Articles tagged with Preventive Medicine
Receiving buprenorphine after a nonfatal opioid overdose significantly lowers the risk of subsequent overdose death. The medication was associated with a 62% reduction in risk, highlighting the need for lifesaving treatment following these events. Current evidence shows low uptake of buprenorphine and other medication-assisted treatments.
The study found that statin use for primary prevention was low among all racial and ethnic groups, despite varying levels of 10-year ASCVD risk. Improving access to care may help increase equitable use of primary prevention statins in Black and Hispanic adults.
A national survey of radiologists reveals moral distress is widespread, often stemming from high case volumes and lack of administrative support. The study highlights the need for education of leadership regarding causes of distress among frontline workers to address this issue.
A new study finds that smokeless tobacco products increase the risk of developing peripheral artery disease by two-fold compared to non-users. The study analyzed data from 14,344 participants and found a significant association between smokeless tobacco use and PAD, with a rate of 4.4 cases per 1,000 person years.
A new LSU Health New Orleans study suggests that single, focused Interprofessional Education-based exercises can significantly decrease stigma associated with alcohol use and improve knowledge and confidence in screening for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The exercise led to substantial improvements in student understanding of AUD risks, ...
A new study confirms that California's tobacco control program significantly reduces smoking rates and lowers health care expenses. Over three decades, the program resulted in a 10% reduction in smoking prevalence and saved Californians $51.4 billion they would have otherwise spent on cigarettes.
A national US study found trust in government cancer information plummeted by 53% among non-Hispanic Black people during the pandemic. Meanwhile, trust in doctors remained high, highlighting the need for effective communication and access to healthcare services.
Implementation of post-overdose programs in Massachusetts municipalities associated with a 6% lower annual opioid fatality rate and a 7% lower opioid-related emergency encounter rate compared to non-programmed areas. The study suggests that these programs offer a critical opportunity to address overdose among high-risk individuals.
A community-based approach using health workers increased IPTp coverage by up to 473% in Nigeria, but did not reduce antenatal care attendance. The TIPTOP project shows that community health workers play a critical role in supporting the health of women and can save thousands of maternal and infant lives.
A new study found that California's Insurance Gender Nondiscrimination Act led to a significant increase in gender-affirming surgery utilization. The data suggests that similar policies could inform state legislative efforts to protect transgender and gender-diverse patients' health coverage.
UVA researchers discovered a metabolic pathway that can modulate COVID-19 inflammation, lung recovery, and host metabolic health. They suggest a potentially viable therapeutic agent that may be combined with existing anti-viral agents to treat severe COVID-19 in patients with underlying metabolic disease.
A new study published in The Lancet found that an existing drug, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, protects pregnant women from sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections. Researchers tested this drug alongside a promising new treatment, dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, which showed unique ability to prevent malaria.
A Kaiser Permanente study of over 800,000 children aged 3-17 found that youth with higher BMI were at a 26% increased risk of developing hypertension. The study highlights the importance of preventing hypertension in young people to avoid irreversible organ damage.
The study found that intimate partner violence experiences during the pandemic were associated with increased mental health symptoms and negative health factors in younger female participants. The authors highlight the need for screening and interventions to prevent severe long-term health consequences.
A study of 398,000 COVID-19 patients found the absolute risk of venous thromboembolism to be low overall. Patient-level factors associated with higher risk may help identify subsets of patients who could benefit from more intensive surveillance or preventive strategies.
The European Society of Cardiology presents novel research on meditation and yoga, air pollution effects, and technology updates to prevent heart disease. Sessions focus on risk management, women's cardiovascular health, COVID-19 impact, and global strategies for prevention.
A Rutgers study found that healthcare providers rarely screen their patients for firearm access, with only 17.1% of participants being asked about it. Researchers argue that adding screening to standard practice can provide resources on secure storage to families at risk.
Expanding Medicaid-benefit eligibility reduced Black-white disparities in preventable hospitalizations and emergency department visits by 10% or more. The study controlled for age, sex, and state variables to understand the effects of expansion on access to care.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine found that men over 65 are at a higher risk of developing skull fractures due to head trauma from falls. The research compared geriatric males and females, with surprising results indicating males had a significantly increased incidence of skull fracture.
A comprehensive study of 200,000 Swedish children found a significant increase in overweight and obesity rates between 2018 and 2020, with obesity rates rising by 30%. The greatest increase was seen in morbid obesity, highlighting the challenges faced by those who were already struggling before the pandemic.
