The life expectancy of treated individuals with HIV in the EU and North America has increased by around a decade since the introduction of antiretroviral therapy. Projections suggest that life expectancy may approach that of the general population for those starting treatment from 2008 onwards.
Cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis are expected to rise significantly in India, the Philippines, Russia, and South Africa between 2000 and 2040. The growing epidemic is predicted to be driven by person-to-person transmission, rather than strains acquiring resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs.
Despite strong progress, Israel still faces significant health disparities, with lower life expectancy and higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, and smoking among its Arab population. The country's aging population poses a growing challenge, and addressing ethnic inequalities is crucial to ensuring universal healthcare coverage.
A year-long weight loss programme helped participants lose more weight and prevent diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease compared to a 12-week programme. The study found that the longer programme was cost-effective in the long-term due to reduced future healthcare expenditure.
A new study in The Lancet found that muscle-related symptoms are less commonly reported when patients and doctors are unaware of statin therapy. However, when patients know they're taking a statin, they were more likely to report symptoms, suggesting the nocebo effect may be at play.
A global trial of 20,000 women in 21 countries found that tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding after childbirth by a third if given within 3 hours. The drug is inexpensive and widely available, making it a promising solution for preventing maternal deaths in low-income countries.
A new study shows that investments in adolescent health and wellbeing can generate a 10-fold economic benefit by averting 12 million adolescent deaths and preventing more than 30 million unwanted pregnancies. Investing in secondary education can create 12 million formal jobs for people aged 20-24 years.
A new study tracks infectious disease trends in China over ten years, finding that while overall incidence has declined, some diseases like hydatid disease and hepatitis C are on the rise. The study highlights the need for improved prevention and control measures, particularly in remote border regions.
Despite narrowing global inequalities in childhood leukemia survival, persistent disparities remain, with five-year survival rates varying widely between countries. The study highlights the need for improved access to efficient treatment and care for children with leukemia, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
The US healthcare system is exacerbating growing health inequalities fueled by structural racism, mass incarceration, and the widening income gap. The richest 1% of Americans live 10-15 years longer than the poorest 1%, with low-income Americans being left further behind.
New estimates show a decline in smoking prevalence, but deaths attributable to smoking have increased by 4.7% globally, with over one in 10 deaths caused by smoking. Tobacco control programs are effective, but population growth has led to an increase in smokers worldwide.
Research suggests that modifying diets by a few grams per day can significantly reduce groundwater use, cut greenhouses gases, and improve human health. Small and medium farms are essential to sustain global food supply, with estimates suggesting a 70% increase in food availability needed by 2050.
A novel neuro-prosthesis has restored brain-controlled reaching and grasping in a person with complete paralysis, enabling them to feed themselves and drink. The technology decodes brain signals and transmits them to sensors in the arm, allowing users to regain movement and independence.
The global rise of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant threat to progress made in controlling the disease. The emergence of extensively drug-resistant TB is associated with high mortality and is a serious public health problem.
The global tobacco control treaty has increased the adoption of tobacco reduction measures around the world, leading to a 2.5% reduction in global smoking rates between 2005 and 2015. Countries that fully implemented more demand-reduction measures experienced significantly greater reductions in smoking rates.
The Tsimane people from Bolivia have the lowest levels of vascular ageing, with coronary atherosclerosis five times less common than in the US. Their diet and lifestyle, characterized by hunting, gathering, and farming, may hold the key to preventing heart disease.
A study estimates that 814 medical personnel were killed in the Syrian conflict, with nearly 200 attacks on health facilities in 2016. The authors call for greater accountability and protection for health workers, highlighting the need to address human rights law violations.
Despite growing numbers of centenarians, Chinese oldest-old population faces poor physical and cognitive function. Research finds decreased mortality rates, but worsening physical and cognitive abilities among the aged.
The Lancet Psychiatry experts argue that cannabis use can be made safer through various strategies, including regulating potency, reducing tobacco use, and exploring the effects of CBD modification. The authors also highlight the need for more research on the harms posed by different levels of THC and CBD content.
A small study suggests deep brain stimulation is safe for patients with chronic anorexia and may help improve mood, anxiety, and wellbeing while increasing weight. The treatment altered brain circuits that drive anorexia symptoms, leading to improved mental health and quality of life.
A recent study found that children exposed to severe deprivation in Romanian institutions aged 0-3 experience mental health problems in early adulthood. Despite living in supportive families, these children had higher rates of social, emotional, and cognitive problems throughout their lives.
Life expectancies in developed countries are projected to continue increasing, with South Korean women potentially surpassing 90 years old by 2030. The study predicts significant gains in life expectancy for men and women in several countries, including Australia, France, Japan, and the UK.
A trial testing a UK post-deployment screening programme found it ineffective in reducing symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and alcohol abuse. Despite encouraging personnel to seek help, the program failed to improve mental health outcomes compared to standard general advice.
A large imaging study of over 3200 people confirms that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with delayed development of five brain regions, supporting the notion that it is a brain disorder. The study found differences in brain volume across all age groups, but most pronounced in children.
A study found that educating religious leaders about the benefits of male circumcision led to a significant increase in circumcision rates in Tanzania. The intervention is believed to have worked by empowering religious leaders to discuss circumcision with their congregations, and may be an effective way to promote other healthy behavi...
