Category: News

Disinvestment in Black and Latino Chicago neighborhoods is rooted in policy. Here’s how these communities continue to be held back.

Chicago Tribune, July 27, 2020. It’s an oft-quoted statistic: White families have significantly more wealth than nonwhite families in America — nearly 10 times that of Black families. The racial wealth gap continues to greatly impact the differences in opportunity and access, from long-term health outcomes of a global pandemic, to education and income levels,…Continue Reading Disinvestment in Black and Latino Chicago neighborhoods is rooted in policy. Here’s how these communities continue to be held back.

How to Handle Fever, Cough, and Body Aches If You Have Mild COVID-19

Consumer Reports, May 4, 2020. Use over-the-counter meds and DIY strategies the right way and know when you need medical attention. “Acetaminophen and NSAIDs are equally effective at treating fever and mild aches,” says Dima Qato, Pharm.D., an associate professor of pharmacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago. “But the WHO and the Food…Continue Reading How to Handle Fever, Cough, and Body Aches If You Have Mild COVID-19

Exploring the Importance of Pharmacies to Public Health

National Academies of Science, April 22, 2020. Research by NAM Pharmacy Fellow Dima M. Qato has shed light on “pharmacy deserts” and closures that reduce people’s access to medications. Pharmacies have been one of the few types of businesses allowed to stay open despite states’ closures of nonessential businesses to help contain COVID-19 — a…Continue Reading Exploring the Importance of Pharmacies to Public Health

Pharmacies may not stock naloxone, despite statewide orders

Reuters Health, June 14, 2019. (Reuters Health) – More than three years after Pennsylvania issued a statewide order expanding access to the life-saving opioid antidote naloxone, the product was still hard to purchase in Philadelphia pharmacies, researchers found. For the current study, Dima Qato of the University of Illinois, Chicago and colleagues contacted 418 drugstores…Continue Reading Pharmacies may not stock naloxone, despite statewide orders

‘Pharmacy deserts’ a growing health concern in Chicago, experts, residents say

Chicago Tribune, June 14, 2019. In Chicago, research has shown most of these neighborhoods share a mix of characteristics: Their residents tend to be low-income, immigrants, and/or black and Latino. And, experts argue, given the widening scope of services many pharmacies are providing, including physicals, immunizations, drug counseling, sexually transmitted infection screening and other laboratory…Continue Reading ‘Pharmacy deserts’ a growing health concern in Chicago, experts, residents say

Hispanic heart disease deaths highest in mostly-Latino communities

Reuters Health, October 19, 2018. (Reuters Health) – Hispanics in the U.S. have lower rates of death from heart disease overall than non-Hispanic whites, except in communities where Hispanics make up most of the population, a recent study finds. “Given the residential racial/ethnic segregation across communities in the U.S. and the fact that localities with…Continue Reading Hispanic heart disease deaths highest in mostly-Latino communities

Supplements May Contain More Than What’s on the Label

National Geographic, September 19, 2018. A new study shows that some popular dietary supplements may underestimate the amounts of vitamins and other ingredients being delivered. Dima Qato, an assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy, thinks that Americans should be concerned about potential overages in their supplements. Her team’s research,…Continue Reading Supplements May Contain More Than What’s on the Label

Study: 1 in 12 Kids Taking Multiple Meds at Risk of Harmful Interactions

WTTW News, August 30, 2018. Nearly one in 12 children taking multiple prescription medications are at risk of experiencing harmful side effects caused by drug-drug interactions, including sudden death, according to a new study. Dima Qato, an associate professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago who is the lead author of the study, said…Continue Reading Study: 1 in 12 Kids Taking Multiple Meds at Risk of Harmful Interactions

Children taking multiple medications at risk for severe reactions

Reuters Health, August 28, 2018. (Reuters Health) – Nearly one in five American children use at least one prescription medication, and roughly one in 13 kids takes more than one prescription drug, according to a new study. “Currently, adverse drug events are the leading cause of injuries and death among children and adolescents,” said the…Continue Reading Children taking multiple medications at risk for severe reactions

Do Dietary Supplements Help or Hurt Children?

The Wall Street Journal, July 2, 2018. A growing number of children are taking alternative supplements with no demonstrated health benefits. The rate of kids taking herbal and other supplements in the U.S. has nearly doubled, to 6.3%, a new analysis found. Some experts say supplements like omega-3 and melatonin aren’t harmful but have no…Continue Reading Do Dietary Supplements Help or Hurt Children?