A collaborative approach to information sharing on violence in Cardiff has saved £7 million in health, societal, and criminal justice costs. The programme uses anonymized data to create crime hotspot maps, targeting prevention activities more precisely.
According to a recent study, over 43 million adverse events caused by substandard care occur in hospitals annually. The burden is highest in low and middle-income countries, where blood clots are the most common type of substandard care.
The study found a marked rise in male suicide following the 2008 global economic crisis, with an estimated 5000 excess suicides in 2009. The impact varied by age, country, and employment change, with rises seen in males aged 15-24 and 45-64 in Europe and America.
Researchers in Italy found a local low-cost information campaign significantly decreased antibiotic prescribing rates by 11.9%, outperforming the national decrease of 3.2%. The campaign's effectiveness was attributed to doctors' endorsement and increased awareness, not patient pressure.
Experts warn that UK and US policies to screen for pre-dementia may lead to unnecessary investigation and treatment. Up to 65% of people aged over 80 may be incorrectly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
The largest ever study of NHS culture and behavior found that high-quality care is often hindered by unclear goals, excessive box ticking, and variable staff support. The analysis identified 'dark spots' of poor care and highlighted the need for clear goals, good intelligence on performance, and person-centered cultures.
A study found UK commercial baby foods lack essential nutrients, being predominantly sweet and similar in energy content to breast milk. They are often introduced too early, conflicting with government recommendations for exclusive breastfeeding until six months.
Research suggests that pictorial warnings are more effective than text alone but are less visible on the back of packs. The study found that only one in ten teens thought about the warnings when they weren't in sight, and regular smokers were not deterred by the warnings.
Researchers found that women infected with chlamydia or gonorrhoea before pregnancy had a heightened risk of stillbirth and premature birth. Despite controlling for other factors, the study suggests that these infections may be an important predictor of adverse obstetric outcomes.
Patients with low-risk papillary thyroid cancer are being overtreated with surgeries and radioactive iodine, despite stable death rates. The US has seen a significant increase in thyroidectomies and radioactive iodine use between 1973 and 2009.
UK research found that half of all seven year olds are sedentary for six to seven hours a day, with only half reaching the recommended minimum of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Girls, children of Indian ethnic origin, and those in Northern Ireland were the least active.
Research published in the journal Heart suggests that flu jab reduces heart attack risk by 45% in middle-aged individuals with narrowed arteries. The study found that flu was an underlying cause of heart attacks in hospital patients, and that vaccination may be protective.
English stop smoking services have increased their reach and impact threefold over 10 years, helping more than 20,000 smokers achieve long-term abstinence. However, considerable variability exists in outcomes across local areas, requiring further investigation.
A large nationwide study found that people with rheumatoid arthritis are at a higher risk of developing potentially fatal blood clots in the legs and lungs. The study revealed that patients with rheumatoid arthritis were more than twice as likely to develop these clots, with the risk being highest among younger adults.
Research found that C-section infants had a narrower range of beneficial bacteria in their guts compared to vaginally delivered infants. This has implications for the development of their immune systems and risk of allergies. The study also found lower levels of Th1 chemical messengers, which can contribute to allergic diseases.
Researchers report a family cluster of two patients with H7N9 infection, suggesting direct transmission from father to daughter. However, the authors stress that the ability to transmit itself is limited and non-sustainable.
A study published in the BMJ found that telephone health coaching did not reduce hospital admissions or related costs for patients with long-term conditions. In fact, the study suggests that it may even lead to increased hospital use and costs.
A new definition of chronic kidney disease labels over 1 in 8 adults as having the disease, but low rates of kidney failure suggest many may never progress to severe disease. Experts argue that this is evidence of overdiagnosis and call for greater scrutiny and public awareness.
A systematic review of six studies involving over 900,000 patients found a positive association between severe hypoglycaemia and cardiovascular disease risk. The link was consistent across all studies, suggesting that avoiding severe hypoglycaemia may be crucial to preventing CVD in type 2 diabetics.
Increased visit-to-visit blood pressure variability is associated with worse performance on cognitive tests, including selective attention and reaction time, general cognitive speed, immediate and delayed memory. Higher variability also links to higher stroke risk, independent of average blood pressure.
GP Margaret McCartney argues that NHS patient information leaflets are inadequate, providing inconsistent guidance and conflicting advice. The problem persists despite previous studies and a planned major project to standardize information, highlighting the need for high standards in updating and accessibility.
A screening tool used to detect suicide risk among patients who have self-harmed fails to accurately identify those in need of admission or treatment. The SADPERSONS Scale only picked up a small percentage of patients at high risk of further self harm, highlighting the need for more accurate assessment methods.
Research published in BMJ Quality & Safety found that most ward nurses report rationing care due to time pressures, with 86% saying they couldn't complete at least one care activity on their last shift. The study suggests that hospitals could use 'missed care' episodes as an early warning system for inadequate nurse staffing levels.
A study found that female deaths are underreported to coroners in England and Wales, with women being half as likely to proceed to an inquest. Men, on the other hand, were overrepresented in occupational diseases and suicide verdicts, while women were more likely to receive natural causes verdicts.
Research published in BMJ Open suggests that ACE inhibitors slow cognitive decline typical of dementia, even boosting brain power in patients. Compared to those not taking these drugs, patients on ACE inhibitors experienced marginally slower rates of cognitive decline.
