Influence
September 9, 2021

Regenstrief research scientist: Possibility of COVID, flu “twindemic” very real

Regenstrief Institute Director of Public Health Informatics Brian Dixon, PhD, MPA, is one of many public health experts who are concerned about severe COVID-19 infections stacking on top of regular flu hospitalizations.  

“The possibility of a ‘twindemic’ is very real, especially this year,” he said. Last year there were very few flu cases, but experts attribute that to mask mandates, social distancing and other restrictions. The situation is much different this year. Dr. Dixon believes the U.S. will have at least a normal flu season, if not a bad one.  

“With our hospital system already overburdened from COVID-19, there is a real concern about flu coming in this fall, as it does every year, and putting additional strain on the healthcare system,” Dr. Dixon said. 

He and other experts are recommending people wear a mask and get vaccines for both flu and COVID-19 if they are eligible.  

 Read the Business Insider article featuring Dr. Dixon

Related News

Validation of a MIND diet screener in older adults

Published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia Journal. Here is a link to the article. Regenstrief Institute author: Daniel O. Clark,

Fairbanks, Lilly, Regenstrief and Indiana employers collaborate to study obesity medications’ impact

Fairbanks, Lilly, Regenstrief and Indiana employers collaborate to study obesity medications’ impact

INDIANAPOLIS — Researchers from the Fairbanks School of Public Health at Indiana University Indianapolis have launched a first-of-its-kind study

Music for the brain: Study tests the effect of slow-tempo relaxing music to address delirium in critically ill older adults

Music for the brain: Study tests the effect of slow-tempo relaxing music to address delirium in critically ill older adults

Findings support longer-duration or targeted approaches A multi-center randomized controlled trial with critically ill adults aged 50 years and

Regenstrief experts lead, to present at 2nd biennial HEALeR symposium to explore ethics in learning health systems

The HEALeR Consortium will host its second biennial Symposium on November 6, 2025, at the NCAA Conference Center, 700