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Canada's COVID-19 response in first 2 years of pandemic compares well with other countries' measures

A comparison analysis found that Canada handled the pandemic well by most measures, thanks to strict policies and high vaccination rates. The analysis showed that if US vaccination and death rates occurred in Canada, about 5.9 million fewer Canadians would have been vaccinated and 68,800 more would have died from COVID-19.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJun 27, 2022

Researchers develop a comprehensive atlas of disease mortality

Researchers have developed a comprehensive atlas of disease mortality, providing a resource to estimate reductions in life expectancy for various disorders. The study analyzed data from 7,378,598 people living in Denmark from 2000 to 2018 and generated a panel of epidemiological and mortality metrics.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJun 16, 2022

Heart failure patients unvaccinated against COVID-19 are three times more likely to die from it than boosted heart failure patients

A new study from Mount Sinai Heart found that heart failure patients unvaccinated against COVID-19 are three times more likely to die from it than those who are fully vaccinated and boosted. The research also shows that these unvaccinated patients face higher risks of hospitalization and ICU admission if infected with the virus.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Cardiac Failure·TypeObservational study·DateJun 9, 2022

Racial disparities in traffic fatalities much wider than previously known

A new analysis suggests that Black and Hispanic Americans are disproportionately affected by traffic-related deaths, and that these disparities are larger than previous estimates show. The study found that travel distances vary among racial/ethnic groups when walking, cycling, or driving, and when these differences in activity levels a...

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJun 7, 2022

The deadly cost of pandemic politics

A new study by University of Maryland researchers found that people in Republican counties were more likely to die from COVID-19, with nearly 73 more deaths per 100,000 people compared to Democratic counties. The disparity was due to structural and policy differences in the more conservative counties.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeObservational study·DateJun 6, 2022

Wind turbines operating without curtailment claim many victims among protected bat species in Germany

A study estimates that old wind turbines can be deadly for protected bat species, with some turbines claiming up to 70 bat victims per year. The researchers recommend adjusting the operation of old turbines to current regulations, or even dismantling them if they are located in unfavorable sites.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalGlobal Ecology and Conservation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 1, 2022

COVID-19's toll on global cardiac services - UK Version

A major international study reveals the significant impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular services worldwide, with a substantial decline in hospital admissions and increased mortality rates. The study warns that problems with heart health will continue to accrue unless mitigation strategies are implemented quickly.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 30, 2022

Firearm suicides fell worldwide since 1990, but rose in 31 countries

A global analysis of firearm suicide data found that deaths from self-inflicted shootings decreased worldwide between 1990 and 2019. However, an increase in firearm suicides was observed in 31 countries, particularly in developing nations, suggesting a need for targeted public health efforts to reduce these deaths.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMay 25, 2022

People in rural communities face cultural, structural and individual barriers to health care

A systematic review of qualitative studies found that rural patients experience significant challenges in accessing health care services for chronic conditions. Cultural, structural, and individual factors influence these experiences, highlighting the need for culturally appropriate interventions to improve access to care.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 24, 2022

Assessing outcomes among surgeons who operated the night before

A large-scale analysis of daytime surgeries performed by surgeons who operated the previous night found no correlation with increased risk of in-hospital mortality or major complications. The study, involving nearly 500,000 operations, suggests that surgeons can perform safely and effectively even after a night shift.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMay 23, 2022

THE LANCET: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) responsible for more than 100,000 deaths worldwide in children under five in 2019

A new study estimates that RSV-attributable acute lower respiratory infection was responsible for over 100,000 deaths worldwide in children under five in 2019. The study found that infants under six months old are particularly vulnerable to RSV and account for one in five of the total global cases.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 19, 2022

NACMI: International COVID-19 registry finds significant increased risk of in-hospital mortality for STEMI patients with COVID-19 compared to pre-pandemic

A new analysis from the NACMI registry found that STEMI patients with COVID-19 have a significant increased risk of in-hospital mortality compared to pre-pandemic levels. Clinical characteristics and treatment strategies differ between men and women, highlighting the need for continued research into cardiovascular health impacts of COV...

Within U.S., exporting electricity imports about 700 premature deaths annually, Stanford study finda

A new Stanford University study reveals that US power plants generating electricity for export account for approximately 700 premature deaths in 2019. The majority of these health damages occur within the states where the power is both generated and used, but large discrepancies exist across regions.

SourceStanford University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeObservational study·DateMay 19, 2022

Cancer death rates among Black people declined over time, but remain higher than other racial and ethnic groups

Cancer death rates among Black people decreased steadily between 1999 and 2019, yet they remained significantly higher compared to other racial and ethnic groups. The study highlights the need for improved access to cancer screening, earlier detection, and quality care, as systemic barriers contribute to disparities in cancer outcomes.

SourceNIH/National Cancer Institute·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 19, 2022

Nationwide study finds significant decline in treatment for heart attacks during pandemic

A nationwide study analyzing rates of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) found a nearly 30% decline following the COVID-19 pandemic. STEMI cases have yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels, suggesting continued hesitation among patients to seek hospital care despite having a heart att...

Changes in COVID-19 mortality rates by age, race, ethnicity

A recent study found that COVID-19 mortality rates in the United States were significantly higher among younger adults and minority groups compared to older adults and white populations. The research also revealed disparities in mortality rates by sex, with women experiencing lower mortality rates than men.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 17, 2022

Adolescent and young adult leukemia survivors face higher mortality rates than the general population for decades after diagnosis

Adolescent and young adult leukemia survivors experience lower long-term survival compared to the general population, with age and sex influencing outcomes. Long-term mortality risks persist for up to 30 years after diagnosis, primarily due to late side effects from treatment.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention·DateMay 13, 2022

Study points to need for substantial improvement in heart attack outcomes across high-income nations

A new study published by Harvard Medical School and The University of Texas Medical Branch found that despite international consensus on treating acute myocardial infarctions, there are substantial variations in treatment and outcomes across six high-income nations. The U.S. stands out for its high risk of death within a year of hospit...

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalBMJ·TypeObservational study·DateMay 11, 2022

Racial, ethnic differences in uterine cancer mortality rates

Annual increases in uterine cancer mortality rates from 2010 to 2017 were found to be significantly higher among Hispanic (6.7%) and Black (3.5%) women compared to White (1.5%) and Asian (3.4%) women. These disparities highlight the need for targeted interventions to address racial and ethnic inequalities in uterine cancer care.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateMay 5, 2022

Alcohol use disorder–related mortality before, during pandemic

The study found a significant increase in US alcohol use disorder-related mortality rates across all age groups and sexes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers used vital statistics data from 2012 to 2019 to project mortality rates for 2020 and 2021, revealing a notable rise in mortality related to alcohol use disorders.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 4, 2022

For stroke survivors, modified cardiac rehabilitation can reduce the chances of death by 76%

A modified cardiac rehabilitation program has been shown to reduce mortality rates among stroke survivors by 76%. The program, which includes medically supervised exercise and therapy, improves functional capacity, mobility, self-care, and cognition. This finding has the potential to change the future of stroke care.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases·TypeObservational study·DateMay 3, 2022