A new study finds that cannabis use disorder diagnoses rose substantially across all age groups, race/ethnicity, and comorbidity subgroups nationwide from 2000 to 2022. People living with HIV experienced the greatest relative increase in CUD diagnoses, particularly among older adults.
A new study found that PFAS exposure remains a concern for California adults, with drinking water, seafood, eggs, and brown rice identified as contributors. While dietary associations are lower than previous studies, the findings highlight the need to regulate PFAS in drinking water.
A new study found that brick kiln owners in Bangladesh are willing to implement energy-efficient operational changes after receiving training and support. The changes led to a 23% reduction in energy use and substantial savings in coal expenditures.
A new study found that collegiate recovery programs with multiple funding sources served twice as many students, providing dedicated space and relapse management support. These programs offer inclusive All Recovery meetings, which provide a welcoming space for students on different recovery journeys to connect and heal.
A study found that losing a parent increases the risk of bullying among female children, adolescents, and those in rural areas. The researchers hope this data informs tailored support for bereaved youth. Effective interventions should address emotional and social dimensions of support, fostering inclusive environments.
A new study found that both oral and injectable forms of naltrexone are effective in reducing heavy drinking among hospitalized patients. The medication was administered before discharge, resulting in a significant decrease in heavy drinking within the last 30 days of the three-month follow-up period.
A new study found that reported tuberculosis diagnoses among incarcerated people in Europe and the Americas plummeted by up to 100% during the pandemic, despite consistent incarceration rates. This reduction was distinct from general population trends, highlighting the need for improved healthcare systems within prisons.
A study by Boston University School of Public Health found that over half of US adults experience some form of discrimination, which can lead to higher chances of depression and/or anxiety. Discrimination-related mental health issues were particularly pronounced among multiracial, White, and Asian populations.
A new study finds that firearm homicide rates rose faster among youth than adults during the second half of the pandemic, with adolescent age groups showing no sign of decreasing. Gun violence prevention programs for school-aged children are urgently needed to address this persistent rise in firearm homicide rates.
A new study found that less than half of Medicaid managed care plans cover all four FDA-approved medications for treating alcohol use disorder. The majority of these plans covered naltrexone, while disulfiram and acamprosate were less commonly covered.
A new dataset captures over 170 years of US state laws governing minors' legal capacity to independently consent to sexual health services without parental involvement. This increase in states allowing minors to consent has substantial limitations, including complexity and neglect of confidentiality concerns.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health refutes claims that Medicaid expansion increases misuse of prescription opioids and benzodiazepines. Despite initial concerns, the study found no association between Medicaid expansion and non-prescribed opioid use among people who inject drugs.
Emissions from SUVs and light-duty trucks cause 90% of nitrogen dioxide-related deaths, with suburban driving linked to greatest health damages. The study's findings inform geographically targeted transportation policies and climate action plans for Boston and cities nationwide.
A new study found that an Oakland law requiring cigarette prices to increase to a minimum of $8 per pack led to a 15-percent decrease in cigarette sales and a 25-percent decrease in lower-priced cigarettes. The policy may be particularly effective at curbing tobacco initiation among low-income individuals and youth.
A new law in Utah allows minors to revoke their informed consent for gender-affirming care, casting a cloud over the trusted process between doctors and patients. This legislation puts clinicians at risk of litigation and may limit access to necessary medical treatments.
Early adult mortality in the US is higher than expected after the COVID-19 pandemic, with researchers finding a sharp rise in death rates among adults aged 25-44. The study highlights the need for comprehensive policies to address structural factors driving worsening health among young adults.
A new study found disparities in access to semaglutide based on insurance plan, job industry, sex, and other factors. Individuals with female identities, preferred provider organization coverage, and antidepressant use were more likely to start taking semaglutide compared to males or those with certain employment industries.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that lower access to air conditioning increases the need for emergency care for wildfire smoke exposure. People living in areas with low air conditioning availability are at higher risk, especially children and the Black population.
A new study reveals that more than half of US college students experience alcohol-related harms caused by others. The findings show that students who identified as White, cisfemale, or transgender, and those living with roommates, were at greater risk. Commonly reported harms included social harm, sleep disruptions, and emotional hurt.
A new study suggests that a cancer peer support program called Stronger Together improved psychological outcomes, as well as overall quality of life, among patients with breast and gynecological cancers in Vietnam. The program showed promise for providing critical social support in low-resource settings.
A new study found that pregnant people in Massachusetts who made multiple unscheduled hospital visits during pregnancy were more likely to experience severe maternal morbidity. The study revealed that nearly half of these patients visited multiple hospitals, leading to inconsistent treatment and poor maternal outcomes.
A new study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health found that children living in areas with a high burden of tuberculosis have a consistently high annual risk of developing TB infection throughout childhood. By age 10, over 10% of children developed TB disease.
A new study found that embedding a customizable digital pet game within a popular smoking cessation app increased user engagement and direct use of the app's smoking cessation tools. Overall engagement with the app increased by 20 percent, and direct use of the tool increased by 30 percent among participants who had access to the game.
A new commentary found that power plants' use of air pollution control devices (APCDs) saved up to 9,100 lives and up to $100 billion in health costs in 2023. The researchers estimated that APCD use could plummet and severely jeopardize the health of the public if Project 2025 or the America First Agenda is enacted.
A new study found that extreme heat increases mortality risk for people experiencing homelessness, particularly in hot-climate US counties like Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Heat exposure is estimated to be 10-100 times greater among unhoused individuals than in the general population.
A new study found that sexual and gender minority adults in the US experience multiple social risk factors, including life dissatisfaction, social isolation, and stress. This highlights the need for policies advancing health and socioeconomic well-being of these groups.
