On OPB Think Out Loud, Elizabeth Waddell, Ph.D., discusses her team's report that found a nearly 50% gap in services for substance use disorder treatment, prevention, recovery and harm reduction in Oregon.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation holds the annual tram evacuation exercise, featuring the dramatic sight of a team using ropes and harnesses to lower four volunteers -- "passengers" -- 100 feet to the top floor of the OHSU Casey Eye Institute’s parking garage.

Evie Hobbs, M.D., discusses the importance of patients with breast cancer honestly reporting alcohol use: “Alcohol use can cause a state of chronic inflammation in the body. We know that inflammation can generally cause a greater risk of developing cancer — especially colon cancer, but also breast cancer.”

In an article on the risks and potential benefits of cannabis use for patients undergoing chemotherapy, Eric Roeland, M.D., says: “Before you start a conversation about use of cannabis, it’s important to figure out why you’re wanting to use it. What symptom are you targeting? What is the evidence available for the uses of medical cannabis in this setting? Sadly, the evidence across the board is really poor.”

Marcel Curlin, M.D., discusses ongoing COVID-19 reinfection, noting that reinfection is occurring at high rates, but illness is less severe: "I bet if we did a PCR test on every person every four days, we’d see a sky-high rate of reinfection."

AFSCME Local 328 membership votes to ratify the new three-year contract with OHSU.

In a Cancer Therapy Advisor article on medical aid in dying, Charles Blanke, M.D., says if a patient brings up the topic of medical aid in dying, health care providers in states where it is legal should be prepared to explain how the law works, who is eligible for it, and what it is like for patients.

Esther Choo, M.D., is among 14 physicians and researchers who signed onto an opinion piece in the journal BMJ calling on the Biden Administration to continue investing in pandemic response.

A COVID-19 hospitalization forecast compiled by Peter Graven, Ph.D., is cited in an Oregon Health Authority announcement that the mask mandate in health care settings would be extended in Oregon to protect against both COVID-19 and what is expected to be a severe flu season.

A global study led by Alison Edelman, M.D., shares insights about typically small, temporary changes to menstrual cycle length following COVID-19 vaccination.