A new study found that 77% of dentists ask patients about illicit drug use and 54% believe screenings should be their responsibility. Dentist attitudes toward substance misuse screening vary by age, gender, and prior training, but more educated and younger dentists are more likely to accept such screenings.
Two leading public health scholars, Sandro Galea and Ronald Bayer, warn that the US emphasis on precision medicine may distract from broader investments to reduce health inequities and address social factors. They cite a 2013 report by the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine, which found that health is determined by...
Researchers found antidepressants during pregnancy lowered the risk of preterm birth by 16% and very preterm birth by nearly 50%. However, they also increased the risk of neonatal problems, including breathing issues and longer hospital stays.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School developed a computer model that can predict flu outbreaks in subtropical climates like Hong Kong with high accuracy. The system forecasted peak timing and magnitude for 44 epidemics caused by specific influenza strains, including seasonal and pandemic outbreaks.
Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health notes that more efficient research methods are needed to continue scientific progress. Dr. Muennig's project demonstrates the potential for automation in public health research, reducing costs by over 75%.
Researchers found that children on summer break consume more sugar, watch more TV, and eat fewer vegetables than the rest of the year. Despite differences in obesity behaviors between income groups, overall patterns were similar across households above and below poverty thresholds.
As Medicaid approaches middle age, it will increasingly exercise its buying power to shape healthcare trends, including care management and population health. Despite low rates and stigma, Medicaid is a critical player in the US healthcare system, with potential for growth over the next 50 years.
A large study found that women with PTSD have a 60% higher rate of heart attacks and strokes compared to those without trauma. Trauma exposure alone also increases cardiovascular risk by nearly 50%. The authors suggest that integrating mental and physical health care may help reduce this risk.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found no evidence that warmer winters lead to reduced winter mortality rates. Instead, other seasonal factors such as lack of exercise and respiratory infections may drive winter excess mortality.
Energy efficiency upgrades significantly benefit low-income single-family homeowners, providing improved thermal comfort, enhanced health and safety, and reduced energy costs. Landlords also experience benefits, including lower heating fuel prices and an improved sense of safety.
National thought leaders convene at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health to identify gaps in understanding prevention of sexual violence on college campuses. The SHIFT study aims to address social and structural factors that contribute to vulnerability, engaging students, faculty, and administrators.
A genome-wide study found that malnutrition in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy is associated with changes in DNA methylation, which can suppress genes involved in growth, development, and metabolism. These findings have significant implications for understanding the long-term effects of prenatal nutrition on health outcomes.
A new study found that individuals who visited the emergency department four or more times in the past year were 48 times more likely to die from a prescription drug overdose. The research, published in Annals of Epidemiology, highlights the importance of ER visits as a predictor of overdose risk.
Scholars at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health explore the implications of fear-based campaigns in public health, highlighting successes and failures. While fear-based campaigns have been effective in reducing smoking rates, they may be counterproductive for HIV prevention, stigmatizing affected populations.
A recent study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that children born to mothers experiencing economic hardship and exposed to high levels of PAH during pregnancy scored significantly lower on IQ tests at age 5. The researchers followed 276 mother-child pairs from pregnancy through early childhood, observing ...
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that past-year heroin use rose significantly among individuals taking opioids like oxycontin, particularly among Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. The rate of heroin use for non-Hispanic whites increased by 75% in 2008-2011 compared to earlier years.
Researchers found a significant excess of obstetrics beds in NYC hospitals, resulting in wasted resources and estimated annual costs of $26.4 million. Reducing cesarean section rates by even a small percentage could lead to large savings and improved patient access to care.
Researchers found depressed levels of cytokines, including interleukin 1, in individuals with ME/CFS compared to healthy controls, while an inflammatory molecule called eotaxin was elevated in the group. These findings may contribute to symptoms such as brain fog and offer hope for objective diagnostic tests and therapies that correct ...
Researchers discovered that famine exposure during the first pregnancy trimester is associated with increased mortality from non-cancer causes, challenging the fetal origins hypothesis. The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, analyzed data from over 41,000 men born in the Netherlands during a period of famine and ...
A large longitudinal survey of Norwegian mothers found that children with autism spectrum disorder were two-and-a-half times more likely to have persistent gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms than children with typical development. The study also found that these symptoms appeared in infancy and persisted through age 3.
A study analyzing Oregon's Medicaid experiment reveals significant benefits in mental health, financial protection, and preventive screenings. The researchers estimate a $62,000 gain in quality-adjusted life years, making Medicaid a cost-effective investment.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that female health workers deployed to a remote rural area in northern Nigeria led to significant increases in healthcare service utilization. The program showed a 500% increase in health post visits, sustained over two years.
A study of rats exposed to lead found detrimental effects on brain cells and neurotransmitters associated with schizophrenia, including a decline in Parvalbumin-Positive GABAergic interneurons and increased levels of the dopamine receptor D2R. The findings support a link between early lead exposure and the onset of schizophrenia.
Excessive pregnancy weight gain was associated with greater overall and abdominal body fat in children and obesity at age seven. The study found that excessive pre-pregnancy weight gain was linked to a 300% increased risk of childhood obesity.
Researchers identified distinct immune changes in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), providing robust physical evidence of the disease's biological nature. The study's findings could improve diagnosis and treatment options for the debilitating disorder.
