Articles tagged with Preventive Medicine
A new study found that over 40% of specialty clinics in the US turn away patients weighing 465 pounds or more due to lack of accessibility features. The study highlights a need for staff training on inclusive care and accommodations for patients with severe obesity.
The American College of Cardiology has released a scientific statement on inflammation and its connection to various cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease and heart failure. The statement confirms years of research confirming the importance of inflammation as an underlying contributor to CVDs.
A study suggests that nasal sprays are as effective as injection devices like EpiPens in delivering adrenaline to counter anaphylactic shock. The sprays can reach the bloodstream faster, with similar levels of adrenaline seen in blood plasma, and have a longer shelf life.
A significant risk factor for in-home firearm homicide is domestic violence and child abuse, highlighting the need for improved safe storage laws and extreme risk protection orders. Young children are disproportionately affected, emphasizing the importance of preventing these deaths through stricter regulations.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet reveals that women who skip their first mammogram are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced breast cancer and die from the disease. The study found a 32% decline rate among women who missed their first screening, leading to poorer prognosis and higher mortality rates.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found a strong association between alcohol consumption per capita and an increase in suicide mortality rates. The study suggests that targeting alcohol consumption may be a useful strategy for comprehensive national suicide prevention efforts.
A new study models the impact of MMR vaccination strategies on measles outbreaks in Texas, highlighting the critical role of improving immunization rates. The findings suggest that increasing vaccine coverage can significantly reduce the risk of large-scale measles outbreaks.
The report makes recommendations for diagnosing, treating and preventing serious heart and blood vessel complications linked to the virus. Structured cardiac rehabilitation programmes are also recommended to prevent long-term problems after infection and aid recovery from long Covid.
Even modest reductions in PrEP coverage result in thousands of avoidable HIV infections. The study estimates billions of dollars in increases in net health care costs due to these reductions.
A new study suggests that contingency management, which uses cash or gift certificate prizes as incentives, can reduce the risk of death among veterans with stimulant use disorder. The study found a 41% lower risk of death in veterans who received contingency management care compared to those who didn't.
A new global systematic literature review and meta-analysis found a significant association between herpes zoster vaccination and reduced risk of heart attack and stroke. Vaccination was linked to an 18% and 16% reduction in cardiovascular events for adults 18 and 50 years old, respectively.
A new HIV antiretroviral compound, MK-8527, has demonstrated robust antiviral activity and pharmacokinetics in animal studies. The lead compound is a novel inhibitor of HIV reverse transcriptase translocation with potential for extended-duration dosing.
A recent study found that large portions of obesity-related conditions in US adolescents and young adults are attributable to obesity. Treating and preventing obesity may reduce these conditions and associated costs. The researchers emphasize the importance of addressing childhood obesity to prevent future health issues.
A recent review of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care emphasizes the need for expert bodies to produce evidence-based guidance. Dr. Vivek Goel calls for a modernized task force with adequate funding and support, incorporating updated methodologies and protection from political interference.
A cohort study found a higher prevalence of eating disorders among adolescents from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The study suggests that reducing population-level socioeconomic inequalities may aid in preventing eating disorders.
A cross-sectional study of 42 countries found that drought conditions are associated with increased intimate partner violence risk. The study suggests a pressing need for initiatives to prevent domestic violence in response to climate change.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham identified seven metabolites in the blood associated with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), a condition linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. The study also found that dietary changes or supplements may help reduce EDS risk.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Missouri has made a groundbreaking discovery using patient's own cartilage cells to aid in healing after hip surgery. The research team successfully cultured and expanded cartilage cells, or chondrocytes, in the lab, paving the way for future clinical applications.
A recent study published in JAMA Neurology suggests that using hearing aids can lower the risk of developing dementia, particularly in individuals under age 70. This finding highlights the importance of early intervention for hearing loss and its potential role in preventing age-related cognitive decline.
A study analyzing Global Burden of Diseases data from 204 countries and territories found a rising global incidence of urolithiasis over the past three decades, with notable sex disparities. The disease burden is highest in males, particularly in Southeast Asia, whereas females show a higher vulnerability to the increase in risk factors.
