Recent Entries

• Lifelong heart problems make Worcester woman staunch advocate

  by Health News October 8, 2023
  A lifelong series of heart problems turned her into a staunch advocate By Kellie B. Gormly, American Heart Association News Chrissy Gaffney is passionate about advocating for women's heart health after decades of heart problems that began in childhood. (Photo courtesy of Chrissy Gaffney) As a y...

• UMass researchers on a potential treatment for Fragile X

  by Health News July 31, 2023
  Fragile X syndrome often results from improperly processed genetic material – correctly cutting RNA offers a potential treatment For many people with fragile X, the mutated gene that causes symptoms is active rather than silenced. Thom Leach/Science Photo Library Joel Richter, UMass C...

• First therapy for Tay-Sachs disease given to 2 children

  by Health News February 22, 2022
  First gene therapy for Tay-Sachs disease successfully given to two children About 1 in 300 people in the general population carry the Tay-Sachs disease gene. Ray Kachatorian/Stone via Getty Images Miguel Sena-Esteves, UMass Chan Medical School Two babies have received the first-ever gene t...

• Dr. Finberg on vaccine side effects and your immune system

  by Health News April 26, 2021
  No, vaccine side effects don't tell you how well your immune system will protect you from COVID-19 It’s not a bad sign if you feel fine after your COVID-19 shot. Luis Alvarez/DigitalVision via Getty Images Robert Finberg, University of Massachusetts Medical School If someone gets a headac...

• How a vaccine corps could transform medical delivery

  by Health News February 11, 2021
  We're building a vaccine corps of medical and nursing students – they could transform how we reach underserved areas Medical students’ backgrounds often reflect the diversity of local communities, which can allow them more access and trust for vaccination efforts. Bryan Goodchild/UMas...

• Healthy microbiome could help defeat COVID-19

  by Health News January 26, 2021
  A healthy microbiome builds a strong immune system that could help defeat COVID-19 The microbes living in the gut are key to good health. Dr_Microbe/iStock/Getty Images Plus Ana Maldonado-Contreras, University of Massachusetts Medical School You may not know it, but you have an army of microbes...

• Latest COVID wave to continue rising through holidays in Mass.

  by Health News October 23, 2020
  Projections updated yesterday (Thursday, Oct. 22) show the current rising level of COVID-19 infections in Massachusetts will continue through the holiday season and into the new year. The daily rates of infections and deaths will continue to rise to rates not seen in the Commonwealth since May an...

• REACH Project in Worcester combats infant mortality

  by Health News October 1, 2020
  Partnership promotes resources for mothers, infant breastfeeding Worcester – September is National Infant Mortality Awareness Month, a serious issue that affects our nation’s health. The City of Worcester’s REACH project, a partnership between the Worcester Division...

• October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

  by Health News October 1, 2020
  By New Hope Attleboro – Imagine a public health crisis that forces you to quarantine with a loved one who abuses you and/or your children. Imagine day in and day out having no time free from the interpersonal abuse. Imagine that the family income has disappeared due to the he...

• At least 282 Worcester nursing home residents died of COVID-19

  by Health News July 12, 2020
   7 Worcester nursing homes have seen 20 or more COVID-19 deaths At least 282 residents of long-term care facilities in Worcester have died from COVID-19, according to data released recently by the Mass. Department of Public Health. The DPH COVID-19 dashboard for July 8 includes data provided ...
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• Double-digits deaths at 8 Worcester long-term care facilities

  by Health News May 28, 2020
  COVID-19 deaths at Worcester long-term care facilities Knollwood Nursing Center is the only long-term care facility in Worcester to report fewer than 10 cases among residents and staff. Eight of 17 long-term care facilities in Worcester have reported 10 or more deaths related to COVID-19, accord...

• Here’s what the coronavirus ‘wave’ in Mass. looks like

  by Health News March 31, 2020
  Updated projections show later surge peak, on April 26, in Mass. Latest projected death toll 6,739, down from high of 8,254; projected ICU number remains same NOTE: The data in this report was updated April 10. Previous versions of this post had earlier data.  The coronavirus surge, or wave,...

• Ebola in Uganda, and the dynamics of a new, different outbreak

  by Health News July 7, 2019
  Ebola in Uganda, and the dynamics of a new and different outbreak The author, Dr. Steven Hatch, with members of a church in Gbanga, Liberia, in October 2014. Steven Hatch, CC BY-NC-SA Steven Hatch, University of Massachusetts Medical School The 2018 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of...