Articles tagged with Preventive Medicine
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that antibiotic prophylaxis is associated with a reduced risk of infective endocarditis in high-risk individuals following invasive dental procedures. However, its effectiveness in moderate-risk individuals is unclear.
In a preliminary report from an ongoing clinical trial, prostate cancer screenings using PSA, Kallikrein Panel, and MRI detected higher rates of cancer compared to no screening. The study found one additional high-grade cancer per 196 men and one low-grade cancer per 909 men were detected in the screened group.
Patients with post-COVID condition exhibit lower aerobic capacity and muscle strength compared to control groups, indicating potential benefits of cautious exercise regimens. The study highlights the need for personalized exercise recommendations to mitigate further skeletal muscle deconditioning in PCC patients.
A study led by Michigan Medicine found that around 10% of deaths following percutaneous coronary intervention are potentially preventable. Complications during procedures contributed to 20% of the nearly 1,200 deaths reported during the study period.
Researchers from China conducted a nationwide study to assess optimal treatment strategies for CSDH. The study found that multimodality management and personalized treatment plans significantly reduced recurrence rates.
A new study suggests that most essential care for cardiovascular health happens in general primary care clinics, but many at high risk don't receive it. The study found that large percentages of people with major cardiovascular risk factors didn't see a primary care provider or cardiologist in the past year.
A new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT-4 and Google Bard can generate incorrect or incomplete medical advice, highlighting the importance of consulting healthcare professionals for accurate information. The study assessed 56 questions posed to LLMs and found that ...
A long-term study found that coronary heart patients who live in greener areas have a significantly lower risk of mortality after undergoing bypass surgery. The study, which followed over 3,000 patients for 14 years, found that living in a green environment was associated with better chances of survival.
A recent White Paper published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology analyzes the current understanding of genetics in atrial fibrillation and recommends screening for genetic heart disease in early onset AF cases. This may lead to identification of life-threatening ventricular cardiomyopathy and channelopathy syndromes, highlighting t...
A Danish study found that PrEP use was associated with a more than twofold increase in chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis diagnoses. The researchers suggest that changes in sexual risk-taking may lead people to seek PrEP rather than increased risks.
According to the study, AEDs were only used in 13 of nearly 1,800 cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, despite many incidents occurring within a four-minute walk of a public AED. Cardiac arrests outside of a hospital setting are usually fatal but administering CPR and using an AED greatly increases the chances of survival.
A new telerehabilitation program has shown promising results in improving lower extremity recovery post-stroke. Participants experienced improvements in mobility and strength, as well as gained self-management skills to empower themselves and maintain their achievements.
Individuals at high genetic risk of obesity needed higher daily step counts to reduce obesity risk. Population-based recommendations may underestimate physical activity needed among those at high genetic risk.
A new study evaluates the use of tirzepatide in overweight/obese adults with type 1 diabetes, showing significant weight loss and improved glucose control. Tirzepatide also reduces insulin dose and increases time-in-range on continuous glucose monitoring.
A recent study analyzed 306,800 US suicide deaths between 2003 and 2020 and found that physical health concerns were a significant risk factor for suicide. The largest subgroup of individuals who died by suicide had no documented mental health issues or antidepressant use.
A new study finds that objective information about preeclampsia risk could drive patient behavior change and motivate pregnant women to follow prevention strategies. The research highlights the potential of personalized risk data to improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce complications.
A new study found that individuals with a high capacity for goal disengagement can prevent worsening relationship satisfaction in couples experiencing sleep problems. By learning to let go of unattainable goals, partners can reallocate resources towards protecting and improving their relationship.
Researchers propose combining osimertinib with gefitinib to increase progression-free survival rates in EGFR-mutant lung cancer patients. A comprehensive PC approach could dramatically boost PFS for 80% of patients, eliminating harm and improving treatment outcomes.
A recent study found that high school students who use both tobacco and cannabis products miss more school and have lower grades compared to those who don't use either product. The researchers analyzed data from the California Healthy Kids Survey, which showed that students who used both tobacco and cannabis reported the highest percen...
A systematic review and meta-analysis found a strong association between alcohol use disorder and suicide mortality across genders. The study highlights the importance of addressing alcohol use disorder as part of comprehensive suicide prevention strategies.
