June 19, 2015
Fans of the hit Netflix series “Orange is the New Black” can hardly wait to see what’s in store for the ladies imprisoned at the fictional Litchfield Penitentiary when the show resumes for its third season on June 12. But before you settle into your armchair for a weekend of binge-watching to see what happened in the aftermath of season two, be forewarned: Watching episode after episode can have consequences for your health. Public health advocates point out that binge-watching can lead to some negative health effects, including a stronger likelihood of gaining weight and becoming obese. Too much TV can also increase the chances of weight-related diseases like Type 2 diabetes, and in some cases, can be a sign ofdepression. Robin Marcus, Ph.D., chief wellness officer at University of Utah Health Sciences, can offer commentary on the health pitfalls of when binge-watching becomes too much of a habit. To schedule an interview, contact Libby Mitchell or Marissa Villaseñor at the University of Utah Health Sciences Office of Public Affairs.
Phone: 801-587-0945 | Email: libby.mitchell@hsc.utah.edu
Phone: 801-581-3102 | Email: marissa.villaseñor@hsc.utah.edu
June 19, 2015
Middle East respiratory syndrome, MERS, which originated in Jordan in 2012, has marched into South Korea, wreaking havoc in its wake. Though it has caused a relatively low number of deaths there—less than a dozen at last count—over 2,000 schools have been closed as a precaution. Are such measures warranted? What is the likelihood that MERS will make it to the U.S.? Who is most vulnerable to the virus? Sankar Swaminathan, M.D., chief of infectious disease at University of Utah Health Care, can address questions like these and explain how MERS compares to Ebola and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). To schedule an interview with Swaminathan, contact Julie Kiefer, University of Utah Health Care Office Public Affairs.
Phone: 801-597-4258 | Email: jkiefer@neuro.utah.edu
June 12, 2015
Caitlyn Jenner’s transition has included several surgeries and hormone therapies. From a medical perspective, what goes into a gender transition? Cori Agarwal is a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery at University of Utah Health Care. She works with the transgender community, and this past fall was part of a summit on improving relationships between health care providers and the transgender population. The summit included a variety of sessions, including how to foster an understanding of treating transgender patients in mental health settings; understanding the scope of transgender medical and surgical therapies; preventative care measures; and understanding hormone replacement therapy. She is available to speak on any of these topics. To schedule an interview with Agarwal, contact Julie Kiefer at the U Health Care Department of Public Affairs.
Phone: 801-597-4258 | Email: jkiefer@neuro.utah.edu