A study of 13,000 patients reveals few completed preoperative life-sustaining treatment documentation, with gaps in rates based on patient characteristics. The disparity affects veterans from different racial, ethnic, and rural backgrounds, as well as those with access to high-volume facilities.
A multicenter randomized clinical vignette survey study found that AI models, when systematically biased, reduced diagnostic accuracy. The study involved hospitalist physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants from 13 states.
Patients screened in emergency departments (ED) are more likely to screen positive for Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) needs compared to primary care patients. Primary care may be better optimized to address SDOH needs, with lower screening rates.
A new study examines the impact of public benefit programs on child maltreatment rates across different racial and ethnic groups. The research suggests that these programs may exacerbate existing disparities, with white children facing lower rates of investigation compared to their Black and Hispanic counterparts.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 clinical trials found daily tooth brushing may reduce hospital-acquired pneumonia rates by up to 50% in high-risk patients. This study suggests that widespread toothbrushing policies could save lives and reduce healthcare costs.
A study of 18,000 academic physicians reveals one-third report moderate intention to leave within two years. Burnout and professional fulfillment are associated with physician turnover, highlighting the need for comprehensive well-being approaches.
A study of 2,329 Mexican-inspired fast food restaurants in six US locations found that consumers purchase fewer calories at restaurants with calorie labels. Consumers are sensitive to calorie information on menu boards, leading to reduced calorie purchases.
A diagnostic study of 1,890 eyes supports the use of artificial intelligence in screening for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and assessing symptom severity. Retinal photographs may improve accessibility to specialized assessments by reducing resource strain.
A study of 57,000 adults reveals racial disparities in access to living donor kidney transplants, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. The findings emphasize the importance of addressing systemic inequalities in transplant programs and centers.
A large study found that sleep disturbances in preschool-aged children are strongly associated with both resolved and new cases of emotional and behavioral difficulties. Routine screening and treatment of sleep issues may help improve psychosocial well-being in this population.
Patients with lower socioeconomic status in their neighborhoods have a higher risk of nonadherence to guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure. Neighborhood-level socioeconomic factors play a significant role in shaping healthcare outcomes.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open analyzed data from 10,000 US adolescents and found a significant increase in e-cigarette use during late pregnancy. However, the study revealed no statistically significant association between e-cigarette use and an increased risk of small-for-gestational-age birth among adolescents.
A study of 4,819 women with benign breast disease found an increased risk of breast cancer compared to the general population. The study's findings suggest that pathologic classifications could improve breast cancer risk stratification.
Using metformin plus insulin to treat preexisting type 2 or gestational diabetes diagnosed early in pregnancy did not show a reduction in composite neonatal adverse outcomes. The study suggests that the effect of reducing large-for-gestational-age infant risk after adding metformin to insulin warrants further investigation.
A study found that persistent COVID-19 symptoms and previous severe cases were associated with increased odds of pandemic-related economic hardship. Families with lower incomes before the pandemic were disproportionately affected, experiencing more employment disruptions and earnings losses.
Black patients in integrated communities experience greatest benefits from PCI-CF openings, including a five times greater likelihood of receiving same-day PCI. Segregation is associated with poorer outcomes for racial minority groups.
A multicenter observational cohort study found that cannabis exposure was associated with a higher risk of small-for-gestational-age birth, medically indicated preterm birth, stillbirth, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The risk was particularly pronounced among those who continued to use cannabis beyond the first trimester.
A large cohort of adolescents found high BMI in late adolescence is associated with early CKD in young adulthood. High-normal BMI and severe obesity also increased the risk of developing CKD.
Continued treatment with tirzepatide maintained and augmented initial weight reduction in adults with obesity. Withdrawing tirzepatide led to substantial regain of lost weight in a randomized clinical trial involving 670 participants.
This study reveals racial and ethnic differences in hospice use, with Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black individuals having lower odds of receiving hospice care. Hispanic individuals had the highest odds of a short hospice stay, highlighting potential barriers to access and acceptance among low-income populations.
Substantial geographic disparities in US preterm birth rates were observed, with nearly 1 in 6 counties experiencing increases between 2007 and 2019. These disparities are linked to place-based social disadvantage, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
A retrospective cohort study of 4,732 BRCA carriers found that pregnancy following breast cancer was not associated with decreased disease-free survival. 1 in 5 patients conceived within 10 years after diagnosis.
A randomized clinical trial found that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) plus usual care significantly decreased drug use, pain, and depression in individuals with opioid use disorder and chronic pain. Participants who received MORE also showed increased methadone treatment retention and adherence.
A study of 562,000 women with endometrial, ovarian, or cervical cancer reveals racial and ethnic disparities in clinical trial enrollment. Underrepresented groups face significant barriers to participation, highlighting the need for continued efforts to address these disparities.
Opioid prescribing rates from US surgeons decreased between 2016 and 2022, but rebounded after the COVID-19 pandemic. Larger prescription sizes were observed during the pandemic due to refills being difficult to obtain.
A survey study of 1,357 respondents found stigmatizing attitudes toward patients with acne exist across different scenarios, highlighting the need for approaches to reduce stigma and improve access to care. Severe acne and darker skin tone are associated with a higher degree of stigma.
