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UK austerity politics correlated with increased frailty in the oldest adults

Researchers analyzed data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing and found that public spending cuts during austerity (2012-2018) led to a steeper increase in frailty with age compared to pre-austerity period. This association was observed across all population groups, but particularly among the oldest people.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2024

Animals: Small, long-nosed dogs live the longest

A study analyzing over 580,000 dogs found that small, long-nosed breeds like Whippets have the highest life expectancies, while medium-sized flat-faced breeds such as English Bulldogs have the lowest. The research suggests that understanding these differences may help identify dogs at risk of early death.

SourceScientific Reports·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 1, 2024

Climate change may reduce life expectancy by half a year, study suggests

A recent study suggests that climate change may reduce life expectancy by approximately six months, with women and people in developing nations disproportionately affected. The study used a composite climate change index to analyze the relationship between temperature, rainfall, and life expectancy.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Climate·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 18, 2024

Colorectal cancer in sub-Saharan Africa: Lack of basic care is costing lives

A new study found that most people with colorectal cancer in sub-Saharan Africa receive inadequate treatment, leading to significantly improved life expectancy through simple measures. The mortality rate is up to 3.5 times higher in regions studied compared to countries with medium HDI scores.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·TypeObservational study·DateNov 22, 2023

Marine mammal longevity study reveals remarkable advances in animal welfare

A new study examines the life expectancy and lifespan equality of four marine mammal species in zoos and aquariums compared to their wild counterparts. The study found that marine mammals live longer in captivity, with a three-fold increase in life expectancy and a decline in deaths in the first year of life.

SourceSpecies360·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 17, 2023

Adult friendships can triumph over childhood trauma, even in baboons

A new study of nearly 200 baboons in southern Kenya found that adversity early in life can take years off their lifespan, but strong social bonds with other baboons in adulthood can help get them back. Baboons who formed stronger social connections added 2.2 years to their lives, no matter what they had faced when they were younger.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 17, 2023

Income inequality may not be reliable predictor when it comes to population health outcomes, new URI study shows

A new URI study reveals that the association between life expectancy and income inequality is not as clear-cut as previously thought. In high-income areas, life expectancy was higher in regions with higher income inequality, suggesting that income inequality may not be a reliable predictor of population health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Rhode Island·JournalJournal of Health Population and Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateApr 19, 2023

Study shows involuntary displacement of people experiencing homelessness may cause significant spikes in mortality, overdoses and hospitalizations

A new model shows that encampment sweeps, bans and move-along-orders contribute to 15-25% increase in deaths among people experiencing homelessness over a 10-year period. Involuntary displacement is linked to increased overdose deaths, hospitalizations, injection-related infections and hindered access to medications.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJAMA·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 10, 2023

Cold is beneficial for healthy aging

Research reveals that cold activates cellular cleansing mechanisms that break down protein clumps, preventing age-related diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. By modulating proteasome activity, scientists have found a potential therapeutic target for aging and related neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Aging·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 3, 2023

Older Black men are likelier to die after surgery than others, particularly following elective procedures, new UCLA research suggests

Researchers found that Black men have a higher mortality rate after surgery compared to other groups, with a 50% higher risk of death after elective procedures. The study suggests that structural racism, poor pre-operative care, and exposure to toxins may contribute to these disparities.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalThe BMJ·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 1, 2023

How does a person’s ethnicity impact their risk of death?

A new UK Biobank study analyzes data on nearly half a million participants and finds that Asian and Black groups have lower all-cause mortality rates compared to White groups. The study also identifies specific risk factors associated with each ethnic group, such as mental health diagnoses for Asians and parasitic diseases for Blacks.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 23, 2023

Living in a violent setting can result in a shorter, but also a more unpredictable lifespan, according to new research from NYU Abu Dhabi social scientists

A study published in Science Advances found a direct link between violence and lifetime uncertainty, which is measured as the spread in age at death. The researchers analyzed mortality data for 162 countries and found that the most violent countries have the lowest life expectancy and highest lifetime uncertainty.

SourceNew York University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 3, 2023

Life in a violent country can be years shorter and much less predictable – even for those not involved in conflict

A new study reveals that violent countries have significantly shorter life expectancies and more unpredictable lives, affecting both young people and women. The study finds a direct link between violence and lifetime uncertainty, highlighting the need to consider indirect effects of violence on mortality patterns.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 3, 2023

Vitamin D deficiency linked to premature death

A new study from the University of South Australia found that severe vitamin D deficiency is associated with a higher risk of mortality. The research evaluated 307,601 records from the UK Biobank and found that individuals with low vitamin D levels had a significantly decreased risk of death over a 14-year follow-up period.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 25, 2022

COVID-19: life expectancy mostly continued to decline in 2021

A study by Max Planck Researcher Jonas Schöley and colleagues found that life expectancy continued to decline globally in 2021, with differences between Eastern and Western Europe widening. However, vaccination efforts helped mitigate mortality shocks in some countries, particularly those with robust healthcare systems.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 24, 2022