A new report reveals that over 1.2 million Australians with heart disease are at high risk of future events, emphasizing the need for improved secondary prevention strategies. The 'No Second Chances' report proposes pathways to enhance patient care, including a secondary prevention campaign and increased focus on cardiac rehabilitation.
A Rutgers study found that early childhood obesity prevention interventions are needed beyond preschool education settings. The research emphasizes the importance of culturally adapted, bilingual nutrition and physical activity programs for children and their families.
A new study identifies medical conditions that increase the risk of self-directed violence among teens and young adults visiting emergency departments. These conditions include epilepsy, seizures, multiple pain visits, syncope, vomiting, and dental complaints, highlighting the importance of EDs in suicide prevention.
A new study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that home healthcare workers' beliefs about infection prevention influence their compliance with protocols more than their actual knowledge. The researchers suggest targeting nurse perceptions to improve infection control strategies. Key findings include gaps in k...
The NIH will fund HIV care and prevention research in counties with high rates of new HIV cases nationwide. The new initiative leverages partnerships with local health authorities and community-based groups to test sustainable interventions.
A recent study found that Delaware's comprehensive background check policy led to a significant increase in firearm background checks, with no comparable effect in Washington and Colorado. The study suggests that enforcement and compliance issues hindered the policy's impact in these states.
Healthcare-associated infections persist in the EU/EEA, with 8.9 million cases annually, due to overuse of antimicrobials and varying infection prevention practices. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) calls for continued action to address antimicrobial resistance in healthcare settings.
A study by OHSU researchers found that patients with diabetes or prediabetes in states with Medicaid expansion programs had better access to healthcare services, including preventive screenings and medication. This increase was particularly notable for patients with lower socioeconomic status.
A study analyzed over 100,000 Yelp reviews to identify key themes in emergency department and urgent care center ratings. Emergency departments received high marks for bedside manner but low marks for speed of care, while urgent care centers excelled in ease of prescription refills but struggled with patient confidence.
The SWOG Cancer Research Network and The Hope Foundation for Cancer Research provide grant support to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers to enroll veterans in cancer clinical trials. This program aims to create a sustainable national network of sites offering new treatment options through clinical trials.
A comprehensive Australian study examined the global impact of suicide prevention approaches in young people and found that youth-specific interventions can be effective in reducing self-harm and suicidal thinking. The study highlights the importance of investing in evidence-based interventions and identifying gaps in current approaches.
Researchers are studying how variations in federally qualified health centers impact efficiency and patient health outcomes. They aim to develop models to better understand the strengths and challenges facing Montana's healthcare system, with a focus on pregnancy-related health outcomes and disparities.
Patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated at academic centers had higher 2-year survival rates than those treated at community-based centers. The study found significant differences in survival outcomes based on facility type, histology, and molecular profile.
The report emphasizes tobacco control as the top priority in a national cancer control plan due to its significant health benefits. Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable cancer deaths, accounting for nearly 30% of all cancer-related deaths in the US.
A systematic review by CDC researchers found that HIV-related stigma varies by gender, race, provider category, and clinical setting. Inadvertent behaviors and beliefs, such as homophobia and negative views of people who inject drugs, can create barriers to HIV prevention and treatment.
A new long-acting injectable implant developed by UNC School of Medicine researchers has shown promising results in animal models, delivering anti-HIV medication over time with minimal toxicity. The implant can be quickly and safely removed if needed, making it a potential game-changer for HIV treatment and prevention.
A team of researchers has created a systematic method to produce defects with desired optical properties in SiC, enabling its potential use in quantum computing. They discovered three previously unreported signatures and found that producing defects follows a pattern.
The All of Us Research Program has awarded $28.6M to establish three genome centers, generating genomic data from 1 million biosamples contributed by program participants. These centers will provide critical data for precision medicine research and support studies on various health questions.
The UN is calling for the establishment of prevention programs to reduce tuberculosis among miners and others exposed to silica dust. Implementing primary prevention in high-risk occupations can prevent 300,000 new cases annually with improved ventilation, water spray misting, and personal protective equipment.
A new study published in The Gerontologist found that older adults with a 'fall plan of care' are less likely to suffer fall-related hospitalizations. This initiative, which includes screening for fall risk, assessing modifiable risk factors, and prescribing evidence-based interventions, was shown to reduce hospitalizations by 0.6 times.
