Umbra RM8, 2013 by Laura Crehuet Berman.

Art is integrated into the Mayo Clinic environment. Since the original Mayo Clinic Building was finished in 1914, many pieces have been donated or commissioned for patients and staff to enjoy. Each issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings features a work of art (as interpreted by the author) that is displayed in a building or on the grounds of Mayo Clinic campuses.

Understanding Breast Cancer Images in Art History as a Form of Health Communication.

Can art and visual images meant for public consumption (museums, galleries, social media platforms) serve as a critical form of health communication for breast cancer patients? For their clinicians? For the population at large? Art history research methods are applied to a range of breast cancer images in western art in order to understand what the images communicate to us about patient experience, agency, and inequity in health care at the time of their construction. The following is a selective look at western art as it reflects and informs our understanding of breast cancer over time.

Art under the Microscope.

In March 2018, Greece issued five commemorative stamps that show a beautiful mélange of art and science. Images are, however, genuine views captured through light microscopy of stained human tissue during histopathological examination. Many will remember having drawn such diagrams in their histology and pathology journals during their medical school years. The microscopic images are photographed beautifully by Dr Maria Lambropaulou. She is an Associate Professor of Histology-embryology at the Medical Department of the Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.

Medical findings and congenital anomalies in Vermeer's paintings.

The 17th century was a time of scientific discovery in Europe. Leading academic centers provided the general population with an opportunity to view anatomic dissections of human bodies. Rather than portray idealized versions of individuals, Dutch painters were committed to accurately representing their models. This was true for Johannes Vermeer. The 2023 exhibition of Vermeer's paintings at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam provided an unprecedented opportunity to observe 28 of his 37 existing paintings simultaneously in person. Here the authors suggest that in at least eight paintings a visibly pregnant woman is present. Vermeer's wife was pregnant or lactating most of the time during their 22-year marriage. Further, evidence of specific medical findings and congenital anomalies such as polydactyly, ectrodactyly, alopecia, kyphosis, and hyperthyroidism were observed in the paintings. These have not been previously reported in the medical or art history literature.

The Pellagra Portraits.

This Arts and Medicine feature reviews the history of pellagra and recounts the role of artist and illustrator John Carroll who, in 1919, painted portraits of people with the vitamin deficiency to document in color the appearance of pellagra skin plaques.

As Much As I Can - Utilizing Immersive Theatre to Reduce HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination Toward Black Sexual Minority Men.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in biomedical HIV prevention modalities such as pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent the transmission of HIV, racial/ethnic and sexual/gender minority populations are disproportionately impacted by HIV epidemic. Alarming rates of HIV have persisted among Black gay and bisexual men, particularly in Southern states. METHODS: Utilizing data from the ViiV ACCELERATE! initiative, we explored the impact of As Much As I Can, an immersive theatre production, on HIV-related stigma behaviors. A self-administered post-performance survey was conducted with a cohort (n = 322) of randomly selected audience members. RESULTS: Overall, the results showed participants had a highly favorable experience, rating the performance with a mean score of 9.77/10. Respondents indicated they intended to change behaviors to promote HIV prevention education and to reduce stigma and discrimination including: (1) Say something if I hear stigmatizing language against people living with HIV (75.4%), (2) Say something if I hear anti-gay language (69.7%) and (3) Tell others about HIV prevention options (e.g., PrEP, PEP, condoms (64.1%). The findings show there is an association between HIV-related behavior intention and linkage to HIV care. Respondents who reported they were more likely to say something about HIV stigma were almost three times (O.R. 2.77; 95% C.I. 0.98-7.8) more likely to indicate they would follow up with a healthcare professional. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that immersive theatre is an effective method for communicating HIV prevention education and reducing HIV-related structural stigma and discrimination that increases HIV vulnerability for Black sexual minority men.

Best of Graphic Medicine-The 2023 Graphic Medicine International Collective Awards.

This Arts and Medicine feature reviews 4 health-related graphic medicine (comic) projects judged as the best of 2022 by the Graphic Medicine International Collective.

Saúde Integral: Tai Chi Pai Lin

O Tai Chi Pai Lin é uma arte milenar que ajuda no equilíbrio do corpo e da mente. Confira na reportagem as vantagens da prática contadas por quem já viu a melhora no próprio corpo. As aulas acontecem na Universidade de Medicina Tradicional da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de São Paulo, na Rua Frederico Alvarenga, 259.