A 10-year decline in perception of marijuana risk is reported in a study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. Women over 50, non-white individuals, and those with lower incomes are more likely to perceive cannabis use as risky.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that female students, racial/ethnic minorities, and students of lower socioeconomic status are particularly affected by inadequate sleep. The proportion of adolescents who regularly get seven hours of sleep decreased among all groups between 1991 and 2012.
A package of scientific papers reveals that private wells in many US states and parts of Canada are contaminated with arsenic, threatening public health. The reports highlight the need for better regulation and mitigation measures due to low levels of oversight and inadequate measures.
A recent study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that half of young victims of fatal crashes in nine US states were under the influence of either alcohol or marijuana, or both. The study analyzed data from 1999 to 2011 and found that 50.3% of deceased tested positive for alcohol, marijuana, or both.
The LongROAD project tracks 3,000 active drivers aged 65-79 years for 5-10 years to shed light on aging drivers' safety needs. Findings will inform future interventions to maintain independence.
Researchers developed a culturally-based program that increased fruit and vegetable intake among Latina breast cancer survivors, leading to improved clinical outcomes and weight loss. The program's success has implications for other cancer survivors and larger populations.
A longitudinal cohort study of 49,739 women found a dose-response relationship between PTSD symptoms and increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The researchers also identified antidepressant use and elevated body mass index as significant contributors to the association.
A new study projects that the US drug overdose epidemic will peak at 50,000 annual deaths in 2017 before declining to 6,000 deaths in 2035. The researchers use Farr's Law to analyze the rise and fall of epidemics and predict a similar decline based on trends in prescription painkiller deaths.
Researchers found that sending text message reminders increased receipt of the second dose of the vaccine by the end of the season and brought children in sooner to be vaccinated. When educational information was embedded into the text messages, the effect was even greater compared to conventional text messages or written reminders only.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found a significant link between prenatal exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) and di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP) and substantial drops in child IQ scores. Children exposed during pregnancy to these chemicals had IQ scores on average six points lower than those exposed at lower levels.
Researchers found that individuals conceived during the Dutch Famine had altered regulation of growth genes, which may help them withstand adverse conditions but also increase risk for metabolic disease. The study, published in Nature Communications, provides new insights into epigenetics and its impact on human development.
Young adults who don't attend college are at high risk for non-medical prescription opioid use and disorder, while college-educated peers are more likely to misuse stimulants. The study analyzed data from 36,781 young adults aged 18-22, revealing a significant gap in substance abuse patterns between college graduates and non-graduates.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health estimates that obesity-attributable absenteeism among US workers costs the nation more than $8 billion annually, with state-level costs ranging from $14.4 million in Wisconsin to $907 million in California.
A recent study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that children exposed to antibiotics in the second or third trimester of pregnancy had a higher risk of childhood obesity at age 7. Additionally, delivery by Caesarean section was also associated with a higher risk of childhood obesity.
Researchers found that prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) raised the odds of behavior problems associated with ADHD at age 9. Children born to mothers exposed to high levels of PAH during pregnancy had five times the odds of inattentive-type ADHD compared to those whose mothers did not have high PAH exposure.
The study found that meditation, yoga, and relaxation with imagery received an 'A' grade for easing anxiety and mood disorders common to breast cancer patients. Acupuncture was also recommended for controlling chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that NYC rats harbor bacterial and viral pathogens, including Seoul hantavirus and rat hepaciviruses similar to human hepatitis C. The researchers identified 15 pathogens in 133 trapped rats, highlighting the importance of monitoring the city's rodent population.
Researchers found a 72% and 78% increase in childhood asthma risk among children exposed to butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), respectively, during pregnancy. Prenatal exposure to these phthalates can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress, increasing the risk of asthma.
Researchers at Columbia University and the University of Michigan found an interaction between the ADRB2 gene and childhood adversity in a study of Ohio National Guard soldiers. The study suggests that genetic variations can influence PTSD symptoms, particularly in individuals with two or more experiences of childhood trauma.
Researchers identify five key themes for scientific advancement in humanitarian response, including better use of non-humanitarian data, robust methodologies, and local participation. The evidence base for many current practices remains weak due to lack of data and inadequate information sharing.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that male shoppers had a 20% chance of being unable to purchase emergency contraception, with nearly three-quarters of pharmacies creating barriers for them. The pharmacies required the presence of a female or her identification card in 73% of cases.
Air pollution regulations in Taiyuan, China have reduced the cost of loss of life and disability by over 50% since 2001, resulting in 2,810 fewer premature deaths. The study also found significant reductions in hospital admissions, outpatient visits, and cases of bronchitis.
Researchers found that teenagers who got less than six hours of sleep per night had a 20% higher risk of being obese by age 21. This study provides the strongest evidence yet that lack of sleep raises risk for an elevated BMI, and emphasizes the importance of getting more than eight hours of sleep per night.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that nearly 14% of reserve soldiers returning from deployment experience alcohol abuse, almost double the civilian population rate. The study highlights the important role civilian life and stress play in cases of alcohol use disorder among National Guard members.
Researchers found that adolescent males desire intimate and caring relationships, expressing vulnerability and dependence, and placing great importance on trust. The study provides a nuanced understanding of adolescent males' early relationships, which contrasts with traditional portrayals of younger male behavior.