UCSF’s 11 Most Popular Health and Science Stories of 2019
Browse the stories that most engaged our readers in 2019.
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Problem Drinkers Have Higher ‘Benzo’ Use, UCSF-Kaiser Permanente Study Shows
Problem drinkers are more likely than teetotalers and moderate drinkers to take benzodiazepines. When taken by heavier drinkers, benzodiazepines may heighten the risk for overdoses and accidents as well as exacerbate psychiatric conditions.
ER Focus on Immediate Medical Issues Can Miss the Bigger Picture
In what is believed to be one of the first analyses of frequent emergency department users to include integrated medical, behavioral and social service data, a new UCSF study comprehensively examined these patients’ use of both medical and nonmedical services.
UCSF Receives 10 NIH Grants to Study Pain and Opioid Addiction
UCSF researchers have received 10 grants from the NIH’s HEAL Initiative, which aims to speed scientific solutions to stem the national opioid public health crisis.
Amid the Opioid Epidemic, New Course is Teaching Students to Treat Patients for Addiction
UCSF is teaching nursing and medical students state-of-the-art-treatment for opioid use disorder. When they graduate, they will immediately be able to treat patients for addiction.
‘Motivational Interview’ May Lessen Problem Drinking in People with HIV
A single, 45-minute “motivational interview” with two 20-minute follow-up phone calls may help people with HIV who report unhealthy drinking reduce their alcohol intake. This approach may be
Legal Marijuana Reduces Chronic Pain, But Increases Injuries and Car Accidents
The legalization of recreational marijuana is associated with an increase in its abuse, injury due to overdoses, and car accidents, but does not significantly change health care use overall.
Many Nurse Practitioners Cannot Provide Medications to Treat Opioid Addiction
At least six states with high opioid abuse rates also have strong work restrictions that hinder nurse practitioners in prescribing medication that can help treat the problem.
