A study by Texas A&M University researchers found that state policies improving data protection led to increased adoption of health information exchanges (HIEs) and health IT usage. States with favorable legal environments for HIEs saw a rise in HIE adoption, while those with restrictive laws experienced limited growth.
A new study proposes a set of 23 indicators to measure long-term outcomes in sexual health, aligned with the World Health Organization definition. These indicators focus on increasing knowledge, behaviors, and services, while decreasing adverse health outcomes.
The Coalition for Trust in Health & Science aims to enhance trust in the health system through credible information and evidence-based decision-making. The alliance, comprising 50 member organizations, seeks to address real-world health impacts of misinformation and disinformation.
Research found significant room for improvement in accuracy of California's provider directories and timely access to mental health care. Despite stringent regulations, inaccurate directories and inadequate networks hindered access to essential services.
Common mental health problems, such as depression, are prevalent in the hospitality and real estate sectors, with significant gender disparities found across various industries. The study highlights the need for industry leaders to address underlying issues contributing to higher rates of mental health problems among female workers.
A national COVID-19 study found that Asians and lower-income households reported less confidence in accessing community resources crucial for their health and wellbeing during the pandemic. The study also revealed disparities related to sociodemographic characteristics and health-related characteristics, emphasizing the need for target...
Research suggests that poor oral health may contribute to declines in brain function and cognitive abilities. A recent study analyzed the relationship between oral health and brain health among approximately 40,000 adults and found a potential link between gum disease and white matter hyperintensities.
The UVA Health, Southwest Virginia Coalition is partnering to improve COVID-19 outcomes and chronic health conditions through innovative telehealth models. The consortium will bring together healthcare groups to develop a long-term blueprint for providing care in rural communities.
A new report highlights the need for sustained investment in the public health workforce, which lost 40,000 positions in the 2009 recession. Strategies include ensuring diversity among students and supporting trainees within all sectors to address workforce shortages and challenges.
A study found that nearly one in three public health workers experienced nonphysical workplace violence, including threats and bullying, leading to increased risks of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts. The more severe the violence, the greater the impact on mental health.
A new Lancet Series argues that a 'One Health' approach is needed to prevent, monitor, and respond to public health emergencies globally. The series calls for greater investment in preventive and preparedness interventions, as well as greater representation of environmental organisations.
A study finds that increasing health insurance coverage explains 63% of increased healthcare expenditure and boosts medical patent registrations by 57%. Health insurance expansion also increases life expectancy by 1.2 years due to stimulation of medical progress.
Researchers at NYU School of Global Public Health found that healthcare costs and out-of-pocket expenditures have continued to rise despite the Affordable Care Act improvements. Women with employer-sponsored insurance report greater difficulty paying for needed health care services, particularly dental and mental health care.
A new study found that unionized health care workers received better pay and non-cash benefits, but not more work hours, compared to their non-unionized counterparts. Labor unionization was associated with improved worker conditions, including higher earnings and better employer-provided insurance.
A new study from the University of Toronto found that refugees and immigrants aged 15-64 generally report good physical health, but those who experienced discrimination, had poor mental health, or were unmarried did not fare as well. The study highlights the importance of anti-discrimination strategies in healthcare settings.
A new Lancet Series reveals racism, xenophobia, and discrimination as fundamental drivers of health inequities worldwide. These social and political factors have profound effects on the health of disadvantaged populations, including higher mortality rates, poorer health outcomes, and limited access to healthcare.
Research on interventions to mitigate housing insecurity found low-certainty evidence of positive health outcomes, primarily for emergency rent assistance and homeownership assistance. However, existing interventions may need to be paired with other efforts to address structural determinants of health.
The $2.4 million grant will provide direct training for new community health workers in Lubbock and throughout the state through registered apprenticeship programs and job placements. The program aims to increase access to healthcare and address public health needs for underserved communities.
FAU's nurse-led mobile health unit will provide technology-assisted, culturally aligned health promotion, disease prevention, and primary care services in underserved communities. The project targets high-risk populations with limited access to healthcare.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) publishes special issues on the impact of anti-Black racism on patient health and healthcare professionals. Research by Black health scholars and practitioners sheds light on systemic inequities, including cancer care disparities and gaslighting in academic medicine.
