A new study by Flinders University researchers highlights the critical link between environmental degradation and pandemics, emphasizing the need for urgent ecosystem restoration efforts to aid in COVID-19 recovery. The study suggests that up to 95% of land on Earth will be degraded by 2050 if effective measures are not taken.
A study found that better access to primary care physicians in disadvantaged neighborhoods improves high blood pressure awareness and control. The research used the Area Deprivation Index to assess socioeconomic status and analyzed data from over 5,000 predominantly African American adults.
Participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is associated with improved birth outcomes, including lower infant mortality. The review also found that WIC participants are more likely to receive child preventative services, such as vaccines.
A recent meta-analysis reports that female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is declining in 26 countries, but progress is slow in others. The study estimates 100 million women and girls have been affected globally, with many countries not reporting on the practice.
Researchers found a negative correlation between age-standardized death rates and levels of decommodification in 21 OECD countries. Decreased labor market polarization and risk were associated with improved population health, particularly in men.
Public health researchers developed a global vaccine risk index (VRI) to predict vaccine coverage lapses worldwide. The VRI considers factors like measles incidence, vaccine confidence, climate change, education, and income, revealing countries at high risk of disease outbreaks.
A study of over 1.2 million people in 76 low- and middle-income countries found that hypertension prevalence is high among the least educated and poorest individuals, despite common assumptions. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to lower blood pressure in these regions.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that opioid prescriptions declined for US patients with both cancer and non-cancer pain between 2012 and 2019. The proportion of people receiving any opioid prescription dropped from 49.7% to 30.5% for non-cancer pain and from 86.0% to 78.7% for cancer pain.
A recent study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that urgent care centers can divert imaging tests away from emergency departments after spinal trauma, resulting in cost savings. The study analyzed data from May 2021 to August 2021 and estimated annual savings of $437,928.
A new study led by MIT economist Amy Finkelstein found that for every nine adults who gained access to Medicaid in Oregon, one previously eligible child was added to the Medicaid rolls. The effect is modest but economically meaningful, with children costing four times less to cover than adults.
A new study by Columbia University and MIT researchers found that expanding Medicaid coverage to adults can also help enroll children, a phenomenon known as the 'woodwork effect'. The study examined Oregon's 2008 Medicaid lottery and found that for every nine adults who gained coverage, one additional child also enrolled.
A new USC analysis found that the largest Medicare Advantage plans pay 27% more for outpatient dialysis treatment compared to traditional Medicare. This significant markup is attributed to the consolidation of the dialysis industry, with two large chains supplying over three-quarters of all dialysis services in the US.
New research finds junk food advertising restrictions have prevented 94,867 fewer obesity cases, 2,857 fewer diabetes cases, and 1,915 fewer cardiovascular disease cases. The policy is estimated to save the NHS £218 million over its lifetime.
A study by the OPik group found that job insecurity is significantly associated with poor mental health in both men and women. The study's findings suggest that wage level and vulnerability are key factors in this relationship.
A new study from Northwestern University finds that exposure to food stamp work requirements significantly increases mental health care use for depression and anxiety. The policy's negative effects are more pronounced among women, who experience a 26% increase in depression visits and a 12% increase in anxiety visits.
A synthetic control analysis of California's millionaire tax found that additional funding could improve mental health outcomes. The study suggests that investing in mental health programs may have prevented up to 5,500 suicides over a 14-year period.
A new study suggests that reducing sugar consumption through sugar taxation policies can have significant environmental, social, and economic benefits. Redirecting existing sugar cropland to alternative uses like biofuel production could lead to emissions reductions of up to 54.3 MtCO2e per year.
A study of 3,448 active-duty service members found that nearly double the prevalence of problematic anger two years after separation compared to before separation. Problematic anger was linked to behavioral health issues, relationship problems, and economic difficulties up to five years later.
A new study analyzes US health spending by region and finds that distinct factors drive variation across payers. Regional utilization of healthcare services is highly correlated across payers, but spending itself shows minimal correlation between Medicaid and Medicare populations.
The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) has launched a two-week training course for biologics development and manufacturing, targeting low- and middle-income countries. The program aims to enhance local production of vaccines and biologics in LMICs to address vaccine inequity and global pandemic preparedness.
Researchers found young adults living alone experienced negative mental and physical health impacts from job loss, while those with parents fared better. Fathers' job losses also led to worse outcomes for young adults living at home.
