A new study finds that exposure to brand-specific alcohol ads on TV is linked to increased consumption among underage drinkers. Researchers surveyed over 1,000 youth aged 13-20 and found a strong association between ad exposure and brand choice.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that older Americans with multiple chronic medical conditions have shorter life expectancies. On average, a 75-year-old woman with five chronic conditions will only live to the age of 87.
A new study suggests that getting patients in India quickly evaluated by the right doctors can be as effective at curbing tuberculosis as a highly accurate screening test. Improving access to Xpert MTB/RIF, a new TB test, could reduce new cases by 14.1 percent over 5 years.
A new study published in JAMA found a 24% overall decline in first-time strokes in the US over the last two decades, as well as a 20% drop in deaths after stroke. However, progress was limited among younger people, while older adults saw little change in mortality rates.
Aquaculture contributes to reduced wild fish stocks, contamination with heavy metals, and antibiotic use. However, sustainable operations can provide jobs and nutritious seafood while conserving resources.
A new study found that underage drinkers between 18 and 20 years old are heavily exposed to magazine advertising for the alcohol brands they consume most frequently. The study suggests a relationship between exposure to alcohol ads and consumption of specific brands, particularly among young females.
Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that deploying a small number of skilled midwives in the world's poorest nations could prevent over a quarter of maternal, fetal, and infant deaths worldwide. Increasing midwife coverage to 60% by 2015 could save nearly 2.3 million mothers and babies.
A clinical trial in China found that consuming broccoli sprout beverage daily increased excretion of benzene and acrolein, two known human carcinogens and lung irritants. The study suggests that sulforaphane from broccoli sprouts may activate a protective signaling molecule to adapt to environmental toxins.
A new study suggests revising the definition of kidney disease progression used in clinical trials could shorten trial length and encourage more trials. This revised definition, based on a decline in estimated kidney function, carries higher risks for end-stage renal disease and mortality but is common enough to facilitate testing.
Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health analyzed air quality in seven Baltimore waterpipe bars and found elevated levels of carbon monoxide and air nicotine. The study's results suggest that waterpipe smoking creates higher indoor air pollution than cigarette smoking, posing increased health risks to patron...
A study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology found low transmission rates among long-term partners of patients with oral HPV infection. The prevalence of oral HPV among partners was comparable to the general population, confirming that couples do not need to change their intimacy due to cancer diagnosis.
Cases of diabetes and pre-diabetes in the US have nearly doubled since 1988, with obesity contributing to the surge. The burden of the disease is not evenly distributed, with higher rates among blacks, Hispanics, and the elderly.
A study of nearly 1,000 mother-child pairs found prenatal SSRI exposure was nearly 3 times as likely in boys with ASD relative to typical development. Exposure during the first trimester increased risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), while third trimester exposure elevated risk for developmental delays (DD) in boys.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that cognitive impairment affects seniors in both nursing homes and the community, with patients lacking advance directives receiving aggressive care. Advance care planning is essential to ensure desired treatments are followed.
A new study highlights the need for clear information on managing contaminants in urban soils to protect consumers and gardeners. Researchers found that gardeners generally recognize the importance of knowing a site's prior uses but lack expertise to determine accurately potential contaminants.
A new study found that children treated with ADHD stimulants experienced slower BMI growth in early childhood, followed by a rapid BMI rebound in late adolescence. Researchers suggest that stimulant use, rather than ADHD diagnosis alone, is associated with higher BMI and obesity.
A new study found that Medicare Part D prescription coverage significantly reduced hospital admissions by 8% and annual Medicare expenditures for hospitalization by 7%, resulting in aggregate savings of $1.5 billion per year. This expansion led to a 90% increase in seniors with prescription coverage.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that eliminating maternal mortality worldwide would result in a gain of over 0.6 years in life expectancy. This improvement is significant, as it would take place during the most productive ages of human life, carrying non-trivial socio-economic implications.
Researchers found that state regulatory agencies struggle to address public health concerns from industrial food animal production due to narrow regulations, a lack of public health expertise, and limited resources. The study suggests that strengthening regulations and providing complementary expertise can help protect public health.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that Missouri's 2007 handgun purchaser licensing law repeal contributed to a fourteen percent increase in the state's murder rate. The repeal was also associated with an additional 49 to 68 murders per year and a twenty-five percent increase in firearm homicides rates.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health estimates that health disparities among US African-American and Hispanic men result in $341.8 billion and $115 billion excess medical costs, respectively. The total economic burden is over $450 billion, with indirect costs contributing an additional $436.3 billion.
Researchers have found that fructosamine and glycated albumin are strongly associated with retinopathy and kidney disease in patients with diabetes. These tests could potentially replace the standard Hemoglobin A1c test, which is not valid for some patients.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals substantial discrepancies among mid-life and late-life adults in reporting past mental health disorders compared to physical disorders. The study found that lifetime estimates of mental disorders ascertained by retrospective versus cumulative evaluations were sign...
The Affordable Care Act authorizes $100 million in annual grants to help defray substantial uncompensated care costs, further the core mission of trauma centers, and provide emergency relief. Trauma systems emphasize coordination among multiple health care professionals and institutions across the continuum of care.
A new report from the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth reveals that current codes and regulations do not protect consumers from risky content and messages in alcohol ads. The study found numerous ads promoting unhealthy consumption, objectification of women, and associating alcohol with active lifestyles.
