OHSU research finds people with untreated obstructive sleep apnea have a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Lee Neilson, M.D., says, “If you stop breathing and oxygen is not at a normal level, your neurons are probably not functioning at a normal level either … Add that up night after night, year after year, and it may explain why fixing the problem by using CPAP may build in some resilience against neurodegenerative conditions, including Parkinson’s."

Science Line reports on OHSU research that found over-the-counter contraceptive pills may improve access for uninsured and rural populations.

OHSU announces that Tarek Salaway, M.H.A, M.P.H., M.A., is the new executive vice president and chief executive officer of the OHSU Health system.

OHSU announces that Tarek Salaway, M.H.A, M.P.H., M.A., is the new executive vice president and chief executive officer of the OHSU Health system.

Recent OHSU research highlights persistent and widening racial disparities in cesarean birth rates in the United States. Marie Boller, M.D., says, “Patient-centered care is essential for improving birth outcomes and ensuring that cesarean decisions are made for the right reasons. Care plans must be individualized, with patients meaningfully involved in conversations about their options.”

OHSU research finds people with untreated obstructive sleep apnea have a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Lee Neilson, M.D., says, “If you stop breathing and oxygen is not at a normal level, your neurons are probably not functioning at a normal level either … Add that up night after night, year after year, and it may explain why fixing the problem by using CPAP may build in some resilience against neurodegenerative conditions, including Parkinson’s."

OHSU research finds people with untreated obstructive sleep apnea have a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Lee Neilson, M.D., says, “If you stop breathing and oxygen is not at a normal level, your neurons are probably not functioning at a normal level either … Add that up night after night, year after year, and it may explain why fixing the problem by using CPAP may build in some resilience against neurodegenerative conditions, including Parkinson’s.”

Eric Fombonne, M.D., shares insight on recent CDC language suggesting a link between infant vaccination and autism. He says, “These sort of claims have been repeatedly debunked by good science and multiple independent replications of negative studies, and for years no scientist has opined that more research is needed.”

On OPB Think Out Loud, Honora Englander, M.D., discusses evidence-based approaches to addiction treatment. She says, “We have decades of evidence supporting that medications, methadone and buprenorphine, are the most effective treatments and really the cornerstone of treatment for opioid use disorder. There is evidence that shows that they reduce rates of HIV and hepatitis C. They allow people to really reclaim portions of their lives, reconnect with loved ones, resume work, reduce criminal activity, and these are lifesaving medications. People are less likely to overdose. They’re less likely to die, and they’re less likely also to die of other medical causes that are treatable.”

A story by The Oregonian about a shortage of dentists willing to care for low-income children cites an OHSU-OHA study that found a broad lack of access to oral health care for children and adults on the Oregon Health Plan: 32 of the state’s 36 counties have too few dental care providers who accept the public insurance to adequately serve everyone who is enrolled.