A large observational study found that replacing red meat with high-quality plant foods like beans and nuts reduces the risk of coronary heart disease. Substituting whole grains, dairy products, and eggs for red meat also yields lower CHD risk.
The COVID-19 vaccine's effectiveness and risks require transparent communication to build trust and achieve herd immunity. Healthcare professionals must provide comprehensive information on the pros and cons of vaccination to influence uptake.
A coroners' analysis of two deaths found that swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitizers can kill. The public is largely unaware of the potential safety hazards, and more needs to be done to protect those at risk, such as children, people with dementia/confusion, and those with mental health issues.
Experts urge governments to adopt a more pragmatic, evidence-based approach to COVID-19 infection control in primary schools. They recommend relaxed rules and prioritization of vulnerable children for vaccination and testing, to minimize school closures and its impact on physical and mental health.
A study of over 1 million children found that those born early had a higher risk of hospital admissions throughout childhood. The risk declined with age, but remained elevated until age 10, especially for those born at 38 and 39 weeks' gestation.
New global guidelines suggest exceeding weekly recommended physical activity levels can counter early death risk linked to long periods of sedentary time. The World Health Organization recommends 150-300 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week.
The new 'green Med' diet contains more plant-based foods, green tea, and Mankai (duckweed) than the traditional version. After six months, those on the green Med diet lost more weight, had lower waist circumference, and improved cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors.
A study of over 300,000 UK births found that many new mothers miss their scheduled postnatal check-ups, with younger women and those from deprived areas being the least likely to attend. This gap in care can have serious consequences for women's physical and mental health.
A large long-term study found that hormonal contraceptives may lower the risk of severe asthma bouts in women of reproductive age. However, the protective effect is relatively small and does not include progestogen-only Pill.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended against using remdesivir for treating COVID-19 patients in hospitals, regardless of their severity. The guideline is based on a review of four international trials involving over 7,000 patients and found no meaningful effect on mortality or ventilation needs
A recent study challenges the UK's current guidance on treating high blood pressure with medication, suggesting that it may not be necessary to consider age and ethnicity when choosing a treatment. The researchers found similar reductions in blood pressure for three major drug types in people of all ages and ethnicities.
A study of 286,825 participants found a significant association between permanent night shift work and moderate to severe asthma. The researchers suggest that adapting shift work schedules to individual chronotype may be a worthwhile public health measure.
Designing and marketing sexbots for older adults with disabilities could promote emotional health and wellbeing, counter ageism and stereotyping. This is based on research showing that sexual desires are fundamental to human dignity and respect, even in older age.
A study published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine found that newly retired women experience a sharp rise in sedentary time, which persists 2+ years later. The research suggests that prolonged sitting is more harmful than short bouts and may be linked to social isolation and decreased physical activity after retirement.
The BMJ argues that suppressing science is a danger to public health and maladministration of taxpayers' money when entangled with commercial decisions. To safeguard science, full disclosure of competing interests and transparency about decision-making systems are essential.
A study suggests that rapid finger-prick antibody tests for SARS-CoV-2 may deliver inaccurate results, with around 1 in 5 positive tests indicating a false positive. The test's accuracy varies depending on the individual's previous infection status, and laboratory confirmation is recommended for reliable results.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that women who stop using some forms of contraception, such as injectable methods, may experience a temporary delay in their return to fertility. After eight months, most women are able to conceive normally again.
Diseases of despair, including substance abuse and suicidal thoughts, have soared in the US over the past decade, affecting all ages. Between 2009 and 2018, life expectancy fell year on year, and deaths among middle-aged white non-Hispanic men and women rose sharply.
A leading ethicist suggests paying people to get the COVID-19 jab to achieve widespread coverage and stamp out infection. The proposal aims to boost vaccination uptake when voluntary schemes prove insufficient, considering financial or 'payment in kind' incentives.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found associations between exposure to high temperatures in pregnancy and increased risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth. The study analyzed data from 70 studies across 27 countries and found that the odds of preterm birth rose by 5% per 1°C increase in temperature.
Researchers found a significant impact on mortality if cancer treatment is delayed, whether it's surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. A four-week delay in treatment was associated with an increased risk of death across all common forms of cancer treatment.
Research found machine learning and statistical techniques have similar performance at the population level but vary substantially in individual-level risk predictions. Machine learning models often ignore censoring, leading to biased predictions.
A study of 104 grocery store employees in Boston found that those in customer-facing roles were 5 times more likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 than their colleagues. Additionally, three out of four infected workers had no symptoms, highlighting the potential for asymptomatic transmission among key workers.
A study from Scotland found that healthcare workers and their families are responsible for 17% of hospital admissions for Covid-19 in the working age population. Those in front door patient-facing roles, such as paramedics and A&E department staff, were at the highest risk of hospital admission.
A new study published in The BMJ provides updated estimates of the increased risks of breast cancer associated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use. For longer-term HRT use, the increased risks are lower than previously reported, while a more pronounced decline in risk is observed once HRT has stopped.
The rate of fatal police shootings of unarmed Black people in the US is significantly higher than among White people. Researchers found that the total numbers of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) killed in police shootings have not budged over the past 5 years.
