Research on death rates and what drives them. Covers cancer-linked stroke, COVID underreporting, hemoglobin levels, and education and survival.
A new review published in Addiction confirms that drinking causes substantial harm to health, including reversibility through reduced or stopped consumption. The review concludes that the harms of alcohol outweigh any potential benefits, highlighting a major cause of disease and injury.
New research links excessive weight gain across adulthood to increased risks of various obesity-related cancers, including liver and colon cancer. The study found that steeper weight gain was associated with higher incidence rates.
A recent study by ISGlobal and BSC-CNS reveals that combined short-term exposure to major air pollutants in Europe is associated with approximately 146,500 premature deaths per year. Fine particles (PM₂.₅) are the most harmful pollutant, linked to around 79,000 preventable deaths.
Researchers found a sustained reduction in colorectal cancer incidence and death associated with single flexible sigmoidoscopy screening, particularly in men. The study suggests that this screening method can provide long-lasting benefits beyond the usual 15-year screening age range.
In patients with symptomatic rheumatic heart disease, digoxin significantly reduced the risk of a composite of all-cause death or new-onset or worsening heart failure. The treatment had little risk of toxicity, making it a promising therapeutic option for these patients.
Treatment with digitalis glycosides reduces worsening heart failure events in HFmrEF and HFrEF patients, suggesting its use as additional therapy to reduce worsening heart failure events. The study found no significant interaction with other important study characteristics.
The US experienced substantially higher death rates than other high-income countries between 1999 and 2022, despite having comparable access to medical technology. These excess deaths could be avoided by adopting successful health and social policies from other high-income countries.
The US had substantially higher death rates between 1999 and 2022 compared to other wealthy nations, with cardiovascular diseases being the leading cause of excess mortality. An estimated 12.7 million US deaths could have been averted during this period if US mortality rates mirrored those of its peers.
A clinical trial found that adding molecular tests on urine and stool samples did not speed up treatment initiation or reduce mortality in hospitalized patients with HIV. The study showed no significant difference in treatment initiation within 72 hours between the expanded screening group and the standard group.
A study by ISGlobal reveals that regions with greater socioeconomic inequalities are more affected by cold weather, while areas with higher levels of wealth face a greater risk from high temperatures. The research quantifies the impact of socioeconomic factors on temperature-related mortality across 32 European countries.
A recent study found a one-year mortality rate of 8.6% among opioid overdose survivors, significantly higher than previous estimates. The study also revealed that 21.2% of individuals experienced repeat overdoses within the same year.
A new study suggests that both very low and very high resting heart rates are associated with an increased risk of stroke. The research found a U-shaped pattern, with stroke risk lowest at heart rates of 60-69 bpm and highest at below 50 bpm or above 90 bpm.
A retrospective study found lower in-hospital mortality and emergency department use within 30 days of discharge for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing hospital at home compared to traditional inpatient care. However, hospital readmissions within 30 days showed no significant difference between the two approaches.
A new Northwestern University study found that 60% of paternal deaths in Georgia between 2017 and 2022 were preventable, resulting from homicide, accidental injury, suicide, or overdose. The study also revealed that fatherhood appears to be protective for men, with lower death rates among those who are fathers.
A cohort study found that poor housing affordability was associated with higher risks of frailty, disability, dementia, and mortality, while poor housing quality was linked to increased risks of frailty, disability, and mortality. Housing insecurity is identified as a clinically relevant social determinant of health among older persons.
A new study found a clear shift in mortality trends in multiple myeloma closely parallels major therapeutic advances. Targeted therapies, including immunomodulatory drugs and CAR T-cell therapies, have significantly improved disease control and induced deep responses.
Researchers identified ten previously unknown symptoms strongly associated with eclampsia, including twitching and impaired speech. These symptoms were rare among women without seizures but frequently occurred before an episode, increasing the risk of seizures.
A new study found that US children experience higher all-cause mortality than peers in other high-income nations, with a gap of over 800,000 excess child deaths between 1975 and 2023. The mortality disadvantage is now concentrated among older adolescents, particularly males.
A new study by Femida Handy and Sara Konrath found that voting is associated with reduced mortality risk in older adults for up to 15 years. Voting predicts a lower risk of mortality, even when the candidate loses, suggesting that voting itself is more important than who was voted for.
