A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found a significant association between piperonyl butoxide, a common additive in pyrethroid formulations, and delayed mental development in young children. Children exposed to higher levels of PBO showed lower cognitive scores, similar to the impact of lead exposure.
A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that intensive early education programs for low-income children can bring improved health and healthier behaviors in early adulthood. The randomized control trial, which enrolled 111 infants from the 1970s to age 21, showed significant benefits in health measure...
Researchers found that nearly 95.6% of 3,271 civilian WTC survivors reported posttraumatic stress symptoms and 15% screened positive for PTSD two years after the disaster. The study identified five predictors of PTSD: late evacuation initiation, high floor exposure, dust cloud exposure, personal horror, and employer fatalities.
A higher prescription co-payment is associated with early discontinuation and incomplete use of adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy in hormone-sensitive early stage breast cancer. Women over 50 years old are more likely to discontinue medication or not take it as prescribed if co-payments exceed $30.
A recent study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that people with alcohol disorders are 60% less likely to seek treatment if they perceive negative stigma. Younger individuals, men, and those with lower income reported higher levels of stigma, leading to reduced treatment utilization.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that the US life expectancy has fallen behind other countries despite high health spending. The researchers attribute this failure to flaws in the overall healthcare system, including unregulated fee-for-service payments and reliance on specialty care.
A recent study found that less than half of essential workers are willing and able to report to work during a serious pandemic. Motivation to work is tied to workplace safety measures, trust in employers, and past experience. Employers can increase worker willingness by providing resources and support for personal obligations.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that nearly all NYC public school students have access to convenient, energy-dense foods within a short walk. Small grocery stores and bodegas are common sources of unhealthy food, with higher concentrations near schools attended by low-income and minority students.
A new study found that children treated with protease inhibitors and then switched to Nevirapine were more likely to maintain low virus levels. The switch regime is easier for parents to adhere to, saving money, but requires adequate monitoring of virus levels.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found a high prevalence of PTSD nearly two decades after the Liberian civil war, with certain villages experiencing a higher burden of trauma. The study suggests that populations exposed to severe conflict are likely to bear a long-lasting psychological toll.
A new virus has been identified as a potential cause of Heart and Skeletal Muscle Inflammation (HSMI) in farmed Atlantic salmon, threatening both farmed and wild populations. The study found the virus, related to reoviruses, in 24.2% of wild salmon samples and 96.5% of infected farmed fish.
A new virus related to hepatitis C has been discovered in Asian bats, which may provide insights into the origins of the virus and its transmission to humans. The virus, identified as GBV-D, is found in the saliva of infected bats, suggesting a potential mechanism for transmission to other hosts.
A new study published in The Lancet found that exposure to arsenic in drinking water is linked to increased mortality rates, particularly among those with heart disease and other chronic conditions. Researchers tracked 12,000 people in Bangladesh over a decade to gather data on the health effects of arsenic exposure.
A new study reveals that lead exposure damages brain function by disrupting the normal formation of synapses and altering the levels of key proteins involved in neurotransmitter release. The research provides a comprehensive mechanism for how lead ions impair brain development and function throughout life.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that traumatic experiences alter genes involved in stress response and immune system, leading to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study identified six to seven times more unmethylated genes in individuals with PTSD, most related to the immune system.
A Columbia University study found prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can reduce children's reasoning ability and intelligence at age 5. PAHs are released from fossil fuels and other combustion sources, making air pollution a widespread concern.
Exposure to chlorpyrifos is associated with early childhood developmental delays, including mental and physical impairments. High levels of chlorpyrifos exposure were linked to decreased Psychomotor Development Index scores and Mental Development Index scores in 3-year-olds.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that LGB individuals living in states with same-sex marriage bans experienced significant increases in mood disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorders. The prevalence of any psychiatric disorder also increased among heterosexual respondents, ...
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that initiating antiretroviral therapy during tuberculosis treatment significantly reduces mortality rates for co-infected patients. The trial, which involved 642 patients, showed a 56% reduction in mortality rates compared to those who received sequential therapy.
A study published in the journal Thorax found that prenatal acetaminophen exposure is associated with an increased risk of asthma symptoms in children. The relationship was strongest in children with a variant of the glutathione S transferase gene involved in detoxification.
Children with higher PBDE levels scored lower on mental and physical development tests, particularly at four years old. Prenatal exposure to flame retardants may have important public health implications if replicated in other North American populations.
The Center for the History and Ethics of Public Health at Columbia's Mailman School will use the grant to extend its intellectual mission and bring humanities insights to public health challenges. The grant will support a $3,000,000 endowment campaign for faculty chairs, lectures, and research.
A study found a strong correlation between the presence of Streptococcus pneumoniae and increased risk for severe H1N1 pandemic influenza virus infections. The bacteria were present in most severe cases, with a 125-fold increased risk of severe disease among individuals aged 6-55.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that children exposed to tobacco smoke at home were more likely to develop early emphysema in adulthood. The study used CT scans to examine the association between childhood exposure and lung damage, with participants who lived with multiple smokers showing high...