The University at Buffalo's School of Public Health and Health Professions has been awarded a $1.3 million grant to provide scholarship opportunities to graduate students from disadvantaged or underrepresented groups. The program aims to train future public health practitioners to address health disparities and prevent pandemics.
The Arizona Area Health Education Centers Program will receive $7.2 million in state and federal funding to grow the health professions workforce in rural and urban medically underserved communities. The program aims to increase access to primary and preventive care, addressing health disparities in Arizona.
The University of Illinois Chicago's National Center for Rural Health Professions has received $6.5 million over five years to fund the Illinois Area Health Education Centers Network, addressing critical health workforce needs in rural and underserved communities. The program provides training opportunities for high school and college ...
A One Health approach is vital for sustainably feeding a growing population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050. The approach balances the health of people, animals, and ecosystems to optimize net benefits from plant protection.
A recent study found that nearly 1 in 3 mental health prescriber visits to Medicare patients were provided by PMHNPs, a significant rise from 2011-2019. The growth of PMHNPs helped offset the decline of psychiatrists treating Medicare patients, resulting in a 12% decrease in mental health specialist visits instead of a 30% drop.
A study analyzing Eurobarometer surveys found that informal payments increased across EU states between 2013 and 2019, while public health expenditure was associated with fewer such payments. The researchers suggest strengthening health systems to combat corruption.
A new study found that 41% of teenagers can't tell the difference between true and fake online health messages. The researchers suggest focusing on health literacy and media literacy training, as well as skills like analytical thinking and scientific reasoning to help teenagers spot editing cues.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) says inadequate access to nutritious food negatively impacts the health of many Americans, exacerbating social factors and leading to various health issues. The ACP recommends strengthening the nation's food insecurity response and empowering physicians to address social drivers of health.
Research found that people who experience little unemployment after age 35 have better health than those with frequent unemployment in their twenties and thirties. Frequent unemployment can also lead to worse physical and mental health by age 50.
A study led by the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health analyzed health care workers' motivations for vaccination and how they share their experiences on social media. The findings suggest that emphasizing 'freedom from fear' and addressing misinformation can be effective in reducing vaccine hesitancy.
A report by Washington State Department of Health and colleagues outlines efforts to develop and advance Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) in three states: Ohio, Oregon, and Washington. These states are part of PHNCI's 21st Century Learning Community, focused on advancing public health transformation.
A global shortage of health workers poses a significant threat to effective health coverage worldwide. The study estimates that over 43 million more health workers are needed to meet targets for universal health coverage.
A systematic review of literature found that breastfeeding is generally associated with fewer mental health symptoms and a decreased risk of postpartum depression. However, difficulties with breastfeeding or unmet expectations can have negative mental health consequences.
A new study reveals that Asia and Africa have a similar aging burden to the West, with a Health-Adjusted Dependency Ratio (HADR) that indicates the impact of ill-health on dependency ratios. The HADR metric suggests that demographic age is not the only factor determining dependency, and that health levels play a significant role.
A study found a significant increase in school mental health service use among adolescents in 2019, particularly among non-Hispanic Black and low-income students. This rise was attributed to the creation or expansion of school mental health programs following the Parkland school shooting tragedy.
A new supplement in Pediatrics suggests that early life interventions can improve later health outcomes and address pressing concerns around youth mental health. The Life Course Intervention Research Network calls for a major focus on supporting children's positive health development and sense of well-being.
A University of Gothenburg study found that a single visit to a health coach can deteriorate perceived health in 50-year-olds. After one hour-long session, participants reported worse changes in overall wellbeing, physical and mental health compared to those who received no treatment.
A new report highlights the intersection of autism, poverty, and non-white race/ethnicity, revealing increased rates of health concerns and care challenges. Autistic children living in lower-income households and those who are BIPOC disproportionately experience poor health outcomes.
Research by Sightsavers and others estimates that blind people are nearly four times as likely to experience anxiety and depression as those with no vision impairment. The study highlights the need for governments and organizations to be aware of this issue and design health services to address it.
