Between 2015-2020, 893,430 pregnant women were identified with a cannabis use disorder diagnosis, resulting in 1,058,448 total pregnancies. The cumulative prevalence of CUD diagnosis was 0.26%. Clinicians are well-positioned to intervene but may lack structural support due to fear of legal repercussions and underestimated diagnoses.
A new article from the NYC Preparedness & Recovery Institute assesses the city's response to the pandemic, highlighting key findings on mutual aid networks and their role in emergency response. The study identifies strategies to strengthen emergency preparedness moving forward.
A new study found that health department workforce roles are comparatively underpaid and have lower job requirements compared to the private sector. The findings highlight recruitment and retention challenges for health departments, particularly for leadership and management positions.
A new study found that Medicaid extension policies covering all immigrants led to a 4 percentage-point decrease in postpartum uninsurance among immigrant populations in New York City. However, Hispanic immigrants saw a smaller decline, highlighting awareness gaps as a barrier to full benefit.
The Center for Achieving Resilience in Climate and Health (C-ARCH) will identify ways to build resilience, design evidence-based solutions, and train scientists to lead the response. C-ARCH aims to address the devastating health impacts of climate change worldwide.
A new study found that breast cancer incidence in US women under 40 varies significantly across different states and regions, with the Western region experiencing the highest rate of increase from 2001 to 2020.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open finds that low Medicaid telehealth reimbursement is causing financial instability and barriers to care for vulnerable populations at Federally Qualified Health Centers. Researchers recommend payment parity, long-term funding, and hybrid care models to address the crisis.
Researchers found accelerated decreases in stigmatizing terminology after high-level federal guidance and continued decreases after NIDA issued similar guidance. Despite progress, one in four abstracts still contained stigmatizing language in 2023.
New studies reveal lasting impact of PTSD on Vietnam veterans, linking combat to cardiovascular disease and chronic health issues. Veterans with PTSD or sub-threshold conditions face significant psychological and physical health challenges, including heart disease, arthritis, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
A study found that nearly 75% of US counties experienced major power outages alongside severe weather events between 2018-2020. Severe precipitation and heat were most common triggers for outages, with regional patterns varying across the country.
A randomized controlled study among NYC girls found that reading a book on puberty can lead to increased knowledge and positive attitudes towards physical activity during periods. The study, published in BMC Public Health, suggests that targeted puberty education can have significant impacts on young girls' health outcomes.
A new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found no changes in opioid outcomes among the general population with the states' passage of medical and recreational marijuana laws. Decreases in opioid outcomes were observed among people reporting cannabis use but not when both medical and recreational use laws existed.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that the genomes of dogs within the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone did not exhibit genetic mutations from radiation exposure. Instead, researchers suggest that low-level environmental toxin exposure over many years may have contributed to genetic differences between dog populations. The findings offer ...
A study of over 400 women found a strong link between experiencing racial microaggressions during pregnancy or postpartum and higher blood pressure. The strongest associations were seen in the later postpartum period, highlighting the need for continued high blood pressure monitoring and interventions.
A recent study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that engaging in volunteering activities can significantly reduce the odds of depression in community-dwelling older adults. The study, which analyzed data from over 2,900 participants aged 65-79, also revealed that older adults with a negative history of dep...
A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health evaluated the career services programs and employment outcomes of its graduates. The study found that neither program usage nor employment outcomes were statistically different by race or ethnicity, with room for improvement in other areas.
A study in Nature Medicine reveals large floods are associated with higher death rates from major mortality causes, including infectious diseases and cardiovascular conditions. Floods disproportionately affect older people and females, with increased risks of injury deaths and neuropsychiatric conditions.
A new study from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health reveals that older adults today experience higher levels of physical and mental functioning than previous generations. Improvements in education, nutrition, and sanitation over the past century are likely key factors contributing to these changes.
A recent study found a substantial increase in psychotherapy use among US adults with mild to moderate distress since 2018. However, the benefits of this growth have not been equally distributed, with privately insured individuals and those with higher family incomes experiencing greater gains.
Researchers developed a novel computational pipeline to identify protein biomarkers linked to Alzheimer's risk, offering insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. The pipeline, MR-SPI, can predict 3D structural changes in proteins, providing a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving disease.
A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found a significant association between adolescent suicidal behavior and externalizing behaviors, as well as violence exposure. The study assessed the impact of state-level access to firearms on suicide rates among U.S. high school students.
The National Academies report outlines nine actionable recommendations to advance the responsible use of race and ethnicity in biomedical research, including community engagement and data inclusivity. The report aims to provide a key guide for researchers considering using race and ethnicity throughout their research process.
Climate change exacerbates violence against children, according to a new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The research outlines how integrating climate and violence policies can reach the UN Sustainable Development Goal target of ending all forms of violence against children by 2030.
A Columbia University study finds that lower-income families with commercial insurance experience significant financial hardship due to high childbirth and postpartum care costs. Medicaid coverage provides greater financial protection, with most people with a Medicaid-covered birth having no out-of-pocket spending on childcare or healt...
Low-level lead poisoning is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease in adults and cognitive deficits in children, even at levels previously thought to be safe. Exposure to lead can result in an annual loss of 765 million IQ points in children globally.
A new study finds that prolonged exposure to arsenic in water contributes to the development of ischemic heart disease. Decade-long arsenic exposure up to the time of a cardiovascular disease event was associated with the greatest risk. The study suggests stronger regulations would provide significant benefits to the population.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health finds significant improvement in air quality in NYC from 1998-2021 due to enacted policies. The research also highlights a cumulative beneficial effect on residents disproportionately affected by air pollution.
A new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that MPH programs provide key competencies demanded by employers, but graduate employability could be improved by using more real-time data from employer job postings. The study revealed labor market competition for public health degree graduates and technical ski...
Research conducted at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health found a link between prediabetes among young people and adverse pregnancy outcomes later in life. The study, which included over 14,000 individuals aged 10-24 years, found that preconception prediabetes was associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes, hyperten...
The new center, funded by a $4.2 million NIH grant, will build research capacity and catalyze climate and health solutions. It aims to promote climate justice through community engagement and develop evidence-based policies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on human health.
A new study reveals a significant increase in e-bike and powered scooter injuries between 2019 and 2022, with rates rising by 293% and 88%, respectively. The research highlights the need to improve micromobility injury surveillance and identify strategies for cities to promote safe user practices.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that metal exposure is associated with the progression of plaque buildup in arteries, comparable to traditional risk factors like smoking and diabetes. Metal levels in urine were found to increase coronary calcification over time, with higher levels linked to a grea...
A study found NYCHA residents experience frequent electrical, elevator, heat, hot water, and water outages, averaging 94 daily elevator outages. The duration of these outages has not improved over time, posing health risks to vulnerable populations such as seniors and those reliant on electricity-powered medical devices.
Climate change exacerbates agricultural environmental harm, requiring sustainable practices to stabilize global food supply. Researchers identify new methods like precision farming and crop rotation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent feedback loops.
A significant increase in drug overdose rates was recorded in Colombia between 2010 and 2021, with a notable rise among young women. The study found that the pandemic contributed to higher levels of anxiety and mental health problems, leading to overuse of drugs, particularly tranquilizers/sedatives/antidepressants.
The IndiPHARM platform will measure hundreds of drugs and their metabolites, as well as thousands of chemicals derived from the environment, diet, and lifestyles. By developing rapid, cost-effective tests, IndiPHARM aims to identify situations that interfere with drug therapy and adjust treatments accordingly.
Columbia University has been awarded $7.7M to establish a new exposomics coordinating center, NEXUS, which aims to organize and stimulate research on the human exposome. The center will support researchers from various disciplines in analyzing environmental exposures and corresponding biological responses.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health used a novel interview method to assess New Yorkers' perceptions on energy insecurity, a public health issue. The study found that energy insecurity is associated with health vulnerabilities and impacts nearly 30% of NYC residents.
The Public Health Career Explorer assesses users' interests and provides matching public health careers with varying levels of preparation. The tool also offers job openings across the country, supporting local health departments in recruitment and retention efforts.
A recent study from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that Florida's red flag gun law was associated with an 11 percent reduction in firearm homicide rates from 2019 to 2021. The study used augmented synthetic control methods and controlled for state-level sociodemographic and economic covariates.
A new study finds that sharing scientific consensus on human-caused climate change strengthens believers' opinions, but has little effect on those who are already skeptical. The research, conducted across 27 countries, highlights the importance of clear communication in reducing climate change misinformation.
A recent study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that Generative artificial intelligence (LLM) can't yet reliably read and extract information from clinical notes in medical records. The AI, ChatGPT-4, performed well only when given highly detailed prompts and struggled to replicate its work across trials.
A study analyzing 12 years of data from over 500 hospitals in 25 US states found that weather and geographic location impact hospitalizations for waterborne diseases. Precipitation, soil moisture, and rural locations were linked to increased rates of certain infections.
A new study finds that policing incidents are linked to higher rates of psychiatric hospitalization among young people in heavily policed neighborhoods. The association is stronger in neighborhoods with a larger proportion of Black residents and persists even after controlling for crime levels.
A study found that individuals exposed to famine in early gestation had a two-fold likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes, with extreme variations in intensity across provinces. The research highlights the importance of policies aimed at preventing events like the Holodomor from happening again.
A new study found that adding a ninth psychological health metric to Life's Essential 8 strongly predicts all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. The enhanced score showed up to 70% lower mortality risk compared to the original eight metrics.
A study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health reports a 500% increase in drug-involved overdose deaths in 2022, primarily attributed to synthetic opioids. Income protection policies have been found to have a supportive role in preventing fatal drug overdoses.
A new study finds that higher levels of six urinary metals are linked to increased cardiovascular disease and mortality in a diverse US population. The findings support the role of urinary metals as novel risk factors for CVD and all-cause mortality.
Researchers developed a computer model to examine the dynamics underlying suicide contagion after the suicides of Robin Williams in 2014 and Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain in 2018. The findings provide a framework for quantifying suicidal contagion, allowing for better understanding, prevention, and containment of its spread.
A new study found that adults with diabetes who meet the recommended physical activity guidelines may offset the increased mortality risk associated with excessive sitting time. The study analyzed data from over 12,000 adults with diabetes and found that those who were physically active had a lower risk of death compared to those who s...