A study analyzing published research found technology/equipment problems account for almost 25% of operating room errors. Preoperative surgical checklists have been shown to reduce the error rate by half, suggesting their implementation as routine practice.
Researchers found that physical inactivity, poor diet, and smoking are linked to an increased risk of disability in older adults. The study, which followed over 3,982 participants for 12 years, found that the incidence of disability increased with age, with those over 90 years old at highest risk.
A study of 536 smokers in Australia found that plain packaging makes cigarettes less appealing and increases the urgency to quit. This is significant as it can help curb tobacco's appeal and boost thoughts of quitting among smokers.
Research found a worrying increase in alcohol-related deaths among young women in Glasgow, Liverpool, and Manchester, contradicting overall falls in both countries. The study suggests that increased affordability, marketing, and cultural influences may be driving this trend.
Malpractice claims in primary care mainly stem from missed diagnoses of cancer, heart attack, and meningitis, with a substantial proportion of deaths attributed to these errors. Drug errors also account for a significant share of claims, although rates vary across countries.
Gay men are more than 15 times as likely to develop genital cancer as straight men due to HPV infection. Targeted vaccination is recommended for those aged up to 26 years, with sexual health clinics ideal for offering the vaccine.
The NHS is facing a deepening financial crisis, with the BMA warning that efficiency savings may need to reach £24.25bn by 2016. The head of health policy at the BMA believes this would require drastic measures, including 'pay and staffing levels to be decimated', making the service unviable.
The overuse of antibiotics in livestock and poultry poses a significant risk to human health, according to experts. A growing body of evidence suggests that routine antibiotic use in animal feed can worsen the epidemic of antibiotic resistance, with many public health authorities agreeing that it is a major concern.
The lack of transparency in clinical trials has been criticized by Ben Goldacre, who calls for the sharing of Clinical Study Reports to ensure informed decisions about medicines. The problem of missing trials is one of the greatest ethical challenges facing medicine today.
A study of British auction markets found that buyers on behalf of abattoirs preferred purchasing larger animals with maximum meat yield, excluding ponies. The research did not support the claim that the horse meat industry targets pet ponies for slaughter.
Research found that irregular bedtimes in early childhood are associated with lower intellectual performance in reading, maths, and spatial awareness, particularly for girls. The effects of disrupted sleep on brain development and learning are still not fully understood but may have lasting impacts on health throughout life.
Research published in BMJ Open found that 19.9% of respondents had been bullied by colleagues within the past six months, with medical and dental staff reporting the highest levels of bullying. The study also highlighted the impact of bullying on psychological distress, job satisfaction, and increased intentions to leave the profession.
A recent study has found a significant link between long-term night shifts and an increased risk of breast cancer. Women who worked night shifts for 30 or more years were twice as likely to develop the disease, highlighting the importance of workplace policy.
Replacing older sedentary electronic games with newer active versions significantly boosts daily physical activity levels among kids, with a 3-4 minute increase. Removing all devices also leads to a 4-5 minute decrease in sedentary time and a small but significant increase in moderate to vigorous physical activity.
Research found that breastfeeding significantly reduces chances of downward social mobility and increases odds of climbing the social ladder. Breastfed children showed improved brain development, stress levels, and intellect, which contribute to better adult outcomes.
Every year, around 700 women with urinary cancers are missing out on prompt diagnosis due to initial misattribution by family doctors. Women were twice as likely to have visited their GP multiple times before being referred to a specialist, leading to delayed diagnoses and poorer survival rates.
A study of over 90 studies found that daily iron intake during pregnancy increases average haemoglobin levels and reduces the risk of anaemia. Birth weight is also improved, but no reduction in preterm birth risk was observed.
The average UK salt content of packaged bread fell by 20% from 2001 to 2011, reducing the risk of heart disease and other health problems. Despite this progress, significant variations in salt levels among different products persisted.
A large study found that moderate drinking during pregnancy does not seem to affect a child's ability to balance. However, social advantage may be a factor, as more affluent and educated mothers tend to drink more. Better static balance was associated with greater levels of affluence and educational attainment.
A study of over 146,000 Dutch women found planned home births were associated with lower rates of severe maternal complications among parous women. However, first-time mothers showed no significant difference in risk.
A group of experts proposes restoring unpublished and misreported clinical trials to publish previously confidential trial documents, ensuring accurate treatment information. The effort aims to address the issue of unreported trials that have misled public health decisions and wasted public money.
The lack of hard data on drug safety during pregnancy is leading to a doubling of deaths among mothers with underlying health conditions. Pregnant women are hesitant to take medications due to concerns about their developing baby, while doctors are also reluctant to prescribe due to limited evidence.
Research shows free bus travel for teens in London led to a doubling of short journeys taken by bus, while walking decreased, but cycling declined. This shift reduced road traffic injuries and had a positive impact on the environment by decreasing car usage and distances traveled.
A study of 1300 German teens found that exposure to tobacco ads boosts the risk of starting to smoke by almost 40%, while increasing daily smoking chances by 30%. The analysis controlled for other influential factors, suggesting a direct link between tobacco ad exposure and smoking behavior.
A joint investigation by BMJ and Channel 4 Dispatches found that evidence of potential harm from new diabetes drugs has not been fully published. This has led to millions of patients worldwide being under-informed about possible risks. Regulators in Europe and the US have faced criticism for their slow response to emerging concerns.