A new study from the University of Missouri-Columbia highlights the importance of consistent primary care coordination in cancer survivorship care. The research found that only a third of patients consistently saw the same primary care clinician during and after cancer treatment, leading to fragmented care and gaps in patient services.
A new study by Michigan Medicine University of Michigan researchers concludes that broad COVID-19 vaccination in adults saves the US more money than it spends, with significant economic benefits for those over 65 and middle-aged adults. The model focuses on preventing deaths, hospitalizations, and lost productivity.
A study found that kids who displayed kind, caring behaviors were more likely to consume fruit and vegetables as teenagers. Prosociality strengthens social ties and improves psychological functioning, influencing health-related choices.
A national study calls for increased vaccine screening in emergency departments to address health inequities. The study found that nearly a third of the US population lacks primary care access and rarely receives vaccination screenings.
Younger adults with prediabetes are at increased risk of mortality, highlighting the importance of age-specific interventions and targeted prevention programs. Lifestyle behaviors and limited health care access contribute to this risk, underscoring the need for flexible and accessible diabetes prevention options.
Dr. Adekemi Adeniyan's innovative solutions to tackle oral health disparities in underserved communities have earned her the IHME's 2025 Roux Prize. Her work, using local data and community feedback, has expanded access to dental care for over 100,000 people.
A new study published in JAMA Health Forum suggests that Medicare could save $3.6 billion annually by eliminating or reducing low-value tests and procedures for patients who do not benefit from them. This reduction in unnecessary care could also result in $800 million less in out-of-pocket costs for older adults.
A new online tool calculates a person's 'heart age' based on cardiovascular disease risk factors, revealing significant gaps among certain groups. On average, women had a heart age of 55.4, while men had an average heart age of 56.7, with disparities found among those with lower incomes or education.
A new study shows that delivering a single injection of gene therapy at birth may offer years-long protection against HIV. The treatment uses an adeno-associated virus to deliver instructions to muscle cells, which produce broadly neutralizing antibodies capable of neutralizing multiple strains of HIV.
A novel analysis confirms the benefits of regular walking at a faster pace in improving health, particularly for low-income and Black populations. The study found that fast walking as little as 15 minutes a day was associated with a nearly 20% reduction in total mortality.
Researchers from FAU's Schmidt College of Medicine recommend using high-potency statins as the primary pharmacologic approach in treating and preventing cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle changes, such as regular physical activity and a healthy diet, are also crucial in reducing cardiovascular risk.
Researchers have demonstrated a novel vaccine delivery method using dental floss, which stimulates the production of antibodies in mucosal surfaces, such as the lining of the nose and lungs. This technique has shown superior antibody response compared to current oral vaccination methods.
Researchers at Penn State and WHO develop a method to predict regional measles vaccination coverage even without accurate survey data. The method uses routinely collected data on potential measles cases, resulting in highly correlated predictions with gold-standard DHS data.
Research suggests that fresh grapes possess numerous health benefits due to their high antioxidant content, including promoting relaxation of blood vessels, healthy circulation, and modulating cholesterol levels. Grapes have also been shown to support brain, skin, gut, and eye health through various mechanisms
A new study finds that risk-reducing mastectomy is cost-effective for women aged 30-55 with a lifetime breast cancer risk of 35% or higher. The findings have significant clinical implications, suggesting that RRM could expand access to the procedure beyond BRCA1/BRCA2/PALB2 pathogenic variant carriers.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that benign and cancerous breast calcifications have unique structures and formation processes. The study provides a new classification scheme and opens the possibility of treating benign calcifications using certain drugs.
A new study reveals that the human gut microbiota can pinpoint an individual's city of residence with high accuracy, strongly linked to each city's characteristic diet. The researchers identified unique microbial signatures and interaction networks between cities in China, shedding light on how local environments shape our inner biology.
A new study from Emory University reveals that maintaining optimal cardiovascular health can significantly improve overall physical and psychological well-being. The review confirms that heart-healthy behaviors positively impact brain function, vision, hearing, muscle strength, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking technique that maps temperature in three dimensions within biological tissue using invisible light and artificial intelligence. This new technology has the potential to improve early disease detection and treatment monitoring without the need for costly or invasive imaging technologies.
