A study suggests that glyphosate, the world's most widely used herbicide, weakens the immune systems of insects by inhibiting melanin production. This reduction in resistance to infection may have significant impacts on ecosystems and human health.
A new study found that organic-certified meats are 56 percent less likely to be contaminated with multidrug-resistant bacteria compared to conventionally produced meat. The research analyzed data from the US National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System and covered over 39,000 meat samples.
A new report recommends implementing the 'Safe System' approach to reduce road deaths and injuries, which has been successful in other countries. The approach prioritizes road design and engineering to minimize mistakes and reduce crash forces.
A large study suggests that symptom screening, mask mandates, and daily symptom screening can minimize the excess COVID-19 risk to adults living with children who attend school in-person. Researchers found a 38% increase in reported COVID-19-like symptoms among households with an in-person-schooled child.
A large study found that risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection differed from those for hospitalization and death in U.S. nursing homes. Risk of infection was mainly dependent on nursing home and community factors, while hospitalization risk varied more with patient-specific characteristics such as age, BMI, and ethnicity.
A study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health analyzed tens of millions of pharmacy transactions to understand the use of vouchers and coupons. The researchers found that these offsets are concentrated among a small number of drugs, covering about half of their costs, with manufacturer-provided offsets fully covering pat...
A recent study found that about half of Americans intend to get vaccinated as soon as possible, while others are hesitant or unlikely to get vaccinated. The survey highlights the need for targeted outreach to address vaccine hesitancy and build trust with communities, particularly among African American and Hispanic respondents.
A study found that telehealth consults accounted for nearly 24% of outpatient consults, with mental health consults leading the way in COVID-19 hot spots. The use of telehealth was associated with lower medical care costs, with a 15% drop in total costs per person per month.
The study found that a large majority of U.S. adults support COVID-19 mitigation measures, including mask wearing, social distancing, and contact tracing. Support varied across ages, political party affiliation, and levels of trust in science, highlighting the challenges of reaching key groups during the pandemic.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have discovered a cellular stress enzyme called MARK2 that controls protein synthesis in response to types of stress or damage seen in neurodegenerative disorders. The finding suggests that MARK2 may play a key role in diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS.
A study found that US states with Republican governors experienced higher COVID-19 cases and deaths after mid-summer, possibly due to differing policies. The analysis suggests that governor party affiliation may contribute to public health policy decisions, influencing the pandemic's impact.
A study found that multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains are spreading between pigs, farmworkers, and community residents in North Carolina, raising concerns about a potential emerging public health threat. The strains were closely related and carried genes conferring resistance to multiple antibiotics.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that Medicare Part D program lost $1.7 billion due to requests for brand name over generic prescription drugs in 2017. Opting for generic drugs could save hundreds of millions annually.
The new guidelines recommend bringing blood pressure levels down to 120 mmHg systolic in chronic kidney disease patients, benefiting nearly 24.5 million individuals. This update aims to improve blood pressure control among the one in seven people in the US with chronic kidney disease.
A study led by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health finds that nearly 60% of low-income, middle-aged African-American women with uncontrolled hypertension screened positive for depression. The researchers emphasize the need for routine screening and treatment for these women.
A large study found that older adults with moderately elevated blood sugar levels do not frequently develop full-blown diabetes. Instead, many improve their blood glucose levels or die from other causes, suggesting that the 'prediabetes' diagnosis is less useful in this age group.
A survey of US adults found that 41% delayed or missed medical care due to fear of COVID-19 transmission and financial setbacks. The study highlights the need for policy interventions to limit forgone care, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Researchers analyzed 2,121 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and found no significant association between immunosuppression and worse outcomes. The study suggests that immunosuppressive drugs may not increase the risk of severe COVID-19 for patients with chronic conditions.
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has released a new report offering policy solutions to address the opioid epidemic during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report provides guidance on increasing data tracking, expanding access to substance use treatment, and supporting vulnerable populations.
The new risk calculator estimates mortality risk for individuals and communities, considering sociodemographic info and medical history. The tool will help public health authorities prioritize vaccination for high-risk groups, such as those with preexisting conditions or from vulnerable ethnic backgrounds.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Federal Reserve Board of Governors found that individuals with dementia miss payments on bills as early as six years before diagnosis. Financial symptoms like missed payments and subprime credit scores are unique to dementia and can be used as early predictors.
A fundamental way cells interpret signals from their environment has been revealed by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The Hippo pathway, which constrains cell division and regulates organ size, can be activated by multiple signaling inputs.
A new saliva-based antibody test developed by Johns Hopkins researchers accurately detects SARS-CoV-2 antibodies from small saliva samples. The test's high sensitivity and specificity make it suitable for various applications, including large-scale screening and monitoring changes in antibody-positivity rates over time.
A home-visiting program delivered by trained Native American family health coaches improved healthy growth and feeding practices in babies of mothers on the Navajo Nation. The intervention lowered infant weights and reduced sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, supporting a healthier growth trajectory.
A study found that Americans significantly reduced visits to grocery stores and pharmacies during COVID-19 lockdowns, but not to parks and beaches. In densely populated areas, these reductions were even more pronounced, suggesting better access to services may be a factor.
