Ransomware attacks on hospitals have increased fourfold from 2015 to 2016, with the amount of money paid to hackers rising to $1bn. Hospitals can take steps to prevent these attacks by implementing digital hygiene measures and frequent backups to protect their data.
A panel of international experts recommends against knee arthroscopy for almost all patients with degenerative knee disease, citing limited evidence of long-term pain relief and function improvement. Non-use of knee arthroscopy can be used as a performance measure to reduce unnecessary surgery.
A diet high in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, but low in salt, sugary drinks, and red meat, is associated with a lower risk of gout. The DASH diet has been found to reduce blood pressure and uric acid levels, suggesting it may also lower gout risk.
A study found that commonly prescribed NSAIDs increase the risk of heart attacks, with a 20-50% increased risk compared to non-users. The risk is highest with higher doses and in the first month of use.
Research suggests that pharmaceutical promotion can lead to overprescription of brand-name medications. The study found that top-selling and top-prescribed drugs were more likely to be effective, safe, affordable, novel, and represent a genuine advance in treating a disease. However, heavily promoted drugs often fell short in these areas.
A study published in The BMJ found no association between long-term gluten intake and the risk of coronary heart disease in people without celiac disease. However, restricting dietary gluten may lead to a low intake of whole grains, which are associated with cardiovascular benefits.
Experts argue that the UK will lose its fundamental right to health if the government proceeds with plans not to convert the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights into UK law. The charter has been used to uphold public health laws and regulations in EU courts.
New data reveals low levels of referrals to Prevent programme since its implementation, with mental health trusts showing higher rates of referrals. NHS staff training on the programme is also found to be inconsistent, with some trusts reporting only a few percent of staff having received training.
Routine blood tests are wasteful and potentially damaging, argue experts in The BMJ. They highlight the need for clinicians to rethink what counts as 'routine' when ordering laboratory tests.
Coronary artery disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that responds to a Mediterranean-style diet rich in anti-inflammatory compounds, experts claim. A brisk daily walk of just 22 minutes can also significantly reduce biological risk factors for sedentary adults.
Combining aerobic and resistance exercises can significantly enhance the brain power of older adults. The analysis showed that exercise improves cognitive abilities, with aerobic exercise enhancing global cognition and resistance training having a pronounced effect on executive function, memory, and working memory.
Research reveals that only one in five children with suspected child abuse-related serious injuries is treated at a designated major trauma centre. These children face nearly three times the mortality risk as those injured unintentionally.
Exposure to childhood adversities such as parental psychiatric disorder and death in the family increases the risk of suicide in adolescence and young adulthood. A study of 548,721 individuals found that those exposed to two or more adversities had a markedly increased risk of suicide.
Active commuting by cycling is associated with substantial health benefits, including lower risks of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Walking also shows benefits, but only if done for more than six miles a week.
A small study reveals a significant variation in coroner decision-making processes, which can affect the prevention of future deaths. The findings highlight the need for a national coroner consensus to achieve a shared inference from available evidence.
A small study found that the new chemical composition of poppers is linked to retinal damage, with symptoms starting within hours or days of inhaling the substance. Most patients fully recovered after stopping drug use, but some experienced prolonged visual effects.
Research found a heightened risk of abnormal growths in the colon and rectum among women who used antibiotics for extended periods during their 20s-50s. Long-term antibiotic use was associated with a 36% increased risk of colorectal adenomas, which may precede bowel cancer.
Access to UK sexual health clinics has worsened over the past few years, with women being less likely to receive appointments. Clinics in England show the sharpest decline, falling below recommended standards of offering 98% of patients an appointment within 48 hours.
Research published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine found a doubling of ALS risk among men exposed to very low frequency electromagnetic fields at work. High levels of exposure were associated with nearly twice the likelihood of developing the disease.
A systematic review found that UK public health interventions return an average ROI of £14.30 on every £1 spent, with national policies producing even higher returns. The study warns that recent cuts to public health budgets will cost the NHS and economy 'billions'.
Very premature babies benefit from corticosteroids given to mothers at risk of preterm delivery. Exposure to antenatal corticosteroids reduces mortality and morbidity rates, especially among infants born at the lowest gestations.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that knee replacement surgery for patients with osteoarthritis has limited effects on quality of life and is economically unattractive. However, restricting the procedure to patients with more severe symptoms may improve effectiveness and make it more economically viable
Experts call for improved surveillance, latest testing technology, and further research on glyphosate's impact on human health and the environment. The current safety standards may fail to protect public health and the environment from potential harm.
A large study of UK adults found that moderate drinking is associated with a lower risk of several cardiovascular diseases, including angina and heart failure. However, heavy drinking was linked to an increased risk of other conditions, such as cardiac arrest and ischaemic stroke.
The NICE-recommended 'budget impact test' aims to slow-track technologies costing the NHS over £20m a year, but experts say it's flawed and discriminatory. The test prioritizes cost-effectiveness over patient needs, potentially leading to widespread harms.
Research published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care found that higher outdoor temperatures are associated with increased diabetes incidence and glucose intolerance prevalence worldwide. A 1°C rise in temperature could account for more than 100,000 new diabetes cases per year in the USA alone.