A review led by Oregon Health & Science University researchers suggests that the US could save $1 billion a year by dropping adult tetanus and diphtheria booster shots if childhood vaccination rates remain strong. The safety of this approach depends on maintaining high childhood vaccination coverage.
Researchers created a digital twin to detect disease risk, initiate preventive treatment, and simulate effective treatments. The model uses extensive human data from the Human Phenotype Project to identify deviations from expected physiological changes in 17 body systems.
Researchers used an optogenetic platform to discover dozens of molecules that can act as pan-antivirals, including two chemical scaffolds that could serve as development candidates. The compounds were tested on Zika, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and herpes, showing promising results.
A study published in Pediatrics reveals a sharp surge in nicotine pouch ingestions among young children, with a 763% increase in rate of reported cases between 2020 and 2023. The ingestion rates for other nicotine products declined during the same period.
A recent study published by Fujita Health University found that poor oral health can increase the risk of lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. The researchers examined 118 individuals aged 50 or above and found significant links between oral function test results and blood test results.
A Danish study finds that HPV vaccination has reduced prevalence of high-risk HPV types among vaccinated women, suggesting population immunity. However, non-vaccine types remain common and new infections occur more frequently in vaccinated women than unvaccinated women.
A study found a significant increase in adolescent vaping of THC, CBD, and synthetic cannabinoids from 2021 to 2023. The prevalence of THC vaping peaked in 2022, while SCs continued to rise, with females having a higher rate of vaping these substances.
A new study found that extending Medicaid coverage for 12 months after birth improved access to medical and behavioral health services. This expansion may help mitigate adverse outcomes, including chronic condition management.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that the closures resulted in a 4% reduction in physicians per capita and declines in infant, non-infant, and total mortality rates. The Flexner Report era reforms led to significant changes in the US medical education landscape.
UVA Health received two anonymous $25 million estate gifts to support the Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology. The institute will develop new treatments for hard-to-treat diseases with a state-of-the-art biomedical research facility expected to drive economic growth in Central Virginia.
A new survey conducted by Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that only 1% of men are concerned about bone density, with cancer and heart disease being top concerns. Men can build back bone density through exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle changes, and early intervention can prevent deadly fractures.
The USPSTF recommends screening for intimate partner violence in women of reproductive age. Screening for caregiver abuse is not recommended due to insufficient evidence. Abuse can result in significant injury and long-term health consequences.
A machine learning model developed by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis can predict the risk of persistent post-operative pain and provide uncertainty estimates for each prediction. The model achieves better performance than other prediction algorithms and offers a valuable tool for doctors to guide their decisions.
A new lateral-flow test for mucormycosis has shown swift and accurate results in identifying the disease. The test detects the disease in 30 minutes with high sensitivity and specificity, making it a critical milestone in its development and potential commercialization.
A new study reveals that Rapamycin has a comparable life-extending effect to dietary restriction in eight species of vertebrates. The compound, originally developed as an immunosuppressant, offers similar benefits without the need for caloric restriction.
A new international study identified two distinct genetic signatures for complex forms of Alzheimer's disease, with one primarily driven by apolipoprotein E and the other involving a combination of 75 additional genetic variants. This shared biological mechanism is largely consistent across global populations.
This cross-sectional study reveals a substantial rise in alcohol-associated liver disease mortality, particularly among women and younger adults. The findings highlight the importance of targeted public health initiatives to address this growing health concern.
A cohort study suggests severe neonatal morbidity is a significant risk factor for childhood mortality, highlighting the importance of preventing and identifying early signs of severe conditions. Efforts to reduce mortality through infancy and late adolescence may benefit from targeted prevention strategies.
A cross-sectional study found significant differences in poor mental health among US workers by sociodemographic categories and industry/occupation groups. The findings suggest that work-related factors may contribute to mental health outcomes, underscoring the need for targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
A study found that knowledge-based messages are more well-received than those focusing on avoiding pain during a pap test. Demonstrating medical instruments like the speculum can cause unintentional fear, especially when combined with messaging about potential discomfort.
Researchers found that higher McCance Brain Care Score is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease and three common cancers worldwide. The score evaluates physical, lifestyle, and social-emotional domains linked to brain health.