A new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that NYC's most aggressive housing quality enforcement programs reduced hazardous housing violations in targeted buildings by half, but did not lead to measurable changes in short-run health care utilization. Despite significant housing quality improvements, the a...
The Injury Free Coalition for Kids celebrates its 6th National Injury Prevention Day, highlighting the importance of education, advocacy, and collaboration in preventing injuries. The initiative aims to empower individuals and communities with knowledge and tools to promote safety and prevent injuries.
A new analytical tool can improve a hospital's ability to limit the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections by inferring asymptomatic carriers. The method, developed by Columbia University researchers, combines multiple data sources to predict the spread of an infection in the hospital setting.
A 20-year study found that reducing arsenic exposure lowered mortality rates from heart disease, cancer, and other chronic illnesses. Participants with lower arsenic levels had significantly lower mortality risks compared to those with continued high exposure.
Research finds that experiencing poverty-level family income over two decades can significantly increase the risk of dying prematurely. Rising unsecured debt is also associated with a higher risk of premature mortality, particularly when debt increases over time.
Researchers emphasize that menstrual health education is essential for young adolescents globally, with a focus on menarche and puberty education. The authors highlight the need for strengthening national and regional monitoring of menstrual health to address the critical underprioritization of this issue.
A new study at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that remote physiologic monitoring increases primary care revenue by 20%, while also improving patient outcomes for those with higher disease burdens.
The JAMA Summit on Firearm Violence aims to chart a roadmap toward reducing firearm violence, injuries, and deaths in the US. The summit emphasizes five essential actions: prioritizing community safety, supporting evidence-based interventions, and addressing upstream conditions that fuel gun violence.
Researchers from genomics and exposomics converged on a historic meeting to develop strategies for identifying disease causes. The collaboration aims to merge genetic and environmental factors using biochemical, molecular, and geospatial methods, ultimately driving prevention and treatment advancements.
A new study found that explicit prenatal drug criminalization policies in the US are associated with reductions in prenatal care and facility-based deliveries. This is particularly concerning for high-risk pregnancies, as avoidance of healthcare services can have serious health consequences.
Researchers at Columbia University discover that psychological stress acutely alters FGF21 levels in the bloodstream, highlighting its potential to link mental states to metabolic responses. The study found that individuals with stronger social ties and emotional well-being have lower FGF21 levels, while those experiencing loneliness o...
Higher levels of tree canopy cover may help prevent injurious pedestrian falls by providing shade and cooling effects. Researchers found that during summer months, locations with pedestrians who fell were less likely to be shaded than matched control locations.
A study comparing Hurricane Helene and Milton found that people in coastal areas with frequent hurricane exposure were more likely to evacuate compared to inland areas. Access to transportation infrastructure, social norms, and risk perception shape evacuation decisions, researchers argue.
A new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health identified eight metabolic features significantly associated with breast cancer risk. The analysis improved predictive accuracy from 66 percent to 83 percent when incorporating metabolic data into existing risk prediction models.
A study of Black and Latina women in South Los Angeles found that choosing safer personal care products can significantly lower exposures to risky chemicals. Women who avoided fragrance, parabens, and oxybenzone had lower levels of these chemicals in their urine compared to those who did not avoid them.
The number of inpatient psychiatric beds barely changed from 2011 to 2023, but a shift occurred in bed ownership: standalone facilities with more care being delivered at specialized hospitals, increasingly owned by large for-profit chains. This trend raises concerns over safety and quality-of-care
A team of researchers found a possible molecular link between air pollution and an increased risk of developing Lewy body dementia. Exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) triggered the formation of abnormal alpha-synuclein clumps in mice, similar to those found in patients with Lewy body dementia.
Researchers analyzed blood samples from 56 ME/CFS patients and 52 healthy controls, revealing disruptions in metabolic processes and immune dysregulation. The study suggests specific intracellular pathways correlate with symptoms, leading to potential biomarkers for targeted interventions.
Public health nurses (PHNs) are a well-defined and highly specialized profession that plays a unique and essential role in addressing critical public health issues. Despite their vital contributions, PHNs currently lack formal recognition as a distinct occupation, which limits their visibility and value.
A new study from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health finds that punitive laws are largely ineffective and may actually harm those they aim to protect. Prosocial laws, on the other hand, prioritize access to care and harm reduction, recognizing the complex nature of substance use.
A new study finds structural abnormalities in the brain and poorer motor function among NYC children exposed prenatally to chlorpyrifos. The findings are associated with progressively greater alterations in brain structure, function, and metabolism.
A new study measures team creativity in primary care, identifying five dimensions that can generate creative ideas. Primary care teams can apply these dimensions to improve their daily work with supportive dynamics and infrastructure.
A new study reveals that communities once labeled as 'hazardous' are significantly less likely to receive timely emergency medical services compared to those deemed 'most desirable.' The findings highlight the enduring impact of structural racism on access to critical, life-saving care.
Researchers found that murder-suicide events occurred at an average of 820 deaths annually between 2016-2022, with the majority involving current or former intimate partners. Strengthening domestic violence screening and intervention programs is crucial to prevent these tragic outcomes.
A large study examines 17 years of Medicare hospitalization claims and major flooding events, finding increased rates of specific health issues among older adults. The research highlights the need for targeted outreach, robust evacuation planning, and improved access to medical services to protect public health during climate change.
