Weight loss treatments such as nutrition counseling and bariatric surgery increased the patient-level probability of achieving significant weight loss. Current treatment utilization rates are insufficient to impact the population level, highlighting a need for improved access.
A survey study of U.S. adults found that post–COVID-19 condition is associated with greater self-reported functional impairment and depressive symptom severity. Cognitive symptoms are common among individuals with post–COVID-19 condition, impacting daily life.
A positive association was found between total prescription opioid dose dispensed and the odds of spontaneous preterm birth in a study of 251,000 pregnant patients. Minimizing opioid exposure during pregnancy is crucial to prevent spontaneous preterm delivery.
A study of 11,000 children found that maternal tobacco use during pregnancy is associated with enduring deficits in childhood neurocognition. Continued research on the link between maternal tobacco use and cognitive performance is needed.
A study of 61,000 adults aged 45 or older found that those who adhered to physical activity guidelines before the pandemic had lower odds of developing or being hospitalized for COVID-19. This suggests that higher prepandemic physical activity levels may be linked to reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization.
A recent study reveals significant disparities in emergency department use among transgender and cisgender Medicare beneficiaries. The findings highlight increased utilization of emergent services, particularly for psychological care, which are more likely to lead to hospital admissions.
Youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities face higher risk for foster care involvement, particularly among Black and female populations. The study highlights the urgent need for system-level interventions to address these disparities.
A study of 276,000 children aged 6-23 months in 92 low- and middle-income countries reveals that 10.4% were zero-food children, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to improve infant nutrition. The prevalence is particularly urgent in West and Central Africa and India.
A study of 202,000 veterans found that outpatient healthcare use increased significantly in the month following COVID-19 infection before attenuating but remaining greater than uninfected cohorts through 12 months. This suggests ongoing effects of COVID-19 on healthcare utilization.
Researchers found that bariatric surgery led to improved cognition and overall well-being two years after the procedure. The study revealed changes in blood vessel efficiency and cortical thickness of the temporal cortex, offering new treatment options for patients with obesity and dementia.
Earlier anticoagulation reversal is associated with improved outcomes after intracerebral hemorrhage, supporting efforts to accelerate evaluation and treatment. This study supports intensive care strategies to improve survival rates among patients with this devastating form of stroke.
A randomized clinical trial of 1,680 patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion found no significant improvement in disability with adjunctive methylprednisolone. The study suggests that methylprednisolone may not be effective as an adjunct therapy after endovascular thrombectomy for this patient population.
A study of 352 patients found that endovascular thrombectomy benefits both directly presenting and transferred patients with large ischemic strokes, with better functional outcomes observed in those presenting directly to EVT-capable centers. Prolonged transfers worsened outcomes due to evolving ischemic change.
A recent study found that home environment features, particularly lighting, influence home activity metrics in older adults with visual impairment. The results suggest that home modifications may improve at-home physical activity, highlighting the importance of considering environmental factors in promoting health and mobility.
Despite a lack of clinical efficacy evidence, phenylephrine remained the most common oral decongestant in the US from 2012-2021, with hundreds of millions of units sold annually. Most phenylephrine products were co-formulated with antihistamines or antitussives, providing symptom relief for cough and cold symptoms.
The study analyzed over 1 million stroke patients and found that the Target: Stroke quality initiative led to increased thrombolysis frequency, timeliness, and improved outcomes across all racial and ethnic groups. However, disparities persisted, highlighting the need for further interventions.
Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) plus thrombectomy demonstrates significant benefits over thrombectomy alone when administered within a short timeframe after symptom onset. This study, based on individual participant data from six randomized clinical trials, found IVT before thrombectomy to be time-dependent and statistically significant.
A machine learning study of 22,000 surgical cases found that models can inform individual prognosis and aid in decision-making to reduce ineffective spine care. The findings suggest that these models may improve outcomes for patients undergoing lumbar disc herniation surgery.
A randomized clinical trial of 1,015 participants found that apixaban did not significantly reduce recurrent stroke risk compared to aspirin in patients with cryptogenic stroke and atrial cardiopathy. The study suggests that alternative treatments may be more effective for preventing stroke recurrence in these patients.
A randomized clinical trial of 336 patients with extensive ischemic stroke found that endovascular thrombectomy improved clinical outcomes across a range of infarct volumes. However, the treatment's effectiveness was limited by low enrollment rates among patients with minimal penumbra volume.
A recent study published in JAMA found that bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were highly effective in protecting against SARS-CoV-2 infection and symptomatic COVID-19 in children and adolescents aged 5 to 17. The study, involving 2,959 participants, demonstrated the significant benefit of COVID-19 vaccination in this age group.
A study of 2.9 million Korean adults found that quitting smoking at any age reduced the risk of cancer, particularly lung cancer, after 10 years. Early cessation before middle age led to a substantial risk reduction in lung cancer.
A large population-based study found that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines were not associated with increased neonatal adverse events in infants born between June 2021 and January 2023. The study included 94,000 vaccinated infants and 102,000 control infants, indicating a lower risk of serious health issues.
A recent study found that Black adults exposed to gun violence were more likely to experience lifetime suicidal ideation and behavior. The research highlights the need for public health efforts to reduce both gun violence and suicide among this vulnerable population.