A new study finds that the high burden of typhoid fever in sub-Saharan African countries calls for stronger prevention strategies, including the use and implementation of typhoid conjugate vaccines. The study estimates that there are 12.5 to 16.3 million cases of typhoid every year with 140,000 deaths.
A new poll suggests that more than half of people aged 50-80 taking aspirin don't have cardiovascular disease, raising concerns about the effectiveness of routine aspirin use. Guidelines now focus on those with a history of cardiovascular issues or high risk due to personal health and family history.
A study of 2,349 participants aged over 60 found that sex influences the association between various factors and age-related hearing loss. Low weight was linked to increased risk in males, while both low weight and obesity were associated with higher risks in females. Smoking was only linked to increased risk in males, while early mens...
A study found 35% of illicit drugs sourced from the dark web contained unexpected substances, including mixtures or no advertised substance at all. This highlights the urgent need for more local drug testing facilities in Australia to prevent harm and overdose.
A Rutgers Health study found that military service members view law enforcement officers, military service members, and veterans as the most credible sources to discuss secure firearm storage for suicide prevention. The study suggests that leveraging these sources can help increase secure storage among this population.
A new study suggests that personal recovery, defined as living a full meaningful life despite illness limitations, can prevent serious mental health problems. Key elements of recovery include understanding mental health challenges, finding purpose and meaning, and receiving support.
New research estimates the economic toll of youth violence in the US, revealing that homicides and nonfatal assaults among young people cost $122 billion. The study highlights the importance of developing programs to address risk factors and prevent youth violence.
Researchers have discovered that certain volatile compounds emitted by microbes and food can alter epigenetic states in neurons and other eukaryotic cells. Exposure to these compounds can slow down neurodegeneration and cancer, while also affecting plant growth and responses to stress.
A study of 8,988 preadolescent children found a significant link between tobacco product use and an increased risk of suicide attempts among elementary school-aged children. The findings suggest that emerging tobacco products are also associated with this increased risk, emphasizing the need for preventive policies.
Researchers propose renaming VAERS as the Vaccine Safety Sentinel to reduce misinformation, citing a lack of public understanding of the system's unverified reports. They also recommend improving the system with raw data and expanded public education.
Canadian healthcare leaders call for re-establishment of a national hypertension control program to reduce deaths and disabilities. The program aims to provide population-scale prevention methods, proven to save lives and reduce healthcare costs. Experts highlight the need for collaboration with governments and healthcare providers.
A bilingual healthcare app is being launched to assist Canadians in maintaining their health during the current healthcare crisis. The app aims to encourage users to take proactive steps towards preventative care, providing them with personalized recommendations and resources.
The new diagnostic tool, 3D-DXA, complements DXA with computational and statistical systems to estimate mineral density and obtain detailed three-dimensional images. This method has the potential to improve diagnoses and detect up to 50% more patients at high risk of femur fracture.
The study of 5,951 women aged 63 to 99 found that higher levels of physical activity and lower amounts of sedentary time were associated with reduced heart failure risk. Promoting regular physical activity and limiting sedentary time may be a prudent strategy for primary prevention of heart failure in older women.
Housing instability, as measured by eviction filings, was associated with a significantly increased risk of death over the first 20 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eviction prevention efforts may have reduced excess mortality for renters during this period.
Prescription opioids linked to increased risk of serious falls among adults, with older individuals most vulnerable. Targeted prevention efforts may be most effective within the first month after opioid initiation.
A new study found that women with migraines and long-term hot flashes or night sweats are at increased risk of heart disease and stroke. However, the research suggests that focusing on prevention and correcting unhealthy habits can help most women mitigate this risk. Women who have experienced both migraines and vasomotor symptoms for ...
A cohort study of older adults found that those who followed recommended exercise guidelines before the pandemic had significantly lower odds of being infected or hospitalized from COVID-19. Physical activity was associated with a 10% lower risk of infection and 27% lower risk of hospitalization.
A new study found that reducing out-of-pocket costs for patients with diabetes can lead to improved health outcomes, particularly among those living in lower-income areas. The study showed a 10.2% decrease in preventable diabetes complications among PDL members from lower-income areas compared to the control group.
A new study found that healthcare provider perceptions of patient preferences are the biggest barrier to prescribing oral rehydration salts (ORS), which costs only a few cents. Patients expressing a preference for ORS increased prescribing by 27 percentage points, making it an effective intervention.