A web-based program educating mothers about reliable health information and vaccine-preventable illnesses was effective in persuading vaccine-hesitant mothers to vaccinate themselves and their infants. The study found that 82% of hesitant pregnant women received flu and Tdap vaccines after participating in the online intervention.
The study estimates that tap water scald burns result in significant healthcare costs, with average costs of $572 per emergency department visit and $28,431 per hospital stay. Thermostatic mixing valves could reduce the risk of these burns by mixing hot water with cold water.
A global study aims to better understand the burden of Human papillomavirus (HPV) among girls and women in low- and lower middle-income countries. The study will inform effective strategies to prevent infection and introduce HPV vaccine into national programs, protecting the health of girls and women and reducing rates of cervical cancer.
The HALP score, a novel immune-nutritional marker, has been linked to prognostic ability in different cancer types. It integrates indicators of immune status and nutritional status, showing promise as a cost-effective biomarker.
A new study published in BMC Public Health suggests that problematic social media use in preteens is linked to both positive and negative alcohol beliefs. Researchers found that 97% of social media posts display alcohol in a positive context, contributing to positive perceptions among adolescents.
A new study found significant links between sleep disturbances and the risk for developing dementia over a 10-year period. Sleep-maintenance insomnia was associated with a lower risk of dementia, while sleep-initiation insomnia and sleep medication use were linked to an increased risk.
Leading medical organizations have formed a coalition to combat the growing problem of firearm violence in the US. The Healthcare Coalition for Firearm Injury Prevention aims to promote education, advocacy, and community-centered approaches to reduce firearm-related injuries.
A study published in The FASEB Journal suggests that feeding pregnant mothers a combination of four nutrients before and during pregnancy can reduce the incidence and severity of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. These nutrients include folic acid, choline, betaine, and vitamin B12.
Preliminary research found that better sleep health was associated with higher rates of attendance at group interval sessions, adherence to caloric intake goals, and improvement in time spent performing moderate-vigorous physical activity. However, the association between sleep health and physical activity was not statistically signifi...
Two studies found that adults with high cardiovascular health scores tend to live longer lives free of major chronic diseases. The research highlights the importance of maintaining ideal cardiovascular health to delay onset of age-related diseases, allowing individuals to enjoy life in their years as well as their years in life.
A new study found that walking an additional 500 steps per day was associated with a 14% lower risk of heart disease, stroke or heart failure. This benefit is significant for older adults, as most studies have focused on early-to-midlife adults.
A survey of over 2,500 teens and young adults found that vaping nicotine and THC is associated with self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety. Dual vapers were more likely to report addiction to nicotine and feel less depressed after starting vaping.
Researchers discovered that telomere shortening is associated with early subjective depressive symptoms and cognitive complaints among healthy elderly individuals. The study also found a link between telomere shortening and increased interleukin-6 levels.
UVA scientists have discovered a new contributor to abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, which could lead to new treatments for macular degeneration and other vision loss conditions. The discovery identifies a key protein that determines VEGF levels, blocking it has reduced VEGF levels significantly without unwanted side effects.
Wilate prophylaxis showed an 84% reduction in bleeding episodes and improved quality of life in children and adults with all types of VWD. The treatment reduced the frequency of bleeding episodes by lowering the mean total annualized bleeding rate compared to on-demand treatment.
A study found an increase in unstable living situations and intimate partner violence between January 2019 and December 2020, with a temporary spike during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest the need for prenatal screening and support services to address these issues.
Automated AI body composition tools achieved high technical adequacy rates (97.8-99.1%) in a large sample of external abdominal CT scans. The results support the generalizability and potential for widespread adoption of these tools, which can help build trust among radiologists and physicians.
Researchers from the University of Oxford-affiliated researchers found that high doses of ivermectin are ineffective in treating COVID-19. The study used the PLATCOV trial to compare the rates at which different drugs reduced the viral load of SARS-CoV-2, and the results suggest that ivermectin does not have measurable antiviral activity.
A systematic review of 32 studies involving 63,000 participants from 16 countries found that disordered eating affects approximately 22% of children and adolescents globally. The study highlights the need for public health strategies to prevent eating disorders, particularly among girls and those with increasing body mass index.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant disparities in childcare disruption and missed preventive checkups among low-socioeconomic status families. Research highlights the need to investigate the association between delayed appointments and child health outcomes.
Researchers found that doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis did not prevent chlamydia or gonorrhea among cisgender women in a clinical trial. The lack of efficacy was attributed to differences in anatomy and antibiotic resistance.
