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A study quantifies for the first time in the European population the impact of socioeconomic inequality on temperature-related mortality

A study by ISGlobal reveals that regions with greater socioeconomic inequalities are more affected by cold weather, while areas with higher levels of wealth face a greater risk from high temperatures. The research quantifies the impact of socioeconomic factors on temperature-related mortality across 32 European countries.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalNature Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 8, 2026

Trends in poverty and birth outcomes in the US

A recent study by JAMA Pediatrics reveals stark disparities in birth outcomes by poverty status, with low-income families facing increased risks of low birth weight. The findings underscore the importance of supporting vulnerable populations during pregnancy and birth through evidence-based antipoverty policies.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateMar 2, 2026

AI narrows the productivity gap

Researchers found that an AI app improved efficiency for low-skilled taxi drivers by 7%, while high-skilled drivers saw little benefit. The study suggests AI can help close skills gaps in various professions.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalManagement Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 10, 2025

New study reveals wealth inequality’s deep roots in human prehistory

A new study led by Washington State University archaeologist Tim Kohler challenges traditional views that disparities in wealth emerged suddenly with large civilizations. The research found that wealth inequality started to increase roughly 1,500 years after the advent of agriculture, driven by population growth and competition for land.

SourceWashington State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 14, 2025

Study highlights role of social workers in addressing marginalized communities bearing brunt of climate disasters

A new study highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities, with residents emitting significantly less carbon than the national average yet suffering disproportionately due to historical and systemic inequalities. Social workers are essential in driving society toward a future that reduces dependen...

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalEthics and Social Welfare·TypeSurvey·DateApr 8, 2025

Household electricity three times more expensive than upcoming ‘eco-friendly’ aviation e-fuels, study reveals

A new study published in Climate Policy highlights the significant cost disparity between household electricity and e-fuel for long-distance mobility. The research shows that the wealthiest 1% of EU citizens are responsible for 66% of air travel, while the majority emit less than 0.1 ton of CO2 equivalent emissions per year.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalClimate Policy·DateMar 23, 2025

Latin American intensivists denounce economic and cultural inequities in the global scientific publishing system

A study published in The Lancet highlights disparities and obstacles faced by low- and middle-income countries in gaining recognition for their scientific contributions. Researchers propose increasing visibility of journals from low- and middle-income countries, reducing publication fees, and ensuring a fairer peer-review process to fo...

Socioeconomic factors fuel global inequalities in Alzheimer's disease burden, study finds

A new study analyzing global data from 1990 to 2021 found significant cross-country disparities in Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, with approximately two-thirds of individuals living in low- and middle-income countries. The study highlights the need for targeted prevention and control strategies in different countries.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 11, 2025

Urban inequality scaling – Research indicates correlation between population size and elite wealth in urban spaces

A new study by the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology reveals striking quantitative similarities between ancient and modern cities regarding elite wealth concentration. As cities grow larger, elite wealth increases in a sublinear way, with diminishing returns on each increase in city size.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalNature Cities·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 4, 2025

Big cities fuel inequality

A study reveals that large cities have ceased to be centers of upward social and economic mobility, with population density and connectedness associated with reduced intergenerational mobility. Urban expansion has also led to decreased average social capital, contributing to growing inequality within and across generations.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateFeb 4, 2025

AI boosts employee work experiences

A new study found that AI assistance increases worker productivity by 15% in customer service sectors, with significant improvements in speed and quality for less-experienced employees. However, its impact is minimal on higher-skilled workers, while adherence to AI recommendations leads to larger gains in productivity.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 4, 2025

Child mortality has risen since pandemic, new study shows

A new study from the University of Bristol reveals that child mortality in England has increased since the pandemic lifted, with a temporary decrease in deaths during lockdowns. The research found that children from non-white backgrounds faced higher rates of death compared to white children, highlighting existing healthcare inequalities.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 23, 2025

Societal inequality linked to reduced brain health in aging and dementia

A new study reveals a direct link between structural inequality and changes in brain structure and connectivity associated with aging and dementia. Higher levels of inequality are linked to reduced brain volume and disrupted connectivity, especially in temporo-posterior and cerebellar regions essential for memory and cognitive function.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalNature Aging·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 27, 2024

Climate and Economy: Even less extreme but more frequent weather events, such as thunderstorms, have significant and lasting impacts that can exacerbate inequalities. Labor incomes are among the most affected

Researchers analyzed over 200,000 US weather events between 1991 and 2019 to find that wages experience persistent losses while incomes recover gradually. The poorest counties suffer more severe losses, highlighting the need for public intervention and adaptation policies.

SourceSant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·DateDec 11, 2024

Family income predicts adult problems more than neighborhood poverty

A new study published in the Journal of Public Health found that household income is a stronger predictor of several major health-related problems for 17-year-olds than growing up in a poor neighborhood. The study also found that family income has a more consistent impact on health outcomes across different neighborhood groups.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJournal of Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 10, 2024

A national indicator for a just energy transition

The Energy Transition Vulnerability Index (ETVI) measures a nation's susceptibility to adverse effects of transitioning away from fossil fuels. Countries in the Global South face greater challenges than those in the Global North, with global vulnerability decreasing but interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateOct 22, 2024

Water fluoridation less effective now than in past

A recent Cochrane review has found that the dental health benefits of adding fluoride to drinking water may be smaller now than before fluoride toothpaste was widely available. The review analyzed data from over 2,900 children in the UK and Australia, estimating a slight reduction in tooth decay, but with significant uncertainty.

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 3, 2024

Environmental quality of life benefits women worldwide

A global study reveals that women's environmental quality of life explains a substantial 46% of their overall health and well-being. The study found that younger women report poorer environmental quality of life, while older women experience improved quality of life after age 45.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateOct 2, 2024