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Return on investment slipping in biomedical research

Despite significant investment in biomedical research, progress on life expectancy gains and new drug approvals has slowed down, researchers found. The number of new drugs approved by the FDA has increased only a little more than two-fold since 1965, while life expectancy gains have remained constant at roughly two months per year.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2015

Women, blacks face larger loss of life expectancy after heart attack

According to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, women and black patients who experience a heart attack lose significantly more years of their expected life compared to white men. The researchers found that these disparities are not due to differences in comorbidities or treatment utilization.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateAug 3, 2015

The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology: Obesity may shorten life expectancy by up to 8 years and cut healthy life by up to 19 years

A study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found that obesity is associated with a dramatic increase in risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. As a result, adults who are overweight or obese may lose up to 19 years of healthy life, while those who are very obese may lose up to 8 years.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateDec 4, 2014

Three hours of life per euro

A study found that each additional euro spent on pensions and public health insurance in Eastern Germany increased life expectancy by 3 hours. Public health care had a greater impact, contributing 2.5 times more to life expectancy than pension payments.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalThe Journal of the Economics of Ageing·DateOct 15, 2014

Nutrition an issue for Indigenous Australians

A study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health found that nutrition was not given enough priority in national Aboriginal health policy between 2000 and 2012. The research identified a significant gap in life expectancy, with Indigenous Australians living 11.5 years less than non-Aboriginal Australians.

SourceWiley·JournalAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health·DateAug 6, 2014

Marginal life expectancy benefit from contralateral prophylactic mastectomy

A recent study published in JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) may confer only a marginal life expectancy benefit depending on the type and stage of cancer. The procedure was more beneficial for younger women and those with stage I and ER-negative breast cancer.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 16, 2014

A healthy lifestyle adds years to life

Researchers found that an individual with unhealthy habits, such as smoking and physical inactivity, has a 2.5-fold higher mortality risk than one who maintains a healthy lifestyle. The study's findings have significant implications for health policy and prevention strategies for non-communicable diseases.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateJul 8, 2014

UK study shows improvements in life expectancy in type 1 diabetes which should now be reflected in life insurance and other relevant policies for those with the condition

A UK study found improved life expectancy for people with type 1 diabetes, particularly among younger individuals. The research suggests that this improvement should be reflected in life insurance policies, but gaps in life expectancy remain between the T1DM population and general populations.

Americans living longer, more healthy lives

Researchers found that the average American can expect to live 2.4 more years with a healthy life, while a 65-year-old person gains 1.7 quality years. The study also identified troubling trends, including an increase in anxiety and problems with walking among younger Americans.

SourceUMass Chan Medical School·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateSep 12, 2013

Living the good life, longer

A new study by Harvard researchers found that Americans can look forward to over two extra years of healthy life compared to the past. The study analyzed data from multiple government-sponsored health surveys and found improvements in overall health, with reduced symptoms of disease and increased vitality.

SourceHarvard University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateSep 12, 2013

Long-lived mice are less active

A study published in PLOS ONE found that long-lived female house mice are less active than shorter-lived counterparts, consuming less food and displaying reactive personality traits. The researchers suggest that life-history theory predicts individuals with greater life expectancy to be more cautious and energy-conserving.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 4, 2013

Surgery for nonfatal skin cancers might not be best for elderly patients

A new UCSF study urges doctors to consider patient risks and benefits when treating benign skin cancers in elderly patients, who may endure complications but not live long enough to benefit from treatment. The study found that most non-melanoma skin cancers were treated surgically, despite limited life expectancy or tumor recurrence ri...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 29, 2013