Despite majority view that government is to blame for COVID-19 spread, survey data shows no clear link between public health issues and voting intentions. Researchers found 'null' results in terms of public opinion influencing electoral politics, suggesting politicians may not be punished or rewarded for pandemic management.
An international time trends analysis reveals that foreign disinformation social media campaigns are strongly associated with a decline in global vaccination rates. The study found a cumulative drop of 12 percentage points across the decade, with a 15% increase in negative tweets about vaccination.
Current Covid-19 vaccine trials are not designed to detect a reduction in serious outcomes such as hospitalisations, intensive care use, or deaths. The trials evaluate mild disease and may not provide evidence of vaccine effectiveness in preventing severe illness or transmission.
Research published in Thorax finds a clear association between steroid treatment and an increased risk of osteoporosis and fragility fractures. Patients prescribed high doses or multiple courses of steroid tablets were more likely to develop these conditions, highlighting the need for bone protection guidance in asthma management.
A new risk prediction model, QCOVID, estimates severe illness risk from Covid-19 in the UK adult population. The model performs well, predicting 73% of variation in time to death, and identifies individuals at highest risk.
A study of 4923 Japanese individuals with type 2 diabetes found that drinking 4 or more cups of green tea daily and 2 or more cups of coffee daily was associated with a 63% lower risk of death. Higher quantities of both beverages were linked to even greater reductions in mortality risk.
The Cardiff model, a data-sharing approach between hospitals and police, is lowering violent injury rates worldwide. Cities adopting this model are seeing significant drops in violence, with the World Health Organization endorsing its impact.
A 45-year-old man with asthma experienced sudden permanent hearing loss in one ear after being treated for COVID-19, highlighting a possible new side effect. Prompt steroid treatment can reverse the condition.
Research suggests that psychological distress during pregnancy may be linked to a heightened risk of asthma and poorer lung function in children. The study found that mothers' overall psychological distress was associated with a 45-92% increased risk of current asthma in their children, while fathers' symptoms had no association.
A review of COVID-19 policy changes found that pandemic restrictions widened existing gaps in access to abortion services across Europe. Enforced innovations such as telemedicine and home provision of abortion services could reverse this trend and promote long-lasting change for essential health services.
Research published in BMJ Global Health found that viewers who trust right-wing US TV media are less likely to engage in preventive behaviors and more likely to report risky behaviors. This association was observed despite health behaviors becoming more cautious over time.
Research suggests that pregnancy complications such as miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, and diabetes in pregnancy are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease in later life. Women who experienced early menarche, polycystic ovary syndrome, or low birth weight also showed an increased risk of heart disease.
A re-analysis of data from Imperial College London's report suggests that school closures would lead to more overall covid-19 deaths, while general social distancing was effective in reducing cases. The study also found that mitigation strategies focusing on shielding elderly and vulnerable people could minimize deaths.
A five-year exercise training trial found no correlation between physical activity and increased longevity among elderly participants. Researchers suggest that current guidelines for moderate-intensity exercise may be sufficient for reducing mortality risk in older adults.
A global analysis found that men predominate in over 85% of expert groups and task forces, with women making up just 11.5%. This 'disturbingly accepted pattern' of health governance underpins ineffective responses and costs lives. To combat this, experts advocate for truly representative membership, open communication, and inclusive da...
A surge in COVID-19 research submissions has led to a wave of retracted papers and concerns about data integrity, posing significant risks to patients and clinicians. The rapid pace of research raises questions about quality checks and ethical oversight.
A study published in The BMJ found that women with irregular or long menstrual cycles are at a greater risk of premature death. The researchers suggest considering the menstrual cycle as a vital sign of general health for women throughout their reproductive lifespan.
A study of critically ill adults with COVID-19 found that cardiac arrest is a common occurrence, associated with poor survival rates. Patients who received CPR had improved survival rates, but only a small percentage survived with normal neurological function.
Experts argue that the assisted dying debate needs a radical shift in perspective, moving beyond a medical framework. Studies show that depression, hopelessness, and perception of being a burden are stronger predictors of desire to hasten death.
A new study finds that regular use of acid reflux drugs is associated with a heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The longer these drugs are taken, the greater the risk seems to be, prompting researchers to advise blood glucose check-ups for long-term users.
Folate, magnesium, and dairy products have been found to be associated with a lower risk of bowel cancer. A diet high in fibre, fruit, and vegetables also shows promise, while garlic, onions, tea, coffee, fish, and meat may not have the same protective effect.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that excess belly fat is associated with a higher risk of early death from any cause. In contrast, larger hips and thighs were linked to a lower risk of premature mortality. This suggests that measuring central fatness may be a more reliable indicator of risk than body mass index.
MPs are urging the Prime Minister to address the health, wellbeing, and employment arrangements for those living with Long Covid. The call comes after receiving first-hand accounts from hundreds of people living with the condition, highlighting the need for formal recognition and support.
A Canadian study found that SGLT2 inhibitors reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke, among patients with type 2 diabetes. The study's findings suggest that these drugs offer cardioprotective benefits in a real-world setting.