Articles tagged with Public Health
A new study found substantial increases in the use of continuous glucose monitoring and insulin delivery devices among children and adults with type 1 diabetes, resulting in improved blood-sugar control rates from 7% to 19% and 21% to 28%, respectively
Researchers have identified PFAS in reusable period products, including underwear and pads, which may leach into wastewater and be absorbed through skin contact. Most products lacked intentional PFAS, but the study suggests these chemicals are unnecessary components.
Researchers analyzed food purchases made by 180,000 nationally representative households in the US between 2008 and 2020. The study found that calories obtained from dollar store items have nearly doubled, but households are getting over 90% of their calories from other outlets.
The study examines the effects of broader criminal justice reforms on public health and safety. It found little evidence that Measure 110 was responsible for rising crime or overdose deaths, but rather attributed these trends to the COVID-19 pandemic and fentanyl emergence.
A recent study analyzed hourly data from nearly 750 low-cost and regulatory air pollution sensors throughout LA to understand the impact of wildfires on air quality. The findings suggest that combining different data sources, including ground-based sensors and satellite data, can provide more accurate and comprehensive information.
The Lancet commission emphasizes the need for concrete goals to reduce hepatocellular carcinoma's growing disease burden. The authors propose a 2% annual reduction in age-standardized incidence rates and recommend evidence-based strategies to tackle viral hepatitis, alcohol consumption, environmental risk factors, and disparities in he...
Researchers found that heavy use of copper antimicrobials can drive antibiotic resistance in bacteria, but switching to copper with other measures can help mitigate this effect. Copper-resistant bacteria also become resistant to antibiotics, suggesting a common evolutionary pathway.
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.
Researchers found a 9% increased risk of death from all causes for those living in flood-affected zip codes, with higher risks in Connecticut and New York City. The study highlights the importance of considering long-term health impacts of hurricane-related flooding on older adults.
The European Union has launched a new toolkit to help eliminate viral hepatitis B and C in prisons across Europe. The toolkit provides practical tools and guidance for implementing interventions in prisons, with the goal of reducing transmission rates and promoting public health.
A team of researchers led by undergraduate physics majors at UMass Amherst modeled how aerosol plumes spread when people are waiting and walking in a line. They found that warm air rises, causing the plumes to sink, but temperatures can affect their height. The study sharpens our understanding of airborne-communicable diseases travel.
A Korean survey of over 50,000 middle and high school students found that adolescent girls with weight concerns are at higher risk for depression and suicidality. The study highlights the importance of addressing body image issues in young females to prevent mental health problems.
A recent survey by Emory University found that Americans across party lines do not support cutting child-focused programs, such as infant safety and monitoring programs. The survey also revealed decreased trust in vaccine policy among nearly half of respondents, with concerns about lead and heavy metal contamination being the second bi...
Researchers found that improving access to technology can significantly reduce healthcare disparities among African Americans. The study highlights the importance of addressing both socioeconomic disparities and technology access to achieve equity in healthcare.
A new study published in JAMA found that the August 2023 Maui wildfire led to a 46% increase in statewide suicide and overdose death rates, with a 97% increase in Maui alone. The researchers suggest direct exposure and indirect effects, such as concern for loved ones, contributed to the rise in deaths.
A new study from University of California San Diego found that frequent standing breaks can lower diastolic blood pressure in postmenopausal women. Women who increased daily sit-to-stand movements saw measurable improvements in blood pressure, with an average decrease of 2.24 mmHg within three months.
The editorial board endorses the shift from 'non-pharmaceutical interventions' to 'public health and social measures', emphasizing their scientific legitimacy and societal value. Effective responses require combinations of non-medical interventions, which language can obscure if not framed correctly.
New research shows a small reduction in quad bike deaths at work in Australia since the introduction of new safety standards, but public health experts emphasize the need for continued action to keep Australians safe.
The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics announces a new, independent monitoring system to track the impact of plastic pollution on human health. The report estimates 8 billion metric tons of plastic waste pollute the planet, harming health at every stage of the plastic life cycle.
