Exposure to air pollution worsens COVID-19 outcomes, even among the fully vaccinated
Researchers from USC and Kaiser Permanente conducted the first individual-level study of air pollution exposure and COVID-19 vaccination.
Traditional incentives don’t offset COVID vaccine hesitancy
New study finds financial incentives and other behavioral nudges made little difference among certain groups.
Some forms of elder abuse worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic
A study led by the Keck School of Medicine of USC — the first direct comparison of elder abuse data before and during the pandemic — found increased reports of physical and emotional abuse.
Moral values explain differences in COVID-19 vaccination rates across U.S. counties
Research from USC Dornsife shows that moral values predict regional differences in COVID-19 vaccination rates beyond structural, demographic and political barriers to vaccination.
COVID-19 mutations are accelerated by virus-fighting enzyme in human cells
The findings by a team of USC researchers could help scientists predict new coronavirus variants and subvariants and give them a leg up on producing effective vaccines.
COVID-19: U.S. life expectancy continued to decrease in 2021, study finds
Despite the vaccination rollout, 2021 reductions in life expectancy appear to exceed those in 2020 — and racial disparities have persisted, researchers say.
Long COVID affects 23% of positive cases, causing symptoms in ‘long haulers’ that may last for months
Interdisciplinary USC study also reveals predictors of long COVID.
USC researchers simulate how COVID-19 transmits in a classroom
The study shows that, amid the highly transmissible Delta variant, at least 93% of students should be vaccinated, with everyone wearing masks indoors, to prevent an uptick in cases.
Exposure to air pollution can worsen patient outcomes from COVID-19
A study by researchers of the Keck School of Medicine of USC and Kaiser Permanente finds a link between exposure to airborne particulate matter and increased risk of serious coronavirus complications.
Keck Medicine of USC launches COVID Recovery Clinic to treat patients with long COVID-19
A multidisciplinary team of clinicians provides comprehensive, specialized care to treat patients’ broad spectrum of lingering symptoms.
Why communicating about COVID is so important — and how experts can do a better job
COVID has galvanized the research community, but the public needs guidance that’s clear, compelling and easy to follow. USC Price professors say that experts should hedge more and make their recommendations more conditional.
After losing father to COVID, USC Price student launches vaccination initiative
Samuel Roberts’ dad passed away just before COVID vaccines became widely available. Since then, the USC Price Master of Public Policy student has worked to increase vaccinations and reduce health disparities in the Inland Empire.
Q&A: How addictions have been affected by COVID-19 — good and bad
Keck School of Medicine of USC researcher Adam Leventhal highlights the drop in teen vaping, more use of food as a coping mechanism and changes in adults’ drinking habits.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles awarded $8.3 million to study long-term effects of COVID in children
More children are experiencing symptoms lasting from one to several months, a condition sometimes referred to as “long COVID.” What could that mean for health care down the road?
Relief in sight as COVID-19 winter surge tapers at USC and in L.A. County
USC Student Health’s Sarah Van Orman credits masking, surveillance testing and high vaccination and booster rates with keeping the community safe.
Everything you need to know about COVID-19 testing from an expert
Confused about the difference between COVID-19 tests? Wonder when to test? Krist Azizian, chief pharmacy officer for Keck Medicine of USC, has the answers.
Researchers develop highly accurate modeling tool to predict COVID-19 risk
USC researchers are advocating for a new approach that combines anonymized cellphone location data with mobility patterns, broad indicators of how people move from place to place.
What can traffic tell us about how viruses spread?
A new National Institute of Health-funded project will examine Los Angeles traffic data to help us better understand the spread of COVID.
Masks in the time of omicron: An infectious disease expert gives insider tips on mask selection
Are N95s right for everyone? What is the difference between an N95 and a KN95 mask? Are surgical masks and cloth masks worth wearing? Keck Medicine of USC’s Edward Jones-Lopez answers your questions.
COVID-19 herd immunity is unlikely, USC study indicates
More than 7 in 10 L.A. County adults already were vaccinated or had COVID antibodies before the delta and omicron surges, research shows.
To reduce COVID-19 risk, individual distancing makes a difference
Even when faced with risks such as living in an area with high infection rates, people who avoid large gatherings and other risky behaviors are less likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19, USC researchers say.
Improving outreach and access could reduce vaccine inequities in California
Vaccination rates lag in counties with more racial and ethnic minority residents, and in places with a higher concentration of people whose English is less fluent, a USC study finds.
Coping with COVID: Thanks to omicron, 2022 is off to a painful start
Disruption fatigue, emotional exhaustion and skepticism about public health information are making a bad thing worse, USC experts note. Coping skills and safety measures are critical.
Should schoolchildren be tested regularly for COVID? USC researchers provide important guidance
The study could help school administrators and local governments as they decide how much importance to place on testing youngsters.