A new study from the University of Washington found that sweetened beverage taxes redistribute dollars from higher- to lower-income households, providing a net economic benefit of $5.3 to $16.4 million per year to lower-income communities. The taxes also fund health programs and reduce consumption of unhealthy drinks.
A new study published in Behavior Genetics found that natural selection favors characteristics associated with lower earnings and poorer education, such as having more children. The research, led by UEA, analyzed data from over 300,000 people in the UK and suggests that this may be contributing to increasing income inequality.
A randomized evaluation of Nurse-Family Partnership found that low-income mothers in South Carolina experienced adverse birth events at a rate of 26.9 percent, similar to the control group. The study evaluated various outcomes, but more evidence is needed on effective interventions to address racial and structural inequities.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation proposes a screening strategy to identify women at high risk of hip fracture, which could lead to a reduction in treatment gaps and improved identification of fractures. The approach combines low-cost assessment with targeted intervention using low-cost generic treatments.
A study published in Labour Economics found that US workers who work alongside industrial robots are more likely to suffer from adverse mental health effects, including substance abuse and increased suicide rates. In contrast, German workers saw no significant mental-health change when exposed to robotics.
A new study found that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure is associated with an increased risk of having a cluster of multiple chronic diseases, particularly cardio-metabolic and respiratory conditions. The analysis revealed four distinct multimorbidity clusters, with lower PM2.5 exposure linked to musculoskeletal conditions.
A University of Houston study found that 61% of Black and Hispanic adolescents have low vitamin D levels, which can lead to cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, and renal disease. The research emphasizes the importance of raising awareness among clinicians about social determinants of health and providing culturall...
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted access to addiction treatment for adolescents and young adults, particularly those with private health insurance. Prescription claims data shows a significant decline in buprenorphine prescriptions among this age group, especially among those with commercial insurance coverage.
Researchers estimated that hypothetical income support policies could avert approximately 1,200 to 2,800 potential deaths among working-age adults in the United States. The study used econometric modeling to analyze the impact of different policy scenarios on mortality rates.
The Flinders-designed QOL-ACC tool assesses six key quality of life dimensions and has been implemented with over 1000 older Australians, delivering improved standards and transparency in aged care. The results show that the tool performed strongly in a pilot trial, with lower scores for those with poorer self-reported health status.
A new modeling study found that reducing excess prevalence of low birthweight, preterm birth, or small-for-gestational-age birth in low- and middle-income countries could lead to substantial long-term human capital gains. The study estimates potential gains of 20.3 million school years and $68.8 billion in lifetime income per birth coh...
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 8, 2022
A recent study published by The BMJ found a significant widening gap in death rates between US counties that voted for Democratic and Republican candidates. Between 2001 and 2019, mortality rates decreased by 22% in Democratic counties but only 11% in Republican counties, with the gap increasing sixfold.
A new study by Sonja Spitzer and Mujaheed Shaikh found that older people who overestimate their health visit the doctor less often, leading to delayed diagnoses and treatment. Conversely, those who underestimate their health visit the doctor more frequently.
A new NJIT-led center aims to tackle complex challenges in drug development, including improved solubility, affordability, and accessibility. Researchers will investigate particle properties and develop digital tools to predict behaviors, enabling more efficient formulations and manufacturing processes.
A landmark research article published in Science predicted exponential growth in US drug overdose deaths, which has now come true with over 100,000 annual deaths. The Pitt team suggests that a systems analysis and computational models are necessary to understand the deep causal drivers of the epidemic.
Researchers found no net association between the COVID-19 pandemic and medical debt across different income levels and pandemic severity. Decreases in elective medical procedures and government healthcare-related policies may have offset any increase in medical debt.
A new study found that childhood circumstances and personality traits are significantly associated with loneliness in older age, accounting for 10.42% and 7.50% of the variance respectively. Life experiences during childhood, such as having few friends or a poor relationship with parents, can increase the risk of loneliness later in life.
A new analysis of nationally representative data reveals a significant increase in the impact of HPV vaccination efforts, leading to decreased prevalence of cancer-causing HPV infections among both vaccinated and unvaccinated females. The study found that vaccination has directly protected individuals and generated herd effects, reduci...
Despite significant operating margin reductions in 2020, hospitals' overall profit margins remained similar to prior years, thanks to the COVID-19 relief fund. Government and rural hospitals saw higher profit margins during this time.