A study of 2.2 million Danish children found certain maternal infections during pregnancy increased childhood leukemia risk among offspring. The findings suggest potential implications for etiology and preventive measures.
Researchers developed a testing model to understand cognitive challenges of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD), a rare condition causing sound-induced dizziness and hearing abnormalities. The Mongolian gerbil model shows promise for accelerating recovery with reversible diagnostic findings characteristic of patients with SSCD.
Scientists have successfully corrected limb length in a mouse model of FZD2-associated autosomal dominant Robinow Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects skeletal growth and development. The treatment involves using a drug that stimulates the signalling pathway, resulting in significantly longer limbs than untreated mice.
Researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children have discovered that dysregulation of energy production is an early sign of heart failure. They found that lysine demethylase 8 (Kdm8) helps maintain balanced energy use, but its suppression leads to changes in metabolism.
Research highlights the intergenerational impact of prepregnancy heart health on offspring, with low pre-pregnancy cardiovascular health linked to pregnancy complications and higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Improving women's heart health before pregnancy could reduce these risks and have a positive impact on future generations.
A study of over 350 patients with small vessel stroke found that the medications were well-tolerated and safe, suggesting potential benefits in improving patient outcomes. The results indicate that cilostazol and isosorbide mononitrate may help reduce recurrent stroke, cognitive impairment, and improve quality of life.
Researchers found no significant evidence of harm in lowering blood pressure targets after endovascular treatment, but trends suggested marginal benefit and potential worsening of long-term disability. Clinicians should consider auto-regulation of blood pressure unless above 180 mm Hg.
A recent study found that about 1 in 5 people who survived an ischemic stroke had irregular heart rhythms, atrial fibrillation, due to atherosclerosis. The study suggests that these patients are at increased risk of recurrent strokes and highlights the need for continuous cardiac monitoring to detect unsuspected atrial fibrillation.
A recent study monitored the Italian province of Pescara for 18 months and found no increased risk of serious diseases among vaccinated individuals. The study revealed that vaccinated persons were more protected against COVID-19 and had lower rates of deaths and disease occurrences compared to non-vaccinated individuals.
The study found that estimated national costs of self-injury mortality rose by 143% from $0.46 trillion to $1.12 trillion over a 20-year period, primarily driven by increases in opioid and alcohol-related deaths. West Virginia has the highest per capita cost at $6,534, with total suicide costs increasing 58% to $502.7 billion.
A single dose of azithromycin has been shown to decrease sepsis and death by half in women in labor, making it an important tool for keeping mothers safe before, during, and after delivery. The antibiotic was found to be beneficial for vaginal childbirth as well, reducing mortality rates and the risk of developing sepsis.
A novel study found a direct relationship between belief in race as a cultural phenomenon driving health disparities and the use of race in care among family physicians. The study suggests that using race without recognizing social, political, and economic factors can stigmatize racially minoritized people and worsen health disparities.
A recent study by Crystal Lim found that obesity prevention programs combining nutrition and exercise components over an extended period had the most success in changing students' daily behaviors. Successful programs also included evidence-based strategies like goal setting, problem solving, and self-regulation techniques.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have designed a soft and breathable material that can be worn on the skin without causing discomfort. The material, made from liquid-metal elastomer composite, has integrated antibacterial and antiviral properties to prevent the formation of harmful pathogens.
A new study found that long-term voluntary wheel running improved skeletal muscle and bone parameters in female mice, but the effects varied depending on body weight. High body weight was more beneficial for muscle and bone health with aging, especially when combined with exercise.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have successfully developed an allergen-specific inhibitor that prevents peanut allergic reactions in mice. The inhibitor effectively masks the immune system's ability to recognize the allergen, allowing it to fly under the radar without initiating a dangerous response.
A new American Heart Association scientific statement outlines ideal foundational requirements for stroke program development and growth. The guidelines aim to minimize inconsistencies and improve services provided by certified stroke centers across the U.S., emphasizing leadership, personnel resources, and quality improvement.
The American Heart Association is recognizing 10 leading stroke scientists who have made significant contributions to the field of stroke research. Among them, Dr. Cheryl Bushnell will be honored with the Ralph L. Sacco Outstanding Stroke Research Mentor Award for her exceptional mentorship and research in women's issues related to str...
Women who followed most aspects of a healthy lifestyle had about half the risk of long COVID compared to those without any healthy lifestyle factors. Maintaining a healthy body weight and adequate sleep were strongly associated with lower risk of long COVID.