A study by Texas A&M University found that cannabis use is more common among non-Hispanic Black men with chronic health issues, particularly those with pain, stress and depression. The research suggests a two-way relationship between cannabis use and worsening physical and mental health.
A US study found that young adults with hearing difficulties have lower educational attainment, are less likely to be employed, and earn less than their peers. The effects are particularly pronounced among Black and Hispanic individuals. Hearing loss can limit job opportunities due to communication challenges.
The study found that the pandemic affected development, interactions, and connections among youth and parents, causing anxiety, grief, and strained relationships. However, it also led to increased spending time together, personal growth, and creative coping mechanisms.
Researchers found that murder-suicide events occurred at an average of 820 deaths annually between 2016-2022, with the majority involving current or former intimate partners. Strengthening domestic violence screening and intervention programs is crucial to prevent these tragic outcomes.
Researchers conducted a randomized clinical trial to compare low- and high-dose methylprednisolone with azithromycin for treating severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. The study found that lower dose regimen of glucocorticoids is sufficient, equally effective, and safer than the high dose regimen.
A new CRISPR-based system enables rapid on-site pathogen detection in wastewater, reducing costs by 50% compared to traditional methods. This innovation paves the way for sustainable epidemic surveillance in resource-limited regions.
A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases has shown that combining country-level information with individual-level variables can improve the identification of soil-transmitted helminth infections among migrant populations. Researchers found that country-level indicators are stronger predictors than individual-level variable...
A new study has found that US nitrous oxide deaths have increased by more than 500% between 2010 and 2023, primarily driven by recreational misuse. The researchers warn of the dangers of inhalant use, particularly among young people, highlighting the need for public awareness and intervention to prevent harm.
A large study examines 17 years of Medicare hospitalization claims and major flooding events, finding increased rates of specific health issues among older adults. The research highlights the need for targeted outreach, robust evacuation planning, and improved access to medical services to protect public health during climate change.
A study in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology finds that delaying chest compressions to prevent tongue swallowing can lead to poor outcomes, including death or severe brain injury. The research exposes media-fueled misconceptions and emphasizes the importance of immediate CPR training.
Long-term heat exposure negatively impacts students' cumulative learning, with complex tasks more affected than simpler ones. Lower socioeconomic groups face disproportionately greater impacts, underlining critical inequalities.
Researchers found that people who experienced malnutrition early in life may have survived threats like plague at greater rates until young adulthood. However, this survival advantage could drop significantly when entering middle and late adult years.
Researchers found that hot days increase emergency department visits and hospitalizations, while cold days are associated with fewer deaths, particularly among older adults. The study suggests that health policy needs to account for temperature-related impacts across different age groups.
Researchers found that taking blood thinners like warfarin does not significantly increase the risk of brain bleeding after blunt head trauma, contradicting previous assumptions. In fact, patients with poorly controlled warfarin activity had the highest bleeding risk.
An international research team has proposed a comprehensive global framework for regulating tire additives, which are a significant source of environmental contamination. The framework aims to address the impacts of these chemicals on ecosystems and human health worldwide.
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.
A new study finds that climate change is expected to increase the risk of diarrheal diseases across South and Southeast Asia, posing serious health threats to millions of children. Improved access to maternal education and targeted health policies can help families protect their children.
A UK study monitored antimicrobial resistance and influenza viruses in water bodies frequented by wild birds, finding widespread AMR genes in 92% of samples. Influenza virus was detected in just 3.4% of samples, highlighting the need for more sensitive detection methods.
A nationwide study found that financial hardship, food insecurity, lack of healthcare access, and other social risk factors increase the risk of long COVID. The RECOVER-Adult cohort study analyzed 3,700 participants and found significant associations between individual-level social risk factors and increased risk of developing long COVID.
A new genetic study has identified genes involved in neuronal signalling and sensory pathways as key drivers of chronic cough. The findings advance our understanding of cough reflex hypersensitivity as a nervous system-mediated process, opening up opportunities for targeted treatments.
A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found that living in coastal areas is linked to a longer life expectancy, while inland water areas have the opposite effect. The analysis suggests that factors such as milder temperatures, better air quality, and higher incomes contribute to the benefits of coastal living.