A national study found that healthcare providers exhibit varying levels of stigma towards patients with substance use disorders (SUD), particularly for opioid and stimulant use. This stigma leads to missed opportunities for care and is often embedded in clinical encounters.
A new study identifies a biomarker that can detect kidney accumulation of uranium, a common contaminant in drinking water, potentially leading to chronic kidney disease. The research suggests a non-invasive way to monitor kidney health and prevent damage from low-level uranium exposure.
A new study from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that giving pedestrians a 7-second head start at traffic lights reduces total pedestrian injuries by 33%. The reduction in injuries is consistent across all intersection types, with the most pronounced impact seen during the daytime.
A recent study by Columbia University researchers found that early education has a significant impact on adult cognition, especially for individuals from low-income backgrounds. The study compared adult siblings in Indonesia and isolated education's effects on quantitative and abstract reasoning, separate from family background factors.
A new study from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health suggests that chronic low-grade inflammation associated with aging may not be a universal human experience. The research found that inflammaging appears to be driven by industrialized lifestyles, varying significantly across global populations.
A new study reveals how specific underground conditions lead to toxic uranium levels in drinking water. The research could help local communities monitor and manage this health threat by identifying areas with high contamination risk.
A new multi-cohort study found that exposure to certain metals detected in urine is associated with a higher risk of heart failure. The study analyzed over 10,000 adults across diverse geographic and racial backgrounds and observed consistent associations between elevated urinary metal levels and increased HF risk.
Researchers propose Intrinsic Health as a measure of the body's ability to maintain internal balance, enabling resilience and performance. The study aims to shift focus from disease treatment to health optimization, catalyzing transformative advances in public health and medicine.
The project aims to improve capacity for local health departments and increase knowledge of law among public health graduates. Three institutions will receive $10,000 each to develop and teach a first-time course in Public Health Law.
A study published in the Milbank Quarterly found that evidence supporting state policies regulating teen social media use is limited. The authors analyzed 69 state social media legislative initiatives and concluded that while there is some association between social media use and adverse adolescent outcomes, the causal effects of harm ...
A new study reveals that Heat-Health Action Plans globally fail to propose concrete interventions to protect vulnerable populations from heat-induced mental health crises. Most (75.9%) acknowledge mental health risks, but only a few specify unique impacts and outline concrete interventions.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals a concerning decline in self-reported mental health among mothers in the US between 2016 and 2023. The percentage of mothers reporting excellent mental health dropped sharply from 38% to 26%, while those rating their mental health as fair or poor increased by 63.6%.
A study from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that coexisting hypertension and type 2 diabetes nearly doubled over two decades, with about two-thirds of participants with diabetes also having hypertension. This combination is linked to substantially higher mortality risk compared to having neither condition.
Researchers developed a new approach to measure the Pace of Aging in population-based studies, revealing trajectories of healthspan and lifespan in older people. The method distinguishes differences caused by early-life factors from those caused by aging, consistently predicting future health outcomes.
A new paper calls for a redefinition of the public health workforce, recognizing professionals outside government agencies who contribute to public health. An intersectional framework proposes two tiers: Essential Public Health Services and Foundational Public Health Services.
A new study uses foot traffic data to enhance neighborhood-level COVID-19 forecasts in New York City. The research reveals how routine activities like dining out and shopping became major transmission pathways, enabling the development of a behavior-driven model that outperforms traditional forecasting methods.
A global study reveals a consistent gap in trust toward climate scientists based on political ideology, with right-leaning individuals reporting lower trust. The divide is strongest in wealthier democracies and English-speaking nations.
A new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found an increase in use of only psychotherapy, from 11.5% to 15.4%, and a decline in patients taking medication only, from 68% to 62%. The shift may be attributed to various factors beyond the COVID pandemic.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health have developed a framework for rethinking political decision-making by drawing inspiration from physiological systems. The study found that certain governance models are more effective than others in balancing democratic values, efficiency, and technical limitations.
Researchers found that pooling data across studies can accurately identify dose-response relationships, particularly for chemicals with low-dose effects. The study suggests that combining individual study data can strengthen conclusions in environmental health research.
Researchers outline key steps to harness exposomics for precision medicine and disease prevention, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and tools. The approach integrates advanced tools to understand how environmental, social, and psychological factors collectively interact with biology, creating the first complete picture of health de...
A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health researchers highlights the limitations of inflexible grant funding on community health centers (CHCs) in New York City. CHCs, which serve one in nine New Yorkers, operate on thin margins and struggle to provide comprehensive care due to restrictive state and local grants.
A new study from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found significant associations between cognition and established risk factors for Alzheimer's disease in individuals aged 24-44. The researchers used biomarkers related to cognitive impairment and cardiovascular health to predict long-term trajectories of cognitive de...
A new study links climate change to higher concentrations of inorganic arsenic in paddy rice, potentially raising lifetime health risks for populations in Asia by 2050. The research suggests a higher incidence of lung, bladder, and skin cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
A recent study from Columbia University reveals racial and sex disparities in US drug overdose mortality rates. The research found that Black men have been disproportionately impacted by overdose deaths, with their mortality rates rising sharply compared to White counterparts.