A randomized clinical trial found that throat specimens had higher sensitivity for rapid antigen testing than nasal specimens when collected by a healthcare worker. In contrast, self-collected nasal specimens showed higher sensitivity for symptomatic participants, suggesting improved sensitivity with dual sampling.
A cross-sectional analysis of US adults found that 63% had adverse childhood experiences, resulting in substantial economic burden from ACE-related health conditions. The study suggests measuring the economic burden can inform strategies to improve population health.
A study of 2,574 participants with obstructive sleep apnea found that those sleeping less than seven hours had higher risks of all-cause mortality independent of apnea-hypopnea index. Further research is needed to investigate potential health benefits of extending sleep length among these individuals.
Women who underwent bariatric surgery had lower pregnancy weight gain compared to controls with similar early pregnancy characteristics. The study found no difference in weight gain based on surgical procedure or surgery-to-conception interval, but suggested a potential benefit for women with shorter intervals.
A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial found that cardiovascular disease mortality was similar among individuals with hypertension receiving diuretics, calcium channel blockers, or ACE inhibitors. However, ACE inhibitors were associated with an increased risk of stroke outcomes by 11% compared to diuretics.
Research highlights association between maternal depressive symptoms and reduced fetal growth during critical rapid growth stage before delivery. Early screening for depressive disorders in pregnant women may be crucial for promoting healthy fetal development.
A study of nearly 16,000 kindergarten children found that total screen time and different content types were associated with mental health problems. Limiting screen time and prioritizing educational programs are recommended for young children.
A study of 170 COVID-19 patients with severe ARDS found that prone positioning compared to supine positioning did not significantly reduce the time to successful weaning from ECMO. The study suggests that other factors may influence ECMO weaning outcomes.
A study of 353,000 US adults found a decline in smoking prevalence from 2011 to 2022, except for those 65 and older. The greatest gains in reducing smoking-attributable morbidity and mortality can be achieved by targeting individuals with low socioeconomic status.
Significant racial and ethnic disparities in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease treatment were found in a study of 5,218 adults. The disparities persisted despite optimal recommended therapies, underscoring the need for sustained efforts to achieve better outcomes for all patients regardless of their background.
A new study finds that structural racism is a significant contributor to unequal lung cancer risk factors, affecting different racial and ethnic groups differently. The research highlights the need for tailored preventive interventions to address these disparities.
A study of 3 million US adults found anxiety and depression were significantly higher among younger adults, possibly due to economic conditions and social upheaval. The findings highlight the need for targeted mental health care and economic policies for younger adults during the pandemic.
A study of 1.1 million patients found lower healthcare costs when treated by female surgeons compared to male surgeons. This analysis highlights the importance of creating inclusive policies and environments supportive of women in surgery to improve workforce diversity.
Surgeon supply per 100,000 population decreased in rural counties and increased in urban counties between 2010 and 2020. The study found widening disparities between general surgeons, with rural and socially vulnerable counties experiencing significant shortages.
A randomized clinical trial of 31,000 individuals found that direct-mail human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling increased cervical cancer screening by more than 14%. The study suggests that systems implementing HPV self-sampling should prioritize direct-mail outreach for under-screened individuals to increase screening adherence.
A study of 33.1 million hospital visits found that Black and Hispanic patients are more likely to be discharged against medical advice, indicating a need for interventions to address medical segregation. This disparity may be related to unequal allocation of healthcare resources in hospitals serving racial and ethnic minoritized groups.
A study of 438,000 U.S. adults found that smoking cessation can significantly reduce cardiovascular, cancer, and respiratory mortality rates. Within a decade of quitting, former smokers' risk of cardiovascular death was approximately one-third that of continuing smokers.
This study analyzed data from 262 adolescents who discharged firearms in 253 school shootings over 26 years. The most common source of these firearms was family members or relatives of the perpetrators, highlighting the importance of secure firearm storage to reduce adolescent access.
A study of Medicare claims data found that higher segregation of hospital care is associated with poorer health outcomes for both Black and white patients. Policymakers can address this issue through payment reform efforts and expansion of health insurance coverage to reduce racial disparities in healthcare.
A study found that cancer patients with COVID-19 had significantly higher mortality and hospitalization rates compared to non-cancer patients, highlighting the increased risk of severe illness. COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients reduced this risk, emphasizing the importance of vaccination in protecting vulnerable populations.
A study of 278,000 individuals in Sweden found that longer cumulative duration of ADHD medication use was associated with an increased risk of hypertension and arterial disease. Clinicians should regularly monitor cardiovascular signs and symptoms during long-term treatment.
A study of 103,000 early-stage breast cancer patients reveals a significant racial disparity in chemosensitivity and survival rates. Black patients are more likely to experience residual disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, leading to a higher mortality risk.
A study of 25,000 veterans revealed that unstable housing before starting dialysis was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality. The risks were found to increase with age, highlighting the need for further research on this vulnerable population.
A recent study of 7,000 older US residents found that food insecurity was associated with a higher risk of dementia, as well as poorer memory function and accelerated memory decline. The researchers suggest that addressing food insecurity may have benefits for brain health.