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New study finds social programs could reduce the spread of HIV by 29%

Researchers at UMass Amherst developed a model that quantifies the impacts of social factors on HIV spread, finding that addressing barriers to treatment and care can reduce national HIV incidence by 29%. The study suggests that investing in prevention and social programs could be more cost-effective than treatment alone.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalHealth Care Management Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 22, 2025

Qigong significantly decreases chronic low back pain in US military veterans

A pilot study found that qigong significantly decreases chronic low back pain in US military veterans, improving physical function and reducing sleep disturbance. The holistic practice also showed positive effects on PTSD, depression, anxiety, and social roles, highlighting its potential as a nonpharmacological treatment option.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalPain Management Nursing·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 17, 2025

Financial incentives found to help people quit smoking, including during pregnancy

A Cochrane review found financial incentives significantly improve smoking cessation rates for pregnant people, with a six-month success rate of 13 out of 100 who received incentives compared to six in 100 without them. The study also suggests that offering different value rewards does not impact quit rates.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 12, 2025

Preventing clinical depression: Early therapeutic interventions offer protection

Researchers found that participants who received early therapeutic interventions were significantly less likely to develop clinical depression within the first year. The interventions, which typically lasted six to twelve sessions, reduced symptoms and lowered the risk of depression by 42% in the first six months.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 8, 2025

Climate change linked with worse HIV prevention and care

Climate change is associated with poorer HIV prevention outcomes, including reduced testing and increased risk behaviors, leading to higher new infections and poorer treatment adherence. Researchers identified links between extreme weather events and HIV-related challenges, emphasizing the need for innovative interventions and strategies.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalCurrent Opinion in Infectious Diseases·DateJan 8, 2025

Ready to quit vaping in the new year? A new study uncovers the best ways

A new study published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews suggests that varenicline, a prescription medication, and text message-based interventions can help people quit vaping. The findings are particularly promising for young people aged 13 to 24, who showed significant success with text message-based programs.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 7, 2025

International norms for adult handgrip strength: A systematic review of data on 2.4 million adults aged 20 to 100+ years from 69 countries and regions

A systematic review of data on 2.4 million adults from 69 countries established international norms for handgrip strength, ranking strength into five categories: low, somewhat low, moderate, somewhat high, and high. The new framework enables clinicians to identify people at risk of poor health and track changes in strength over time.

SourceJournal of Sport and Health Science·JournalJournal of Sport and Health Science·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 20, 2024

Study shows American College of Lifestyle Medicine education initiative improves clinicians’ ability to make lifestyle and dietary interventions

The complimentary CME/CE course, offered in support of the 2022 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, has reported significant improvements in clinicians' knowledge, confidence, and practice of lifestyle medicine. Over 53,000 clinicians have registered for the course so far.

SourceAmerican College of Lifestyle Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Lifestyle Medicine·DateDec 12, 2024

A healthy diet helps the weighty battle with chronic pain

A new study published in the journal Nutres found that adopting a healthy diet can reduce the severity of chronic pain, regardless of body weight. The research, conducted by the University of South Australia, explored associations between body fat, diet, and pain and found that higher consumption of core foods was directly associated w...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalNutrition Research·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2024

Getting a grip on health norms

A groundbreaking study has established the world's largest and most geographically comprehensive international norms for handgrip strength, covering 2.4 million adults from 69 countries. The new norms enable global peer-comparison, health screening, and surveillance across the adult lifespan, helping clinicians identify people at risk ...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalJournal of Sport and Health Science·TypeObservational study·DateDec 6, 2024

Peer support could help millions with sleep apnea slumber easier, study says

A University of Arizona Health Sciences study found that peer support intervention improved CPAP adherence and patient satisfaction among 263 sleep apnea patients. The study showed that participants who received peer support used the CPAP machine correctly and consistently, averaging 4.5 hours of use per night, compared to those withou...

SourceUniversity of Arizona Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 4, 2024

UCLA professor Helen Lavretsky reshapes brain health through integrative medicine research

Professor Lavretsky's pioneering work integrates conventional psychiatric treatments with mind-body interventions, developing novel therapeutic combinations for treatment-resistant depression and cognitive disorders. Her research has transformed approaches to mental health and aging, emphasizing whole person health and prevention.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalBrain Medicine·TypeNews article·DateDec 3, 2024

Sub-Saharan Africa leads global HIV decline: Progress made but UNAIDS 2030 goals hang in balance, new IHME study finds

A new IHME study reveals significant progress in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, with sub-Saharan Africa leading the way in cutting new HIV infections and deaths. However, the world is not on track to meet UNAIDS 2030 targets, with a quarter of people living with HIV not receiving treatment.

Wildfire smoke exposure and incident dementia

A cohort study found that long-term exposure to wildfire and fine particulate matter was associated with dementia diagnoses. The study suggests that reducing wildfire PM2.5 exposure could decrease dementia diagnoses and address health disparities.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateNov 25, 2024

Home testing kits and coordinated outreach substantially improve colorectal cancer screening rates

A new study shows that mailing at-home fecal immunochemical testing kits and providing coordinated follow-up led to a tripling of screening completion rates compared to usual care. The intervention increased screening rates by 30% within six months and 34.6% by 12 months.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 25, 2024

Obesity prevention at an early age

The Greenlight Plus trial found that technological interventions and policies can help prevent childhood obesity at an early age. The study suggests that targeted prevention efforts can reduce the risk of obesity in children, setting a promising foundation for future prevention strategies.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateNov 21, 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

American College of Lifestyle Medicine and U.S. Space Force announce partnership to optimize service member health through lifestyle medicine

The American College of Lifestyle Medicine has partnered with the US Space Force to provide lifestyle medicine education, training, and certification to Guardian Resilience Team members. This initiative aims to enhance Space Force service members' health and performance through evidence-based lifestyle interventions.

Can podcasts create healthier habits?

Researchers found that podcasts significantly improved health knowledge, increased exercise levels, and boosted healthy eating habits. Engagement with health-related podcasts was generally high, suggesting they could be an effective medium for health information and behavior change interventions.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalDigital Health·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 18, 2024

Anti-obesity drugs, lifestyle interventions show cardiovascular benefits beyond weight loss

Studies published in JACC found that anti-obesity drugs such as tirzepatide and semaglutide improved cardiac structure and function, as well as reduced cardiac risk biomarkers with lifestyle interventions. These findings suggest that these treatments may have a transformative impact on cardiovascular health beyond weight loss.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 18, 2024