Research on death rates and what drives them. Covers cancer-linked stroke, COVID underreporting, hemoglobin levels, and education and survival.
A large-scale Chinese study found that frequent socializing was associated with significantly longer survival in older adults. Those who socialized nearly every day had the greatest likelihood of living longer, with a 42% delay in time to death compared to those who never socialized.
A new study shows that transcatheter mitral valve repair significantly reduces hospitalizations by almost 50 percent and death by nearly 30 percent in heart failure patients with severe mitral regurgitation. The procedure, using Abbott's MitraClip system, improves symptoms, reduces hospitalizations, and leads to longer survival.
Lung cancer death rates are projected to decrease overall in the EU and UK in 2023, however, a concerning trend is observed among women in France, Italy, and Spain. Meanwhile, pancreatic cancer death rates are forecasted to rise among women due to continued smoking habits.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that participating in home-based cardiac rehabilitation was associated with a 36% lower likelihood of death from heart-related complications among US military veterans within four years. The study analyzed data from 1,120 veterans who enrolled in a 12-week hom...
A new study found that social workers experienced high rates of depression, PTSD, and anxiety during the pandemic, with 40% reporting depression - a rate 4 times higher than the general population. The study highlights the need for trauma-informed approaches and strong mental health supports for staff to sustain the profession.
A study of US adults found that Black men have a 50% higher death rate within 30 days of elective surgery compared to White men and women. The researchers highlight the need for better understanding of challenges facing Black men requiring surgery in the US.
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.
A new study finds that rising temperatures will increase harmful plant emissions and dust, leading to a 14% boost in air pollution. The degradation in future air quality from natural sources is predicted to be significant, with two-thirds of the pollution coming from plants.
A 40-year study reveals the loss of a key grazer species threatens diverse coral species in the Caribbean. The prolonged absence of sea urchins has led to an explosion of algae, causing coral cover to drop to historic lows.
A study of 3.7 million adults in California found long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) at moderate concentrations is associated with increased risks of heart attack and cardiovascular disease mortality. The findings suggest the current regulatory standard may not be sufficiently protective.
New research reveals that excess weight or obesity is more deadly than previously thought, with about 1 in 6 US deaths related to it. The study challenges the 'obesity paradox' and highlights the pitfalls of using body mass index (BMI) as a health metric.
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.
A study finds that aggressive end-of-life care remains common among older adults with metastatic cancer, particularly in nursing home residents. Multilevel interventions targeting hospital admissions and in-hospital death are crucial to reducing its prevalence.
A recent study found that metformin users had distinct DNA methylation profiles compared to non-users, potentially revealing its role in longevity. The research identified several pathways related to delirium and aging, highlighting the need for further investigation into metformin's mechanism of action.
A study of 4,000 middle-age workers reveals a link between sustained low hourly wages and elevated all-cause mortality risk. The findings suggest that improving the financial standing of low-wage workers through policies like minimum wage laws could lead to better mortality outcomes.
Research reveals a staggering increase in US methamphetamine-related deaths, with most linked to heroin or fentanyl co-use. The number of deaths attributed to methamphetamine increased 50-fold between 1999 and 2021, with many fatal combinations involving fentanyl.
A Chinese Medical Journal study analyzed the temporal and spatial distribution of epilepsy across China, finding significant increases in incidence and prevalence rates between 1990 and 2019. The study also showed a general decrease in age-standardized DALY rates with increasing socio-demographic index.
A multinational study of over 600,000 heart failure patients found that the disease is relatively fatal, with an average annual death rate of 13%, and results in high healthcare costs. The study also identified new treatment opportunities for heart failure with preserved left ventricular function.
A recent study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that socioeconomic deprivation and frailty are independently associated with increased late mortality in childhood cancer survivors. The research highlights the importance of policies to improve local environments and access to interventions that may improve health conditions.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Surgery found that patients undergoing liver surgery fare better in higher-volume hospitals. In-hospital mortality rates were lower in these facilities, with a rate of 2.8%, compared to 3% in lower-volume hospitals.
A 15-year study found that group practice of Transcendental Meditation and its advanced aspect, TM-Sidhi, may help counter the rising trends in US drug overdose deaths. The study estimated that 34,194 drug-related fatalities may have been averted as a result of the decline in drug-related fatality rate during the demonstration phase.
