For decades, polio violently impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. It caused paralysis in more than 15,000 American children each year and hundreds of thousands more globally. Once the polio vaccine arrived in 1955, the number of cases dropped significantly in the United States, and by 1979 the United States was declared polio-free. Despite polio being nearly eradicated for the last 40 years, it has made an aggressive comeback in 2022.

Malawi announced its first case back in February in 30 years, a 3-year-old girl who became paralyzed following infection with a virus that appeared to be from Pakistan. Following this, Pakistan itself reported 14 cases, eight of them in a single month during the spring.

Israel reported its first case since 1988 in March. In June, British authorities declared an “incident of national concern” when they discovered the virus in sewage. 

Polio is highly contagious and can be lethal, having the potential to ravage the nervous system and cause paralysis within hours. Those who are able to recover could relapse and become seriously ill years later.

Betsy Lorenzo, MPH

"I am a graduate of the Simmons university MPH program. I quit my job in 2019 due to high stress and endless bouts of anxiety and depression. I decided to use my free time to heal, using meditation, prayer, and ancestral spiritual practices to help me uncover why I was in constant distress. Later that same year I received my acceptance and began the program. 

A part of me didn't know if this would be healthy for me or how this aligned with my intention to heal. But, the in-depth study of social justice and racism helped me to realize how much of the system I have internalized. This was the beginning of me understanding my worth and value as an individual which is now rooting deeper within me each day. I continue to be unemployed and at home living at my parent's house, but what I have gained during this time is a priceless amount of knowledge, wisdom, and lived experience that has allowed me to manage my stress better and therefore improve my overall well being. 

This is my story, devoid of anything we have been taught to value in society but filled with so much inner peace, understanding, and acceptance that is leading me to create and look for opportunities that can align with my values and reciprocate my worth as a human being."

Congratulations, Betsy! We, the Simmons community, are so proud of your accomplishments!

The Health Disparities Podcast highlights disparities evidenced in common chronic conditions featured in the "vicious cycle" (e.g. diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, mental health) and musculoskeletal/arthritis conditions, with emphasis on disparities and how social determinants of health impact these conditions and their management.

We recently interviewed Professor Quattrochi, who has recently left Simmons to pursue new opportunities at Georgetown University. 

Check out his interview to learn more about his research and his time at Simmons.

We will miss you, Professor Quattrochi! Thank you for all that you've contributed to the Simmons community.