The UK's approach to health requires a fundamental shift towards community-based services and partnerships with businesses and organizations. A new strategy is needed to recognize the significant contribution of health sciences to the economy while acknowledging that every part of society has a role in improving health.
The Global Burden of Disease study 2015 found that life expectancy has risen globally, but 70% of deaths are now due to non-communicable diseases. The study analyzed 249 causes of death, 315 diseases and injuries, and 79 risk factors in 195 countries and territories between 1990 and 2015.
A study published in The Lancet highlights the importance of providing nurturing care and supporting parenting practices to help children reach their full potential. The analysis estimates that 250 million children are at risk of poor development due to extreme poverty and stunting, with significant costs for countries and individuals.
A randomized trial found that using an activity tracker did not increase physical activity enough to benefit health, even with financial incentives. Despite initial increases in exercise levels, participants stopped using the devices once incentives were removed.
The Lancet review highlights the importance of statin therapy in preventing cardiovascular disease. Lowering cholesterol by 2 mmol/L with a low-cost statin can prevent major cardiovascular events in patients with pre-existing vascular disease or those at increased risk.
A year's course of benralizumab injections significantly decrease asthma exacerbation rates, improving lung function and total asthma score. The treatment also shows promise for reducing hospitalization risks among those with severe uncontrolled asthma.
Researchers found that whole brain radiotherapy had no beneficial effect on survival or quality of life compared to best supportive care and steroids. The trial included 538 patients with non-small cell lung cancer who had spread to the brain, and showed that WBRT did not extend survival or improve quality of life.
A new study identifies countries in Africa and Asia at greatest risk of Zika virus transmission due to climate, mosquito presence, and large populations. The analysis highlights India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Bangladesh as top countries, emphasizing the need for public health decision-making support.
A new study identified seven key predictors that can help doctors identify low-risk children who are less likely to need antibiotics. The proposed tool, STARWAVe, uses these predictors to estimate a child's risk of future hospitalization and provides guidance for antibiotic prescribing.
A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that the number of US adults using marijuana increased between 2002 and 2014, with a corresponding decrease in perceived risk of harm. Despite this, the prevalence of marijuana use disorders remained stable, highlighting the need for effective education and prevention messages.
A nationwide study in England has collected data on 30-day mortality for patients with breast and lung cancer treated with chemotherapy, identifying factors such as age, general well-being, and NHS trusts with higher-than-expected rates of mortality. The study aims to improve patient care and inform clinical decision-making.
A randomized controlled trial tested the effectiveness of a teenage pregnancy prevention programme involving an infant simulator and found it did not reduce the risk of pregnancy. In fact, the study showed that teenage girls who took part were more likely to become pregnant compared to those who did not take part.
The Arab uprising and subsequent wars have had a devastating impact on the region's health, with many countries experiencing downward turns in life expectancy. The study reveals that infant mortality rates are rising, and chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease are becoming increasingly prevalent.
Combining virtual reality and treadmill training reduces fall rates in older adults, with a 42% decrease in the virtual reality plus treadmill group compared to treadmill training alone. This intervention has potential as part of prevention packages for falls risk before injuries occur.
A recent study published in The Lancet Oncology found that adults with slow-growing kidney cancer can live for months or even years without worsening disease progression through active surveillance. The approach was most successful in patients with limited metastatic disease and fewer risk factors.
A Tanzanian study has found that people infected with the parasitic worm W bancrofti in areas where HIV is endemic are more likely to acquire HIV. The study, published in The Lancet, suggests that controlling lymphatic filariasis could prevent incident HIV infections among the 120 million people living with this chronic infection.
A new 15-year study of 145000 patient cases found that locked wards do not reduce the risk of suicide attempts or unauthorized absence from hospital. In contrast, patients treated on open wards are less likely to attempt suicide and have a lower likelihood of absconding.
A new study of over 1 million people found that doing at least one hour of physical activity per day can eliminate the increased risk of death associated with sitting for 8 hours a day. The study also highlights the significant economic burden of physical inactivity, with estimated costs of over $67 billion annually.
A study of 250 transgender people in Mexico City found that distress and dysfunction were more strongly predicted by experiences of social rejection and violence than by gender incongruence itself. The researchers suggest that removing the diagnosis of transgender identity from mental disorders classification could improve health care ...
A new trial has found that robotic and open prostate cancer surgeries achieve similar results in terms of quality of life indicators, urinary function, and sexual function. Longer-term follow-up is needed to assess the full impact on cancer survival.
A large trial has shown that behavioral activation therapy is non-inferior to cognitive behavioral therapy in treating depression, with two-thirds of participants reporting a 50% reduction in depressive symptoms. The treatment is also cheaper and more accessible, with average intervention costs £974.81 compared to CBT's £1235.23.
Two new studies estimate the economic cost of malignant and non-malignant blood disorders in Europe, with a total cost of €23 billion in 2012. Blood cancers account for a significant proportion of cancer costs, with healthcare expenses being twice as high as average across all types of cancer.
Global Burden of Disease 2015 analysis shows slow decline in new HIV infections between 2005-2015, with stagnation in recent years. Treatment coverage varies globally, with massive scale-up needed in regions like Middle East and Eastern Europe.
A global study analyzing nearly 27,000 participants from every continent found that hypertension is the single most important modifiable risk factor for stroke, responsible for 47.9% of all strokes. The study also identified ten other modifiable risk factors that together account for 90% of strokes worldwide.