A large-scale observational study from China demonstrates a strong link between ideal cardiovascular health and lower mortality rates. Individuals with higher scores on behavioral and medical factors had approximately a 50% lower risk of all-cause, CVD, and respiratory mortality compared to those with lower scores.
A new study finds that Mexican American stroke survivors are less likely to receive intensive rehabilitation services compared to non-Hispanic white peers. Nearly one-third of all stroke survivors in the study did not receive any rehabilitation within 90 days of their stroke.
Researchers found increased rates of pregnancy-associated deaths in the US from 2018 to 2020, with no significant decline. The pandemic contributed to these changes, with rates rising due to various causes including drugs, homicide, and suicide.
Characteristics of a patient's neighborhood and hospital where they received treatment are both associated with risk of death after inpatient surgical procedures. Efforts should include improving hospital quality and addressing drivers of neighborhood deprivation to reduce postoperative mortality.
A Hong Kong study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal found a 90% reduction in COVID-19 deaths among adults with multimorbidity who received a booster dose of vaccine. The study, which included over 120,000 participants, suggests that booster vaccination can significantly lower mortality rates in vulnerable populations.
As abortion restrictions take effect, acute care surgeons should prepare to treat complications such as infection, haemorrhage, and injury to the uterus, bowel, bladder, and circulatory system. Experts argue that providers have an ethical duty to protect patient privacy and not report complications to law enforcement.
Among U.S. children and teenagers, COVID-19 was the 8th leading cause of death in a two-year period, highlighting its significant mortality burden. The study suggests that underreporting and incomplete accounting for COVID-19's role in deaths from other diseases may have underestimated its true impact.
A new study finds COVID-19 was the top underlying cause of death from infectious disease among children and young people aged 0–19 years. The risk of death from COVID-19 was substantially lower compared to other age groups, but still a significant concern, with over 1,300 child deaths attributed to the virus in the US.
The study analyzed all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates among pregnant and recently pregnant women in the US. It found significant racial and ethnic disparities in mortality rates, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address health inequities.
A recent study reveals that Native Americans have the highest rates of mortality from deaths of despair, including suicide, drug overdoses, and alcoholic liver disease. In contrast, white communities are often portrayed as being disproportionately affected by this phenomenon.
A higher rate of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) was observed among siblings of children who died of SIDS compared to the general population. Shared genetic and/or environmental factors may contribute to this clustering of SIDS, warranting consideration of family history in clinical assessments.
A new study found significant reductions in death rates from all causes and specific conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer after bariatric surgery. Younger patients who underwent bariatric surgery were at increased risk of death from suicide, while mortality rates for males and females decreased significantly.
The number of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the US rose significantly between 2019 and 2020, with Asian, Black and Hispanic populations most affected. The largest single-year increase since 2015 was seen in CVD deaths among these populations, highlighting structural and societal disparities.
A UK study found that people with type 2 diabetes have substantially higher cancer mortality rates than the general population. Breast cancer mortality in younger women with T2D is rising, highlighting the need for extended screening, better management of diabetes and its complications, and improved cancer treatments.
Researchers found that regional factors such as ambient humidity, temperatures, population mobility, and household incomes significantly impact COVID-19 mortality rates. The study revealed that high humidity, low average temperatures, intensive migration, and higher incomes are associated with increased mortality.
A 30-year US study found that adults with head injuries had a twice higher mortality rate than those without. Those with severe head injuries experienced nearly tripled mortality rates.
A new study by a Penn State-led research team found that the intensification of crop use led to changes in age-independent mortality rates in pre-colonial North America. The first stage of agricultural intensification coincided with lower age-independent mortality, while the second stage was associated with a rise in it.
A new study reveals that US pregnancies are shorter than those in England and the Netherlands, with average lengths declining by over half a week between 1990 and 2020. This finding suggests that reducing medical interventions during the birthing process could improve maternity care outcomes in the US.
Recent national data analyzed by leading cardiology and cardiothoracic surgical researchers found that the rate of successful repair has reached over 90% in the US, with an extremely low risk of mortality across nearly all age ranges. A novel risk model was developed to predict 30-day outcomes based on patient health conditions.
