Articles tagged with Risk Assessment
A study by the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School found that preparing for extreme events depends on a complex interplay between risk assessment, perception, and management. Understanding cumulative effects can increase people's willingness to take actions to mitigate risks.
Researchers found a 29% increased risk of all strokes and an 82% higher risk of ischemic stroke in women taking tamoxifen, compared to controls. The absolute increase in risk was small.
A new approach to assessing glaucoma risk, inspired by the coronary heart disease model, aims to identify individuals at risk and guide treatment decisions. This initiative has the potential to shift the focus from reactive treatment to proactive prevention and earlier intervention for those at risk.
A Baltimore study finds that EPA's ambient model estimates grossly underestimate cancer health risks from indoor air toxins. The researchers used passive air sampling badges to measure personal, outdoor, and indoor concentrations of VOCs, finding a factor of three underestimation of actual risk.
Global food safety experts gather to discuss new approaches to assessing risk of microbiological foodborne hazards. The symposium aims to create mathematical models that predict the number of illnesses that can occur and help managers control food safety strategies.
A clinical trial was stopped early after showing an unacceptably high risk of breast cancer recurrence in women who received hormone therapy. The study found that even short-term use of HRT poses a significant risk, prompting the need for alternative safe and effective strategies for managing menopausal symptoms in these women.
A study of 116,544 women found that active smoking was associated with a 30% higher risk of invasive breast cancer, especially among young smokers and those who smoked heavily. However, no link was found between passive smoking and breast cancer risk in nonsmokers.
A Canadian study found that 96% of substantiated child abuse cases did not result in serious physical harm, highlighting the need for a reevaluation of investigative procedures and risk assessments. The study's findings also raise concerns about the emphasis on rapid intervention over longer-term service needs.
The HealthGrades study found that hospital care quality differs markedly by state, with better-performing hospitals concentrated in northern states. States such as Florida, Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan consistently ranked high across various procedures and diagnoses.
Women taking long-term combined HRT face a significant increase in breast-cancer risk, doubling the risk for invasive lobular and ductal breast cancer. The study found that both sequential and continuous progestin regimens were associated with similar increases in breast-cancer risk.
The guidelines recommend close monitoring of modifiable risk factors like obesity and immunosuppressive therapy, as well as careful selection of immunosuppressive agents. Effective management can reduce patient numbers affected and ensure long-term success of the transplant, maintaining quality of life and reducing healthcare costs.
Researchers found that schools with condom availability programs had higher rates of condom use among sexually active teens, but not an increase in sexual activity. This suggests that condoms may be an effective means of preventing HIV/STDs and pregnancy when used by those who are already sexually active.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive imaging method that predicts abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture risk better than traditional methods. The method, which analyzes aneurysm wall stress, was found to be 25 times more accurate in predicting rupture risk than maximum diameter.
A new index by Yale researcher Sharon Inouye assesses the risk of mortality in elderly populations by identifying high-risk medical diagnoses. The index identifies 10 conditions associated with higher mortality risk within one year of hospitalization.
A 40% higher risk of chromosomal anomalies was found for residents living close to landfill sites compared to those further away. The study suggests that proximity to landfill sites is associated with an increased risk of congenital chromosomal abnormalities.
Sandia experts have developed a vulnerability assessment methodology to evaluate and improve security at over 10,000 US facilities that manufacture, store, or use hazardous chemicals. The methodology assesses the adequacy of efforts to prevent terrorist attacks and blunt their effects at US chemical plants.
A recent study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that boating deaths are more closely tied to alcohol consumption than previously thought. The research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, analyzed data from over 3,900 boaters and 221 boat-related deaths between 1990 and 1998.
A new study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that only 3.1 percent of North Carolinians are talking on cell phones while driving at any given time. The prevalence rate varied by region, with higher rates in the Piedmont and lower rates in the mountains and coastal plain.
The NIST report provides the first estimates of sublethal exposures to fire smoke's magnitude and impact on people in the United States. It also evaluates lethal and incapacitation values for smoke and identifies further research needed to improve fire hazard and risk assessment.
The Declaration of Helsinki 2000 has been criticized for its inadequate revision process, with only 2 weeks available for comment and critique. Key changes include guidance on monitoring and oversight, but also deficiencies in assessing risks and ambiguous wording that may affect application.
