain? These are just two of the messages that are part of a Penn State Berks awareness and educational campaign on opioid addiction.
Professors Brenda Russell and Jen Murphy with text saying "Preventing Opioid Abuse on Campus"

Professors’ research leads to state opioid grant

As a result of the research of two professors, Penn State Berks was one of 13 institutions of higher education included in nearly $1 million in state grants for the prevention and reduction of opioid use among college students and for naloxone training on campus.