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An emergency department-based ICU improves survival without raising costs, study finds

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that the Emergency Critical Care Center within an emergency department improved patient survival rates without increasing costs. The ED-ICU model reduced total direct cost per encounter by 22.1% for critically ill patients, likely due to early, coordinated critical care.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 28, 2022

Study finds different comorbidities have different impacts on COVID outcomes

A new study found that certain pre-existing conditions have a more significant impact on COVID-19 outcomes than previously thought. Researchers developed a novel prediction model, PDeathDx, which outperformed conventional models and identified degenerative neurological diseases, dementia, and severe disabilities as major risk factors.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalBiology Methods and Protocols·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 27, 2022

Study shows how turtles fared decade after oil spill

Researchers confirm that turtles rehabilitated in the aftermath of the Kalamazoo River oil spill had high long-term survival rates, with up to 11 years post-spill showing nearly imperceptible differences in monthly survival probability. The study's findings suggest that rehabilitation efforts increased the monthly survival probability ...

SourceUniversity of Toledo·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 27, 2022

As few as 1 in 5 COVID cases may have been counted worldwide, mathematical models suggest

Mathematical models suggest that only 1 in 5 COVID-19 cases were counted worldwide, resulting in an estimated 600 million to 2.4 billion actual cases globally. The wide range of estimated cases highlights the problems with accuracy of reported numbers due to data tampering, inconsistent reporting, and lack of uniformity.

New study shows higher death toll among Puerto Ricans following Hurricane Maria than reported following 2017 disaster

A new University of Toronto study finds an additional 514 deaths should be added to the official Hurricane Maria death toll due to displaced Puerto Ricans in the US. The study suggests undercounting and highlights the need for equitable disaster preparedness and cross-jurisdiction data sharing.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalBMJ Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 22, 2022

New MIT Sloan research identifies which countries may be better positioned to accept a “new normal” of living with COVID-19

Researchers at MIT Sloan School of Management studied 93 countries and found more than half willing to tolerate higher death rates without NPIs. The US, however, may face high daily death rates exceeding 1,000 per day during winter months if past responsiveness continues.

SourceMIT Sloan School of Management·JournalSystem Dynamics Review·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 21, 2022

Drug overdose deaths during pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened racial disparities in drug overdose death rates in the United States, with Hispanic and American Indian populations bearing the greatest burden. Researchers analyzed data from 2020 to 2021 and found that these groups experienced significantly higher overdose death rates compared to non-Hispanic whites.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 20, 2022

COVID-19 took serious toll on Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander mental and physical health

Two UC Riverside-led studies found 30% of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders diagnosed with COVID-19 and nearly 1 in 5 reported a close family member's death due to the virus. The research also highlighted high levels of substance use, depression, anxiety, and unmet treatment need among NH/PIs during COVID-19.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPublic Health Reports·TypeSurvey·DateSep 16, 2022

Significant increase in suicide rates in women and younger age groups during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan

A study by Hokkaido University researchers found a significant increase in suicide rates among women and younger age groups during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Excess suicide deaths for men and women were recorded, with sub-group analyses revealing a positive correlation between increased mortality and specific age ranges.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 13, 2022

New study reveals a widening gap in diabetes-related mortality between urban and rural areas in the USA

A new study reveals a widening gap in diabetes-related mortality between urban and rural areas in the USA, with significant disparities seen in male and younger patients. The study found that reductions in mortality rates in urban areas were mainly limited to female and older patients, while outcomes worsened for male and younger indiv...

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetologia·DateSep 10, 2022

Dedicated women’s heart centers can improve accurate diagnoses and outcomes

A prospective study in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found that dedicated women's heart centers can significantly improve clinical and psychological outcomes for women with myocardial ischemia. The study, which followed 154 patients, showed a significant decrease in chest pain frequency and improved quality of life after attending...

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 7, 2022

Young-onset type 2 diabetes linked to substantially higher relative risk of cardiovascular disease and death, finds study of 1.9 million adults

A new study of 1.9 million adults found that young-onset type 2 diabetes is associated with a substantially higher relative risk of cardiovascular disease and death. Individuals diagnosed with early-onset T2D aged 40 or younger had five times more likelihood to develop heart disease, seven times more likely to be hospitalized with hear...

How can a welfare state boost population health?

Researchers found a negative correlation between age-standardized death rates and levels of decommodification in 21 OECD countries. Decreased labor market polarization and risk were associated with improved population health, particularly in men.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateAug 31, 2022

Many types of leisure time activities may lower risk of death for older adults

Older adults who engage in weekly leisure time activities such as walking, jogging, or playing tennis may have a lower risk of death from any cause, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Achieving recommended physical activity levels through various activities can lead to significant reductions in mortality risk.

SourceNIH/National Cancer Institute·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 24, 2022

New research shows that women with pulmonary hypertension have chance at safe pregnancy thanks to advanced cross-specialty care at Temple University hospital

Researchers at Temple University hospital found that maternal-fetal mortality can be reduced to zero through patient-tailored management of right heart function prior to delivery. Women with pulmonary hypertension who received specialized care had excellent outcomes, with 100% survival for mothers and infants.

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease·DateAug 23, 2022

Child deaths by gun violence during pandemic

The study suggests that COVID-19's direct mortality effects on children may be comparable to the magnitude of indirect outcomes from gun violence. The authors noted a possible increase in gun-related deaths among children due to factors like psychological and economic strain during the pandemic.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 4, 2022

Geographic trends in opioid overdoses in US

Research found significant geographic disparities in opioid overdose death rates between US counties, with rural areas experiencing much higher rates. Between 1999 and 2020, rural overdose deaths increased by 4.5-fold, while urban rates rose by only 2.3 times.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 28, 2022

Study on time restricted eating reveals limiting food intake to daytime shows promising beneficial metabolic effects in adults with type 2 diabetes

A new study published in Diabetologia finds that limiting food intake to a 10-hour window during the day improves metabolic health in adults with type 2 diabetes. The research, conducted by Prof Patrick Schrauwen and colleagues, shows a decrease in 24-hour glucose levels and an increase in time spent with normal blood glucose levels.

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetologia·DateJul 25, 2022

US youth firearm mortality increases over the past decade; trends differ significantly across states

A study published in American Journal of Medicine Open found that gun death rates among US children increased by 30% from 2010 to 2019. States with stronger gun control laws, such as New York and California, saw a decrease in youth firearm mortality rates, suggesting that policies can impact the epidemic of youth suicides.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Medicine Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 19, 2022

High blood viscosity can predict higher risk of death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Hospitalized COVID-19 patients with high blood viscosity have a 60% higher death rate than those with low blood viscosity. The study suggests that checking for blood viscosity early on could help determine the best treatment course and improve outcomes.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateJul 18, 2022

Where and when violent crime rates fall, heart disease deaths fall, too

A new analysis of data from Chicago shows that as violent crime decreases, so does the area's death rate from heart disease. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found a significant decline in cardiovascular disease mortality when violent crime declined by more than 10%.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 14, 2022

Both heat and cold increase risk of death in England and Wales but rates vary across geographical areas and population groups

A new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that heat and cold exposure are associated with substantial excess mortality in England and Wales. London had the highest heat-related mortality rate, while the risk of death from cold was highest in Northern England, Wales, and the South West.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·DateJul 6, 2022