A new blood test leverages AI to identify Lyme disease sooner and more accurately than current standard tests, with sensitivity and specificity over 90%. Additionally, an AI tool, Medicine-GPT, demonstrates promise in helping adolescents gather useful medical information, outperforming ChatGPT-4 on completeness and helpfulness.
A single bout of exercise increases myokine levels, reducing cancer growth by 20-30%. Regular exercise helps reduce inflammation and improve body composition, leading to a lower risk of recurrence and 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.
A study by University of California, Santa Cruz researchers found that pandemic-period relative excess mortality was twice as high among potentially undocumented immigrants as among those who appeared to be documented immigrants. The study also revealed a staggering 91% increase in deaths among Latino essential workers who were potenti...
A large-scale study published in Frontiers in Public Health found that individuals experiencing persistent and intense grief are nearly twice as likely to die within 10 years after losing a loved one. The study followed a cohort of 1,735 bereaved individuals and found that those with high grief symptom levels had significantly higher r...
A study by researchers at UCSF found that young patients who received eight or more outpatient therapy sessions after a hospital stay were 25 times less likely to be readmitted. The therapy was delivered by community-based clinicians and did not require specialist expertise. This simple yet effective approach has the potential to break...
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.
The study uses systems modeling to analyze potential trade-offs of proposed NIH cuts, considering implications for long-term biomedical research and public health. The results suggest that funding policies must consider systemic interactions beyond immediate budgetary impacts.
A new study found that automated speed enforcement cameras in Toronto school zones reduced speeding by 45% and lowered the 85th percentile speed by 10.7 km/h. The study suggests that ASE can be an effective way to reduce pedestrian injury risk, especially in areas where children are most vulnerable.
A national study found that healthcare providers exhibit varying levels of stigma towards patients with substance use disorders (SUD), particularly for opioid and stimulant use. This stigma leads to missed opportunities for care and is often embedded in clinical encounters.
A recent clinical trial found MyMenoplan.org effective in increasing treatment intentions and menopause knowledge among users. The website offers personalized information and decision-making tools, guiding women through symptom discussions and outlining treatment options.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that energy-efficient strategies can have a significant impact on public health in the European Union. The research reveals dramatic differences in health burdens from electricity use based on the source of energy used, with cou...
The International radiology consensus outlines best practices for post-COVID CT imaging, including standardized terminology and low-dose protocols. The guidelines aim to standardize the indications for chest CT and improve patient management.
Climate models project an accelerating increase in heatwave duration due to global warming, with each additional increment of warming causing larger increases in long heat waves. As temperatures rise, the typical length of heatwaves will also increase, posing significant impacts on humans, livestock, and ecosystems.
A recent study by Florida Atlantic University found that US adolescents with cannabis use disorder have low treatment completion rates, ranging from 34.2% to 33.8%. The most common reasons for not completing treatment were dropping out, transferring facilities, and being terminated. Adolescents who began using cannabis at a younger age...
Researchers developed an AI tool to automatically generate HIV prevention and testing campaign messages for counties in the US, leveraging real-time social media data. The method was tested in three studies, showing that AI-selected messages were perceived as more actionable and effective by target audiences than control messages.
Dr. Adnan Hyder will lead Boston University's School of Public Health, emphasizing research on corporate influence on health and policy, as well as global gun violence. He aims to strengthen the school's impact, funding, and student network while promoting social accountability.
A new study identifies a biomarker that can detect kidney accumulation of uranium, a common contaminant in drinking water, potentially leading to chronic kidney disease. The research suggests a non-invasive way to monitor kidney health and prevent damage from low-level uranium exposure.
A new genetic test can predict adulthood obesity in early childhood, allowing for targeted preventative strategies. The test was developed using data from over five million people and found to be twice as effective as previous tests at predicting obesity risk.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University analyze historical U.S. carbon emissions trends, identifying factors that contributed to changes and offering lessons for developing countries. The study suggests that investing in efficient technologies and avoiding overreliance on coal can help avoid pitfalls encountered by the United States.