PISC Publications and News Features
Michelle Kondo and colleagues analyzed four sources of greenspace data in Philadelphia, revealing significant differences in how park boundaries are mapped. These inconsistencies may impact research on the relationship between greenspace exposure and health. Read more.
A study team, led by Elinore Kaufman and including Jamie Song, analyzed the treatment of injured rural residents across different hospital types. The research revealed that rural non-trauma centers (NTCs) provided care for over half of injured rural patients, including those with severe injuries. Rural NTCs managed 77.5% of cases definitively, showing they play a crucial role in trauma care. Read more.
Research led by Kristy Arbogast analyzed head acceleration data from 98 NFL players, revealing that 59% of the most severe head acceleration events were caused by facemask impacts. This highlights the need for improved facemask designs and changes in player techniques to reduce these impacts. Read more.
Researchers from Penn partnered with North10 to design and test a cooling shelter prototype in Hunting Park, addressing the severe heat caused by “heat islands.” Led by Sara Jacoby, the team created a solar-powered, open-air shelter offering shade and radiant cooling. “This collaboration shows how technology and community engagement can improve public health,” Jacoby said. Community feedback will shape future improvements. Read more.
A program led by the School District of Philadelphia and the Penn Community Violence Prevention program aims to reduce gun violence at John Bartram High School. Supported by OJJDP, the initiative will include crisis intervention, case management, and mediation. “The goal is to help students transition to positive lifestyles,” said Denise Johnson. More services include counseling, academic support, and employment assistance. Read more.
Research led by Laura Vargas, with contributions from Terry Richmond and Stephen Hargarten, has uncovered significant findings on the experiences of Latinx immigrants facing extortion during their migration to the US. The study revealed that participants paid an average of $804 in extortion, with the most common perpetrators being police and immigration officials across Latin America. The research also found that extortion is associated with a greater severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among the victims. This pioneering study underscores the need to consider extortion as a major stressor in the migrant experience, particularly for adults traveling with children. Learn more about the research here
Kevin Rix, Kate McDonald, and colleagues conducted a retrospective cohort study analyzing the relationship between the time of day and injury incidence among e-scooter riders in a large U.S. city. The study found that e-scooter injury incidence is significantly higher during the evening and early morning hours, with riders injured most often between 18:00–23:59. Although e-scooter usage peaks on Saturdays, injuries are most prevalent on Fridays. The results emphasize the importance of targeted safety measures to reduce injury risk during high-incidence periods. Read the full study here.
Research led by Jeff Ebert, Kit Delgado, Kate McDonald, and colleagues has revealed a promising approach to reducing distracted driving. By combining motivation, positive reinforcement, and financial incentives in a competitive game format, the study achieved a 28% reduction in phone use while driving. The results suggest that gamified strategies could help make roads safer by encouraging drivers to adopt better habits. Read more about this innovative approach here.
Shoshana Aronowitz and Maggie Lowenstein led a qualitative study examining the implementation of CareConnect, an innovative program developed by Penn Medicine to increase access to buprenorphine for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) in Philadelphia. The study revealed that CareConnect successfully fills a critical gap in care by offering same-day buprenorphine prescriptions and linking patients to ongoing OUD care. Key factors contributing to the program’s success include leveraging existing virtual clinic infrastructure, involving an interdisciplinary team, and maintaining strong relationships with external stakeholders, such as pharmacists and community care providers. This research highlights the potential of innovative models like CareConnect to improve OUD treatment access nationwide. Learn more about the study here.
Joel Fein and colleagues investigate the link between firearm access, fighting behavior, and conflict perception among adolescents in an urban emergency department. Their analysis reveals that youth who report fighting are more likely to have firearm access, especially if they perceive ongoing conflict after a fight. These findings suggest the need for comprehensive risk assessments in the ED to prevent retaliation and reinjury. Read more here.
The Northwest Philadelphia Technical Assistance Program (NW Philly TAP), a human-centered design initiative, brought together nonprofits focused on community safety and well-being in Northwest Philadelphia. Led by Sara Solomon, Andrew Belfiglio, and Isabella Ntigbu from the Penn Injury Science Center, along with Kara Wentworth, Siani Butler, Caitlin Taylor and their colleagues at the Nonprofit Center at La Salle, the program aimed to enhance technical skills and capacity-building. Learn more about the program’s impact and future directions here.
Bernadette D’Alonzo, Andrea Schneider, and colleagues studied sex differences in concussion recovery, highlighting the role of sport contact level. Using data from the Ivy League–Big Ten Epidemiology of Concussion Study, they found that while recovery timelines appear similar between male and female athletes, differences become evident when considering contact level. These findings are critical for concussion management and future research. Read the full study here.