The study found that the 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline has been contacted over 16 million times since its launch in July 2022. Despite this high number, regional and state-level variations in usage suggest potential for further growth and improvement.
A new study reveals that states with permissive firearm laws have significantly higher rates of pediatric mortality due to gun accidents. The research highlights the need for stricter regulations to prevent such tragedies and determine which laws are most effective in reducing harm.
A cross-sectional study found substantial cost shifting in veterans' surgical care from Medicare Advantage to Veterans Health Administration among high-veteran Medicare Advantage plans. This shift underscores the urgent need for policy reforms to improve the efficiency of veterans' care, as suggested by the findings.
Nearly 1 in 5 US firearm suicides occur outside the home, suggesting broader community-based interventions could enhance prevention strategies. The study's findings support extending existing home-based interventions to reduce firearm-related suicides nationwide.
A state Medigap guaranteed issue protection was associated with a higher rate of switching to traditional Medicare among newly diagnosed cancer patients. This finding suggests that these regulations can facilitate a switch, especially for those who desire more flexibility in accessing care.
A cross-sectional study found significant differences in poor mental health among US workers by sociodemographic categories and industry/occupation groups. The findings suggest that work-related factors may contribute to mental health outcomes, underscoring the need for targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
A cohort study reveals high support for care economy policies among all political affiliations, suggesting a policy window to address the needs of aging populations and those with disabilities. The results also highlight the importance of considering caregiving responsibilities when evaluating support for care economy policies.
The use of GLP-1 receptor agonists among diabetes patients is associated with a higher risk of developing incident neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and trade-offs between benefits and risks.
The health care workforce experienced decreased employment growth during the pandemic but fully recovered by 2024. This unique recovery is attributed to health care financing via insurance coverage that shielded health care employment from macroeconomic fluctuations.
The FDA has recommended pausing the use of a live attenuated chikungunya virus vaccine over concerns about safety. The vaccine was previously approved for emergency use in areas with outbreaks.
A cohort study found that obesity in childhood cancer survivors is linked to an increased risk of developing multiple subsequent neoplasms. Conversely, high levels of physical activity are associated with a reduced risk of these cancers.
A recent study found that nearly 1 in 6 adults with hypertension and 3 in 10 with diabetes were unaware of their condition by 2021-2023. Young adults and women are disproportionately affected by a lack of awareness.
A cohort study of schools found that COVID-19-related decline in youth physical fitness persisted during the pandemic, but not associated with remote or hybrid environments. The reduction was observed in cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal fitness healthy zone achievement.
A cross-sectional study found elevated rates of severe maternal morbidity among marginalized racial and ethnic groups with planned cesarean births. The study emphasizes the need for interventions to improve quality of care and promote equity for this population.
A large cohort study found significant associations between incarceration and increased risk of death from overdoses, as well as a doubling of individual mortality risk at high county incarceration rates. The findings highlight the need for reforms in criminal justice and public health policies to address these risks.
A nationwide decline in MMR vaccination rates among US children was confirmed by a new dataset, with significant variations observed across states and counties. The study provides valuable insights into factors influencing low vaccination rates and can inform targeted strategies to reduce measles outbreaks.
Prevalence of current cannabis use rose significantly among adults aged 65+, particularly those with higher incomes. Adults with initial lower cannabis use rates now exhibit the highest prevalence by 2023.
A circulating tumor DNA-based blood test demonstrated acceptable accuracy for colorectal cancer detection in an average-risk population. However, it struggled to detect advanced precancerous lesions, highlighting the need for further improvements.
US-market disposable e-cigarettes contain the artificial sweetener neotame, which is 35-65 times sweeter than aspartame. Neotame was ubiquitous in nicotine-free and nicotine-containing e-cigs.
A study found slightly lower adenoma detection rates in adults aged 45-49 compared to older groups, consistent with previous evaluations of screening colonoscopies. The study's findings suggest that the lowered screening age may have a beneficial effect on colon cancer prevention.
A recent study published in JAMA Oncology suggests that modern phase 3 oncology trials often prioritize overall survival over quality of life, which may not accurately reflect patient needs. Future trial designs should focus on improving overall survival and quality-of-life outcomes to better represent patient experiences.
Cessation of public water fluoridation would lead to higher rates of tooth decay and increased healthcare costs in the US. The model suggests that current safe levels of fluoride have substantial ongoing benefits.
A national survey of internal medicine physicians found that experiencing sacred moments is common among physicians. However, discussing these experiences with colleagues is infrequent, suggesting a potential impact on physician well-being.
A cohort study of 4 countries found that both maternal and paternal higher education levels were linked to reduced cognitive decline, with own education mediating these associations. The study highlights the long-term impact of parental education on offspring cognitive health across diverse cultural contexts.
A study found that fewer than half of U.S. adults are aware of the link between alcohol and cancer, highlighting a need for increased awareness and action. The findings emphasize the importance of reducing the alcohol-related cancer burden in the US.
