The Michigan Medicaid expansion program successfully doubled access to primary care and increased the discussion of healthy behaviors among low-income residents. According to new studies, nearly 90% of enrollees reported reduced stress and worry due to HMP coverage, with many going without dental care they needed before enrollment.
A new study has found that rural women in the US experience higher rates of life-threatening childbirth complications than their urban counterparts. The research, published in Health Affairs, analyzed 6.8 million births between 2007 and 2015 and found a 9% greater chance of dangerous childbirth situations in rural areas.
A new study finds that married couples with multiple chronic conditions experience rising depression symptoms, with husbands faring worse when their conditions differ from their wives. The study highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing these dynamics to maintain mental and physical health.
A new study reveals that levetiracetam, fosphenytoin, and valproate are equally safe and effective in treating patients with refractory status epilepticus, a life-threatening condition characterized by prolonged seizures. The three drugs stopped seizures and improved responsiveness in approximately half of the study participants.
A new study found a sharp increase in medical students disclosing disabilities, leading to more accommodations and a potential improvement in patient care. Despite the rise, students with disabilities still represent less than 5% of future physicians.
A new study finds that nearly half of 50- to 64-year-olds think they're likely to develop dementia, but only 5% have talked to a doctor about reducing their risk. Meanwhile, many use unproven tactics like supplements and brain games to stave off the disease.
A new study at U-M found that the addition of IVF coverage to health insurance plans increased the rate of IVF among university employees, with a nine-fold increase in the lowest-salary bracket. The benefit led to greater equity in fertility rates across income groups.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a small-molecule compound that harnesses the power of a natural cellular cleanup system to eliminate tumors. The degrader achieved nearly complete elimination of tumors in mouse models of leukemia and lymphoma, with lasting results.
A study found that cervical cancer screening rates decline among women aged 45-65, particularly those with lower education, rural residency, or lack of insurance. The study highlights the need for increased awareness and access to screenings for vulnerable populations.
Research reveals that E. coli bacteria gain a competitive advantage over beneficial microbes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by adapting their dietary preferences to amino acids, particularly serine. This finding suggests that a low-serine diet may help control the overgrowth of pathogenic E. coli.
A new poll finds that half of older Americans have taken leftover antibiotics without guidance, while one in five expect doctors to prescribe them for colds. Despite widespread awareness of antibiotic resistance, many older adults engage in risky practices, highlighting opportunities for education and improved prescribing.
Researchers discovered that itaconate, a compound produced by the immune system, tricks Mtb into using propionate as a growth source. This reaction produces a stable biradical that lingers for over an hour, enabling researchers to grow crystals of the enzyme and understand its mechanism.
A new study at Kellogg Eye Center finds that reducing opioid pills prescribed after cornea surgery doesn't compromise pain control, with most patients using only four pills. The policy change also leads to more responsible pill disposal practices.
Researchers developed a polygenic risk score tool to predict depression in medical residents under intense stress. The study found that interns with higher scores were more likely to develop depression, while those with lower scores showed resilience.
Gabapentinoid prescriptions for adults with cancer grew from 3.3% to 8.3% between 2005 and 2015, with total prescriptions increasing from 1.2 million to 3.5 million. Further study is needed to understand the effectiveness and risks of gabapentinoids in treating cancer pain.
A cost-effectiveness analysis suggests that individuals with new diagnoses of major depression should have access to both antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy, as the costs and benefits are equivalent after five years. This study provides insights into treatment decisions and could inform future care and insurance coverage.
A new study by Michigan Medicine found that involving patients in pain management decisions significantly decreased opioid prescriptions without compromising pain control. The majority of patients reported their pain control as adequate or good and said their pain level was better or much better than expected.
Researchers identified genes that influence the balance between male and female offspring in mice, affecting male fertility. The study found that removing specific gene families led to skewed sex ratios and male infertility, providing a potential model for understanding sperm production.
A U-M study found that maximizer patients consume more health care resources without clear evidence of improved outcomes. Strong maximizers had four or more doctor visits, two or more ultrasounds, and one or more radioactive iodine scans in the prior year.
A new study suggests that up to 90% of people in treatment for addiction have a history of alcohol overdose, often combined with other substance use. The study's findings emphasize the importance of addressing alcohol use as a risk factor for severe overdose events.
Colon cells use an enzyme called SQR to convert hydrogen sulfide into CoA persulfide, allowing prioritization of poisonous gas clearance over energy production. A diet lacking in fiber may exacerbate the effects of hydrogen sulfide or ability to detoxify it.
A new study reveals a sharp rise in US firearm deaths across most states and demographics between 1999-2017. The majority of states saw firearm mortality rates increase by more than 20%, while Hispanic whites were the only racial/ethnic group to see reductions.
A new study reveals a stark mismatch between the number of US child firearm injuries and funding for research to understand and prevent them. Funding for pediatric firearm research is 30 times lower than needed to keep pace with other child health threats, resulting in less new knowledge and fewer discoveries.
A recent study found that aggressive breast cancers store large amounts of glycogen, a stored collection of glucose molecules. This stored energy enables the cancer cells to grow and spread. Researchers believe that targeting the enzyme PYG could be a potential target to treat or prevent breast cancer metastasis.
A new clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of whole-body cooling in comatose patients after a cardiac arrest, with a focus on optimal cooling duration. The study aims to improve neurological recovery rates and full recovery in cardiac arrest survivors.
