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Objectives: Understanding vaccine intentions and attitudes of health professionals is critical as the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna COVID19 vaccines are being administered throughout the United States. This study estimates the level of vaccine hesitancy at a health sciences center in West Texas prior to the distribution of the vaccines. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was performed via anonymous Qualtrics survey administered to approximately 4500 faculty, staff, postdoctoral research associates/medical residents, and employees at a multi-campus health sciences university in the United States. Respondents were asked demographic questions and intention to receive the vaccine. Factors associated with the intention to receive a vaccine were determined using logistic regression analysis. Results: A total sample of 2258 subjects were evaluated (50.0% response rate). Among all respondents, 64.6% reported that they would probably or definitely receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Men had higher levels of intention to receive the vaccine (OR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.64-2.71); respondents who indicated yearly influenza vaccines are necessary were also more likely to receive the vaccine (OR = 6.04, 95% CI 4.70-7.75). Eighty-three percent of faculty and 56% of the staff reported intention to receive the vaccine. Respondents who had previously tested positive for COVID-19 reported more interest in receiving the vaccine (58.5% yes vs 41.5% no). Conclusion: In this study, the intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccination at a United States health sciences center falls below the necessary herd immunity estimates. Public health initiatives must be developed to decrease vaccine hesitancy, especially among health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hypertension can cause significant morbidity and reduced life expectancy. Most patients with hypertension have primary hypertension; however, 10% to 15% have secondary hypertension. Endocrine disorders as a secondary cause occur in approximately 10% of patients with secondary hypertension, and thyroid disorders account for approximately 1% of all patients with hypertension. The identification of patients with hyperthyroidism has important benefits for these particular patients. The objective of this study was to examine the occurrence of high blood pressure in patients with hyperthyroidism.Methods: We reviewed the clinical information available from 414 new patients referred to an endocrinology clinic in west Texas for evaluation of hyperthyroidism. The final cohort included 96 patients who had both thyroid laboratory tests and blood pressure measurements at the time of their clinic visit. We also examined this relationship in a nationally representative sample of US adults (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2012), which included thyroid test results and at least one blood pressure measurement (N = 8837).Results: Sixty-five of these clinic patients had elevated blood pressure based on criteria suggested by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association. These patients had similar thyroid hormone levels as patients who did not have hypertension but tended to be older. Ordinary least squares regression analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2012 data demonstrated a significant positive association between free T3 levels and systolic blood pressure, adjusting for age, sex, and the use of levothyroxine.Conclusions: These findings from a specialty clinic and a national sample suggest that clinicians should consider the possibility of hyperthyroidism in patients with hypertension, even in older patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the opioid overdose death and the mobile buprenorphine treatment. It discusses the barriers for people going through homelessness and opioid-related emergency visits, ensuring medication access through insurance assistance and pharmacy partnerships, and patient engagement strategy.