A recent study found that people who experienced losses in childhood or adolescence showed signs of older biological age compared to those who hadn't experienced such losses. The research suggests that experiencing multiple losses, particularly in adulthood, is linked to faster biological aging.
Researchers found a 56% reduction in average daily NO2 concentrations in homes with electric induction stoves compared to gas stoves. Participants reported improved health and quality of life, citing reduced anxiety about fires due to gas leaks.
A new report highlights a troubling trend: while global adolescent fertility rates have significantly declined, sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing an increase in teen births. The region's share of global adolescent births surged from 12% in 1950 to 47% in 2020 and is projected to reach a majority by 2035.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that tampons from several brands can contain toxic metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium. The research evaluated levels of 16 metals in 30 tampons from 14 different brands, revealing that metals were present in all types of tampons, regardless of organic or non-org...
A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health reveals that US health departments struggle with workforce shortages and inadequate staffing levels. The main barriers to addressing this issue are insufficient funding, a shortage of people with public health training, and lengthy hiring processes.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that certain regions in NY State, including Queens and the Bronx, were more severely impacted by severe weather-driven power outages. The study analyzed hourly power outage data from 2017 to 2020 and found that rural areas were affected for longer periods than cities.
Researchers found an 84% increase in NYC transit complaints following the COVID-19 pandemic declaration, with no return to pre-pandemic levels despite the Subway Safety Plan. The plan's increased police presence led to stronger enforcement of transit policies, but its effect was unclear and may have had unintended consequences.
Researchers found a significant reduction in quetiapine use among nursing home patients (7%) and community-dwelling patients (15%), without signs of adverse effects. The intervention improved mental health outcomes and slightly reduced the risk of death for patients living in the community.
A new study found that people with cognitively stimulating occupations during midlife had a lower risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia after age 70. The researchers analyzed data from over 300 jobs and found that high occupational cognitive demands were related to lower risks of MCI and dementia.
A new review of IPV policing's generalized consequences reveals survivor criminalization as a commonly studied outcome, with positive associations between mandatory arrest laws and risk of survivor arrest. The authors also identify gaps in the evidence base, including police violence and child protective services involvement.
A new study at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that Interstate 95 is a key connection for moving guns up and down the East Coast. The researchers identified previously unidentified 'Iron Pipelines' throughout the country, highlighting the complexity of gun traffic along this corridor.
A new study finds that women who have been pregnant look biologically older than those who haven't, with the number of pregnancies accelerating biological aging in young adults. The study used 'epigenetic clocks' to measure cellular aging and found a significant association between pregnancy history and biological age.
A new study found that younger people from high-income areas accessed vaccines ahead of schedule, particularly in New York City. This led to lower coverage rates in low-income areas with high proportions of older residents, resulting in higher mortality rates over the year.
A new study found that mistreatment in childbirth is common in the US, with over 1 in 8 birthing people experiencing mistreatment. The most common forms of mistreatment include being ignored or shouted at by healthcare providers.
A study published in Nature Methods found that GPT-4 can accurately interpret cell types from single-cell RNA sequencing data, matching human expert annotations in over 75% of cases. The model's robustness and speed were also demonstrated, making it a promising tool for cost-efficient and seamless cell type annotation.
A study by researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that laws criminalizing or punishing drug use during pregnancy are more likely to worsen rather than improve health outcomes. The findings suggest that punitive policies are ineffective and may even increase harm to pregnant individuals and their babies.
A new study calls on pediatric primary care to prioritize menstrual health, highlighting barriers that limit clinician engagement and patient guidance. Researchers offer practical solutions to improve access to menstrual health services for adolescents.
A healthy diet has been shown to slow the pace of biological aging and reduce the risk of dementia. The study, published in Annals of Neurology, found that adherence to the Mediterranean-Dash Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet slowed the pace of aging as measured by an epigenetic clock.
Research finds a nearly 40% decline in respirable particulate matter (PM2.5) in Krakow, Poland, following policy changes targeting coal emissions. This improvement translates to substantial benefits for children's outcomes, including fewer asthma cases and better birth outcomes.
Research shows that Americans living in federally-supported housing have lower blood lead levels than those who would join these programs later. This likely due to stricter compliance with federal residential lead paint laws in HUD housing compared to non-assisted private market housing.
A new study finds that reducing CO2 emissions from motor vehicles can bring large benefits to children's health, saving over $82 million annually. The Transportation and Climate Initiative policy framework is proposed to achieve this goal, with significant health co-benefits for vulnerable populations.
Climate change is exacerbating dangerous humid heat conditions in US carceral facilities, with 44 states lacking universal air conditioning. Incarcerated people are disproportionately susceptible to heat-related illnesses, with preexisting health conditions increasing risk.
A new study from Columbia University finds that communities severed by roads and traffic in NYC experience a larger number of collisions, including pedestrian and cyclist injuries. The Community Severance Index developed for this study can help identify areas requiring targeted interventions.
Two years of additional schooling slows pace of aging by 2-3%, corresponding to a 10% reduction in mortality risk. Higher educational attainment promotes healthy longevity, challenging traditional assumptions about the aging process.
A new study published at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that prenatal exposure to general anesthesia for maternal surgery during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of disruptive or internalizing behavioral disorders, including ADHD and autism, in children. The study suggests that safer anesthetic drug...
