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Passion to serve others fuels social work graduate

A social work graduate has published her research on cognitive decline among refugees, finding that those who have experienced trauma are more likely to suffer from mild cognitive impairment. The study highlights the need for interventions that address these gaps in care and promote healthier aging.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalJournal of Gerontological Social Work·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 13, 2024

Older Australians turning to cannabis as cigarette prices rise

A study by Curtin University found that when cigarette prices increased, cannabis use among older Australians (aged over 50) rose, with 68,000 people expected to start using cannabis. Researchers used data from the Australian National Drug Strategy Household Survey and ran simulations to predict the impact of price increases.

SourceCurtin University·JournalJournal of Population Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 12, 2024

The impact of government assistance, housing, and employment on postpartum maternal health across income and race

A study reveals that lower-income and minority mothers face disproportionate challenges in postpartum health due to inadequate social support systems. The research emphasizes the need for targeted policy interventions to improve maternal health equity, strengthen postpartum care, and reduce health disparities.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·JournalBMC Public Health·DateDec 10, 2024

Over 4 million US adults with chronic liver disease can be grouped into unique risk groups based on barriers to care

A new UCLA study categorizes people with chronic liver disease into four unique risk groups based on barriers to outpatient care, increasing the likelihood of hospitalization. The study highlights the need for interventions aimed at reducing avoidable hospitalizations among the highest-risk individuals.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 20, 2024

More than 5 million Americans would be eligible for psychedelic therapy, study finds

A study from Emory University reveals that 56-62% of individuals treated for Major Depressive Disorder and Treatment-Resistant Depression are eligible for psilocybin-assisted therapy, which could benefit around 5.1-5.6 million people in the US. The treatment has potential to reduce symptoms of depression with a single dose of 25 mg of ...

SourceEmory Health Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 12, 2024

There's no time like the present for integrating climate and violence policies: The opportunity is right

Climate change exacerbates violence against children, according to a new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The research outlines how integrating climate and violence policies can reach the UN Sustainable Development Goal target of ending all forms of violence against children by 2030.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·DateNov 11, 2024

Effects of preterm birth extend into adulthood, study finds

A study of over 2.4 million individuals born in Canada found that preterm birth is associated with lower employment income, university enrollment, and educational attainment through age 28. The findings suggest that long-term supports are vital to mitigate the effects of preterm birth on socioeconomic outcomes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateNov 6, 2024

Improving deer health one test at a time

A recent study by Mizzou researchers found that infections are a significant problem for white-tailed deer on Missouri farms. The study identified the three most common types of bacteria causing pneumonia in farmed deer, providing actionable data for veterinarians and farmers to make informed decisions.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 30, 2024

Up to half of Medicare beneficiaries lack financial resources to pay for a single hospital stay

A study found that up to 50.7% of Medicare beneficiaries with modest incomes may not have sufficient funds to cover out-of-pocket costs associated with a single hospital stay. This financial precarity is more prevalent among Black and Hispanic beneficiaries, those with lower education levels, and those with multiple chronic conditions.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateOct 28, 2024

How chain IVF clinics improve infertility treatment

A study by University of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business researchers found that chain IVF clinics significantly improve treatment cycles and live birth rates compared to independent operators. Clinic acquisition leads to a 27% increase in IVF cycles and a 14% rise in live births, indicating improved care quality.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalManagement Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 17, 2024

New research suggests: To get patients to accept medical AI, remind them of human biases

A study from Lehigh University and Seattle University found that making patients aware of biases in human healthcare decisions increases receptiveness to AI recommendations. By highlighting the limitations of human judgment, healthcare providers can create a more balanced relationship between patients and emerging technologies.

SourceLehigh University·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 15, 2024

Singapore families show high resilience during pandemic

A new study by NUS Medicine reveals that Singaporean families with young children successfully adapted to the pandemic's challenges, with 31% showing economic security and relational strengthening. Families with strong relational factors, such as maternal self-efficacy and quality family time, demonstrated higher relational resilience.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 7, 2024

HPV vaccination switch to 1-dose gender-neutral approach

A new Canadian study models a 1-dose HPV vaccination approach and finds it could prevent a similar number of cervical cancers as 2 doses if vaccine protection remains high. The switch is projected to be a more efficient use of vaccine doses, potentially eliminating cervical cancer in Canada by 2040.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 7, 2024

Growing divide: Rural men are living shorter, less healthy lives than their urban counterparts

A new study finds that rural men can expect to live two years less than their urban counterparts by age 60, and spend fewer years in good health. The urban-rural gap in life expectancy and health quality has nearly tripled over two decades due to higher rates of smoking, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalThe Journal of Rural Health·DateSep 25, 2024

Shrinking the pint can reduce beer sales by almost 10%

Research published in PLOS Medicine found that reducing the serving size for beer, lager and cider in UK pubs resulted in a 9.7% decrease in daily mean volume of beer sold. The study suggests smaller serving sizes could contribute to reducing alcohol consumption and decreasing the risk of various diseases.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2024

Lackluster prioritization of the health sector in government spending and dwindling donor contributions drive slow growth in health spending in Sub-Saharan Africa

A study published in PLOS Global Public Health finds that slow growth in health sector spending is projected in Sub-Saharan Africa until 2050. The decline is driven by tepid growth in government spending and reductions in development assistance for health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateAug 28, 2024

Does physical isolation increase loneliness?

A new study using COVID-19 lockdown data in Australia found that physical isolation made little difference to reported feelings of loneliness. Instead, the quality of social interactions and supportive networks were key factors in alleviating loneliness. Young people and extroverts showed increased loneliness during lockdowns.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalJournal of Economic Behavior & Organization·TypeSurvey·DateAug 8, 2024

Cutting-edge 3D-printed microneedle technology revolutionizes remote healthcare

This innovative system combines remote health monitoring and drug delivery using 3D-printed hollow microneedles, advancing personalized medicine. The integrated theranostic microneedle array measures key health indicators like pH, glucose, and lactate levels, while enabling rapid, pumpless, and point-of-care drug administration.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 7, 2024

Study quantifies air pollution for NYC subway commuters

A new study quantifies air pollution for NYC subway commuters, revealing disparities in exposure across racial and income groups. The research found that people from lower-income working communities have higher exposures and Black and Hispanic workers experience on average 35% and 23% higher PM2.5 exposure, respectively.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateAug 7, 2024

Prescription fills for semaglutide products

The number of semaglutide prescriptions filled reached 2.6 million in 2023, with Wegovy accounting for most fills since its approval in June 2021. Most Wegovy fills were among commercially insured populations, despite the disproportionate burden of obesity in Medicaid and Medicare Part D.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateAug 2, 2024

Understanding willingness to pay for nationwide wastewater surveillance in Japan

A survey-based study found that 97% of Japanese respondents are willing to pay for a nationwide wastewater surveillance system, with a median value of $8.83 per household per year. The estimated annual tax would be more than enough to cover system maintenance costs, making the system economically justified.

SourceWaseda University·JournalEnvironmental Science Water Research & Technology·TypeSurvey·DateJul 17, 2024

Decline in global adolescent fertility rates is counteracted by increasing teen births in Sub-Saharan Africa

A new report highlights a troubling trend: while global adolescent fertility rates have significantly declined, sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing an increase in teen births. The region's share of global adolescent births surged from 12% in 1950 to 47% in 2020 and is projected to reach a majority by 2035.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalStudies in Family Planning·DateJul 16, 2024