Experts say there isn’t sufficient evidence currently to show hydroxychloroquine—used to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis—will benefit people affected by the coronavirus. Saira Sheikh, MD, director of the UNC Rheumatology Lupus Clinic and director of the clinical trials program at UNC’s Thurston Arthritis Research Center, told CNN that “hydroxychloroquine may also cause side effects and … Read more

Studies have shown health-related social needs–which include food insecurity, housing instability, and lack of transportation–are associated with poor health outcomes, more health care use, and higher health care spending.  Integrating human services that address health-related social needs into health care may address these issues, but we need better methods to study such programs says Seth … Read more

Myron Cohen, MD, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, has known NIH Director Anthony S. Fauci, MD, and Deborah Birx, MD, the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, since the 1980s, he told the Washington Post in a recent interview. Speaking on their partnership as scientists and public health officials, he emphasized that … Read more

David Wohl, MD, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, says the signs were clear in early February and that was the time to ramp up, in the New York Post article “Rich and famous get COVID-19 test but average people can’t.”  Wohl expresses his concerns about “a serious lack of preparation and … Read more

Thomas Bice, MD, assistant professor in the division of pulmonary and critical care medicine, and his wife Katie, were interviewed by WRAL.com for an article about how the local community is supporting healthcare workers. Katie is working with volunteers to prepare individually-packed meals and organize deliveries to UNC Hospital workers. Find the article here.

Beth Jonas, MD, chief of the division of rheumatology, allergy and immunology, was interviewed for an article in Health Central, answering questions about autoimmune disease medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis that have been shown to increase the risk of certain viral infections. Find the article here.

Due to Covid-19, UNC Health outpatient clinics are “seeing” fewer patients physically. Though most facilities remain open to patients needing an in-person visit, the coronavirus crisis rapidly accelerates the use of telehealth via virtual visits between providers and patients. Providers are adjusting to new ways of working, as they finetune their work-from-home technology and get … Read more

Division of Hematology and Oncology Nigel Key, MD, ChB, CRCP, received a $180,000 grant for the “Evaluating the Mechanism of Emicizumab-related Thrombotic Microangiopathy.” Tracy L. Rose, MD MPH, received an NCI K08 grant for the project “Selective histone deacetylase inhibition with entinostat to enhance the anti-tumor immune response to immune checkpoint inhibition in urothelial cancer.” Division of Infectious Diseases … Read more

David Weber, MD, MPH, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, answered questions about COVID-19 on The People’s Pharmacy with Joe and Terry Graedon. He explained a cytokine storm and the immune reaction to the virus. He also discussed drugs being considered for treatment. The March 26 podcast can be accessed here.

Nigel Key, MD, the Harold R. Roberts Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Pathology and director of the UNC Blood Research Center published a study that identifies the intrinsic coagulation pathway as a potential target to prevent thrombotic and inflammatory complications after RBC transfusion. The article “Red blood cell microvesicles activate the contact system, leading to … Read more

Stephan Moll, MD, professor of medicine in the division of hematology and oncology and member of the UNC Blood Research Center, announces the reintroduction of Clot Connect, a public service clearinghouse for clinically relevant information on thrombosis, thrombophilia, and anticoagulation information for patients and health care professionals. Established in 2010, the resource was created for … Read more

The UNC Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) program has received reaccreditation from the Pulmonary Hypertension Association as a Comprehensive Care Center (CCC) for the period 2019-2022, building upon their initial accreditation as the first CCC in the state in 2015.  This continued designation recognizes the ability to deliver the highest level of inpatient and outpatient care in a multidisciplinary … Read more