Acupuncture was found to be an effective treatment for nocturia in survivors of prostate cancer, reducing symptoms comparable to other medications while causing fewer side effects. The study suggests acupuncture may offer a new hope for managing this common issue affecting half of prostate cancer survivors.
A cohort study found that lower-than-recommended lead levels were associated with worse academic grades, suggesting the need to reconsider current blood lead reference values for further interventions. The findings support lowering these values to improve outcomes for children and adolescents.
A cross-sectional study found a strong association between chronic cannabis use and endothelial dysfunction. The findings suggest that THC may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease through distinct mechanisms, similar to tobacco smoking.
Researchers identified unique symptom patterns and derived research indices for infants/toddlers and preschool-aged children, highlighting the need to characterize long COVID separately across age groups. The study provides new insights into the condition's progression in early childhood.
Sustained midlife weight loss was associated with lower chronic disease incidence and decreased all-cause mortality. The study's findings suggest that maintaining a healthy weight during middle age can have long-term health benefits.
This novel treatment approach yields better weight loss maintenance and cardiovascular risk outcomes compared to standard-of-care treatment. Patient-delivered lifestyle intervention combined with peer support significantly improves weight loss and reduces cardiovascular risk.
The study analyzed 14.7 million excess US deaths from 1980 to 2023, finding that rates remained higher than pre-pandemic levels. Excess deaths during and after the pandemic were largely driven by pre-existing causes such as drug overdose, firearm injury, and cardiometabolic disease.
Nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is the third most common stroke type, accounting for 5-10% of all strokes. Despite declining age-standardized burden rates, SAH remains a major public health concern globally.
A study found that adults hospitalized for RSV had significantly higher odds of cardiac events compared to those with COVID-19 or influenza. The findings suggest that preexisting cardiovascular risk patients should consider vaccination against respiratory viral infections.
A cohort study found children on the path to obesity by age 3.5, highlighting modifiable risk factors that can be targeted in prevention programs. The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) cohort provided valuable insights into early-life factors and BMI trajectories.
A decline in sedentary behavior among US adults occurred between 2013 and March 2020, however the trend was reversed from 2021-2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic's exacerbation of inactive lifestyles
Children's cereals contain high levels of added sugar, exceeding 45% of the American Heart Association's daily recommended limit. Notable increases in fat, sodium, and sugar have been observed alongside decreases in protein and fiber, suggesting a prioritization of taste over nutritional quality.
The study highlights a substantial growing burden of skin cancer among older adults, particularly males living in high-socioeconomic countries. Effective prevention and management strategies are urgently needed to address this issue.
A cohort study of over 11,000 children and adolescents found a significant association between increased social media use and greater depressive symptoms. Clinicians are advised to provide guidance on social media use for young adolescents and their parents.
A recent study by the CDC suggests that many youth-serving clinicians fail to screen for substance use disorders regularly. The findings highlight the need for improved education and practice changes to enhance screening rates.
US survivors of adolescence and young adult cancer experience significantly worse mental health outcomes into middle age and older adulthood. Cancer clinicians should acknowledge this mental health burden and take steps to address it.
A large cohort study found that early antibiotic treatment did not significantly improve outcomes for patients with nonsevere COVID-19. The results argue against routine antibiotic use in this population due to associated risks.
A new COPD diagnostic approach integrates respiratory symptoms, quality of life, spirometry, and CT imaging to accurately classify individuals with the disease. This framework reveals increased risks for mortality, exacerbations, and lung function decline among those classified as having COPD.
A recent study found that home health care is increasingly used among people with dementia, while rates have decreased since 2020. This trend suggests a need for ongoing monitoring of service use and outcomes for this high-need population.
A cohort study found that high-quality carbohydrate intake and dietary fiber consumption were positively correlated with healthy outcomes in older adulthood. The study suggests that focusing on carbohydrate quality may be crucial for maintaining overall health as people age.
Women primary care physicians demonstrate superior quality outcomes and higher value-based earnings compared to their male counterparts. This reversal may be attributed to fewer emergency department visits and hospitalizations among women's patients, reflecting better alignment with female-dominated practice patterns.
A randomized clinical trial found that over-the-counter and audiologist-assisted services yielded similar outcomes to prescription hearing aids. High-end and low-end hearing aids showed comparable results, challenging the need for higher-cost high-end models.
A study found that veterans enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans use dental and vision services at a similar rate as those in traditional Medicare. MA plans spent only slightly more on these services, including emergency dental care. After accounting for private insurance coverage, the total spending on dental services was compara...
A cohort study found that long-term survival was similar among patients with low-risk early-stage cervical carcinoma who underwent simple, modified, or radical hysterectomy. These findings support the use of simple hysterectomy in select patients.
A study found that US physicians working with an incompletely staffed team experienced significantly greater odds of burnout, intention to reduce clinical work hours, and intention to leave their organization. This highlights the importance of adequate staffing for physician well-being.