A new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that low-carbohydrate diets rich in plant-based proteins and fats, along with healthy carbohydrates, are linked to slower long-term weight gain. Diets high in animal proteins and unhealthy carbohydrates, on the other hand, are associated with greater weight gain.
Child marriage declined nationally in India, but one in five girls and nearly one in six boys remain married as children. The practice has become more prevalent in some states/union territories, with a significant increase observed between 2016 and 2021.
A new study found that senior physicians in cognitive and procedural specialties see fewer Medicaid patients and those from racial/ethnic minorities compared to junior physicians. This raises concerns about a two-tiered healthcare system and disparities in patient access.
A new study found no increased risk of major congenital malformations in infants exposed to second-line non-insulin antidiabetic medications during pregnancy compared to those treated with insulin. The study examined over 3.5 million pregnancies and provided reassurance on the safety of these medications for fetuses.
A new study found that exposure to coal particulate air pollutants is associated with a mortality risk more than double that of exposure to PM2.5 from other sources. The researchers estimated that 460,000 deaths were attributable to coal PM2.5 in the US between 1999 and 2020.
A new study found that workplaces implementing flexible work arrangements can reduce employees' cardiometabolic risk, equivalent to a reduction of 5-10 years in age-related changes. The intervention had no negative impact on productivity and was particularly beneficial for low- and middle-wage workers.
A new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming more red meat is associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Replacing red meat with plant-based protein sources like nuts and legumes may reduce this risk.
Researchers have developed a new method to calculate the health and climate impacts of reducing buildings' energy consumption. The tool estimates co-benefits under different energy use scenarios, providing insights into the economic value of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and premature deaths caused by air pollution.
A new study finds that people who adhere to a Mediterranean lifestyle have a lower risk of all-cause and cancer mortality. The study, led by La Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, analyzed data from 110,799 participants and found an inverse association between adherence to the Mediterranean lif...
A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study found that chronic exposure to fine particulate air pollutants (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) increases the risk of colorectal and prostate cancers in older adults. NO2 exposure was also associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, while PM2.5 exposure had mixed results.
A study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that chronic exposure to fine particulate air pollutants (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) may increase non-lung cancer risk in older adults, with significant associations with colorectal and prostate cancers.
A new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that consuming omega-3 fatty acids, particularly alpha-linolenic acid, may help slow the progression of disease in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Higher blood levels of ALA were associated with a slower disease progression and lower risk of death.
A new study links disproportionate siting of PFAS sources near watersheds serving communities with higher proportions of Black and Hispanic/Latino residents. The research suggests that regulating PFAS releases and ensuring safe drinking water is crucial in protecting public health, particularly in vulnerable communities.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found significant racial inequalities in treatment for opioid use disorder, with White patients receiving medication up to 80% more frequently than Black and Hispanic patients. Despite similar numbers of healthcare visits, disparities persist.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health estimates that regulations reducing lead and copper contamination in drinking water generate $9.2 billion in health benefits annually, exceeding the EPA's public estimates by an order of magnitude. The analysis also reveals at least $2 billion in infrastructure benefits, bringi...
A new study found that quitting smoking before a lung cancer diagnosis is associated with higher survival rates. Former smokers who stopped smoking years before their diagnosis had significantly longer survival than current and former smokers diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer.
A new study found that high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was associated with an elevated risk of premature death and incidence of cardiovascular disease among people with type 2 diabetes. Drinking healthier beverages like coffee, tea, and plain water was linked to lower risk of dying prematurely.
A new meta-analysis from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found a significant association between fine particulate air pollutants (PM2.5) and the risk of developing dementia, with a 17% increase in risk for every 2 μg/m3 increase in average annual exposure to PM2.5.
A new study found that stronger air pollution rules would lower premature death risks for all Americans, but particularly those from marginalized communities. Lowering PM2.5 levels to 8 μg/m3 could reduce mortality rates by 4% for White higher-income adults and up to 7% for Black higher-income and low-income adults.
Researchers found that trust in federal, state, and local public health agencies was driven by beliefs in scientific expertise and provision of direct care, not control of outbreaks. Lower trust was related to concerns about conflicting recommendations and perceived political influence.
A new study found that a plant-based low-carbohydrate diet is associated with lower all-cause mortality among people with type 2 diabetes. The study, published in Diabetes Care, analyzed data from over 7,000 participants and found that such diets reduced mortality by 24%.
Women who followed most aspects of a healthy lifestyle had about half the risk of long COVID compared to those without any healthy lifestyle factors. Maintaining a healthy body weight and adequate sleep were strongly associated with lower risk of long COVID.
A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study found that participants following at least one of four healthy eating patterns had a lower risk of premature death and reduced mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory disease. The study's findings are consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for America.
A new study finds that inadequate pollination leads to a 3-5% loss of fruit, vegetable, and nut production, resulting in 427,000 excess deaths annually from lost healthy food consumption. The health burden is greater in middle- and higher-income countries with high rates of non-communicable diseases.
A new study found that healthier plant-based dietary patterns had lower cardiovascular disease risk and lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to less healthy plant-based diets. Diets high in refined grains, sugary drinks, and processed meat required more cropland, fertilizer, and irrigation water.
