A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study found that middle-aged men who completed more than 40 push-ups had a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease outcomes over 10 years. The study's findings suggest that push-up capacity could be an easy, cost-effective method to assess cardiovascular disease risk.
A newly discovered rDNA clock can accurately determine an individual's chronological and biological age. The study found that calorie restriction interventions accelerate or slow aging in mice, as well as in humans, making it a potentially widely applicable predictor of individual age.
A new study published in Human Reproduction found that men who have smoked marijuana at some point in their life had significantly higher concentrations of sperm compared to men who have never smoked. The study also found no significant difference in sperm concentrations between current and former marijuana smokers.
Two common e-cigarette chemical flavorings, diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione, have been linked to impaired lung function by altering gene expression related to cilia production. This study suggests that even low levels of these chemicals can be hazardous, highlighting the need for stricter safety standards.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School found that Medicare's bundled payment model for hip and knee replacement surgeries resulted in a 3.1% reduction in costs, with $812 in savings per procedure. The model also reduced the use of skilled nursing care after hospitalization.
A large study found that widespread, low-intensity antibiotic use in the US is more closely linked to antibiotic resistance than high-intensity use by a small fraction of the population. The study analyzed data from over 60 million Americans and found that occasional use was associated with higher rates of resistance.
Researchers agree that an overall healthy diet is key, with a focus on quality over specific ratios. They identified areas of agreement and disagreement, including questions about carbohydrate-to-fat ratios and optimal fat intake.
A new machine-learning model developed by Google and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health can identify potentially unsafe restaurants more accurately than existing methods, helping to detect lapses in food safety in near real time. The model's overall precision rate was 52.3%, compared to 22.7% for routine inspections.
A new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers found a link between state-level gun ownership and police shooting deaths, with the strongest association among armed victims. The rate of fatal police shootings was 3.6 times higher in states with high gun prevalence.
A recent study published in JAMA Oncology found that low-dose aspirin (100mg or less) reduces the risk of ovarian cancer by 23% compared to non-users. Long-term heavy use of non-aspirin NSAIDs may increase this risk.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that children whose mothers use marijuana are more likely to start using the drug themselves an average of two years earlier. This can lead to negative consequences such as impairments in concentration and decision-making, increased impulsivity, and reductions in IQ.
A study found that a shared financial incentive program provided reasonable value for the health gains it produced compared with other programs. The program offered $1,024 per year, split between patient and doctor, and showed lower LDL cholesterol levels. Further evaluation is warranted to test this strategy in real-world settings.
Researchers found that people with regular spiritual habits in childhood and adolescence reported greater life satisfaction, positivity, and lower depressive symptoms. They were also less likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, illicit drug use, or sexually transmitted infections.
A new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health warns that high CO2 levels could lead to widespread nutritional deficiencies, affecting 1.9% of the global population by 2050. The research estimates that 175 million people will become zinc deficient and 122 million will become protein deficient due to lower crop yields.
A new analysis by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health suggests that achieving universal healthcare (UHC) will require significant transformations in how health services are delivered, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The study emphasizes the importance of investing in quality medical services, adopting innovative...
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that people who gain weight after quitting smoking may face a temporary increase in type 2 diabetes risk, directly proportional to the weight gain. However, quitters can still reap significant health benefits, including lower cardiovascular disease and cancer risks.
Men who wear loose-fitting boxers have significantly higher sperm concentrations and total sperm counts compared to those who don't. Researchers found a potential compensatory mechanism where decreased sperm production triggers hormone production boosts to stimulate gonad activity.
Researchers found that pilots performed significantly better in flight simulations when CO2 levels were between 700 ppm and 1,500 ppm compared to 2,500 ppm. The negative effects of CO2 on flight performance became more pronounced with longer simulation times.
Research from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found pregnant women with low EPA+DHA serum levels had a significantly higher risk of early preterm birth compared to those with higher levels. The study suggests that adequate intake of long chain omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy may help prevent preterm birth.
A recent study published in the International Journal of Cancer found that women who eat high amounts of fruits and vegetables daily have a lower risk of aggressive breast tumors. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli were particularly associated with this reduced risk.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that congressional districts in the southeastern US and Appalachia have the highest opioid prescribing rates. These areas were followed closely by rural west states. On the other hand, districts near urban centers tend to have lower prescribing rates.
A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study found that students living in dormitories without air conditioning performed worse on cognitive tests compared to those with AC. During the heat wave, students without AC experienced decreases in cognitive function, including reaction times and working memory.
A new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that mothers' adherence to healthy lifestyle practices can significantly lower the risk of childhood obesity. The study, which examined data from over 24,000 children and their mothers, found that following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy wei...
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that US flight attendants have a higher prevalence of several cancers, including breast and cervical cancer, compared to the general public. The study suggests that minimizing radiation exposure and circadian rhythm disruption may help reduce the risk of cancer among cabi...