Genetic variants in the APOL1 gene increase the risk of kidney disease progression and end-stage renal disease in African Americans. Approximately 1 in 10 blacks possess high-risk variants, which speed up kidney disease progression and substantially increase the risk of developing kidney failure.
Researchers found that in 25 US TV markets, nearly 1/4 of popular youth programs exceeded the industry's voluntary standards for alcohol ad exposure. This could lead to a one-third drop in total youth exposure if ads were eliminated. Exposure to alcohol marketing increases underage drinking and health risks.
Researchers analyzed hot-air balloon tour crashes from 2000-2011, finding 78 crashes involving 518 occupants, with 91 serious injuries and 5 fatalities. Targeted interventions may improve crash outcomes and decrease injury severity.
The use of electronic health records and consumer e-health apps is expected to profoundly impact the American healthcare workforce over the next decade, reducing future demand for physicians by 4-7%. This is due to increased efficiency and delegation of care to nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
A new study found that reports of shorter sleep duration and poorer sleep quality in older adults are associated with higher levels of beta-amyloid buildup, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that treatments for poor sleep may help prevent or slow the progression of the disease.
Researchers found an association between living near pig farms and manure fertilizers with community-acquired MRSA infections. Approximately 11% of cases could be attributed to crop fields fertilized with swine manure.
A new study finds no improvement in pain treatment with rising opioid prescriptions, despite efforts to increase awareness and alternative treatments. Non-opioid analgesics have plateaued or declined in many cases.
A new study published in JAMA found that the Medicare centers of excellence policy limited minority access to weight-loss surgery, with a 4.7 percentage point decline in non-white patients receiving bariatric surgery after policy implementation. The policy restricts patients to high-volume hospitals designated as centers of excellence.
The use of blood levels of cystatin C strengthens the association between kidney function and risks of death and end-stage renal disease. Cystatin C allows for better staging and risk classification of chronic kidney disease, potentially leading to targeted management and improved patient outcomes.
A new study found that four major alcohol brands, including Patron and Hennessy, are frequently mentioned in popular music, particularly among urban audiences. Alcohol use is often portrayed positively in these songs, which may contribute to increased youth drinking behavior.
A pilot study at a Johns Hopkins hospital emergency department found that ER patients consume high-octane beers in large quantities. The study analyzed data from 105 respondents and compared it to national market share data.
A new report finds that fewer states are holding alcohol retailers liable for harms caused by customers who were served illegally, leading to reduced protection against excessive drinking. The erosion of commercial host liability laws is seen as a public health failure contributing to high human and economic costs.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that NRF2 signaling plays a role in regulating cell metabolism, leading to increased energy production and tumor cell proliferation. The study demonstrates the importance of targeting Nrf2 with small molecule inhibitors to intervene in therapeutic resistance.
A new study found that industrial livestock workers in North Carolina carry drug-resistant bacteria associated with livestock, including Staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria are resistant to multiple antibiotics and were more prevalent among workers exposed to industrial operations, which use antibiotics in animal feed and water.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health conclude that community-based approaches are crucial in preventing childhood obesity. The study found that comprehensive interventions incorporating schools and focusing on both diet and physical activity are more effective in preventing obesity in children.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have identified a new mechanism of PZA drug resistance, which could lead to the development of new antibiotic therapies. The study found that mutations in the panD gene may also be involved in PZA resistance, providing new insight into how this mysterious drug works.
A Johns Hopkins study of 50 pregnant women found associations between higher exposure to DDT and other contaminants and increased fetal motor activity, as well as reduced fetal heart rate accelerations. The findings suggest the developing fetus is susceptible to environmental exposures, highlighting the need for prenatal protection.
A new Lancet series highlights the critical role of nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life in shaping childhood health and future economic prospects. The series estimates that 800,000 neonatal deaths are caused by fetal growth restriction, underscoring the importance of maternal nutrition.
A Johns Hopkins trial found that group psychotherapy significantly reduced symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety among women survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The treatment achieved more dramatic results compared to individual support services.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that obese patients trust weight-related counseling from overweight physicians more than normal-weight physicians. Patients seeing an obese primary care physician were also more likely to perceive weight-related stigma.
A new study found that 93% of US law enforcement officer homicides were committed with firearms, highlighting the need for improved training procedures to reduce officer risk. The analysis, which used crime statistics from the FBI, identified high-powered weapons as a major contributor to officer fatalities.
A Johns Hopkins study finds that non-communicable diseases account for 48% of investigated female deaths in rural Bangladesh between 2002 and 2007. The main causes are circulatory system diseases and cancer. Reviewing global health priorities to address neglected non-communicable diseases affecting rural women is urgently needed.
A new study found that insomnia symptoms in middle-aged and older adults are associated with greater future use of costly health services, including hospitalization. Insomnia is common among this population, affecting over 40% of respondents, and may be a preventable indicator of poor health outcomes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health recommend menu labeling regulations for smaller chain restaurants, including listing lowest calorie food items first. This approach has been shown to reduce calorie consumption and lead to healthier choices.
A new article by Johns Hopkins faculty highlights the importance of advance directives in managing end-of-life care issues and reducing medical costs. Completing an advance directive document can lower end-of-life expenses for Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance.