New research finds that implementing specialist community services, clinical guidelines, and staff retention improvements led to significant reductions in patient suicide rates. Higher levels of non-medical staff turnover were linked to higher suicide rates.
The Lancet study reveals that by 2040, nearly half of developing countries will fall short of international health spending targets, leaving millions without access to basic services. Global health funding is expected to stagnate, with minimal growth since 2010, and may not be sufficient to bridge the gap.
Experts estimate that expanding proven interventions in pregnancy care, infectious disease treatment, and childhood nutrition could avert millions of maternal, newborn, and child deaths annually. The estimated investment required is approximately $6-12 billion per year, equivalent to just $4.7-$6.7 per person.
A team of US doctors successfully reconstructed a severely damaged oesophagus using commercially available FDA-approved stents and skin tissue in a critically ill patient. The patient, who was paralyzed from an earlier car accident, continues to eat a normal diet with no swallowing problems seven years after the procedure.
The number of adults with diabetes has quadrupled since 1980, with significant increases in low and middle income countries. The study's findings highlight the urgent need for effective action to reduce the health and economic impact of diabetes.
Workloads in general practice have increased by 16% over the past 7 years, with more frequent and longer consultations. The authors warn that the increases are unsustainable and that general practice in England is approaching a saturation point.
A study found that people living in activity-friendly neighborhoods take up to 90 minutes more exercise per week. The research team mapped neighborhood features and physical activity was measured using accelerometers.
The world is experiencing a shift in global body mass index (BMI) trends, with more people becoming obese than underweight. By 2025, around a fifth of adults worldwide are projected to be obese, with over 6% of men and 9% of women expected to be severely obese.
A new report by The Lancet and Johns Hopkins University calls for decriminalizing non-violent minor drug offenses, strengthening health and social services for drug users, and implementing evidence-based approaches to drug policy. The report finds that the 'war on drugs' has harmed public health, human rights, and development.
A study published in The Lancet Oncology found that most female childhood cancer survivors can conceive, but male survivors are less likely to father a child due to chemotherapy exposure. Female survivors treated with certain drugs like ifosfamide and cisplatin may face challenges conceiving, particularly after age 30.
A large-scale analysis of pain-relief medication for osteoarthritis found that paracetamol does not meet the minimum standard of clinical effectiveness in reducing pain or improving physical function. Diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), was found to be more effective for short-term pain relief.
A new study found that adults who commute to work via cycling, walking, or public transport have lower body fat percentage and BMI measures in mid-life. The strongest associations were seen for adults who commuted via bicycle, followed by those who used a combination of modes.
A new study published in The Lancet estimates that the risk of microcephaly is approximately 1 in 100 women infected with Zika virus during the first trimester of pregnancy. This finding supports the association between Zika virus and microcephaly, which has been a public health concern since the outbreak in French Polynesia.
A nationwide study found that universal background checks for guns and ammunition can substantially reduce firearm deaths in the USA. Implementing these laws could halve national gun death rates, cutting overall gun deaths to 1.99 per 100000 (81% decrease).
A new study published in The Lancet suggests that a low-cost, urine test to diagnose tuberculosis among patients with HIV could save thousands of lives per year in sub-Saharan Africa. The test, which provides results in 25 minutes and costs $2.66, showed an absolute reduction of 4% in TB death rate among patients with HIV.
A new study estimates that climate change could lead to twice as many deaths from reduced fruit and vegetable intake compared to undernutrition. The research predicts that changes in diet composition and bodyweight could cause around 529000 extra deaths globally by 2050, with China and India being the most affected countries.
A randomized controlled trial found that vitamin D supplements during pregnancy have no significant effect on the bone density of babies. However, further analysis suggests that supplementation may counteract the seasonal drop in vitamin D levels caused by lack of sunlight, potentially improving bone health in winter-born babies.
A new study from French Polynesia found a link between Zika virus infection and Guillain-Barré syndrome, a severe neurological disorder. The study analyzed 42 patients diagnosed with GBS during the Zika outbreak and found that most had symptoms of Zika virus infection before developing neurological symptoms.
A nationwide trial found that providing GPs with tailored feedback on their antibiotic prescribing habits reduced prescriptions by an average of 3.3% over 6 months. The intervention resulted in over 73,000 fewer prescriptions and direct savings of £92,000.
Researchers detected Zika virus in the amniotic fluid of two pregnant women whose fetuses had been diagnosed with microcephaly. However, further research is needed to understand the biological mechanism linking Zika virus to microcephaly.
A new study suggests that proton beam therapy is as safe and effective as conventional radiotherapy in treating childhood brain cancer, medulloblastoma. The treatment may also reduce the risk of long-term side effects such as hearing loss and endocrine problems.
Boosting breastfeeding rates could save millions of lives, including those from child mortality and breast cancer. Global economic losses from not breastfeeding are estimated at US$302 billion annually.
Cystic fibrosis drug ivacaftor has been shown to improve disease markers and pancreatic function in young children with a specific mutation. The study's findings suggest a potential window of opportunity for early intervention and mitigation of organ damage.
A mathematical model suggests that offering PrEP to high-risk men can prevent around 7400 new HIV infections, making it a crucial strategy for reversing the epidemic. Implementing a comprehensive prevention programme including yearly testing and immediate ART can maximize the impact of PrEP.
Reducing sugar content in sugar-sweetened drinks by 40% over 5 years could prevent 1.5 million cases of overweight and obesity in the UK and 300,000 cases of diabetes. This reduction would lead to a significant decrease in energy intake and body weight, resulting in a substantial decrease in these health issues.