A research team led by Maria Glymour will investigate four modifiable risk factors for ADRD: lifetime alcohol use, depression, vision and hearing impairments, and social isolation. The project aims to provide comprehensive evidence on how these risk factors contribute to ADRD risk.
A new JAMA commentary by Boston University School of Public Health researchers warns that Project 2025's conservative blueprint would undermine healthcare and public health. The playbook's proposals, led by The Heritage Foundation, include deregulating healthcare, weakening the ACA, and allowing discrimination within healthcare settings.
A new analysis by Boston University School of Public Health found that between 2020-2024, 30 states enacted laws targeting Black people, LGBTQ+ individuals, transgender people, and birthing people. The study suggests that these discriminatory laws work in tandem to curtail legal protections for marginalized populations, leading to nega...
A new study found that neighborhoods with fewer opportunities are associated with a higher risk of preterm birth, particularly among Black and Hispanic infants. The study suggests that structural racism and discriminatory practices contribute to this racial gap in preterm birth outcomes.
A new study found that Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in Massachusetts increased prenatal and postpartum office visits, postpartum depression screenings, and timely postpartum care. This value-based model of care addressed inequities in healthcare access for pregnant and postpartum people covered by Medicaid.
A new study found that communities with pharmacies implementing a state standing order to distribute naloxone without a prescription showed a significant decrease in opioid-related deaths. The analysis, conducted from 2013 to 2018, observed a gradual decline of 16% per year in cities with naloxone distribution, compared to those without.
A new study found that communities with pharmacies dispensing standing order naloxone experienced a gradual and significant decrease in opioid deaths, averaging 16% per year. This suggests that expanding access to naloxone through state-mandated standing orders can save lives and reduce opioid fatality rates.
A new study has identified CCL27 and TNFRSF14 as genetic markers in inflammation that may contribute to stroke recurrence. These findings could lead to novel drug targets to mitigate disability and mortality after a first stroke.
A new study found that increased exposure to residential greenery during midlife can help stave off cognitive decline. Higher average exposure to greenness was linked to higher levels of cognitive function and slower cognitive decline, particularly among people living in low-socioeconomic status and highly populated neighborhoods.
A new study suggests that lowering systolic blood pressure below 120 mmHg over time may produce slight health-protective benefits against late-life dementia. The study found that middle-aged adults who lower their systolic blood pressure, particularly Black and Latino individuals, had a reduced risk of developing dementia.
A new study suggests that people trying to conceive living close to oil and gas development sites experience heightened risk of developing adverse mental health outcomes. High perceived stress was elevated among those living just 1.25 miles away from the activity.
A new commentary in JAMA explains the benefits and barriers of CMS' recommendations to incorporate sexual orientation and gender identity questions into Medicaid applications. The guidance aims to improve health equity by collecting self-reported SOGI data from 88 million adults enrolled in Medicaid, but limitations include non-represe...
A study by Boston University School of Public Health found that over 1 in 10 FQHC patients experience major social risk factors such as food insecurity, housing insecurity, and financial strain. These challenges are significantly higher among FQHCs serving historically disenfranchised groups.
A new commentary urges public health researchers to incorporate questions about partisan identity in demographic data collection, arguing that excluding this information could lead to ineffective policy and health promotion interventions. By including partisanship in more public health surveys, researchers can better track its impact o...
A new study found that people exposed to higher levels of airplane noise were more likely to have a higher body mass index, an indicator for obesity that can lead to cardiometabolic diseases. The study highlights the role of environmental factors in shaping health outcomes.
A new BU study links sewage overflows to increased risk of acute gastrointestinal illnesses in downstream communities. Residents are at a 62% higher risk of developing AGI within four days after large-volume combined sewer overflows, regardless of drinking water source.
A new study suggests that countries should prioritize tuberculosis treatment for exposed individuals with evidence of TB infection, regardless of age—except in high-burden settings, where all exposed individuals should be considered for treatment. Preventive treatment can stop latent TB infections from developing into deadly TB disease.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that less than 15% of US college students can administer naloxone, a life-saving medication for opioid overdoses. Despite this, nearly 62% of students can identify signs of an overdose and nearly 67% feel comfortable calling emergency services.
A new study published in Addictive Behaviors found that frequent social media use among US youth is associated with a higher risk of tobacco initiation. Youth who engaged with tobacco marketing on social media platforms were more likely to start using tobacco products, highlighting the need for regulation and education.
A new study found that extending Medicaid eligibility for birthing people increases treatment for perinatal mood and anxiety disorder by 20.5 percentage points, compared to those with commercial insurance. Retaining postpartum Medicaid coverage also significantly lowers patients' out-of-pocket spending for mental healthcare.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health reveals that nearly half of Las Vegas concertgoers who survived the 2017 mass shooting experienced major depressive episodes within the past year. The study also found that over 63% of survivors reported post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms during the same time period.
A new study found that shortening overnight operations at bars and taverns reduced homicides by 51% within the first month and by 40% annually. Reducing late-night alcohol sales also decreased all violent crimes by 23% annually in a Baltimore neighborhood.
A new nationwide study found that workplace policies prioritizing job flexibility and security can lead to healthier work environments, reducing stress and improving overall well-being. Employed adults with greater job flexibility and higher job security were less likely to experience serious psychological distress or anxiety.
A new study has identified 17 significant genetic variants linked to Alzheimer's disease in five genomic regions. The findings highlight the value of whole genome sequencing data in gaining long-sought insight into the ultimate causes and risk factors for Alzheimer's, which is the fifth leading cause of death among people 65 and older.