A new study found that older males who have recovered from severe COVID-19 are strong candidates for donating plasma to treat and prevent the disease. The study also suggests that sex, age, and severity of disease can be used to guide the selection of donors.
A new survey found that over 40% of US adults support a stronger government role in society, with majority backing health, unemployment, and income-related policies. The findings suggest growing support for extending social safety net policies passed during the pandemic.
Researchers developed a risk-scoring calculation that adds blood and urine measures of kidney disease to the current standard method for assessing cardiovascular disease risk. The study found that adding these measures can result in large increases in cardiovascular disease-risk estimates among patients with severe kidney disease.
A study found that higher vitamin D levels in pregnancy may protect against childhood high blood pressure, particularly for children born to mothers with preeclampsia. The analysis of data on 754 mother-child pairs revealed a dose-related association between cord-blood vitamin D levels and reduced offspring blood pressure.
A new study found that despite increased telemedicine use, the number of primary care consultations fell by over 21% in the second quarter of 2020. This drop was accompanied by a significant decline in blood pressure and cholesterol checks, which are crucial for detecting cardiovascular disease risks.
A study found that FDA evaluations for new opioid drugs approved between 1997 and 2018 lacked systematic assessments of safety-related outcomes, particularly for chronic pain applications. The analysis revealed that trials often excluded patients who could not tolerate the drugs and failed to assess important adverse events.
Researchers found that practicing strict social distancing outdoors significantly lowers the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 infection, while frequent public transportation use increases the risk. The study surveyed over 1,000 people in Maryland and analyzed their social distancing practices and behavior.
A new study found that infants from households with very low food security are more likely to have above-average body mass indices, higher fat levels, and other measures indicating greater obesity risk. This association suggests that household food insecurity may be especially hazardous for infants.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that states with handgun purchaser licensing laws had lower firearm homicide and suicide rates. Connecticut's law, enacted in 1995, was associated with a 28% decrease in firearm homicides and a 33% decrease in firearm suicides.
A non-fasting blood test, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), can accurately identify youth at risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The study suggests using HbA1c more frequently to screen youth for diabetes and related health risks.
A study of 380 female sex workers found that more than half reported symptoms of PTSD after experiencing or witnessing an overdose. The findings suggest that overdose treatment programs should include a strong mental health component to help survivors and witnesses recover from trauma.
A new study by the International Vaccine Access Center at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health estimates that immunization programs will save $681.9 billion for 2011-20 and $828.5 billion for 2021-30, with a return on investment ratio of up to 51:1.
Research from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found a link between elevated BPA levels and increased asthma symptoms in low-income children. The study also did not find a statistically significant association between BPS and BPF levels and asthma symptoms.
A fast-spreading mutation in the H3N2 flu subtype has effectively blocked antibodies from binding to a key viral protein, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study suggests that flu vaccines focusing on one protein may not be enough to protect against evolving viruses.
A new analysis found COVID-19 cases among prisoners are 5.5 times higher and death rate 3 times higher than the general population. The study analyzed 42,107 cases and 510 deaths in prisons from March to June 2020.
A new study found that women with higher manganese levels in early pregnancy had a lower risk of developing preeclampsia later on. The researchers analyzed data from over 1,300 women and found an association between higher manganese levels and reduced preeclampsia risk.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health identified a new allergy pathway triggered by house dust mites, which can lead to asthma and allergic rhinitis. The study found that blocking this pathway may be a potential preventive or treatment strategy against these disorders.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that hospital visits, release from prison, and patterns of medication use can predict both fatal and nonfatal opioid overdoses. The researchers used linked databases to analyze over 2.29 million records and identified groups at highest risk.
A new study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found no significant association between urban density and COVID-19 infection rates. However, it was linked to lower COVID-19 death rates, possibly due to better healthcare systems in densely populated areas. Larger metropolitan areas with closely linked counties are ...
Researchers analyzed insurance claims from 2016 to 2019 and found that out-of-pocket costs for respiratory illnesses were particularly high for consumer-directed plans. Tens of millions of Americans with self-insured health plans may face significant financial burden due to COVID-19 hospitalizations.
A study analyzing 201 registered COVID-19 clinical trials found that many lacked key features such as control groups and blinding. The majority were also designed to enroll fewer than 100 patients, limiting their usefulness. This has raised concerns about the quality of evidence for potential treatments.
A new survey found a more-than-threefold increase in U.S. adults reporting symptoms of psychological distress from 3.9% in 2018 to 13.6% in April 2020. Young adults, adults in low-income households, and Hispanics expressed the highest psychological distress.
A recent study has identified 32 new sites on the human genome where variations in DNA appear to alter the risks of getting specific subtypes of breast cancer. The analysis, covering over 266,000 women, may eventually improve the ability to predict breast cancer risks at a subtype level.
Researchers found that older adults with worsening insomnia symptoms were more likely to remain depressed and report suicidal ideation. The study suggests that treating sleep problems should be explored as a potential means to improve depression outcomes in older people.
A survey of U.S. primary care physicians found that nearly one-third do not view medication treatment for opioid use disorder as effective, despite strong research evidence and clinical guidelines emphasizing its life-saving benefits. The study also revealed low support for policies to remove prescription barriers and increase insuranc...