A new study found that specialty treatment for cannabis use disorder decreased in states with medical and recreational cannabis laws, despite a growing need for treatment. The study suggests that public education and access to evidence-based services are needed to address the unmet treatment needs of people with CUD.
Researchers found that 30 out of 44 occupations paid at least 5% less in government than the private sector, with severe disparities in management, leadership, and technical roles. To address this issue, experts suggest improving federal data on public health workforce salaries, offering benefits and work-life balance as motivators.
A study published in The Lancet reveals that Black women in the US are murdered at rates 6 times higher than white women, with gun deaths also disproportionately affecting them. The findings highlight the urgent need to address structural racism and inequities in homicide trends.
A recent study found that mental health care access remained inaccessible to many distressed US adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate of serious psychological distress among adults increased from 3.5% to 4.2%, while outpatient mental health care use decreased among older and unemployed adults.
A study of 1,950 NYC residents found that 30% experience energy insecurity, leading to respiratory, mental health, and cardiovascular conditions. The population was disproportionately affected by low-income, Black, and Latino residents, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address health inequities.
Research at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that social inequity contributes to lower use of epidural analgesia among non-Hispanic White and African American women. In counties with high social inequity, labor neuraxial analgesia was used by 72% of African American women, compared to 78% in low-equality counties.
A recent study found that pedestrian injuries from falls exceed those from motor vehicle collisions in the US, with older adults particularly vulnerable. The study analyzed EMS data and found that pedestrians over 50 years old were 3.9 times more likely to experience severe injuries from falls compared to motor vehicle collisions.
High school students who use cannabis are more likely to develop asthma, with prevalence increasing with frequency of use. The study, published in Pediatric Pulmonology, analyzed data from the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and found a significant association between cannabis use and asthma.
A recent study by researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found a significant link between cannabis use and current asthma prevalence among US adolescents and adults. The study analyzed data from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, finding that individuals who reported cannabis use in the past ...
Researchers discovered a gene expression signature that differentiates between symptomatic and asymptomatic infections, as well as positive and negative individuals. The study reveals complex interactions between viruses and the human body, with influenza leading to greater changes in gene expression.
A new study found that people are willing to travel longer distances and spend more time at bars compared to purchasing liquor from nearby stores. The researchers attribute this difference to unique bar experiences, while proximity influences liquor store purchases.
Air pollution emissions have decreased substantially in the US over the last four decades, but racial and socioeconomic disparities remain. The study found that certain populations experienced relatively smaller reductions or even increases in air pollution emissions, highlighting the need for targeted policies to address inequities.
Researchers found that small declines in blood lead levels were associated with long-term cardiovascular health improvements, including reductions in systolic blood pressure and markers of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and heart failure. This study suggests that even small decreases in blood lead levels can have meaningful health outcomes.
A new study using personal wristband monitors has collected unprecedented data on air pollution exposures in pregnant individuals in New York City. The findings identified complex interactions between demographics and behaviors that shape exposure to individual compounds, highlighting the need for further research to understand these p...
VirCapSeq-VERT, a next-generation sequencing-based screening and surveillance system, can detect any virus that can potentially infect humans with greater sensitivity and speed than other NGS platforms. The technology achieved clinical sensitivity of 99 percent and 100 percent clinical specificity in a validation study.
Several key public health occupations, including disease intervention specialist and program manager, do not have valid SOC matches, creating challenges in researching the workforce. The study's findings highlight the need for standardization to characterize the public health workforce linked to SOC codes.
A new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that patients generate more actionable and creative ideas when explicitly invited to share them. The research offers a rigorously tested methodology for eliciting creative ideas from patients, which can be used to improve healthcare delivery and quality improvement.
A new global study evaluates evidence since its publication supports behavioral concepts highlighted in a previous paper on COVID-19 policy recommendations. The study confirms the importance of interventions to combat misinformation and polarization for ensuring adherence to public health guidelines.
A new study found that in many older couples, both husband and wife had high blood pressure in the U.S., England, China, and India. This association was stronger in collectivist societies like China and India, where couples are expected to depend and support each other emotionally and instrumentally.
Research finds that social factors, particularly racial and socioeconomic inequities, drive the use of scented menstrual products. The study found that Black participants were more likely to use scented products, while those with higher education levels preferred unscented options.
A recent study published by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that suicide rates among Black women rose from 2% in 1999 to 3.4% in 2020. The highest rates were observed in the West region, with a significant increase in deaths among young Black females aged 15-24.
A new study finds that nearly 1 in 5 US children have inadequate health insurance coverage, with commercially insured children showing higher rates of inadequacy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant decrease in insurance gaps and out-of-pocket costs for commercially insured children.
A new study by Columbia University and Stanford University finds that low-intensity fires can dramatically reduce the risk of devastating wildfires in California forests. The analysis reveals a 60% reduction in risk after a low-intensity fire burns, with effects lasting at least six years.
Researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health propose establishing an independent committee to monitor state parties' compliance with the WHO pandemic agreement. The committee would report to a heads of state-level body and share findings publicly to promote accountability and effective implementation.
A recent study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that approximately 1 in 5 mothers delayed or forgoed needed care in the postpartum year. Medicaid beneficiaries reported lower health care use and higher social needs, such as food insecurity and intimate partner violence.