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Medicaid expansion improved insurance stability for low-income pregnant women

A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that Medicaid expansion reduces the percentage of low-income women going uninsured or changing insurance plans during pregnancy and postpartum. The findings suggest that expanding Medicaid can improve access to care and reduce adverse events for pregnant women.

Ear infections discovered in remains of humans living in levant 15,000 years ago

Researchers discovered evidence of ear infections in 15,000-year-old human remains from the Levant, peaking around 6,000 years ago due to environmental factors. The study suggests that changes in living conditions, such as increased population density and poor hygiene, contributed to the prevalence of ear infections.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology·DateMay 26, 2020

Aging in good health: The inequalities are widening

Researchers found that life expectancy in Switzerland has increased, but the country's population who only attended compulsory schooling are living longer in poor health. The gap between men and women is also widening, with women experiencing a smaller increase in healthy years due to their higher life expectancy

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalInternational Journal of Public Health·DateNov 11, 2019

One in 270 births have 'dual burden' of prematurity and severe maternal complications

Research from NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing finds that one in 270 births experience both premature birth and severe maternal complications. The study, which examined data from California births between 2007-2012, also reveals racial disparities in health outcomes, with Black women twice as likely to have a dual burden birth.

SourceNew York University·JournalThe Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine·DateJul 17, 2019

Mental disorders more common in people who live alone

Research found that living alone is positively associated with common mental disorders across all ages and sexes. The prevalence of people living alone was linked to an increased risk of mental health issues, with loneliness explaining 84% of the association.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 1, 2019

Life-threatening birth complication rate increasing across US racial, ethnic groups

A recent NIH-funded analysis of California hospital records found a significant increase in severe maternal morbidity among US women from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. The study revealed substantial disparities in life-threatening birth complications, with non-Hispanic black women facing the highest rates.

Study of nearly 41,000 women who almost died giving birth shows who's most at risk

A new study analyzing nearly 40,000 hospital stays found that women of color and those with pre-existing health conditions had higher rates of severe maternal morbidity. The study highlights the importance of targeted prevention efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in care for women around the time of delivery.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateOct 10, 2018

Recommendation statement on behavioral weight loss interventions to prevent obesity-related health problems, death in adults

The USPSTF recommends intensive behavioral interventions focusing on dietary changes and increased physical activity for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher. Obesity is associated with increased risks of coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, various types of cancer, disability, and death, particularly among adults younger than 65 years.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateSep 18, 2018

HIV RNA expression inhibitors may restore immune function in HIV-infected individuals

A study by Boston University School of Medicine researchers suggests that HIV RNA expression inhibitors can diminish atypical inflammation and restore immune function in HIV-infected individuals on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Chronic viral infection leads to immune activation, causing non-AIDS complications such as cardi...

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 27, 2018

World's first series of robot-assisted tracheobronchoplasty shows promise for successful treatment of tracheobronchomalacia

A new study presents the world's first series of robot-assisted tracheobronchoplasty, a minimally invasive procedure that expands treatment options for patients with tracheobronchomalacia. The results show significant improvement in pulmonary function tests and patient satisfaction, with low morbidity and mortality rates.

Researchers find differences in infant morbidity-mortality rates in NYC hospitals

A study of NYC hospitals found that black and Hispanic preterm infants are more likely to be born at hospitals with higher morbidity-mortality rates, contributing to racial disparities in neonatal deaths and severe complications. These differences explained 39.9% of the black-white disparity and 29.5% of the Hispanic-white disparity in...

Study examines survival of very low birthweight babies

A new study published in Acta Paediatrica indicates that survival rates for babies born weighing 500g are alarmingly low. Short-term morbidity is prevalent among surviving infants, with retinopathy of prematurity and chronic lung disease being common issues.

SourceWiley·JournalActa Paediatrica·DateSep 27, 2017

New AATS consensus statement highlights safety of surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery has released a new consensus statement on surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation, emphasizing its safety and effectiveness in reducing early death and late stroke risk. The guidelines also recommend hybrid procedures, optimal ablation tools, and standardized training.

SourceAmerican Association for Thoracic Surgery·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·DateApr 19, 2017

Broader definition of 'severe maternal morbidity' could identify women at risk for pregnancy complications earlier, Penn study finds

A new Penn study proposes a broader definition of severe maternal morbidity to better identify high-risk patients, leading to improved care and lives saved. The expanded definition includes conditions such as postpartum readmission and significant blood loss, which accounted for most of the difference between restricted and expanded de...

Outcomes improve for extremely preterm infants

Survival rates for extremely preterm infants have increased significantly over the past 20 years, with improvements in maternal/neonatal care leading to reduced complications and mortality. The study found that survival without major complications increased approximately 2 percent per year for infants at 25 to 28 weeks' gestation.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateSep 8, 2015