A new study analyzing Mount Everest expeditions spanning more than a century has found that death rates among climbers have declined significantly in recent decades. The research highlights improvements in safety measures such as fixed ropes, better weather forecasting, and increased oversight among climbing teams.
A cross-sectional study of patients with de novo metastatic breast cancer found racial and ethnic disparities in disease presentation. De novo metastatic breast cancer disproportionately contributes to breast cancer mortality in the U.S., emphasizing the need for tailored interventions to improve care delivery and outcomes.
A cross-sectional study found a substantial increase in medication use for opioid use disorder among Medicaid beneficiaries, potentially contributing to reductions in overdose deaths. The study suggests that expanding access to medications for opioid use disorder may be an effective strategy to address the opioid crisis.
The study found significant reductions in suicide mortality among adolescents and young adults after the US launched its 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Larger reductions were observed in states with the highest adoption of the 988 Lifeline services.
A new study found that cancer types with high lethality receive lower federal research funding, prioritizing these cancers could help direct resources to diseases with greatest potential to reduce suffering. Additionally, certain cancers have a disproportionate impact on underserved populations and quality-of-life burden.
A nationally representative study found nearly 1 in 10 U.S. adults with heavy drinking and obesity conditions, highlighting the need for preventive efforts in younger and middle-aged adults without insurance or Medicaid coverage to curb rising rates of alcohol-associated liver disease deaths.
A study of 1,338 older adults found that longer, more frequent, and morning naps were associated with higher mortality rates. Excessive daytime napping was linked to increased risk of neurodegeneration, cardiovascular diseases, and greater morbidity.
Primary care-based discussions on reproductive goals, immunizations, and risk-reducing interventions optimize pregnancy outcomes. Prepregnancy counseling reduces maternal morbidity and mortality, while also promoting healthy fetal development.
A nationwide study reveals that individuals with lower educational attainment are more likely to die from colorectal cancer at a younger age. The disparity in young-onset CRC mortality nearly doubled over the past three decades among those with 12 years or less education compared to those with 16 or more years of education.
A study estimates annual mortality rates among US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees between 2004 and 2026. The analysis reveals notable shifts in age and cause of death patterns over the two-decade period, providing valuable insights into the health risks faced by this population.
Adults aged 75 or older without adenoma on prior colonoscopy have lower risk of subsequent colorectal cancer and CRC death. Despite this, those with prior adenoma may consider deprioritizing surveillance colonoscopy relative to other health concerns.
Research suggests that individuals with more siblings may experience lower rates of mental health medication purchases after a parental death, particularly among women. The study analyzed data from Finland and found that those with fewer siblings were more likely to purchase psychotropic medications in the year before and after their m...
A nationwide Japanese trial found that catheter ablation did not reduce the risk of recurrent stroke or major cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation who had recently experienced a stroke. The study, which enrolled 251 patients and followed them for over three years, suggests that routine addition of catheter ablatio...
A new analysis estimates that exposure to di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) contributed to 1.97 million preterm births in 2018, equivalent to 8% of global total. The study also linked DEHP to 74,000 newborn deaths and found a significant health burden across regions with rapidly growing plastics industries.
Early and continuous acoramidis treatment resulted in sustained incremental reductions in all-cause mortality, cardiovascular-related mortality, and first cardiovascular hospitalization. The findings support the importance of early and continuous long-term treatment with acoramidis in transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy.
A longitudinal analysis of 42,000 participants found higher bone lead levels associated with significantly increased cardiovascular disease mortality risk. The study highlights the urgent need for strengthened surveillance, regulation, and remediation to reduce the lead-attributable burden worldwide.
Patients with atrial fibrillation have a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events, including stroke, heart attack, and cardiac arrest. Serum neurofilament light chain levels can serve as a biomarker for cardiovascular risk in these patients.
A post hoc analysis of the Finerenone Trial reveals that sudden death in heart failure was often preceded by modest worsening of symptoms and declining quality of life. The study suggests limited specificity for sudden death among other modes of death, implying a complex trajectory before modes of death.
Researchers developed a machine learning model to predict 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis complicated by acute respiratory failure. The model demonstrated strong discrimination for predicting mortality, with key variables including oxygenation indices, serum albumin levels, and disease severity scores.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that consistently meeting physical activity guidelines throughout middle age reduces women's risk of dying from any cause by half. The study, which tracked over 11,000 Australian women, also found strong benefits for cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality.
