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India may have experienced 3.2-3.7 million COVID-19 deaths to date, one of the highest death tolls, according to new model using alternative data sources to address underreporting

A new model estimates India's actual COVID-19 death toll could be as high as 3.2-3.7 million, surpassing other reported figures. This revised estimate aims to address the issue of underreporting and provides a more accurate representation of the pandemic's impact on India.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 16, 2022

Social support may lower American Indians’ risk of cardiovascular disease, death

A study by Washington State University found that social support can mitigate the risk of heart disease and death in older American Indians. Higher rates of depression symptoms, poor quality of life, and social isolation were linked to increased mortality, but instrumental social support reversed this effect.

SourceWashington State University·JournalSocial Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 14, 2022

Hospital admission with liver cirrhosis: highest mortality rate of all chronic diseases

A nationwide study in Germany found that liver cirrhosis has the highest mortality rate among chronic diseases, with 0.94% of hospital admissions affected. The study also showed a decline in mortality rates due to improvements in Hepatitis C treatment, but an increase in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease cases.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 11, 2022

Reopening schools in brazil during pandemic

A cross-sectional study of 643 Brazilian municipalities found no significant link between school reopening and COVID-19 case rates or mortality in São Paulo State. The study included 18,761 schools, showing that even vulnerable conditions did not lead to a rise in cases or deaths after reopening.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateFeb 11, 2022

Cleveland Clinic study highlights how standardizing care leads to equitable COVID-19 outcomes in the ICU

A Cleveland Clinic study found that standardizing care led to more equitable COVID-19 outcomes in the ICU, despite existing health disparities among racial and ethnic groups. The study revealed Black patients had a higher prevalence of asthma, diabetes, and hypertension, increasing their risk of severe COVID-19 cases.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalJournal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities·DateFeb 9, 2022

Overdose deaths caused by opioids in combination with stimulants hit Black communities the hardest

A new study finds that opioid and stimulant overdose deaths have risen significantly among Black Americans, with a 575% increase in mortality rates compared to white people. The study also reveals a major shift in the geographic trends of the opioid crisis, with a significant increase in overdose deaths in eastern states.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 8, 2022

Suicides by drug overdose increased among young people, elderly people, and Black women, despite overall downward trend

A recent study found an increase in intentional drug overdose deaths among young people aged 15-24, older adults aged 75-84, and non-Hispanic Black women. Despite a downward trend in overall deaths, these subgroups saw a rise in intentional overdose death rates, with women ages 45 to 64 having the highest rates.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateFeb 2, 2022

Living near or downwind of unconventional oil and gas development linked with increased risk of early death

A large new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that living near or downwind of unconventional oil and gas development increases the risk of early death in elderly people. The study suggests that airborne contaminants emitted by UOGD are contributing to increased mortality.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 27, 2022

Flavonoids may reduce mortality risk for people with Parkinson’s Disease

A recent study found that people with Parkinson's Disease who consume more flavonoids have a lower mortality risk than those who don't. The researchers discovered that higher flavonoid intake is associated with improved survival rates in both men and women, particularly when it comes to anthocyanin-rich foods like berries and red wine.

SourcePenn State·JournalNeurology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 26, 2022

The Lancet Planetary Health: 1.8 million excess deaths attributable to urban air pollution in 2019, modelling study suggests

A recent study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that approximately 2.5 billion people worldwide lived in areas exceeding the WHO guideline for annual average PM2.5 exposure, resulting in an excess of 1.8 million deaths. Additionally, nearly 2 million asthma cases among children were attributable to NO2 pollution in 2019.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 5, 2022

New study highlights key health opportunities, causes of death for Coloradans

A Colorado State University study analyzed global health data to identify the leading causes of deaths and disabilities in the state from 1990 to 2019. Cardiovascular disease and cancers accounted for half of the deaths, while musculoskeletal disorders and tobacco use were also significant contributors.

SourceColorado State University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 3, 2022

First peer-reviewed study on excess mortality in India during the COVID-19 pandemic published in Lancet Infectious Diseases

The study found that excess deaths occurred at a rate of 5.2 per 1000 residents, representing a 41% increase over typical mortality levels. Excess mortality was substantially higher in older age groups and communities with lower socioeconomic status during the second wave.

SourceCenter for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateDec 23, 2021

Association of imprisonment with mortality by race

A study of nearly 8,000 people found incarceration to be linked to a higher mortality rate among Black individuals, whereas non-Black participants did not experience this association. The research suggests that racial disparities may play a role in the relationship between imprisonment and mortality.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 23, 2021

Rates of premature heart attack death vary by sex, race and region in the US

A new study found significant demographic and regional disparities in premature heart attack deaths in the US, with middle-aged adults, men, Black adults, and rural residents facing higher risks. The analysis suggests that targeted interventions and evidence-based strategies can help narrow these disparities and improve outcomes

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateDec 22, 2021

Policy analyses severely underestimate impact of air pollution on racial minorities

A new study by Carnegie Mellon University estimates that current regulatory analyses of air pollution significantly understate mortality costs among racial minorities. The study found that using race- and ethnicity-specific data increases premature mortality estimates related to PM2.5 from pollution exposure, with a $100 billion annual...

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateDec 20, 2021

Oropharyngeal cancer incidence and mortality rising in nearly all 50 states, reports new national study

A new national study found that oropharyngeal cancer incidence is increasing rapidly across the US, particularly among men and in the Midwest and Southeast. The study also reported a significant increase in large tumor diagnoses and mortality rates over the last decade.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery·DateDec 16, 2021

New study associates mask laws to reduction of COVID-19 deaths

Countries without face mask mandates experienced significantly higher COVID-19 deaths per million than those with mandates, according to a new study. Masks provided a supplementary layer of protection that could prevent unnecessary deaths.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 15, 2021

Decreased vehicle emissions linked with significant drop in deaths attributable to air pollution

A new study found that reducing vehicle emissions since 2008 has resulted in a significant drop in deaths due to air pollution, with estimated social benefits of $270 billion in the US. Passenger light-duty vehicles, such as SUVs and pickup trucks, continue to contribute a substantial amount of air pollution in major metropolitan areas.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateDec 13, 2021

Well-known drug could help the most severely affected Covid-19 patients in intensive-care departments

A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that prostacyclin treatment reduced damage to vital organs and halved mortality rates among critically ill Covid-19 patients. The research team hopes to investigate larger patient populations in future studies.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 29, 2021

UK study suggests COVID-19 became much more lethal in late 2020

A new statistical analysis supports the notion that COVID-19 became more lethal in the UK in late 2020, with increased lethality attributed to factors beyond just the alpha variant of the virus. The study used Bayesian inference to draw stronger conclusions from weekly data on cases and deaths.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 24, 2021

Measuring inequality in COVID-19 mortality

The study found significant disparities in COVID-19 mortality rates among racial and ethnic groups and those with different levels of educational attainment. The researchers analyzed data from 219 million adults aged 25 or older to identify these inequalities.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 23, 2021