The Lancet report highlights how mass imprisonment of drug users is driving global epidemics of HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis. Scaling up opioid substitution therapy in prisons and after release could prevent over a quarter of new HIV infections among injecting drug users.
A study of 3.9 million adults found that obesity is associated with an increased risk of premature death, with the greatest effect in men. The risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, and cancer are all increased, resulting in a three-fold greater excess risk of premature death among men compared to women.
A study mapped the transmission of MERS virus in a South Korean hospital, identifying an 'super-spreader' patient linked to 82 cases. The outbreak highlights the risks of overcrowding and super-spreaders in healthcare settings.
New research detects Zika virus in brain and placental tissue of deceased babies and spontaneously aborted foetuses, providing early insight into the effect of Zika virus infection on foetuses. The study highlights a potential link between Zika virus infection during the first trimester of pregnancy and severe birth defects.
Researchers found that microcephaly screening alone is insufficient to detect all cases of Zika virus in newborns. The study suggests that signs and symptoms of brain abnormalities should also be included in screening criteria.
A new Series in The Lancet highlights the need for action on transgender health, with 60% of trans people experiencing depression and a 50 times higher risk of HIV. The authors call for revisions to WHO's diagnostic manual, trained physicians, and inclusive anti-discrimination laws.
Researchers have discovered that adults born in the 1940s with diabetes are living longer and with less disability, performing day-to-day tasks, compared to those born a decade earlier. This trend is attributed to improvements in diabetes management and healthy lifestyle choices.
Researchers found a distinctive pattern of injury in the brains of deceased military personnel who survived high explosive attacks, suggesting a link between blast exposure and neuropsychiatric symptoms. The study's findings highlight the need for further research to understand the underlying pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury.
A new treatment uses chemotherapy followed by autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation to fully halt clinical relapses and development of new brain lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis. Eight patients showed a sustained improvement in disability 7.5 years after treatment.
A new study published in The Lancet Neurology reveals that air pollution is a major contributor to stroke worldwide, accounting for nearly a third of the global burden. Modifiable risk factors such as smoking, poor diet, and low physical activity are also significant causes of stroke.
A comprehensive review of 14 antidepressants found that only fluoxetine was more effective at relieving depression symptoms than placebo. However, the true effectiveness and risk of serious harms remains unclear due to limited clinical trials and selective reporting.
Eating a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetable fats like olive oil and nuts has been shown to have little effect on bodyweight or waist circumference compared to a low-fat diet. The study suggests that current health guidelines recommending low-fat diets may be creating unnecessary fear of healthy fats.
According to a new study published in The Lancet Oncology, teenagers and young adults have lower chances of surviving certain cancers compared to children. Despite improvements in overall childhood cancer survival rates, adolescents and young adults still tend to die earlier from blood cancers like leukaemias and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that the global economic crisis was associated with an increase in cancer mortality, particularly among treatable cancers. Universal health care coverage may protect patients from the health consequences of rising unemployment and reduced public-sector healthcare spending.
Rates of teenage pregnancy in England have halved since the implementation of the Government's Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, with areas of high deprivation experiencing the greatest effect. Participation in education and work has improved for women who conceive under 18, but rates remain lower than their non-pregnant peers.
A third of global burden of disease for mental disorders occurs in India and China, with significant treatment gaps. Community engagement, traditional medicine practitioners, and increased support are key to bridging this gap.
A small feasibility trial involving 12 people with treatment-resistant depression found that psilocybin was safe and well-tolerated, reducing symptoms of depression in about half of the participants at 3 months post-treatment. Further research is needed to understand the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the US, yet patients often face out-of-pocket costs and inadequate care. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine report highlights these challenges, including high medication costs and variable insurance coverage.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers found that abortion rates have declined significantly in developed countries, but remained unchanged in developing countries. The findings highlight the urgent need for better access to modern contraceptive methods to reduce unwanted pregnancies and abortions.
Two new studies published in The Lancet find no association between weekend senior doctor staffing levels and mortality, instead highlighting variations in quality of care throughout the week. Researchers suggest that policies to address weekend quality of care alone represent a major oversimplification of the problem.
A major new Lancet Commission highlights the critical need for increased investment in adolescent health and wellbeing, citing alarming rates of preventable deaths and diseases among young people. The report emphasizes that behaviors established during adolescence can determine lifelong health outcomes.
A long-term study of 3325 adults aged 55 and over found that depression symptoms that steadily increase in older age are more strongly linked to dementia than any other types of depression. The study suggests that increasing depressive symptoms may indicate the early stages of dementia.
A unique study of 60,000 refugee immigrants in Sweden found that living in high-deprivation neighborhoods significantly increased the risk of developing type 2 diabetes over time. The study suggests a direct link between neighborhood deprivation and health, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Leading UK oncologists argue that staying in the EU is crucial to maintaining the country's prominent role in cancer research and care. The authors point out the benefits of EU-wide cooperation, including improved standards of care, research, and patient rights, as well as strengthened collaboration with EU partners.
A large trial of over 8000 participants found no significant increase in neuropsychiatric side effects with varenicline or bupropion. Varenicline was shown to be more effective in helping people stop smoking than other treatments, with similar efficacy across smokers with and without psychiatric disorders.
A new trial suggests treating donated blood with UV radiation and vitamin B2 reduces malaria parasite levels, minimizing transmission risk. The technology shows promise for improving safety in sub-Saharan Africa's blood transfusion industry.