A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that poverty and high school dropout rates have a significant impact on health, with poor individuals losing 8.2 years of perfect health. The study suggests that addressing poverty and education is crucial to improving population health.
Researchers found substantial racial and ethnic disparities in cancer survival, particularly in more treatable cancers like breast and prostate cancer. The study suggests that social disadvantage contributes to these disparities, highlighting the need for targeted health policies and interventions.
A new study found that exposure to airborne metals like nickel and vanadium, as well as diesel exhaust particles, are associated with respiratory symptoms in young children. The study controlled for other risk factors and suggests improved regulatory action is needed to protect urban children.
A recent study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that home healthcare nurses are at risk of needlestick-type injuries, with nearly 10,000 reported annually. The study also revealed a correlation between stressful household conditions and increased risk of needlesticks.
A study of nearly 70,000 motor carrier drivers and over 83,000 non-motor-carrier drivers found that mandatory alcohol testing programs reduced alcohol involvement in fatal crashes by 23%. The study's findings suggest that implementation of such programs can improve safety records in the US and other countries.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health have found a link between antibodies to strep throat bacteria and the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder in mice. The study suggests that an inappropriate immune response to the bacteria may trigger psychiatric symptoms, providing new insights into identifyi...
A study published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences found that frailty in older adults is associated with a critical mass of abnormal physiological systems. The research suggests that prevention and treatment may be more effective if multiple systems are improved rather than just one, and highlights the importance of cons...
A study published in Pediatrics found that prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can lower children's full-scale and verbal IQ scores. The study suggests that reducing air pollution exposure, particularly in urban areas, could have a positive impact on educationally meaningful IQ decreases.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that elderly women with localized breast cancer are less likely to receive chemotherapy, with only 15% receiving treatment. In contrast, younger women with nonmetastatic breast cancer received adjuvant chemotherapy at a rate of 70%.
A recent study finds that nicotine dependence has remained steady among adults in the US, while the proportion of addicted smokers has increased across generations. Younger women living in poverty are disproportionately affected, highlighting socioeconomic disparities in tobacco use.
A recent study found that teen contraceptive use declined between 2003 and 2007, despite no change in teen sexual activity. The authors suggest faltering HIV prevention efforts or inadequate sex education as contributing factors.
Researchers found Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) subways had the highest average noise levels in New York City, with levels high enough to increase the risk of noise-induced hearing loss. The study highlights the need for increased transit infrastructure maintenance and personal protection measures to reduce noise exposure.
The Northeast Biodefense Center, a regional collaboration of major centers, will conduct interdisciplinary research on diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines to address emerging infectious diseases. The center has made significant contributions to global health, including the development of diagnostics for SARS and pandemic influenza.
A new study found that many breast cancer patients use antioxidant supplements, including high doses, during treatment. However, the effects on health and survival are poorly understood and the findings are mixed.
Scientists have identified a new arenavirus, Lujo virus, linked to a fatal hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Zambia and South Africa. Genetic analysis confirms the utility of high-throughput sequencing for pathogen discovery, enabling rapid detection and response to emerging viral diseases.
Substituting water for sugar-sweetened beverages can eliminate an average of 235 excess calories per day among children and adolescents, potentially preventing childhood obesity. The study suggests that this simple replacement has no detrimental effects on nutrition.
Astrocytes, supportive brain cells, produce inflammatory mediators in response to viral infection. The study provides new insights into the complex mechanisms of inflammation and has significant implications for diagnosis and treatment of brain infections.
Research suggests that global warming will worsen health problems like heat-related mortality and diarrheal diseases due to climate change. The US needs an estimated $200 million in annual funding to study these impacts and develop protective measures.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that a higher density of 'healthy' food outlets is associated with lower BMI and obesity rates in New York City. The study surveyed over 13,000 adults and found that unhealthy food stores were not significantly linked to higher BMI or obesity.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that work stress among urban police officers is significantly associated with adverse mental and physical health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and intimate partner abuse. The study identified five major categories of stressors, including exposure to criti...
A clinical trial involving over 3,000 women found a vaginal microbicide gel to be 30% effective in preventing HIV infection in women. The study, known as HPTN 035, demonstrated promise for an HIV prevention method that women can initiate.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health identified common hazardous conditions in home healthcare settings, including environmental and physical hazards. The research highlights the need for simple interventions to mitigate these risks and promote patient safety.
The 2006 California heat wave had a significant impact on morbidity, with dramatic increases in emergency department visits and hospitalizations reported. The study found that older residents and children were particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, highlighting the need for targeted public education and preparedness efforts.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health identified key risk factors that delayed or prolonged the evacuation from the World Trade Center Towers on September 11. The researchers found that lack of awareness and experience, as well as personal concerns and poor footwear, contributed to time delays.
A study of 139 African-American women in Central Harlem found a significant link between exposure to alcohol advertisements and problem drinking behavior. The researchers also discovered that family history of alcoholism played a role in problem drinking, with advertising continuing to have an impact even after controlling for this fac...
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that teen sexual risk behaviors are similar among youth with few and those with many non-sexual health risks. Despite differences in overall health risk levels, trends in sexual behavior were remarkably consistent across both groups.