Young men who are overweight or obese are at a higher risk of developing severe liver disease or liver cancer in later life. Men with obesity have more than twice the risk of liver problems compared to normal-weight men.
A study found that taking opioids with benzodiazepines increases the risk of opioid overdose by substantially. Researchers call for cautious prescribing and education programs to warn prescribers and patients about the risks of concurrent use.
Experts predict that adopting and enforcing tighter air quality standards in China could save 3 million premature deaths each year, primarily due to a decrease in cardiorespiratory diseases. The study found that bringing PM10 levels to the WHO standard of 20 μg/m3 would have significant public health benefits.
Research published in Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health found that parenthood is associated with lower risks of death in older age, particularly among men. The study tracked the lifespan of over 1.4 million people in Sweden and found a two-year difference in life expectancy between parents and childless individuals.
A long-term study of British children found that physical activity levels began to decline at age 7, not just during adolescence. The study suggests that a shift in research focus is needed to understand the factors behind this decline and inform policy and practice.
Research published in Archives of Disease in Childhood found a strong association between daily screen time of 3+ hours and increased risk factors for type 2 diabetes in children, including adiposity and insulin resistance. The study suggests that reducing screen time may be beneficial in reducing these risk factors.
A new model of care has been associated with a higher uptake of insulin treatment among patients with type 2 diabetes, reports a study published in The BMJ. By focusing on an enhanced role for practice nurses, the model aims to improve outcomes and reduce barriers in clinical practice.
Bruno Moonen advocates for a global commitment to support regional elimination efforts and sustained investments in research, while Clive Shiff suggests prioritizing the management of health services rather than massive eradication efforts due to funding constraints and resource limitations.
The Trump administration's policy changes put women's access to effective contraception and abortion care at risk. Professor Daniel Grossman warns that the re-imposition of the Mexico City Policy and proposed legislation could severely limit access to reproductive healthcare services, particularly for low-income individuals.
A large-scale study found a significant association between autoimmune diseases and increased risk of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's. People admitted to hospital for autoimmune diseases were 20% more likely to be readmitted for dementia compared to those with other conditions.
Local sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) for NHS England are unlikely to work due to four major problems: insufficient funding, rushed development, lack of statutory force, and a gap in social care services. Expert Kieran Walshe calls for government action to address these issues.
Research suggests exposure to low doses of pyrethroid insecticides may be associated with behavioral disorders in children. Higher levels of specific metabolites were linked to internalising and externalising behaviors.
A study reveals significant variation in palliative care services across England, with some regions failing to provide standardised information and patient choice being hindered. Experts recommend a national framework to ensure fair access to palliative care, citing the Welsh Palliative Care Strategy as a best practice model.
A large-scale study published in The BMJ found that taking neuraminidase inhibitors during pregnancy does not increase the risk of adverse birth outcomes. The study analyzed nearly 6,000 women who received these medications and did not find a link to low birth weight, stillbirth, or birth defects.
A large review found strong associations between obesity and risk of certain cancers, including oesophageal, bone marrow, colon, rectal, biliary tract system, pancreatic, endometrial, and kidney cancers. The study calls for more research to confirm these findings.
A diet rich in fruit and vegetables is associated with a significantly lower risk of chronic lung disease (COPD) in former and current smokers. The study found that each additional daily serving was linked to a 4-8% lower risk, with the strongest influence coming from apples, green leafy vegetables, and peppers.
Researchers found that people with severe gum disease had higher HbA1C values and were more likely to have pre-diabetes or suspected diabetes. This suggests that severe gum disease may be an early sign of undiagnosed diabetes, making screening in dental practices a feasible option.
Research published in BMJ Open found that brainy teens are less likely to smoke, but more likely to drink alcohol and use cannabis. The study tracked the substance use of over 6,000 English teenagers from age 11 to 19, revealing persistent patterns into adulthood.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that nearly all off-label antidepressant prescriptions (around 29%) were not supported by strong scientific evidence. Only 16% of these prescriptions had direct evidence backing the drug's use for the indication, while 40% relied on another drug in the same class with strong evidence.
Experts argue that the UK's action plan to reduce childhood obesity is lacking in key measures, including evidence-based interventions and strong controls on advertising. They recommend a new global alliance to strengthen the plan and develop a strategy for childhood and future societal health.
The BMJ warns that Trump's administration may damage health by suppressing research and limiting communication on scientific topics deemed politically inconvenient. This could harm public health efforts globally.
A panel of international experts recommends abandoning the costly and ineffective treatment, citing a lack of benefit for outcomes important to patients. The guideline advises against using ultrasound therapy for bone healing after fracture, suggesting future research focus on other interventions that may speed up healing.
Experts warn that routine screening may lead to overdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. The US Preventive Services Task Force's liberal recommendations have sparked criticism, with some experts questioning the validity of the research methodologies used.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that vitamin D supplementation results in a 12% reduction in the proportion of participants experiencing at least one acute respiratory tract infection. Daily or weekly doses show greater benefit, particularly in those with severe vitamin D deficiency.