Officer-involved killings of unarmed Black individuals worsened sleep duration among Black respondents, while no adverse effects were found for white respondents. The study highlights the role of structural racism in shaping racial disparities in sleep health.
A healthy lifestyle can help maintain cognitive abilities in older adults with common neuropathologies of dementia. The study found that a balanced lifestyle provides cognitive reserve, protecting against cognitive decline.
A study of emergency department visits reveals that most injuries from conducted energy devices, such as TASERs, involve young Black and white males from low-income areas. This finding is consistent with existing research on police violence and racial disparities in the US population.
A large study of 432,000 cancer patients who underwent major surgery found an increased rate of venous thromboembolism associated with cancer surgery. The risk persisted for about two to four months postoperatively and varied between cancer types.
Screening rates for blood pressure, cholesterol, and common cancers were lower in 2021 than 2019, particularly among Asian adults. The study of 89,000 adults highlights the need for public health efforts to increase preventive health screenings among eligible adults across racial and ethnic groups
A recent study of 1,404 mental health facilities found that mental telehealth services are not equally accessible across the US, with disparities observed at local levels. The findings suggest widespread inequalities in who has access to these services, highlighting the need for targeted solutions.
A study of 205 adolescent football players and 70 noncontact control athletes reveals discernible structural and physiological differences in brain regions associated with mental health. These findings suggest a potential link between football playing and mental health outcomes.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 104 studies with 341,000 participants found that physical activity was associated with better late-life cognition, although the association was weak. The findings suggest that even a weak link between physical activity and cognitive decline is still important from a population health perspective.
A high prevalence of mental disorders was found to affect over 1 in 10 individuals aged 5-24 worldwide, with around one-fifth of all disease-related disability attributed to these conditions. This age group accounts for nearly a quarter of the global mental disorder burden across the entire life course.
Participation in moderate to vigorous leisure-time physical activity was associated with lower odds of non-injurious and injurious falls among older women. Brisk walking also reduced the risk of non-injurious falls.
A smartphone-based mall walking program combined with physical shopping mall facilities and digital incentive coupons increased daily walking steps. The study found that this innovative approach can motivate people to walk more, promoting a healthier lifestyle.
A randomized clinical trial compared the outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in 1,735 patients. The study found no clinically significant differences between the two procedures in terms of perioperative risk.
In a randomized clinical trial of 1,068 smokers, electronic cigarettes were shown to be as effective as varenicline in aiding smoking cessation, while being more effective than nicotine chewing gum. The study suggests that e-cigarettes may offer a viable alternative for quitting smoking with minimal behavioral support.
A recent study of 35,000 adults aged 50+ found significant inequities in survival rates associated with wealth inequality in the US. Wealth redistribution policies have been proposed as a solution to reduce these disparities and increase population longevity.
A study of 57,000 US adults found that lower levels of food security are associated with a higher risk of premature mortality and shorter life expectancy. The findings highlight the potential importance of improving food security in promoting population health and reducing health disparities.
A study of 824 N95 masks used by 412 emergency department workers found that trifold N95s had a higher incidence of fit failure compared to dome N95s. The results highlight the importance of selecting appropriate N95 masks for reuse and extended use in pandemic preparedness
A study of Medicare patients in 2022 revealed disparities in COVID-19 therapy access based on patient age, race and ethnicity, Medicaid eligibility, and nursing home residence. Higher-risk individuals received COVID-19 therapy less often than those with lower risk factors.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a substantial increase in healthcare workforce turnover, with approximately 18 million employees experiencing job changes. Long-term implications for workers' willingness to remain in healthcare jobs are uncertain, highlighting the need for proactive measures by policymakers and healthcare organizations.
Gaps in vision screening pathways disproportionately affect historically marginalized groups, leading to poor outcomes and inadequate care. The study highlights the need for improved strategies to address these disparities.
Persistent withdrawn and somatic symptoms in adolescence increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in mid-adolescence. The study found that these symptoms persist or increase over time to be particularly concerning for suicidal risk.
This study found that sports-related traumatic brain injuries (TBI) result in higher rates of functional limitations six months after injury. In contrast, patients with non-sports related TBI exhibit better mental health and post-concussion symptom recovery. The findings highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of TBI outcomes.
A survey study found a lower rate of overall fractures among living kidney donors, yet an increased incidence of vertebral fractures after 25 years following donation. Treatment with dietary supplements may help alleviate these issues and patient morbidity.
A study analyzing survey data from 718,000 participants found that living in states with abortion trigger laws was associated with higher anxiety and depression symptoms after the Dobbs v Jackson decision. The study suggests a small but significant increase in mental health issues among those residing in such states.
A study of 238,000 participants aged 45 and older found that self-reported walking limitations were associated with an increased risk of fracture. Clinicians may use patient self-assessment of walking ability as a tool to identify high-risk candidates for further assessment.
A study of 157,000 participants found that those with recent weight loss were more likely to be diagnosed with cancer within the next 12 months. Cancer of the upper gastrointestinal tract was most commonly associated with recent weight loss.
A study of 87,000 women found a higher level of maternal autistic traits associated with increased risk of adverse birth outcomes, including very preterm birth. The researchers emphasize the need for tailored and timely antenatal care support for women with high levels of autistic traits.