A study of 1.7 million people found that low socioeconomic status is associated with reduced life expectancy, comparable to physical inactivity and smoking. Governments should consider socioeconomic status as a key risk factor in health policies.
A recent study found the mcr-1 gene has spread to a wide variety of Escherichia coli strains in China, raising concerns about the emergence of multi-drug resistance. The introduction of colistin in clinical settings is crucial, but caution must be exercised due to risk factors for its spread.
A new stop-smoking program using personalized disease risk analysis doubled the likelihood of smokers attending a smoking cessation course. The program's success rate was found to be around 28.7% among those who attended both the taster session and the full six-week course.
A new MRI scan test may improve diagnosis and reduce unnecessary biopsies for men with suspected prostate cancer. The test detected aggressive cancers correctly in 93% of cases, while avoiding over-diagnosis by 5%. Men without cancer or harmless cancers were also correctly identified.
A study published in The Lancet found a link between stress and increased risk of heart disease and stroke, with heightened amygdala activity associated with higher cardiovascular risk. Researchers suggest that stress may lead to cardiovascular disease through a biological mechanism involving the bone marrow and arteries.
Severely obese teenagers who undergo gastric bypass surgery experience significant weight loss and improved health outcomes, including reduced diabetes and high cholesterol risks. However, some patients may need additional surgery or develop vitamin deficiencies, highlighting the importance of long-term follow-up and support.
A study of 6.6 million people found that those living within 50 meters of a major road had a small increased risk of developing dementia, with up to 7-11% cases potentially attributed to traffic exposure. The study also found no link between traffic exposure and Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.
An experimental Ebola vaccine was highly protective against the deadly virus in a major trial in Guinea, showing no cases among those vaccinated within 10 days. The vaccine's efficacy also led to indirect protection through herd immunity in unvaccinated people, providing weight to early trial results.
A UK soft drinks industry levy is estimated to have significant health benefits, especially among children. The study finds that reducing sugar content and increasing prices of high-sugar drinks will have the greatest impact on health.
A study published in The Lancet found that adding an MRI scan after a 20-week ultrasound scan can increase the accuracy of diagnosing fetal brain abnormalities, with almost all scans being correct. This extra information helps doctors give more accurate diagnoses and advice to parents.
Patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer survived four months longer on immunotherapy drug atezolizumab compared to chemotherapy, with atezolizumab also having fewer side effects. The trial found that the drug worked best for patients with high levels of PD-L1 protein, doubling their survival.
A new drug, nusinersen, has shown promise in improving muscle function and nerve activity in babies with infantile-onset spinal muscular atrophy. The phase 2 trial found remarkable improvements in muscle function, but the results are considered preliminary due to the small sample size and open-label design.
A small study found that augmented reality and serious gaming therapy significantly reduced phantom limb pain, improving quality of life. The therapy involved training a virtual arm, racing, and copying movements, leading to halved pain intensity and frequency.
A new study found that a combination of cold preservation and ex-vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) can extend donor lung preservation time to over 12 hours without jeopardizing recipient outcomes. This technique has the potential to increase organ availability by reducing geographical limitations and enabling longer-distance transports.
The global prevalence of high blood pressure has more than doubled over the past 40 years, with significant increases observed in low- and middle-income countries. High blood pressure remains a major risk factor for stroke and heart disease, claiming over 7.5 million lives annually.
The Lancet Countdown is an international research initiative that tracks the impacts of climate change on public health and informs decision-making. It aims to accelerate policy responses to address the growing health risks associated with climate change.
The study highlights progress in reducing child deaths globally, particularly from pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, and measles. However, progress on newborn deaths has been slower, resulting in an increase in newborn deaths as a proportion of total child deaths.
The Lancet Commission estimates the monthly cost of a basic package of 201 essential medicines could be as low as $1-2 per person, addressing universal health coverage goals. However, many countries spend less than this amount on medicines, highlighting the need for additional financing to meet basic healthcare needs.
Researchers have identified genetic markers associated with resistance to the antimalarial drug piperaquine, which could help track and contain outbreaks in Southeast Asia. The findings suggest that amplification of plasmepsin genes is linked to piperaquine resistance and may be used to identify patients at risk of treatment failure.
A new series published in The Lancet highlights the need for international efforts to end preventable deaths from breast and cervical cancer, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Cost-effective interventions, such as routine HPV vaccination and cervical screening, can significantly reduce mortality rates if implemented.
A study published in The Lancet found that parent-led early intervention for autism can significantly reduce symptom severity, especially social communication and repetitive behaviors. The six-year follow-up analysis showed a reduction of 17% in severe symptoms among children who received the intervention.
A new trial found that offering patients a weight loss programme during a routine consultation is effective, with participants losing an average of 1.43kg more than those in the control group. The intervention was welcomed by patients and took only 30 seconds of physicians' time.
A phase 1 study using cells from the nasal septum to repair damaged knee cartilage showed substantial improvements in pain and knee function in 9 of 10 patients two years post operation. However, further studies are needed to assess efficacy and establish its routine clinical use.
The universal two-child policy is predicted to have a relatively small effect on population growth, with a peak of 1.45 billion by 2029. However, it may lead to changes in retirement age and pension systems to address shrinking workforce and population ageing.
A new study finds that migrants arriving on visas to the UK from countries at high risk of TB pose a negligible risk of onwards infection, despite being at increased risk of developing TB themselves. Ongoing monitoring and treatment are crucial to continuing the downward trend of TB incidence in the UK.