A new study found that maintaining universal masking policies in schools significantly reduced COVID-19 cases among students and staff. The study showed that lifting masking requirements led to a substantial increase in cases, highlighting the importance of universal masking in reducing transmission.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that buildings renovated with healthier furnishings had significantly lower levels of PFAS than those with conventional furnishings. The researchers analyzed dust in indoor spaces and found that organic fluorine levels were also lower in the healthier spaces.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that higher exposure to political conservatism is associated with higher COVID-19 mortality rates and increased stress on hospital intensive care unit (ICU) capacity. The study examined data from all 435 U.S. Congressional districts between April 2021 and March 2022.
A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study found that hundreds of hospitals on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts are at risk of flooding from Category 1-4 storms, with sea level rise expected to increase this risk by 22% this century. The study highlights the need for coastal hospitals to prepare for greater risks in the future.
Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that psychological distress before COVID-19 infection was associated with a 32%-46% increased risk of developing long COVID and 15%–51% greater daily life impairment due to long COVID.
A recent study found that nearly 1 in 3 mental health prescriber visits to Medicare patients were provided by PMHNPs, a significant rise from 2011-2019. The growth of PMHNPs helped offset the decline of psychiatrists treating Medicare patients, resulting in a 12% decrease in mental health specialist visits instead of a 30% drop.
A study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers found that dolutegravir-based regimens are more effective in treating HIV-1 during pregnancy than other commonly used ART regimens. The study showed high viral suppression rates for pregnant people taking dolutegravir, with no observed differences in adverse birth out...
A study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital found that incorporating spirituality into care can lead to healthier lives, including greater longevity and quality of life. The researchers recommend increasing awareness among clinicians about the protective benefits of spiritual community particip...
A randomized evaluation of Nurse-Family Partnership found that low-income mothers in South Carolina experienced adverse birth events at a rate of 26.9 percent, similar to the control group. The study evaluated various outcomes, but more evidence is needed on effective interventions to address racial and structural inequities.
A new Boston-area study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health reveals that natural gas used in homes contains varying levels of volatile organic chemicals. The research found that even small amounts of hazardous air pollutants could impact indoor air quality and degrade outdoor air quality when gas leaks occur.
Both Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines have a low risk of adverse events over a 38-week period. The study found rare adverse events after both vaccines, particularly when compared to the health risks driven by SARS-CoV-2 infection.
A study published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that higher levels of optimism were associated with longer lifespan and living beyond age 90 in women from diverse racial and ethnic groups. Optimism was linked to a 5.4% longer lifespan and a 10% greater likelihood of living beyond 90 years.
A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study suggests that US elementary schools should only remove masks when local COVID-19 case rates are below a certain threshold to avoid increased transmission. The study provides a framework for school decision-makers to estimate the level of mitigation needed to meet their goals.
A study published in JAMA found that high-risk COVID-19 patients were less likely to receive monoclonal antibody treatment, despite being at highest risk of severe disease. The researchers suggest that the limited supply of mAbs and difficulties navigating the referral process may be contributing factors.
A new study suggests that implementing primary pandemic prevention actions, such as better surveillance and wildlife management, can reduce the economic costs of emerging infectious diseases by up to 10%. These actions have a substantial co-benefit of preventing carbon dioxide emissions and conserving water supplies.
A large new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that living near or downwind of unconventional oil and gas development increases the risk of early death in elderly people. The study suggests that airborne contaminants emitted by UOGD are contributing to increased mortality.
A study led by Dr. Aaron Bernstein found that heat increases the number of child and adolescent emergency department visits during summer months, underscoring the need for more aggressive adaptation measures. Children present to ED at higher temperatures for different reasons than adults, highlighting their unique vulnerabilities.
A study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers found a strong association between Epstein-Barr virus infection and multiple sclerosis. The risk of MS increased 32-fold after EBV infection, while serum levels of neurofilament light chain, a biomarker of nerve degeneration, only increased after EBV infection.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that racial and ethnic minorities, as well as low-income groups in the US are being exposed to higher levels of dangerous fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) than other groups.
A new study found that reducing vehicle emissions since 2008 has resulted in a significant drop in deaths due to air pollution, with estimated social benefits of $270 billion in the US. Passenger light-duty vehicles, such as SUVs and pickup trucks, continue to contribute a substantial amount of air pollution in major metropolitan areas.
Researchers discovered a new hormone, fabkin, that regulates metabolism and controls insulin production in pancreatic beta cells. Blocking fabkin's activity prevented the development of both forms of diabetes in mice, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target.
A mathematical model suggests that SARS-CoV-2 Delta-like variants, which combine enhanced transmissibility and partial immune escape, will cause more severe pandemics than variants with either trait alone. Vaccination is predicted to be highly beneficial in these cases, preventing more infections and breakthroughs.
A large national study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that long-term exposure to permissible concentrations of air pollution increases mortality risk, particularly among elderly people and those living in lower-income areas. The study suggests current air pollution limits are inadequate to protect vulnerable groups.
A one-year study found that increased concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and lower ventilation rates were associated with slower response times and reduced accuracy on cognitive tests, affecting employees' productivity.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had serious consequences for education, nutrition, and food security in sub-Saharan Africa, with widespread disruptions to healthcare services and increased prices for staple foods. Policymakers must address these indirect risks to mitigate the health impacts of future disease outbreaks.