Fresh off publication of an opinion piece in the Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, Dr. Lakshit Jain, clinical associate professor in our Department of Psychiatry, tackles America's struggle with opioid addiction, the health dangers of opioid withdrawal, the latest treatments, and how to seek help. He also discusses what’s really involved in opioid addiction withdrawal and what those suffering from opioid use disorder and their loved ones really need to know to remain safe and ensure they are receiving the proper care.

Senegal’s National Agency for Universal Health Coverage (ANACMU) is looking to incorporate the best of what American medicine has to offer. A delegation recently toured UConn Health during a weeklong visit to Connecticut. Read about whom our guests met, what they saw, and what they might want to bring back with them to improve health care at home.

Why are mosquito-borne illnesses able to persist? It could have something to do with the scent of skin. Immunology researcher Penghua Wang is part of an international collaboration of scientists who believe mice and humans carrying the dengue fever and Zika viruses have an altered skin scent that compels mosquitoes to prefer carriers over a noninfected counterpart.

For the sixth time in six years, our Stroke Center earns the American Heart Association’s highest distinction: “Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus.” And the recognition comes with two additional distinctions this year: “Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite,” for meeting specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-busting medication, and “Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll,” which aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.

One other thing that happened during this Pride Month was the arrival at the UConn Health Sciences Library of more than 60 titles making up a new collection that focuses on the LGBTQ+ experience. Our librarians secured a grant from the National Library of Medicine to expand diverse voices, and used it to obtain memoirs, graphic novels, history books, resource guides, and training materials for physicians on treating diverse patients.

In case you missed it: The Connecticut Hospital Association is out with a documentary-style video sharing the perspective of hospital professionals from throughout the state — including our Chief Nursing Officer and hospital COO Caryl Ryan! Watch Caring Voices, Caring Hands.

Take a moment to share your thanks and encouragement with those who move our documents and packages, and those who keep our IT systems running! It's all part of our Seasons of Gratitude.