A study by Kennesaw State University researcher Weiwei Chen found that COVID surges led to poorer outcomes for non-COVID patients in hospitals overwhelmed with COVID cases. The odds of an in-hospital death were 1.2 times higher among non-COVID patients than before the pandemic.
A study by US Department of Agriculture scientists has identified a specific metabolic pathway controlling energy and immune response in honey bees under cold stress. This pathway is strongly connected to large overwintering colony losses, making it a promising avenue for new therapeutic strategies to mitigate these losses.
Pakistan's health challenges have been compounded by natural disasters, including the 2022 floods, which affected over 33 million people. The country is experiencing a slowdown in reducing maternal and child mortality, high fertility rates, and persistent gender disparities.
A recent study from West Virginia University found that states permitting nurse practitioners to exercise full practice authority (FPA) tend to have a more diverse and racially aligned NP workforce. In FPA states, Black NPs serve 2.8% more Black Medicare beneficiaries than in non-FPA states.
Researchers found that older adults who are comfortable traveling short distances have higher risks of functional disability and mortality. A study in Japan linked acceptable walking and cycling distances to future health outcomes, providing valuable insights for policymakers and researchers.
A recent study found that transfusion of COVID-19 convalescent plasma is associated with reduced mortality in immunocompromised patients. The research suggests this therapy may be beneficial for these patients, who are at high risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19.
The meta-analysis of 47 studies and 1 million patients suggests a vital role for social determinants of health variables in developing strategies to achieve equity. Incorporating these variables can significantly impact prostate cancer–specific mortality and overall survival among men with prostate cancer.
A large study found that greater adherence to healthy eating patterns was associated with a lower risk of total and cause-specific mortality. The study followed 119,000 participants over 36 years and showed consistent associations across different racial and ethnic groups.
A recent analysis found a dramatic decline in stroke mortality between 1975 and 2019, but the trend is reversing due to an aging population. Despite this, researchers warn that total stroke fatalities will rise as millennials age, highlighting the need for novel strategies to combat the trend.
A study by Colorado State University found that over 10% of adult female golden-mantled ground squirrels are killed annually along rural roads in the Gunnison Valley. The researchers suggest reducing personal vehicle numbers and using digital signs to alert drivers, as males are also vulnerable during mating season.
The American College of Physicians recommends bisphosphonates as initial pharmacologic treatment to reduce fracture risk in osteoporosis patients. Long-term use may increase risks, so treatment duration should be limited to 5 years or less.
A study in Serrana, Brazil showed that mass vaccination reduced severe cases and death rates even while gamma and delta variants were circulating. Vaccination coverage reached 80% of the target population.
Firearm-related deaths among children and adolescents show racial and ethnic disparities, with Black youths bearing the highest burden. The study reveals a recent increase in mortality rates, potentially linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest.
Researchers developed a method to estimate seroprevalence using blood donation samples, offering insights into the first year of the COVID-19 epidemic in Brazil. The study found significant differences among regions and subgroups, highlighting the need for real-time tracking and forecasting of future waves.
A large real-world study has confirmed that COVID-19 vaccination is more effective than natural immunity in preventing death, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits for any cause. Vaccinated individuals had a 37% lower risk of all-cause death and hospital admission rates compared to those with natural immunity.
A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry finds that patients with treatment-resistant depression have a 23% higher risk of death, as well as significantly more outpatient care and hospitalization days. The researchers emphasize the importance of identifying patients at risk of developing treatment-resistant depression to improve their ...
A new analysis of firearm death rates in the US reveals that Black men are disproportionately affected by homicide, while white men are more likely to die by suicide. The study, which analyzed data from 1981 to 2020, also shows that minority populations bear a disproportionate burden of years lost due to premature death.
Researchers found that participants who lived alone and reported strong cohesion with their neighbors had a similar risk of death compared to those living with others. Living alone is associated with various poor health outcomes, including depression, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and premature death.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that nearly 90% of deceased individuals at a Zambian morgue were infected with COVID-19, contradicting previous assertions that the virus spared Africa. The study suggests that the reported death toll in Africa is substantially higher than official records indicate.
A new study found that people with alcohol use disorders who are injured severely enough to require hospital treatment have a fivefold increased risk of dying in the next year. This association was found in over 13,000 patients, with a total mortality rate nearly five times higher than the general California population.