A recent review of 144 studies found that multifaceted infection control strategies can reduce healthcare-associated infections by 35-55%. Despite advancements in medical innovations, improvements are still possible, especially in high-income countries and institutions with standard-of-care measures.
International neurointerventional societies have released new guidelines outlining the criteria for Level 1, 2 and 3 stroke centers. The standards specify requirements for treating a minimum number of stroke patients and performing specific procedures annually.
The CDC guideline provides 19 recommendations for diagnosing, managing, and treating mild traumatic brain injury in children, including return to school and symptom management. The guideline aims to improve clinical decision-making and treatment outcomes for pediatric concussions.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine finds that urgent care visits have increased significantly while emergency room visits for low-acuity conditions have decreased by 36 percent between 2008 and 2015. The growth of urgent care centers is attributed to their convenience, shorter wait times, and lower costs.
The Keep It Up! program, a novel online HIV prevention initiative, has been shown to reduce sexually transmitted infections by 40 percent among gay young men. The program will now be implemented nationally as part of the next phase, testing two implementation strategies: community-based and direct-to-consumer methods.
A new evidence-based white paper provides practical approaches to preventing Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infections in neonatal intensive care units. The guidance recommends against routine testing for C. difficile in neonates and suggests evaluating first for more common causes of diarrhea.
A study by McLean Hospital calls for a unified approach to preventing suicides and other self-injury deaths. Researchers found that the estimated mortality rate from self-injury surpassed diabetes, prompting experts to emphasize the need for more effective prevention strategies.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that community health center programs mailing free colorectal cancer screening tests to patients' homes increased screening rates by nearly 4 percentage points. Clinics that implemented the program had higher proportions of patients screened, with reminder letters significantly improving return rates.
A study led by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that substituting three words (
Namibia achieved high levels of viral load suppression among women and adults, with progress attributed to targeted expansion of prevention and treatment services. However, gaps remain in western Africa, particularly among young women and men, highlighting the need for expanded primary HIV prevention and treatment resources.
The Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials has been renewed for five more years, enabling the study of new treatments for brain disorders. Nine clinical trials are currently underway, demonstrating the potential of NeuroNEXT to expedite research and bring treatments to patients faster.
The study found variations in antibiotic prescribing patterns among different outpatient settings, including urgent care centers, retail clinics, and emergency departments. These variations suggest differences in patient mix and the potential for unnecessary antibiotic use, particularly for viral respiratory infections.
The American Cancer Society is outlining its vision for cancer control in the decades ahead, aiming to eliminate socioeconomic disparity to prevent one in four cancer deaths in the US. The blueprint identifies key areas such as prevention, screening, and early detection, and emphasizes the need to address disparities in cancer outcomes.
A novel online HIV prevention program has reduced sexually transmitted infections in gay young men by 40 percent, reports a Northwestern Medicine study. The program, Keep It Up!, weaves HIV prevention information into the typical experiences of young gay men, targeting settings such as dating and starting new relationships.
The International Journal on Child Maltreatment will publish research on prevention, control and mitigation of child abuse and neglect. The journal aims to present innovative programs and policies for enhancing children's safety and wellbeing.
A study published in The American Surgeon found that ambulatory surgical centers who publicly listed their prices saw increased patient volume and revenue. Five of the six centers reported a 30-50% increase in revenue and patient satisfaction after implementing price transparency.
A new study identifies significant challenges in infection prevention and control practices at critical access hospitals (CAHs), with gaps found in all domains. The study recommends increased staffing, competency-based training programs, and audits to improve patient safety.
A new study found that Medicaid expansion increased visits, asthma treatment, and hypertension control in rural community health centers, while also reducing uninsurance rates. The study suggests that expanding Medicaid can improve healthcare outcomes in rural areas.
The NSF-Simons Research Centers will investigate the mathematical foundations of biological systems, shedding light on the pathways from DNA to organismal complexity. This knowledge may lead to predictive frameworks for understanding phenotypes across multiple scales and time.
Liver transplant centers are increasingly accepting transplants for patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis, showing positive outcomes and high one-year survival rates of over 90%. Centers use selective criteria to evaluate candidates, assessing medical history, social support, and psychiatric disorders.
A study of 138 VA medical centers found wide variations in mortality rates for patients with ischemic heart disease and chronic heart failure. Mortality rates ranged from 5.5% to 9.4% for ischemic heart disease and 11.1% to 18.9% for chronic heart failure.
