The Cannabis Question

PBS Newshour - October 07, 2021

In a NOVA documentary, Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., M.S., talks about unresolved questions regarding which patients may benefit from using cannabis and the negative effects of incarcerating people for drug use. Dr. Cunningham is clinical professor of medicine, of family and social medicine, and of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Einstein. (Excerpts with Dr. Cunningham at 10:13, 40:37, and 42:58.)

America's Health Future (Interview starts at 29:05)

The Washington Post - September 24, 2020

Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., M.S., discusses racial disparities in healthcare and society at large that have contributed to higher rates of COVID-19 mortality for people of color. Dr. Cunningham is associate chief of the division of general internal medicine at Einstein and Montefiore.

Former College Softball Player on Coronavirus Front Lines as Doctor in New York

USA Today - April 20, 2020

Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., M.S., is profiled about her experiences treating patients with COVID-19. Dr. Cunningham is associate chief of the division of general internal medicine at Einstein and Montefiore.

Additional coverage on Dr. Cunningham and COVID-19 includes: The Washington Post

It's Not Just Opioids: What Doctors Want You to Know About Benzos

CNN - October 04, 2019

Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., M.S., discusses the growing overdose epidemic associated with benzodiazepines, a class of medications commonly prescribed for anxiety that includes Xanax, Ativan and Valium. Dr. Cunningham is associate chief of the division of general internal medicine at Einstein and Montefiore.

Overdose Deaths Go Down Citywide—But Rise Sharply in East Harlem

WNYC - September 10, 2019

Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., M.S., and Shadi Nahvi, M.D., M.S., discuss barriers to addiction treatment and the social and economic reasons contributing to increased overdose deaths in some lower-income areas of New York City. Dr. Cunningham is associate chief of the division of general internal medicine at Einstein and Montefiore; Dr. Nahvi is associate professor of medicine and of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Einstein.

Reefer, Managed: Cannabis as Medicine

The Brian Lehrer Show - April 08, 2019

Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., M.S., explains the need for more research on medical marijuana to treat patients for numerous conditions, especially chronic pain. Dr. Cunningham is professor and associate chief of general internal medicine at Einstein and Montefiore.

How Republicans Pivoted From the War on Drugs to Cutting Prison Sentences

The Washington Post - December 20, 2018

Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., M.S., notes that recent changes in attitudes toward addiction are related to the class and race of those now affected by the opioid epidemic. Dr. Cunningham is professor and associate chief of general internal medicine at Einstein and Montefiore.

Trump Signs Sweeping Opioid Bill. Expect to Hear About It On the Campaign Trail.

The Washington Post - November 02, 2018

Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., M.S., says the new, sweeping federal opioids law that addresses prevention, treatment and recovery holds promise, but more funding and coordinated efforts are necessary. Dr. Cunningham is professor and associate chief of general internal medicine at Einstein and Montefiore.

Opioid Commission's Anti-Marijuana Argument Stirs Anger

CNN - November 13, 2017

Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., M.S., discusses the need to study non-opioid strategies, such as prescribing medical marijuana, to address chronic pain. Dr. Cunningham is associate chief of general internal medicine at Einstein and Montefiore.

Changing tactics, NYPD focuses on helping drug users, rather than locking them up

The Daily News - May 23, 2017

Interviews Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., M.S., about treating drug addiction as a chronic disease, rather than a moral failing. Dr. Cunningham is associate chief of general internal medicine in the department of medicine at Einstein and Montefiore.

Los Angeles Times interviews Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., M.S., about buprenorphine, a drug used to treat opioid addiction, for an article on Prince’s death. Dr. Cunningham is associate chief of general internal medicine in the department of medicine at Einstein and Montefiore.

May 31, 2016

The New York Times interviews Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., M.S., about the growing acceptance of harm reduction approaches to drug addiction and treatment. Dr. Cunningham notes that these initiatives, which include needle exchanges and safe injection sites, were once rejected but are now being embraced as opioid and heroin addiction has exploded in white, suburban communities. Dr. Cunningham is professor of medicine and of family and social medicine at Einstein and associate chief of the division of general internal medicine at Einstein and Montefiore.

April 20, 2016

The Washington Post quotes Marcus Bachhuber, M.D., M.S., and Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., M.S., about their new study with Joanna Starrels, M.D., M.S., on the surge in overdose deaths from benzodiazepines. Dr. Bachhuber notes that this growing public health problem has largely flown under the radar. Dr. Bachhuber is assistant professor of medicine at Einstein and attending physician, Montefiore; Dr. Cunningham is professor of medicine and of family and social medicine at Einstein and associate chief of the division of general internal medicine at Einstein and Montefiore.

More coverage on this story

The TODAY Show
Newsweek
NBC News
CBS News
CNN
Forbes
US News & World Report (via Healthday)
STAT News
Daily News (UK)
Yahoo News
WebMD

February 23, 2016

CBS News interviews Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., M.S., about the growing problem of opioid painkiller abuse and addiction. Dr. Cunningham explains why opioid abuse has increased significantly in recent years, her research on bias on the part of doctors in prescribing and monitoring opioids, and how Einstein has a structured curriculum to teach future doctors how to treat addition. Dr. Cunningham is professor of medicine and family and social medicine at Einstein and associate chief of the division of general internal medicine at Montefiore Medical Center.

October 13, 2014