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that Medicaid work requirements and health savings accounts can lead to confusing beneficiaries, dissuade some from enrolling, and create cost-related barriers to care. The study also revealed significant differences in health insurance coverage rates between states with ...
Researchers found graphic warning labels reduced sugary beverage purchases, while text labels and calorie information had no effect. The study suggests graphic warning labels can empower consumers with salient information to make healthier choices.
A study conducted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that the mortality rate in Puerto Rico rose by 62% after Hurricane Maria, with an estimated death rate of 14.3 deaths per thousand people between September and December 2017.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) reduced uninsured rates among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs), narrowing disparities with whites.
Researchers found that adopting five low-risk lifestyle factors—eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, and avoiding smoking—can add up to 14 years of life for women and 12 years for men. This translates to a 74% lower risk of early death compared to those who didn
Researchers found that three antiretroviral drug regimens taken by pregnant women with HIV pose similar risks for adverse birth outcomes, including premature delivery and death. TDF-FTC-ATV/r appears to have a lower risk of preterm birth and low birth weight compared to other regimens.
Researchers found that cell shapes play a key role in jamming and unjamming, driving biological events like embryonic development and wound healing. This insight could lead to potential treatments for conditions like asthma and cancer.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that a Medicare program linked with reduced black-white disparities in hospital readmissions, but minority-serving hospitals continue to disproportionately receive penalties, suggesting more work needs to be done to ensure greater healthcare equity.
A study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that restricting the essential amino acid methionine triggered the formation of new blood vessels in skeletal muscle, suggesting improved vascular function may contribute to benefits of dietary restriction.
A new analysis from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health suggests that waning immunity is a major factor in the recent mumps resurgence among young adults in the US. The study found that vaccine-derived immune protection against mumps persists for approximately 27 years after the last dose.
The US spends substantially more on healthcare than other high-income countries despite poor population health outcomes, primarily due to higher prices for services and administrative complexity. Quality of care in the US excels in some areas but is not markedly different from that of other countries.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) may interfere with human body weight regulation, leading to greater weight gain after dieting. Higher blood levels of PFASs were linked with lower resting metabolic rates, which can result in slower metabolism and increased calorie burn.
Increased investments in vaccines administered to low- and middle-income countries could avert up to 36 million deaths and 24 million cases of medical impoverishment. The poorest households would likely receive the most benefit from increased access to vaccines due to their higher risk and limited healthcare use.
A nationally representative study of 1.3 million adults found high prevalence of diabetes and hypertension across all geographies and sociodemographic groups in India. The study highlights the need for urgent action to tackle these diseases, which are major killers in the country.
A new study found that Medicaid expansion in the US led to improved access to surgery and higher quality surgical care, with significant improvements seen within less than two years. The study analyzed data from nearly 300,000 patients and compared 27 states with expanded Medicaid coverage to 15 without expansion.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that short-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution and ozone is linked to a higher risk of premature death among the elderly in the US, particularly those who are low-income, female, or Black.
A new study in India found that a checklist and coaching intervention significantly improved the quality of care during labor and delivery, with major gains in proper administration of oxytocin, initiation of breastfeeding, and skin-to-skin contact. However, despite these improvements, death rates remained unchanged.
According to a new study, more than half of US children will have obesity as adults if current trends in child obesity continue. The study found that excess weight in childhood is predictive of adult obesity and that only children at a healthy weight have less than a 50% chance of having obesity as adults.
Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health discovered Nrf1 protein's role in maintaining cholesterol balance within cells. The protein senses and responds to excess cholesterol, promoting protective countermeasures and potentially treating diseases where cholesterol metabolism is disrupted.
A new study found that US sugary beverage consumption is declining, but remains high among adolescents and young adults, especially those from black and Hispanic backgrounds. The researchers also noted a positive trend in water consumption among children and adults.
Researchers found that restricting diet or using genetic manipulation to mimic it can maintain youthful mitochondrial networks, increasing lifespan. These youthful networks also improve fat metabolism by communicating with peroxisomes.
Researchers found that mice lacking fatty acid-binding proteins exhibit substantial protection against obesity and metabolic diseases as they age. However, this effect did not lengthen lifespan. The study suggests that targeting lipid chaperones may be a way to mimic the benefits of calorie restriction.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that official US death certificates failed to count over half of the people killed by police in 2015, with a greater proportion undercounted in lower-income counties and for deaths involving non-firearm means like Tasers. The study's findings highlight the need for better...
Suburban areas in the US face barriers to healthcare access, including limited community health centers and free clinics. Poor suburbanites have higher odds of being uninsured and having unmet healthcare needs compared to higher-income adults.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health reveals that extracellular vesicles (EVs) can carry receptors for intercellular communication, allowing signaling without direct cell-to-cell contact. This capability makes EVs uniquely suited to be engineered to send therapeutics directly to affected areas.
A new study analyzes thousands of new measurements of microbial communities from various sites in the body, providing insights into how microbes work together to maintain human health. The research identifies differences unique to an individual's microbes and tracks them across the body over time.