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November/December 2008 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

Studies examine racial and ethnic disparities in hypertension care and control, finding that racial disparities contribute to nearly 8,000 preventable deaths from heart disease and stroke annually. Researchers also investigate how medication prescribing and blood pressure control vary between ethnic groups in England, revealing signifi...

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateNov 10, 2008

Warning over polyclinics and super-surgeries

Research at the University of Leicester finds that past experience with a particular GP and expectation of continuing care from the same GP are key predictors of patient trust. This suggests that planned changes to primary care delivery in the UK may negatively impact medical outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalBritish Journal of General Practice·DateSep 22, 2008

M.D.-Ph.D. graduates look more towards career in research

Recent M.D.-Ph.D. graduates are more likely to pursue research careers due to factors such as substantial career involvement in research and lower educational debt. Variables associated with a lower likelihood of pursuing an M.D.-Ph.D. program include female sex, race/ethnicity underrepresented in medicine, and planned training in emer...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateSep 9, 2008

Older Vietnamese report more mental health problems

A recent study by UC Irvine reveals that older Vietnamese Americans are more likely to experience mental health issues, including depression and PTSD, stemming from their experiences as political refugees. The findings highlight the need for improved community mental health services to address these long-standing problems.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateSep 4, 2008

History of nonmelanoma skin cancer is associated with increased risk for subsequent malignancies

A study found that individuals with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer are at two-fold increased risk of developing subsequent cancers, including basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. The association was strongest in younger participants, suggesting a possible inherited predisposition to cancer.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateAug 26, 2008

Refractive errors affect vision for half of American adults

A study found that refractive errors affect approximately half of U.S. adults aged 20 and older, resulting in significant vision impairment. The prevalence of refractive error increases with age, affecting individuals across all ethnicities, and is estimated to cost between $3.8 and $7.2 billion annually for glasses or contacts.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Ophthalmology·DateAug 11, 2008

Climate change causing significant shift in composition of coastal fish communities

A 50-year analysis of Narragansett Bay fish-trawl surveys reveals a shift from vertebrate to invertebrate species and from benthic to pelagic species composition. The study attributes this change primarily to global warming, with smaller, warm-water species increasing while larger, cool-water species declining.

SourceUniversity of Rhode Island·JournalCanadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences·DateJun 27, 2008

People more likely to overestimate their credit quality

A study by Vanessa Gail Perry found that those who overestimated their credit ratings had lower incomes, less formal education, and were less likely to own their homes. People more likely to overestimate their credit quality tend to be minority consumers with less financial experience.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Consumer Affairs·DateJun 2, 2008

I do not see it, but my brain knows what it means

Researchers found that hemineglect patients can unconsciously process symbols presented on the left side, even if they cannot consciously perceive them. This suggests that the brain extracts meaning from neglected information, but patients cannot make conscious use of it.

SourceElsevier·JournalCortex·DateMay 29, 2008

Brown mathematicians prove new way to build a better estimate

Researchers have created a new class of statistical estimators called 'centroid' estimators, which allow for more accurate predictions from massive datasets. These estimators identify the most representative solution from the data, overcoming limitations of traditional methods like maximum likelihood estimation.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 28, 2008

Communing with nature less and less

Researchers found a significant decline in per capita visits to U.S. national parks since the late 1980s, correlating with an increase in sedentary activities like video gaming and watching movies. This shift, known as 'videophilia,' has far-reaching consequences for physical and mental health, particularly in children.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 4, 2008

Employees with workplace flexibility have healthier lifestyle habits

A study by Joseph G. Grzywacz found that employees who perceive flexibility in their work lives have healthier lifestyles and are more likely to start positive behaviors. The study analyzed data from a large multinational pharmaceutical company, which recognized its commitment to flexibility as a family-friendly employer.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·DateDec 10, 2007

Determining cause of death in developing countries

Researchers developed new methods for estimating mortality fractions using vital registration data in Mexico, and a validation strategy for verbal autopsy data combining previous methods in China. These advancements improve health planning and prioritization in low-resource settings.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateNov 20, 2007

MSF reports major increase in visceral leishmaniasis in war-torn Somalia

Visceral leishmaniasis has seen a significant rise in admissions at Médecins Sans Frontières treatment center in Somalia, highlighting the need for improved healthcare access. The true magnitude of the problem is likely unknown due to underreporting, and effective interventions will be limited without safe access to populations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateOct 30, 2007

More fast food means greater BMI

A Temple University analysis reveals that eating three to six fast-food meals per week is associated with a significant increase in body mass index. The study also found that Americans are less willing to pay more for healthy dishes, less knowledgeable about healthy menu items, and more likely to consider healthy items bland-tasting.

Weekend labor shortage

Two studies find a direct link between increased elective caesarean sections and decreased weekend births in Switzerland and Germany. The research suggests that hospitals schedule births during the week when they are fully resourced and staff is working 'normal' hours, leading to fewer births on weekends.

SourceSpringer·JournalZeitschrift für Didaktik der Naturwissenschaften·DateSep 25, 2007

Brown study finds link between depression and household mold

A Brown University study has found a significant link between living in damp, moldy homes and depression. The research team analyzed data from nearly 6,000 European adults and found that perceptions of control over the housing environment, combined with mold-related health problems, contribute to an elevated risk for depression.

SourceBrown University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateAug 29, 2007