The UKCTOCS trial found that ovarian cancer screening reduced mortality by an estimated 15-28% in the MMS group compared to no screening. Longer follow-up is needed to confirm these results and determine their cost-effectiveness.
A new paper calls for a radical shift in India's healthcare delivery system, prioritizing primary care and strengthening the public sector. The authors identify structural problems with the current system, including high healthcare costs driving millions into poverty, poor quality of care, and inadequate human resources.
A large UK study of one million women found no association between unhappiness and increased mortality. Life-threatening poor health can cause unhappiness, but unhappiness itself is not directly linked to illness or death.
Researchers found an increase in healthy ageing, with less cognitive impairment and more years lived in good health. However, the proportion of people with mild disability increased, leading to a larger number of unhealthy individuals.
A study published in The Lancet Oncology reveals that cancer drug prices vary significantly between European countries, with some nations paying up to 388% more than others for the same medication. The UK and Mediterranean countries have the lowest average unit manufacturer prices for a group of 31 originator cancer drugs, while German...
New research involving over 450,000 Swedish women found that mothers who gained a moderate amount of weight between their first and second pregnancies increased the risk of their baby dying in its first year of life. Weight loss before pregnancy also reduced the likelihood of neonatal death in babies of overweight women.
The global diet is getting sweeter, particularly when it comes to beverages, with many packaged foods containing caloric sweeteners. The World Health Organization promotes initiatives to reduce intake, but policies face challenges such as a lack of consensus on low-calorie sweetener substitutes.
A study of 1315 infants found no significant benefits from using probiotic Bifidobacterium breve to prevent late-onset sepsis, death, or necrotizing enterocolitis. The results contradict previous meta-analyses suggesting reduced mortality and complications associated with probiotic administration.
On November 13, 2015, a coordinated attack in Paris overwhelmed medical staff. Doctors from Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP) describe the heroic response of their colleagues, praising teamwork and solidarity in treating over 300 wounded patients.
A new report reveals that fewer than one in three hospitals employ a full-time doctor specializing in liver medicine, leading to a postcode lottery for patients. The UK's specialist liver centres provide excellent care but are not evenly distributed, resulting in poor patient outcomes and a lack of access to specialist care.
A study found that providing babies with up to 12 months of liquid formula HIV drugs while breastfeeding with their HIV-positive mothers is highly effective in protecting them from infection. The study showed that rates of HIV infection fell to 0.2% when the drug was taken, and that adherence remained a key factor for success.
Researchers found a new gene, mcr-1, that enables bacteria to resist polymyxins, the last line of defence against infections. The gene is widespread in E coli and K pneumoniae strains from pigs and patients in south China, suggesting its potential to spread rapidly into human pathogens.
Despite a 44% reduction in maternal mortality between 1990 and 2015, the world failed to meet the 75% target set by the Millennium Development Goals. Global progress varied significantly across regions, with some countries achieving impressive declines while others struggled with high mortality rates.
A package of targeted priority interventions can significantly decrease the cancer burden in low-income countries by 2030 and even greater declines by 2050. The essential package includes access to opioid-based pain medications, tobacco control measures, and HPV vaccination, which are feasible, cost-effective, and affordable.
A new study published in The Lancet found that adding ultrasound to standard mammography tests results in higher rates of detection for breast cancer in Japanese women. The J-START trial showed a sensitivity of 91% with ultrasound combined with mammography, compared to 77% for mammography alone.
A large meta-analysis of over 68,000 adults found that low-fat diets do not lead to greater weight loss in the long term compared to higher-fat diets. The analysis suggests that alternative diets like low-carb or Mediterranean diets may be more effective for achieving long-term weight loss.
Despite progress, cancer care in Latin America remains hindered by significant gaps in public expenditure on health and cancer care. The region still faces major challenges, including limited palliative care services, inadequate training in pain management, and underutilization of new technologies.
Despite rising life expectancy in every province of China, substantial health inequalities remain. Life expectancy is up to 10 years lower in some western provinces compared to less developed countries like Bangladesh.
A new study published in The Lancet reveals that the use of vital life-saving generic medicines for prevention in people with existing heart disease is poor worldwide. The study found that these medicines are not widely available and unaffordable in low-income countries, affecting their use even in rich nations.
Researchers report that up to half of surgical site infections and over a quarter of infections after cancer chemotherapy are caused by resistant bacteria. The study predicts that reducing antibiotic efficacy could lead to 120,000 more infections and 6,300 infection-related deaths annually in the USA.
Research reveals high rates of often preventable cancers among Indigenous populations in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the USA. These include lung, cervical cancer, with a significant impact from tobacco use. The study emphasizes the need for targeted prevention strategies to address cancer inequities.
A recent study published in The Lancet reveals that two-thirds of young Chinese men start smoking before age 20, with half eventually dying from tobacco-related causes. The study also shows a significant increase in cigarette smoking among young men, leading to a doubling of male deaths attributed to smoking.
Researchers identified a troponin threshold below which patients are at very low risk of heart attack and may be eligible for early, safe discharge. Using this approach could reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and provide substantial cost savings.
The Lancet Oncology Commission highlights the vital role of primary care doctors in preventing, detecting, survivorship, and palliative care. Effective integration between primary and specialist care is crucial to meet the growing demand for cancer care.
A major new Commission reveals that over three-quarters of people with cancer worldwide have no access to safe surgery, with the global economy facing potential losses of over $6 trillion by 2030. The shortage is worst in low-income countries, where as many as 95% of people with cancer do not receive basic cancer surgery.