A new study finds that patients want to give consent before their de-identified data is used for research, with racial and ethnic minorities expressing strong sentiments on this issue. The study's findings highlight the importance of transparency and clarity in communicating research goals and activities to patients.
A new national poll suggests that older adults are hesitant to try virtual health visits due to concerns about technology and quality of care. Despite this, many (64%) would be interested in telehealth options if they became unexpectedly ill while traveling or needed follow-up on previous care.
A new study by Michigan Medicine and University of Michigan found that nearly one in three low-income people with chronic illnesses discovered a new condition after enrolling in expanded Medicaid. Half of those with chronic conditions reported improved overall health within a year of coverage, with similar improvements in mental health.
A new study published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report found that nearly one-third of patients with lupus use prescription opioids to manage chronic pain. The research, led by Emily Somers, aims to determine current levels of opioid prescribing for lupus patients.
A University of Michigan study found that Medicaid expansion improved the health, work, and job search outcomes of low-income adults with behavioral health conditions. Those with these conditions showed significant gains in physical and mental health, as well as better job performance.
A recent study found no long-term negative effects of time-outs on children's emotional and behavioral health. Despite previous alarming claims, researchers did not find a relationship between reported use of time-outs and increased behavior problems.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older adults with newly diagnosed hearing loss who receive hearing aids have a lower risk of developing dementia, depression, and fall-related injuries compared to those who do not. The study, which analyzed data from nearly 115,000 Medicare beneficiaries, a...
A new national poll found that many older adults aren't fully prepared for emergency situations, with fewer than half having signed up for emergency warning systems or put together an emergency kit. The poll highlights the importance of key steps such as having a backup power supply and communicating evacuation plans with loved ones.
A new study reveals traditional Medicare spends significantly more on post-hospital care for people in their 60s than private insurance, despite similar clinical outcomes. The additional spending could be reduced by changing the payment structure to bring it closer to that used by private insurance.
A new study reveals that young people aged 14-24 overwhelmingly support the right of transgender individuals to use the bathroom they feel most comfortable in. Contrary to current policies in many schools, youth respondents believe bathroom use is a personal and private decision, and a matter of equality, freedom, and human rights. Thi...
A new study found that people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who have a heart attack are less likely to receive evidence-based treatment. Despite this, researchers emphasize that MCI does not necessarily mean reduced benefit from treatment and that patients should still receive care when indicated.
Research from Michigan Medicine identified anxiety as a key factor linked to more opioid use after surgery. The study also found younger age, non-white race, and sleep disturbance to be associated with increased opioid consumption. Clinicians may target these factors to personalize pain management and reduce opioid misuse.
A recent study published in Pain Medicine found that self-administered acupressure can improve symptoms of chronic low back pain. Researchers compared three groups: relaxing acupressure, stimulating acupressure, and usual care, with the acupressure groups experiencing pain and fatigue improvement after six weeks.
A phase 1 clinical trial found that combining AZD1775, a Wee1 inhibitor, with radiation and gemcitabine resulted in better-than-expected overall survival in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The median overall survival was 22 months, surpassing previous results for the same treatment combination.
A Michigan-wide effort to reduce opioid prescribing for common surgeries resulted in a nearly 30% decrease in prescription size, without affecting patient pain or satisfaction. The study's success suggests an opportunity for other states to build on Michigan's experience and further reductions in prescription size.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine highlights the need for increased awareness of mental health disorders among adults with cerebral palsy. The research team found that adults with cerebral palsy have a higher age-standardized prevalence of mental health disorders compared to those without the condition.
A review of 33 years' worth of medical studies reveals key areas for new research to explore. The study found that only a few hundred studies have been published on the topic, many with methodological flaws. Experts recommend more research on larger samples, school- and family-level risk factors, and protective factors.
A recent study of over 308,000 women who gave birth from 2008 to 2016 found that nearly half received opioid prescriptions as part of their birth experience, with one in every hundred still filling them a year later. The percentage of women filling opioid prescriptions declined over time, suggesting growing awareness of the national op...
A new study found that having an intensive care unit within the emergency department improved care and survival rates for all emergency department patients. The study, which examined Michigan Medicine's own EC3 unit, observed a decrease in mortality rates and ICU admissions among emergency department patients.
A new position statement suggests resistance training is crucial for improving the health and longevity of older adults. It provides evidence-based recommendations for successful resistance training programs, highlighting practical applications and functional benefits.
A new study identifies an enzyme critical for normal wound healing in diabetes, suggesting a potential treatment with allopurinol. In diabetic mice, blocking uric acid production improved healing rates.
A survey of early career oncologists found that women are less likely to attend scientific meetings due to family obligations. Onsite childcare is essential to promote work-life integration and increase female participation.
Researchers developed electrocardiomatrix technology that outperforms standard cardiac telemetry in detecting atrial fibrillation after a stroke. The technology converts ECG signals into a three-dimensional heatmap for rapid inspection of all collected heartbeats, minimizing false positives and negatives.
A study found that 40% of primary care clinics refuse new patients taking opioid painkillers, reducing access to needed care. Larger clinics and those offering safety-net coverage were more likely to accept these patients.
A new study from Michigan Medicine found that nearly 12% of patients with acute ankle sprain injuries filled an opioid prescription within seven days of diagnosis. Additionally, 8.4% of individuals who had not previously taken opioids were prescribed them three months after the original diagnosis.