A national study of 18,000 LGBTQ+ college students found that those experiencing discrimination are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. The study highlights the need for colleges to address discrimination as part of comprehensive suicide prevention efforts.
The Reddit community r/heat_prep shares practical advice on coping with extreme heat, revealing a disconnect between official guidance and community needs. Users share low-cost adaptations, peer-driven innovation, and emotional support, highlighting the potential of online communities to model effective health communication.
Extending Medicaid coverage to 12 months after childbirth increased postpartum health care utilization among women with pregnancy complications like diabetes and hypertension. This improvement in follow-up care can reduce immediate postpartum complications and long-term maternal health risks.
A new study of 5,589 participants across 21 countries found that mental accounting effects vary by income level, with individuals in lower-income countries more sensitive to monetary values. The study also revealed differences in effects by social context, decision perspective, and role in price determination.
The CDC's John R. Lewis Undergraduate Public Health Scholars Program cultivates diverse future leaders in public health, addressing workforce shortages. The program has accepted over 2,000 students, with more than half enrolling in advanced degree programs and 45% working in public health roles.
A new study finds that individuals with dementia who are overweight or obese tend to live longer than those in a normal weight range. The researchers suggest that nutrition may play a key role in the health and survival of people with dementia, pointing to potential benefits of excess weight in this context.
A new study by Columbia University researchers found elevated levels of toxic metals in Maui adults' urine months after 2023 wildfires, associated with reduced lung function. Arsenic, cadmium, copper, and antimony were found to contribute most strongly to these associations.
A systematic review of mobile phone use during pregnancy and fetal outcomes found that prolonged or intensive use was associated with a range of adverse outcomes, particularly cardiovascular abnormalities and shorter gestational duration. The evidence also suggests possible biological mechanisms through which mobile phone use could con...
A new study from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that stable employment in midlife is associated with better cognitive health in later life, while employment instability, early retirement, and dropping out of the labor force are linked to poorer cognitive outcomes. Men experience lower cognitive scores and gre...
A new study finds that people with autism spectrum disorder in the US face a 14-year deficit in life expectancy due to excess mortality from various causes. Life expectancy among Medicaid beneficiaries with ASD increased by 1.7 years between 2000-2004 and 2015-2019, but the gap with the general population persisted.
A new study from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that neighborhoods with medium levels of walkability had a 15% lower rate of developing type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes mellitus. However, the association varied depending on individual and neighborhood socioeconomic circumstances, including Medicai...
Researchers analyzed 3.6 million patient portal messages, finding that patients from historically marginalized groups were less likely to receive responses from their care teams. Writing style, including length, formality, and sentiment, accounted for nearly half of the differences in response rates among patient groups.
A new correspondence published in The Lancet highlights the importance of human health in the clean energy transition, citing a quintuple win of healthier populations, energy security, and climate mitigation. The authors recommend framing the transition around shared prosperity and wellbeing, and using metrics grounded in community har...
A new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that higher fluoride levels in public drinking water during pregnancy may be associated with lower fluid cognition scores in children. The study, supported by the National Institutes of Health, looked at the relationship between prenatal water fluoride exposure and chi...
Researchers found a significant association between declining air pollution and improved cognitive development in children. The study, published in Environmental Health, analyzed data from over 1,000 mother-child pairs and found a 26% increase in cognitive scores at age 3 with reduced air pollution concentrations.
Researchers developed a computational framework called DANDELION to identify disease-driving genes in complex diseases like asthma. The study found that protein palmitoylation plays a key role in driving the disease, revealing a potential new target for future therapies.
The article calls for centering Global South knowledge to broaden the way we think about sexual health research, policy, and practice. Global North frameworks have been criticized for being exclusionary and harmful, while the authors propose a more intersectional approach that incorporates sensory and embodied approaches.
A randomized trial found a significant reduction in alcohol use among refugees and locals in Mantapala refugee settlement. The SBIRT intervention was more effective than treatment as usual, with sustained effects over 12 months.
A new study published in JAMA found that prenatal alcohol exposure has increased in the US over the past decade, with a significant rise in current alcohol use, binge drinking, and heavy drinking among pregnant women. The study suggests that these trends may be concerning, as no amount of alcohol is established as safe during pregnancy.
A decade-long study found substantial regional variation in lithium exposure and established urinary lithium as a reliable measure of long-term environmental exposure. Household drinking water was linked to stable urinary lithium levels over 15 years, with most samples exceeding health-based screening levels.
The study found that the funding freeze disrupted sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV service interruptions, mental health crises, and growing inequities. Researchers propose diversified global health financing, stronger domestic preparedness, and rights-based approaches to mitigate future policy shocks.
The Lancet Haematology Commission reports on global female health challenges, focusing on hematologic health across multiple stages of life. The report outlines recommendations for improving outcomes, particularly for women with under-recognized, underdiagnosed, and stigmatized heavy menstrual bleeding.
Despite affecting an estimated 2 billion people, menstrual health continues to be overlooked by governments, businesses, and the scientific community. Experts call for comprehensive education, quality healthcare, and policies that enable people to manage menstruation with dignity.
A decade-long study found that benzodiazepine prescribing declined steadily before 2020 but leveled off after the pandemic began. Adults aged 75+ and those receiving medications through long-term care pharmacies saw an increase in prescriptions, highlighting the need for medication safety efforts.
A new study links even moderate drinking to elevated risks of chronic diseases and premature death. The research provides a much-needed benchmark with findings that one drink per day above the daily limit increases the risk of death, disability, and chronic diseases.