Global maternal deaths fell to 240,000 in 2023, but progress has slowed in recent years and remains uneven across countries. Improvements in access to quality care could substantially reduce mortality, particularly in high-burden regions.
Multiple sclerosis prevalence more than doubled in England's healthcare system over 30 years, while survival rates increased. Lifestyle factors, including tobacco use and socioeconomic deprivation, were significantly associated with mortality.
A new study found that walking pace is a strong predictor of mortality risk, especially in people with existing health conditions. Combining walking pace with other physical measures improved mortality predictions, suggesting a simple and cost-effective way to identify high-risk individuals.
A statewide cohort study found childhood mortality is significantly higher among children bereaved by parental drug overdose, homicide, and suicide. Parental homicide was associated with the highest risk of mortality in children, highlighting the need for research into potential explanations such as family restructuring and mental health.
A new study has estimated pediatric sepsis in the US, revealing a significant impact on pediatric hospitalizations. The study found that sepsis affects approximately 1.3% of hospitalizations, resulting in over 18,000 cases and more than 1,800 deaths annually.
A new study found that over 155,000 US deaths between March 2020 and December 2021 were not officially recorded as COVID-19 deaths, highlighting critical gaps in the death investigation system. These unrecognized deaths disproportionately affected certain populations, including racial and ethnic minorities.
Patients with type 2 diabetes and brain metastases who used GLP-1 receptor agonists showed a significant reduction in all-cause mortality. The use of these medications was associated with reduced neuroinflammation, preservation of the blood-brain barrier, and lowered oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.
A population-level cohort study of 20 low-mortality countries found that females aged 35-60 have higher cancer mortality rates than males, despite similar treatment and diagnostic pathways. The study highlights the need for targeted action to improve the prevention, early detection, and treatment of female reproductive cancers.
A 15-year retrospective study found that physical assault and excessive MDMA use are primary causes of nightclub deaths in the UK. The study reveals a significant number of young women are at higher risk of dying from drug-related causes.
Contemporary donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors are now at 44% of organ procurement organizations. DCD donations account for half of all deceased donors in the US, leading to increased reliance on these organs to maintain transplant access.
A strategic trauma center placement was associated with reduced firearm mortality in Chicago's high-violence areas. The study highlights the importance of equitable access to trauma care, particularly in communities with limited resources.
This study found that US thyroid cancer overdiagnosis persists even after accounting for possible true incidence rises, highlighting opportunities to reduce unnecessary referrals and diagnoses
A recent study published in CANCER found that adults with cancer who developed mental health conditions within the first year after diagnosis had a significantly higher likelihood of dying over the next few years. The analysis of data from University of California-affiliated hospitals revealed a 51% increased risk of death among those ...
A nationwide study found that adolescents and young adults with prior cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) are at a higher risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. The study suggests that women with prior HSIL should be more closely monitored for cardiovascular disease and prevention strategies should be imple...
A new study from the University of Toronto found that binge drinking among adults aged 50 and older is associated with a significantly increased risk of death. After adjusting for health status and socioeconomic factors, individuals who never engaged in binge drinking had a 19% lower mortality risk compared to weekly binge drinkers.
A nationwide cohort study found that chronic kidney disease significantly heightens mortality risk, even at moderate levels, and exceeds traditional metabolic risk factors. Maintaining renal function and early detection of CKD are critical for reducing both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that muscular strength is associated with lower mortality rates in women aged 63-99. Controlling for physical activity and other factors, researchers discovered a significant link between muscle mass and reduced mortality risk.
Researchers developed a novel risk score model using 6 commonly ordered blood tests to predict mortality in COVID-19 patients. The study found that acid-base disturbances and elevated creatinine levels were strongly associated with higher mortality odds.
A recent study found life expectancies for people with open spina bifida vary significantly by walking and feeding ability and bowel/bladder continence. Life expectancy decreases with age and is lower for males compared to females.
Research highlights increased mortality risks among individuals with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, or cerebral palsy compared to the general population. The study's findings can inform public health strategies to address health disparities and excess mortality associated with developmental disabilities.
Research suggests that consuming high amounts of ultraprocessed foods is linked to a significantly increased risk of death in cancer survivors. The study, published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, found that individuals who consumed more ultraprocessed foods had higher rates of all-cause and cancer-specific mortality.