A new study developed by Jenna Krall predicts air pollution model performance in health studies, improving their accuracy. The approach helps determine whether air pollution prediction models can be used in epidemiologic studies, assessing health effects.
A new study found that integrating behavioral health into pediatric primary care at federally qualified health centers increases access, timeliness of care, and diagnostic rates of ADHD among diverse children. The model resulted in higher follow-up rates with behavioral health clinicians and reduced polypharmacy.
A new study found that women's health research is disproportionately focused on reproductive years, particularly pregnancy, leaving few articles on major causes of illness and death. Non-communicable diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, are poorly covered in women's health publications.
Twelve new research projects aim to level up health and wellbeing across the UK through cultural and natural interventions. The programme, funded by AHRC and partners, will generate evidence for place-based approaches to creative health, generating insights into local cultural activities and natural spaces.
A new study found that more than half of local public health departments experienced harassment during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over one-third of public health officials who resigned or were fired reported incidents of harassment.
The National Collaborative for Health Equity has appointed Health Equity as its official journal, which will publish high-quality research on health disparities and health equity. The partnership aims to promote health equity by fostering racial healing, harnessing research, and catalyzing partnerships across various sectors.
A study of 22 large cities across 14 countries reveals that more than one-quarter did not involve public health agencies in their climate change plans. Despite this, 73% reported having a public health department on their climate-plan teams. The researchers recommend enhancing public health agency involvement to target activities to th...
Oral health disparities persist despite improved overall health trends, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups. Research and policy initiatives are needed to make oral health care more affordable, accessible, and responsive to communities.
A new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that improved eye health services are associated with moving closer to achieving seven SDGs. Multiple direct connections were discovered between eye health services and increased productivity, household expenditure, income, education, and equality.
Only 1.9% of Chinese children and adolescents exhibit ideal cardiovascular health status, with socioeconomic factors impacting behavior. Researchers recommend strategies like household smoking control and physical activity promotion to improve cardiovascular health in young generations.
The IU-led AMPATH Global network is expanding to Ghana and Mexico, building on a successful collaboration that has played a crucial role in combating HIV, social determinants of health, and COVID-19. The partnership aims to improve public-sector healthcare systems and promote well-being in underserved communities.
Experts convene to examine how social determinants affect maternal, infant, and lifelong health outcomes. The workshop aims to reduce disparities and inequities in obstetric care.
A study analyzing 676 US health care systems found features associated with overuse of health care include having fewer primary care physicians and being investor owned. These factors were less likely to include a major teaching hospital, contributing to the overuse of healthcare within US health systems.
A recent study found that nearly a quarter of home health care workers rate their general health as fair or poor, with 1 in 5 reporting poor mental health. Factors contributing to poorer health include low household income, cost barriers, and history of depression.
A KU study reveals that individuals' political ideologies play a crucial role in shaping their health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, conducted using two surveys and a review of existing data, found that ideology was a significant predictor of health behavior, especially when compared to other factors such as age,...
A large-scale review of 65 studies found that mental health symptoms were comparable to pre-pandemic levels by mid-2020, with larger rises for depressive symptoms. Researchers suggest an acute response to the pandemic followed by psychological adaptation and resilience.
Researchers propose a new model that transfers power to patients to advocate for their own health, enabling them to design interventions with support from healthcare providers. The study finds that traditional expert models are inefficient in treating chronic diseases and socially determined health issues.
A new research center, C2DREAM, will study the impact of structural and interpersonal racism on health inequities for BIPOC communities. The program aims to develop novel cardiovascular health interventions for rural and urban BIPOC communities.
LSU Health has been awarded funding to support community health workers in New Orleans and throughout Louisiana, enabling them to serve as liaisons between healthcare services and under-resourced communities. The grants will promote health equity and provide essential public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy has received a nearly $2 million NIH grant to develop a multisectoral coalition to implement a community-wide collaborative care model to address mental health and socio-economic risks in Harlem. The initiative aims to close the mental health treatment gap for ethnic minoritie...
The ACHIEVE GREATER Center aims to reduce cardiometabolic health disparities by implementing a proactive approach using community health workers and pharmacists. The center will use collaborative care, PAL2, to address multiple domains of influence contributing to disparate health outcomes in the Black population.