A study found that two nutritional screening approaches, one for identifying hospitalization risk and another for detecting warning signs of poor health, were comparable in recognizing elderly at risk. The screenings assessed factors such as weight change, eating habits, medication use, and functional limitations.
A large clinical trial found that hormone replacement therapy with estrogen and progestin did not increase or decrease the risk of stroke among postmenopausal women with heart disease. The study's lead author cautioned that the results may not apply to all women taking hormone therapy, and more research is needed.
A major review reveals osteoarthritis is a complex disease, but outlines new approaches to understanding, preventing, and treating the condition. The study emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including exercise and weight management, in reducing disability and slowing disease progression.
A study found that children with personal exemptions from immunization are 22.2 times more likely to acquire measles and 5.9 times more likely to acquire pertussis than vaccinated children. Exemptions also increase community risk, particularly in schools with outbreaks.
A new study suggests that increasing folic acid and vitamin B12 intake can lower homocysteine levels in the blood, which are associated with a higher risk of heart disease. The researchers estimate that this intervention could lead to significant cost savings and potentially increase life expectancy.
A comprehensive study found that women who underwent tubal sterilization have no greater risk of menstrual abnormalities than those who did not. However, the study also reported a secondary finding of reduced menstrual pain and bleeding among sterilized women, which may be due to chance or unknown factors.
Research in Tobacco Control found that young healthy smokers took more time off work than non-smokers, with a significant increase in hospital admissions and lost workdays. Men smokers were more likely to take time off work and be admitted to hospital, while women smokers had higher admission rates as well.
A recent study found that young healthy smokers had substantially more lost work days than their non-smoking colleagues. The risk of lost work days was increased by 60% among men who smoked and by 15% among women smokers, with 14% of lost workdays among men and 3% of those among women directly linked to smoking.
A Mayo Clinic study challenges the long-held notion that people with depression are at a higher risk of suicide. The research found a stair-step hierarchy of suicide prevalence based on treatment history, with hospitalized patients being at the highest risk level. This new understanding aims to minimize hysteria surrounding depression ...
A study of nearly three million fitness club members found a small but definite increase in risk of exercise-related fatal heart attacks or strokes among sporadic exercisers. Regular exercise is recommended to lower this risk, particularly for those with cardiovascular disease.
A study found that ephedra-containing dietary supplements can cause cardiac arrests, strokes, and permanent brain damage, with some users experiencing unreported adverse effects. Researchers urge the FDA to establish safe daily doses and mandatory labeling.
Experts warn of a high risk of 700-800 deaths in US airport runway collisions over the next two decades. The study, which analyzed data from 1983 to 2022, found that most fatal accidents involved large jet planes and occurred during reduced visibility conditions.
A study of 3000 women found that those who have sex with women are equally likely to contract STIs as heterosexual women. High rates of genital warts and herpes were also detected among all participants.
A recent UB study found no association between high-normal iron levels and risk of death due to cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease or heart attack. However, black men with low levels of excess iron were at three times the risk of death from any cause.
A physicist claims that scientists have underestimated the devastating potential costs of creating killer strangelets at a new US particle accelerator. The probability of such an event is tiny, but Kent argues that the scale of the destruction should be considered in risk assessments.
A study analyzing Ontario data found that immigration officials' referrals and region of origin are key determinants of tuberculosis risk. Immigrants from Vietnam had the highest incidence rate, emphasizing the importance of targeted prevention efforts to protect both migrant populations and native Canadians.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found a strong inverse association between fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Consuming 10 or more servings per day reduced the risk by 32%, while smokers still experienced a significant risk reduction.
Researchers at UNC-CH found that small studies reported higher cancer risks than larger ones, and that the general public is unlikely to get esophageal cancer even with heartburn. The study's findings suggest that widespread testing for Barrett's esophagus may not be necessary.
Researchers found a strong association between high calcium scores and heart disease in people with Type 1 diabetes. The study suggests that a non-invasive heart scan may identify patients at high risk for heart disease earlier, allowing for potential interventions to lower their risk.
Research found that low dietary vitamin C intakes are associated with higher rates of periodontal disease, particularly in smokers. Vitamin C's antioxidant properties play a crucial role in maintaining healthy connective tissue and combating oxidative stress.