A new book titled SocialsVoice presents a complex portrait of the relationship between social media content and mental health from the perspective of Latino youth. Through participatory research, youth share their experiences online, including both negative stigmatizing content and supportive voices.
A new study at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that major health events increase the risk of housing instability and homelessness among Medicaid enrollees, with 21-35% rise in residential moves and 6-10% increase in homelessness risk. The study suggests that improving healthcare access and quality can also s...
Research reveals low adherence to recommended biannual A1C tests among postpartum women with newly diagnosed diabetes. Disparities emerged by race, insurance status, and family size, with significant gaps in care for Black women and those insured by Medicaid.
Despite clear guidelines, fewer than half of privately insured pregnant women with opioid use disorder receive the standard treatment of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Early identification and timely intervention are crucial in addressing this public health issue.
The study found that non-Hispanic Black men experienced the highest absolute increase in opioid-only mortality rates, followed by non-Hispanic White men and Hispanic men. Structural factors such as unequal access to care and medical mistrust continue to drive these disparities.
A study from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that Epstein-Barr virus and a specific immune-related gene interact to shape disease risk. The research identified a key interaction between the human HLA allele HLA-A*11:01 and a viral variant in the EBV gene EBNA3B, elevating nasopharyngeal cancer risk.
Higher stress and BMI levels are associated with earlier onset of puberty in girls, according to a new study. The findings suggest that multiple hormonal pathways play a critical role in pubescent development, with elevated progesterone, androgens, and glucocorticoids linked to accelerated puberty.
A new US sexual health survey finds many Americans report positive experiences in sex and pleasure, yet women and gender-diverse individuals face higher rates of sexual violence and lower pleasure. The study highlights the need for a national sexual health strategy to promote awareness, research, and healthy relationships.
A new study found that extending Medicaid coverage to 12 months postpartum reduced uninsurance among Black women in non-expansion states, but racial disparities persisted. The study analyzed data from 2016-2019 and 2021-2023 across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
A new study by Columbia University researchers introduces four novel metrics to assess progress on gun violence prevention, highlighting the decline of shooting-free days in major US cities. The study suggests that these metrics can identify protective conditions and inform policy to sustain longer periods without firearm violence.
States adopting recreational cannabis laws in addition to medical cannabis laws experienced a 45% relative reduction in cannabis seizure counts. This decline suggests a reduction in illegal cannabis supply and changes in law enforcement priorities.
A 25-year national study finds that restrictive abortion policies are associated with measurable rises in depressive symptoms among women, with an average increase of 7%. The study suggests that legal protections for reproductive health care may benefit mental health and counters misinformation regarding abortion and mental health.
A new study by Columbia University researchers found that Early Intervention services before age 3 are associated with improved third-grade academic outcomes in math and English language arts. Children who received EI services were more likely to meet academic standards, with benefits particularly pronounced among Latino/a children and...
Benzodiazepine use decreased across the US from 2018 to 2022, with the greatest decline among older adults. Nearly half of patients receiving benzodiazepines also took other central nervous system depressants, increasing the risk of adverse effects.
Researchers will analyze existing clinical trials to identify biomarkers and treatments that promote healthspan, rather than just extending lifespan. Early findings suggest promising results from trials testing drugs that target the core biological drivers of aging.
A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health reveals that team creativity is a powerful driver of well-being and effectiveness in primary care. The research found that higher levels of team creativity are associated with greater job satisfaction, lower burnout, and improved patient care.
Researchers found a significant association between tropical cyclone exposure and psychoactive drug-related deaths, with the effect more pronounced in wealthy, White communities. Younger populations, especially those aged 15 to 29 years, were also disproportionately affected.
A recent paper by Columbia University researchers calls for a re-examination of how famine thresholds are defined, citing stark disparities in how famine mortality is assessed across contexts. The authors argue that widespread starvation may go unrecognized until it is well advanced due to the current classification system.
A study found that young men want consensual sex but face challenges with verbal implementation, instead relying on embodied and intuitive cues. The researchers suggest a 'grey area' between consent and non-consent exists.
A large US study has found no association between community water fluoridation and lower birth weight, a widely accepted indicator of infant health. The study analyzed over 11 million singleton births across 677 counties and found small changes in birth weight that were not statistically significant.
A new study from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found significantly higher blood alcohol levels and intoxication rates among LGB women who died by suicide compared to heterosexual women. The study highlights alcohol use as a potentially modifiable target for suicide prevention efforts among this population.
A new study from Columbia University finds that recreational physical activity is associated with lower breast density and stress biomarker changes in adolescent girls. The research suggests a potential link between physical activity during adolescence and reduced breast cancer risk later in life.
Research finds that temperature spikes are associated with increases in interpersonal and self-inflicted violence, particularly among low-income communities. Warmer temperatures increase outbursts of temper and negative reactions to others, contributing to a rise in arguments, confrontations, and assaults.
The scale-up of HIV treatment and prevention programs has led to a dramatic decline in orphanhood rates in Rakai, Uganda. Between 2003–04 and 2020–22, orphanhood prevalence dropped from 21.5% to just 6.3%, while new cases attributed to maternal or parental HIV status declined significantly.
Researchers detected Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV) in five patients in Bangladesh with symptoms consistent with Nipah virus infection. The study highlights the importance of broad-spectrum surveillance programs to identify and mitigate public health risks from emerging bat-borne viruses.