A pioneering paper provides a practical guide for infection control in clinics, emphasizing the importance of hand hygiene, injection safety, cleaning, sterilization, and high-level disinfection. The guide promotes a proactive approach to infection prevention and control, empowering patients to hold healthcare providers accountable.
A new study suggests that adolescents and young adults with acute leukemia have a survival advantage when receiving treatment at pediatric cancer centers versus adult centers, particularly those affiliated with the National Cancer Institute. This is due to the more experienced care teams in these settings.
A NYU Dentistry study found that a comprehensive cavity prevention program with primary and secondary prevention strategies significantly lowers the rate of new and untreated cavities compared to traditional molar sealant programs. Both school-based programs reduced the risk of untreated decay over time.
Infection prevention and control (IPC) and antibiotic stewardship (AS) programs are intrinsically linked to achieve patient safety. Implementing both IPC and AS measures together is more effective than AS measures alone.
A University of Michigan biophysicist and her team have imaged the moment a photon sparks the first energy conversion steps of photosynthesis. The findings provide crucial insights into the initial charge separation during photosynthesis, an essential step in the process.
Japanese researchers have optimized laboratory-grown diamond structures to detect magnetic fields, enabling new biosensing applications. The design uses nitrogen-vacancy centers with stable negative charge states, reducing noise and increasing detection accuracy.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing used implementation science to evaluate cervical cancer prevention programs in sub-Saharan Africa. They identified a need for additional organizational and structural support to sustain implementation and improve cervical cancer prevention.
A growing number of centers are advertising stem cell therapies for knee osteoarthritis, claiming an 80% success rate. However, research has found poor levels of evidence to support the efficacy of these treatments, and no correlation between treatment costs and effectiveness.
A new study from Massachusetts General Hospital reveals that over 40% of patients treated at community health centers have a history of housing problems. The researchers emphasize the importance of identifying these issues in a clinical setting to initiate referrals for housing assistance and other social services.
Recent research by Children's Hospital Colorado found that loss of control eating impacts bariatric surgery success rates in adolescents. The study, published in Pediatrics, revealed that patients who engaged in loss of control eating after surgery experienced poorer weight loss outcomes.
A study by Dr. Jonathon Rendina and Dr. Jeffrey Parsons found that 70% of HIV-positive and 36% of HIV-negative men perceive the 'Undetectable = Untransmittable' message as accurate, with rates increasing since earlier studies. Regular testing and PrEP use are associated with higher accuracy perceptions.
The USPSTF has updated its recommendation statement on the use of hormone therapy in postmenopausal women, citing uncertain evidence on whether menopause increases the risk of chronic conditions. The organization recommends against combined estrogen and progestin hormone therapy or estrogen alone for primary prevention.
A research team from MSU found that stretching diamond crystallites under an electric field causes changes in luminescence spectrum, making them suitable for use in quantum optic devices. The discovery could lead to the development of detectors for contact-free measuring of electric and magnetic fields with high spatial resolution
A team from Peking University successfully experimentally demonstrated a 70Gb/s optical link using an 18GHz band-limited VCSEL and multimode fibers. This achievement showcases the potential for realizing high-speed data transmission in data centers using low-cost and band-limited devices. The study's results have important scientific s...
The HPTN 084 study enrolls 3,200 HIV-uninfected women in seven countries to test the safety and efficacy of a long-acting injectable cabotegravir compared to daily oral TDF/FTC. The study aims to increase HIV prevention choices for women, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where they bear a disproportionate burden.
The first large-scale clinical trial of a long-acting injectable medication for HIV prevention in sexually active women has begun. The study will examine whether a long-acting form of the investigational anti-HIV drug cabotegravir can safely protect women at risk for HIV infection.
A combination of proven HIV prevention measures significantly reduced new HIV infections in a Ugandan district. The strategy includes voluntary medical male circumcision and HIV-suppressing antiretroviral therapy.
The SWOG and Hope Foundation's VA Integration Support Program provides $25,000 grants to VA medical centers to enroll veterans in targeted treatments and immunotherapies. Since program launch, 95 patients have enrolled in clinical trials, a 300% increase prior to the program.
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that ambulatory surgery centers performed 73% of cataract surgeries in 2014, up from 43.6% in 2001. The shift is driven by convenience, lower out-of-pocket costs, and decreased cost-per-case for insurers.