A new risk-management model developed by researchers at the University of Illinois combines genetic algorithms, fate and transport simulation models, and risk assessment modules to identify potential remediation designs. The model evaluates tradeoffs among cost, risk, and cleanup time under conditions of uncertainty.
A recent UCSF study found that older women experiencing frequent urge incontinence are 26% more likely to fall and 34% more likely to fracture a bone. This increased risk is attributed to the need to frequently urinate at night, leading to trips and falls.
A broad analysis by UC San Francisco researchers found that oral contraceptives generally double the risk of stroke, especially with high estrogen doses. The added risk is miniscule and remains low even when doubled, but caution is advised for smokers and those with high blood pressure.
A new study by Northwestern University Medical School researchers found that high blood sugar levels are associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer death. The study analyzed data from nearly 40,000 men and women who were screened for cardiovascular disease risk and followed up for an average of 25 years.
Researchers found that even mild to moderate sleep apnea significantly increases the risk of hypertension, with graver levels associated with higher likelihood. The study used data from the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort Study and found a substantial risk of hypertension in those with mild to moderate sleep apnea.
A study analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that depression increases the risk of coronary heart disease in both men and women. In contrast, depressed men have a higher risk of death from CHD compared to their non-depressed counterparts.
A nine-year study found that African-American women are 2.4 times more likely to develop diabetes due to lifestyle factors such as poor diet and lack of exercise. The study suggests that adopting a healthier lifestyle can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes in this population.
Studies found dementia patients had significantly longer hospital stays than those without the condition, translating to higher costs. Early detection of dementia is crucial in reducing treatment costs and improving patient outcomes.
A new study found that smokers carrying the gene GSTT1 face almost twice the risk of heart problems as non-smokers. The study analyzed data from over 14,000 participants and found that individuals without the gene had a 60% greater risk of heart problems if they smoked.
A study of over a thousand babies born after ICSI found an increased risk of abnormalities compared to babies born without fertility treatments. However, most abnormalities were linked to conditions associated with multiple or premature births rather than the ICSI technique itself.
Studies found that individuals with major depressive episodes and borderline personality disorder are at greater risk of suicide, while those with high serum cholesterol experience a doubled risk of violent suicide. Comprehensive mental health care is essential to address these co-existing illnesses.
A new study found that having a passenger in a vehicle increases the risk of fatal injuries for young drivers, with three or more passengers posing the highest risk. The researchers suggest that graduated licensing systems could help reduce accidents by prohibiting teen-age drivers from transporting passengers.
Teenage drivers face increased risks of fatal crashes when transporting more passengers, particularly those under 30 years old. Researchers recommend graduated licensing systems to mitigate this risk and reduce motor vehicle crashes among teenagers.
Research in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that divorced and separated men are more than twice as likely to commit suicide as married or partnered men. The study analyzed data from a long-term US research project, which included around 472,000 men and women.
A study found that electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) scans are significantly better than traditional risk factors in categorizing heart disease risk. Combining EBCT with risk factors improved the ability to assess an individual's heart disease risk, making it a useful tool for early treatment and prevention.
Researchers found that office staff, drivers, and unloaders were exposed to similar levels of diesel exhaust due to poor ventilation. This challenges traditional risk assessments based on occupational groups, emphasizing the need for individual testing.
A large case-control study of nearly 1,000 Connecticut women found no significant association between PCBs or DDE exposure and breast cancer risk. The research suggests that previous studies on the topic have been inconclusive due to small sample sizes and lack of consideration for modifying factors.
A new study reveals that tiny increases in creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) can indicate heart damage and predict increased risk of death. Elevated CK-MB levels are associated with higher rates of stroke, shock, and other complications.
A recent study found that alcohol dependence eliminates any protective effect of moderate drinking, intensifying risks associated with heavy drinking. Light and moderate drinkers have lower mortality rates than heavier drinkers and abstainers due to lifestyle factors such as exercise and diet.
A new study by doctors at the University of Washington found that there was a complication in one out of every 476 circumcisions. The study suggests that for some parents, the risks may outweigh the benefits of circumcision. However, the vast majority of children will gain no medical benefit or suffer no complications as a result of ci...