A clinical trial found that patients who received care recommendations from an AI-based system had fewer recurrent strokes, heart attacks, or vascular death within three months. The study suggests that this technology can improve patient outcomes and aid neurologists in making informed decisions.
Researchers found that adding blood thinners to clot-busting medications for ischemic strokes did not improve physical function at 90 days post-stroke. The study, MOST, enrolled 514 patients and analyzed the effectiveness of two blood-thinning medications.
The American Heart Association's PREVENT risk calculator will be evaluated among diverse populations to assess its accuracy and fairness. The research aims to ensure that the tool provides accurate risk predictions for people from various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
A randomized clinical trial of 1,015 participants found that apixaban did not significantly reduce recurrent stroke risk compared to aspirin in patients with cryptogenic stroke and atrial cardiopathy. The study suggests that alternative treatments may be more effective for preventing stroke recurrence in these patients.
The American Heart Association and The Children's Heart Foundation have pledged over $10 million in funding to research congenital heart defects. Researchers will advance their work to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of CHDs, giving more children a chance to grow into healthy adults.
Eleven prominent researchers recognized for groundbreaking work in stroke and brain health, with a focus on improving treatments and addressing disparities. The honorees include experts in magnetic resonance imaging, inherited risk factors, and clinical stroke research.
New research from Flinders University found that regular exercise and a personalized falls prevention plan based on individual needs can reduce the likelihood of falls. The studies also highlighted the importance of having an individual falls risk assessment and modifying strategies according to specific circumstances, such as dementia.
Participation in a primary care-based housing program was associated with reduced outpatient visits, improved physical and mental health, and increased feelings of connection to healthcare clinics. The study found that integrated support from the program's care team led to better health outcomes and more stable housing solutions.
A global study has identified evidence-based approaches to prevent breast cancer-related arm lymphoedema (BCRAL) by addressing risk factors and implementing surveillance programs. The research provides a clinical guide for healthcare teams worldwide to adopt a proactive approach in preventing this irreversible complication.
Researchers found that Black women who develop high blood pressure before age 45 are twice as likely to suffer a stroke. The study, presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2024, highlights the disparity in stroke rates among Black and white women.
A systematic analysis by MedUni Vienna's Center for Public Health found that people experiencing homelessness are twice as likely to develop cancer due to increased exposure to risk factors. Key barriers include lack of access to preventive services, inadequate support from healthcare systems, and traumatic experiences.
A recent study found that pedestrian injuries from falls exceed those from motor vehicle collisions in the US, with older adults particularly vulnerable. The study analyzed EMS data and found that pedestrians over 50 years old were 3.9 times more likely to experience severe injuries from falls compared to motor vehicle collisions.
Research indicates nearly six million American women experienced unintended pregnancies as a result of rape and/or sexual coercion. The study also found that a significant portion of these women reported injuries, STDs, and felt fearful or concerned for their safety after the incidents.
Researchers from Pusan National University found a notable association between smoking and an increased risk of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), particularly among female smokers. The study revealed a dose-response relationship, with the risk peaking at moderate to heavy smoking levels.
A recent study by Ellen Algera and colleagues highlights the need for healthcare providers to be more informed about hormone-free and digital contraceptive methods. The researchers found that providers often prioritize risk minimization, leading to a lack of personalized guidance and person-centered care. To address this, Algera calls ...
Early data from Luxembourg's national immunisation campaign against severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in 2023 showed a decline in hospitalisations, especially among infants under six months old. The authors attributed this to the administration of a monoclonal antibody, nirsevimab, shortly after birth. Additionally, the mean age...
A new study found that poor perceived sleep quality and lower than usual energy levels are associated with an increased risk of morning migraine attacks. In contrast, factors such as stress and higher-than-average energy levels the day before were linked to afternoon or evening headaches.
A new study finds that most people take steps to prevent snakebites, but the measures taken don't always reflect evidence-based advice. Promoting locally practical methods could save many lives, especially in rural areas where snakes are more common.
Flinders University researchers investigated the impact of different vaping prevention public health media campaigns among young South Australians. They found that explicit messaging and shock tactics worked better for non-vapers, while information challenging vaping myths resonated with existing vapers.
A study from the Korea University College of Medicine reveals that co-occurrence of diabetes and sarcopenia significantly elevates cardiovascular mortality, with nearly doubling the risk of both all-cause and cardiovascular deaths. Implementing preventive measures such as lifestyle changes, exercise, and balanced diet can mitigate this...