The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has published new research from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management that shows an association between the implementation of statewide stay-at-home orders and a reduction in the number of people hospitalized for COVID-19. Starkey Chief Health Officer Archelle Georgiou, MD co-authored the study. 

Starkey Chief Health Officer, Archelle Georgiou, MD

“We are getting smarter about the effect of various interventions aimed at mitigating the spread of this virus, whether it’s masks or stay-at-home orders,” said Georgiou. “We hope these study results offer valuable insight to public policymakers; they need to understand the degree to which this intervention may be able to control the pandemic.”

The findings are based on research from four states: Minnesota, Ohio, Colorado, and Virginia. Future research will examine how hospitalization rates change as stay-at-home orders are modified or lifted.

“Dr Georgiou is a driving force within the medical community,” said Starkey President Brandon Sawalich. “She is committed to breaking new ground across the healthcare spectrum, and that includes demonstrating the importance of hearing to overall health. As COVID-19 continues to prove that hearing healthcare is essential, we feel very fortunate to have her on our team.” 

Sawalich recently published an editorial in Morning Consult, a Washington DC news organization, whose readership includes public policymakers.

Original Paper: Sen S, Karaca-Mandic P, Georgiou A. Association of stay-at-home orders with COVID-19 hospitalizations in 4 states. JAMA. May 27, 2020. DOI:10.1001/jama.2020.9176.

Source: Starkey, JAMA