A study analyzing Medicare claims data found that policy changes reduced the share of patients receiving hospice care for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The changes also slowed growth in hospice care use by these patients.
Experts warn that recent progress in child and adolescent health is under threat without comprehensive reform. A holistic approach that spans preconception to adulthood is needed to reduce mortality and improve health outcomes. Strong health systems must partner with social systems to support children's development.
A new study published in BMC Public Health found that people who reported feeling lonely often were significantly more likely to encounter unemployment later. The research also confirmed previous findings that the reverse is true – people who were unemployed were more likely to experience loneliness later.
A study of over 3.5 million Welsh citizens found that those who self-harmed during the COVID-19 pandemic were less likely to seek help and faced difficulties accessing in-patient treatment. The research used linked electronic health records to investigate healthcare contacts with self-harm during this period.
A new study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators found that adult vaccination rates and social determinants of health impacted children's mental health during the pandemic. Stress surrounding the pandemic decreased in children after vaccinations were rolled out for adults in December 2020.
A new study published in the Chinese Medical Journal assessed mortality risk in middle-aged and older Chinese individuals with multiple diseases. The study identified four multimorbidity patterns, with cardiometabolic being the most common, and found that individuals with these patterns had a significantly increased mortality risk.
A new study reveals funding for fertility preservation policies varies across the UK, with Scotland offering the most inclusive approach. The study highlights the need for standardization of policies to ensure equal access to care for patients.
The study analyzed over 125,000 US health care workers, finding that frontline workers were at highest risk of leaving the workforce due to burnout and stress. The researchers also identified specific factors contributing to turnover, such as inadequate staffing and lack of support from employers.
Researchers analyzed 61 COVID-specific chatbots in 30 countries, finding common uses such as risk assessment, symptom data collection, and appointment scheduling. They also discovered that anonymity of user interactions varies across cultures, affecting the effectiveness of follow-up services.
A California study found that adults living with handgun owners had twice the homicide rates compared to those without, with most victims being women. Survivors of nonfatal gunshot injuries also experienced significant healthcare costs and worsening mental health.
A University of Illinois study found that neighborhoods with fewer trees have higher medical costs and poorer health outcomes. Residents in areas with more tree cover incur $374 less in medical costs per year, a difference that translates to approximately $194 million annually.
A study using longitudinal data from the Indian Young Lives survey found that low-birth-weight infants experienced lower test scores compared to normal birth weight infants. The study estimated a 10% increase in birth weight corresponds to a 0.11 standard deviation increase in cognitive test scores at ages 5-8 years.
Investments in primary care research can enhance community-centeredness, reducing inequities in access, quality, and outcomes of care. Strategic research prioritizes whole person care and innovative payment models to support primary care's future success.
A study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health reveals that income loss during COVID-19 significantly increases menstrual product insecurity, with lower-income and less educated individuals most vulnerable. The pandemic's impact on menstruation management challenges underscores the need for health and social policy legi...
Researchers urge federal intervention to make naloxone widely available, citing a 30% increase in fatal overdoses from 2019 to 2020. The lack of accessible distribution points and high costs are major barriers to access, with one prescription dispensed for every 70 high-dose opioid prescriptions nationwide.
A survey of nearly 30,000 Korean high school students found a strong association between non-academic internet usage and mental health issues such as stress and suicidal ideation. Students who spent more time online reported better health, reduced stress, and fewer feelings of sadness and suicidal thoughts.
Economists Ed Timmons and Conor Norris suggest reforms such as shorter medical school pathways, expanded physician assistant and nurse practitioner independence, and federal regulation of telemedicine to alleviate the healthcare industry's stress in light of COVID-19. These proposals aim to address staffing shortages, improve access to...
Researchers at Washington State University found a causal link between natural gas flaring and increased hospital visits for respiratory health in North Dakota. The study estimated that a 1% increase in flared natural gas increases the hospitalization rate by 0.73%, highlighting the significant impact of flaring on human health.
A new analysis found that healthcare workforce employment levels declined in mid-2020, with skilled nursing facilities experiencing a 13.6% decline compared to 2019. Healthcare sector wages also increased at a lower rate relative to the national average, with a 5% increase in 2020 and 1.5% in 2021.
A new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that improved eye health services are associated with moving closer to achieving seven SDGs. Multiple direct connections were discovered between eye health services and increased productivity, household expenditure, income, education, and equality.