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School of Public Health researchers receive National Academies grant to assess environmental conditions in two Houston neighborhoods

Researchers Garett Sansom and Lindsay Sansom will evaluate soil conditions in Settegast and Lakewood neighborhoods for cancer-causing heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The project aims to identify residents' environment-related concerns and develop a better understanding of local priorities and challenges.

We are no longer living longer, UEA study shows

A new study from the University of East Anglia finds that European life expectancy has slowed down since 2011 due to factors such as poor diets, lack of physical activity, and obesity. The research suggests that prioritizing healthier lifestyles in younger years is crucial for extending old age.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 18, 2025

A ‘smoke-free generation’ in Canada? New analysis says it would result in vast health gains, healthcare cost savings

A new analysis suggests that implementing a lifetime ban on tobacco products for individuals born after 2009 would result in vast health benefits and healthcare cost savings. The study estimates $2.3 billion less in healthcare costs and 476,814 more quality-adjusted life years for Canadians over a 50-year timespan.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalHealth Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 15, 2025

‘Sandwich carers’ experience decline in mental and physical health

A new study by UCL researchers has found that people who care for both their children and older family members – known as 'sandwich carers' – experience a significant decline in both mental and physical health. The study, which analysed data from around 2,000 sandwich carers, highlights the need for better support and resources to help...

SourceUniversity College London·JournalPublic Health·TypeObservational study·DateJan 6, 2025

Owning a home in the US linked to longer life

The study found that homeownership was associated with a statistically significant increase in life expectancy, particularly among Black male Americans. Homeownership opportunities were significantly lower among Black Americans compared to White Americans, and expanding these opportunities may help narrow the gap in life expectancy bet...

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalDemography·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 4, 2024

Attention seniors! It’s never too late to stop smoking

A new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that quitting smoking even at 75 can significantly increase life expectancy. The research showed that older individuals who quit smoking can avoid an average loss of 4-9 years of life, with some regaining up to 8 years or more.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 8, 2024

Aussies above 50 are living longer, while younger people are suffering

New research from the Australian National University reveals that Australians under 50 are experiencing stagnating life expectancy, while older cohorts are living longer. The study found that external causes of death, such as substance use disorders and traffic accidents, were major contributors to this trend.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 7, 2024

The Lancet Public Health: Accelerating actions to eliminate tobacco smoking could help increase life expectancy and prevent millions of premature deaths by 2050, modelling study suggests

A modelling study suggests that reducing tobacco smoking globally to 5% by 2050 could increase life expectancy and prevent millions of premature deaths. Accelerating actions to eliminate tobacco smoking could result in up to 1.5 additional years of life expectancy among males and 0.4 years among females.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 2, 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

Even as COVID raged, spikes in homicide were a significant drag on life expectancy for Black men

A recent study found that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the gap in life expectancies between Black and white men, with homicide rates contributing significantly to this disparity. The analysis revealed that homicides carried a disproportionate impact on life expectancy among young men, particularly Black men.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 21, 2024

Korea University offers new breakthrough for Hepatitis C to improve life expectancy

A new study by Korea University College of Medicine shows that direct-acting antivirals significantly reduce liver-related clinical outcomes and lower the risk of disease progression to cancer or cirrhosis, increasing life expectancy for patients with Hepatitis C. The treatment approach has a high effectiveness rate of 90%.

SourceKorea University College of Medicine·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 20, 2024

Australia offers lessons for increasing American life expectancy

A study published in BMJ Open suggests that Australia's high life expectancy can serve as a model for the US to improve its own life expectancy. The research found that Australians have a lower mortality rate from drug overdose, car accidents, and homicide compared to Americans. By adopting similar policies such as investing in public ...

Large and unequal life expectancy declines in India during COVID-19

A recent study found significant and unequal mortality increases in India during the COVID-19 pandemic, with marginalized social groups experiencing greater life expectancy declines than privileged groups. The study estimated that 17% of overall mortality was higher in 2020 compared to 2019, resulting in 1.19 million excess deaths.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 19, 2024

Research spotlight: The impact of tobacco smoking and smoking cessation on the life expectancy of people with HIV in South Africa

Research found that smoking decreases life expectancy of HIV patients by 3-6 years, but smoking cessation can regain up to 5 years. Integrating tobacco cessation interventions into HIV care could substantially improve life expectancy for this population.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of the International AIDS Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 15, 2024

The gender gap in life expectancy: are eggs and sperm partly responsible?

A study published in Science Advances reveals that germ cells drive sex-dependent lifespan differences in vertebrate animals. Removing these cells led to similar lifespans in males and females of the turquoise killifish species. Vitamin D was also discovered to have a role in improving longevity, with supplementation extending life spans.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2024

Research supports Sunak’s ‘smoke-free generation’ policy but British ministers will miss key levelling up health targets

A new study suggests that a 'smoke-free generation' policy may not be enough to meet the UK's levelling up agenda, with health inequalities still being a major concern. The research concludes that a smoking ban would extend working lives but is not enough to narrow the gap between prosperous and deprived areas.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalThe Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance Issues and Practice·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 17, 2024

Global life expectancy to increase by nearly 5 years by 2050 despite geopolitical, metabolic, and environmental threats, reports new global study

Global life expectancy is forecasted to increase from 73.6 years in 2022 to 78.1 years in 2050, with a convergence of increased life expectancy across geographies. The trend is largely driven by public health measures that have prevented and improved survival rates from cardiovascular diseases, COVID-19, and other communicable diseases.

Under 4-minute milers’ longevity shows that extreme exercise doesn’t seem to curb lifespan

A study of the first 200 athletes to run a mile in under 4 minutes found that they lived nearly 5 years beyond their predicted life expectancy. The runners, who were born between 1928 and 1955, outlived the general population by several years on average, with those whose first successful attempt was in the 1950s living an average of 9 ...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMay 9, 2024

Early trauma cuts life short for squirrels, and climate change could make matters worse

A new study led by the University of Arizona finds that early-life struggles can cut adult lifespan in red squirrels by at least 14%, but a natural food boom may buffer against these effects. The researchers suggest that climate change could disrupt this dynamic, potentially affecting animal resilience.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateApr 24, 2024

There’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to addressing men’s health issues globally

Research from the University of Notre Dame finds that life transitions and global health policies for men vary across communities, with differing effects on physical and mental health. Men's life expectancy lags behind women's, and health interventions should focus on individual needs and cultural contexts.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 23, 2024

Life expectancy increased as world addressed major killers including diarrhea, lower respiratory infections, and stroke

The study found that reductions in deaths from chronic respiratory diseases, stroke, lower respiratory infections, and cancer led to the largest net gain in life expectancy between 1990 and 2021. The super-region of Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania had the largest net gain, while South Asia had the second-largest increase primari...

Patients With multimorbidity and limited life expectancy may undergo lung cancer screening unaware that it could cause them more harm than good

Patients with multimorbidity and limited life expectancy are often unaware of the potential harms of lung cancer screening. Despite this, many agree to undergo screening due to personal health goals, trust in their clinician, and anticipation of regret over not getting screened. Discussions between patients and clinicians about the ben...

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 25, 2024

COVID-19 had greater impact on life expectancy than previously known, but child mortality rates continued to decline during the pandemic

A new study reveals that COVID-19 had a profound impact on global life expectancy, with a 1.6-year drop from 2019 to 2021, while child mortality rates continued to decrease by 7% in 2021 compared to 2019. The study found that some countries experienced high excess mortality due to the pandemic.