Research on death rates and what drives them. Covers cancer-linked stroke, COVID underreporting, hemoglobin levels, and education and survival.
A retrospective cohort analysis found that an algorithm-based automated text messaging system saved lives and reduced mortality rates by 68% among patients with COVID-19. The system, called COVID Watch, used text messages to monitor symptoms and escalate patients to healthcare providers for further care.
A study of Black Veterans hospitalized for common conditions confirms adjusted mortality rates are lower for Black compared to White Veterans. However, higher adjusted mortality rates among Hispanic Veterans were identified, partially explained by a large proportion receiving care outside the continental United States.
Researchers found that patients enrolled in COVID Watch, an automated texting system, were 68% less likely to die than those not using it. The system used algorithmically guided text message conversations with patients and was credited with saving 1.8 lives per 1,000 patients at 30 days.
Researchers investigated the association between COVID-19 and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), analyzing electronic health records of over 83,000 patients. The study found a significant lower risk of death among patients with COVID-19 prescribed SSRIs.
Researchers found that COVID-19 mortality rates were significantly lower in rural Bangladesh compared to other countries, with only 276 deaths reported between February and October 2020. This contrasted with a 10% increase in urban areas. The study suggests that the region's unique circumstances may have contributed to this outcome.
A study of over 1,100 prostate cancer patients found that androgen deprivation therapy did not increase the risk of death within 30 days after a COVID-19 infection. Researchers concluded that men receiving androgen deprivation therapy had similar mortality rates as those who did not receive this treatment.
Opioid overdose deaths in Illinois increased significantly from July 2017 to June 2020, with the highest rates occurring in 2020. The study analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and found a notable spike in unintentional opioid overdose deaths during the pandemic.
Since the National Cancer Act of 1971, cancer death rates in the United States have decreased by nearly three quarters, according to a recent study published in JAMA Oncology. The study found that progress against cancer deaths has accelerated over time, with significant declines observed between 1999 and 2018.
A study by West Virginia University researcher Sunil Sharma found that rural COVID patients who end up in an intensive care unit are more likely to die within 30 days compared to their urban counterparts. The researchers also discovered that rural patients with COVID-linked ARDS have a higher mortality rate, even when controlling for d...
A study of four US states finds that Black people are more likely to be nonfatally shot and injured by police, with disparities greater than seen for fatal shootings. The research highlights the need for comprehensive data on police shootings to draw reliable conclusions about racial disparities.
Researchers found that melanomas detected during routine skin checks were associated with a significantly lower all-cause risk of death, but not melanoma-specific death. The study involved 2,452 patients in Australia and suggests a potential benefit to regular skin cancer screenings.
A Canadian study found that recent immigrants were more likely to receive inpatient and intensive care unit services at the end of life, resulting in higher mortality rates. Long-standing residents had better access to palliative care and died in their homes or hospices.
A new study estimates that banning abortion would result in a 21% increase in pregnancy-related deaths overall and a 33% increase among Black women. The study suggests that staying pregnant is more dangerous to a woman than having an abortion, with carrying a pregnancy to term being 33 times riskier than having an abortion.
The study found that individuals with prosocial values are more receptive to information emphasizing the risks posed to others, whereas those without such values focus on personal threats. Risk framing also significantly increased support for anti-COVID measures, potentially promoting autocratic policies globally.
A multi-center study demonstrated improved overall survival and quality of life for inoperable pancreatic cancer patients treated with MRIdian SMART, with a median survival of 26 months. The treatment showed low rates of major adverse events and was more effective than standard radiation therapy.
A new analysis found US states with water shutoff moratoria had significantly lower daily COVID-19 infection and death rates. Comprehensive moratoriums resulted in even greater reductions, suggesting universal access to water can help prevent public health crises.
A new study found a significant increase in US Parkinson's disease deaths over the past two decades, with mortality rates twice as high in men as in women. White people were also more likely to die from the disease, potentially due to socioeconomic factors affecting access to healthcare.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict the spread of COVID-19, taking into account restrictions and containment policies. The model successfully calculated the total number of infected and peak infection days in the 2014-2015 Ebola virus epidemic.
A recent study found a significant increase in maternal deaths in the US, with drug and alcohol poisoning and homicides being major contributors. The mortality rate for all causes increased by 4.4% per year from 2015-2019.
Researchers estimated death rates for US pregnant and recently pregnant women from 2015 to 2019, finding a significant increase in mortality rates during the pandemic. The study also revealed that Black women were disproportionately affected by maternal mortality.
A study of over 143,000 patients found significant racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 outcomes, with minorities more likely to be hospitalized or die from the virus. American Indian or Alaska Native, Latino, Black, Asian, or Pacific Islander individuals had higher rates of severe illness compared to white individuals.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that Yelp star ratings on health care facilities can indicate county-level death rate disparities. Counties with more 1-star reviews had higher death rates, and a one-point difference in average scores was associated with a reduction of approximately 60 preventable deaths.
Researchers found that population density and long-term exposure to air pollution were the two factors most significantly correlated with COVID-19 transmission rates. Disproportionately affecting communities with more minority residents, these factors were identified through computer modeling and analysis of data from 12 metropolitan a...
A new study led by a University of Maine graduate student found that 50% fewer frogs died from vehicle collisions in spring 2020 compared to previous years. This decline was part of a broader reduction in animal road fatalities during the pandemic, similar to findings in other studies worldwide.
A study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health found that 62% of Europeans live in areas with less than recommended green space, leading to 42,968 premature deaths. The study suggests that European cities should focus on reclaiming urban land for green spaces and implementing nature-based solutions.
A research team at TUM has discovered that the protein TIMP1 is associated with a significantly higher risk of liver metastasis and death in male patients, particularly those with pancreatic, colon, and melanoma cancers. This finding may lead to improved diagnosis and targeted therapy options for men.
Non-melanoma basal and squamous cell skin cancers saw a 30% rise in Ontario over 15 years, mostly among people under age 35. The annual mortality rates increased by almost 5-fold, with males experiencing higher rates than females.
A recent NCI study highlights the significant disparities in COVID-19 mortality among racial and ethnic groups in the US. Excess deaths by population size among Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Latino individuals were more than double those in white and Asian individuals.
A Canadian study found a significant decrease in cardiac procedures during the pandemic, resulting in higher wait list mortality rates. Despite no increase in wait times, patients with heart disease were at higher risk of dying while waiting for their procedure.
A new study found that the survival rate of COVID-19 patients on ECMO has decreased over time, with those treated later in the pandemic having lower chances of survival. Careful patient selection and resource management are essential for hospitals offering ECMO to maximize survival rates.
A study found that individuals in occupations with high routine intensity are at risk of becoming unemployed, experiencing higher disability rates, and facing increased mortality. The research highlights the need for governments to assess opportunities for retraining and provide economic support to affected workers.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that life expectancy gaps between Black and white Americans have narrowed by nearly 50% over the past three decades. Improvements in healthcare access, safety-net programs, and reductions in mortality rates among Black Americans contributed to this decline.
The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered unprecedented life expectancy losses across 29 countries, with a decline of over half a year observed in most nations. The largest declines were seen among males, particularly in the US, where a 2.2-year loss was reported.
A simulation model revealed associations between delayed implementation of graphic health warnings and increased estimates of smoking-attributable deaths. The study suggested that early implementation would have resulted in fewer smoking-related deaths, if implemented as planned in 2012.
Researchers examined association between access to health insurance coverage and COVID-19 mortality among individuals aged 65 and older. The study found that Medicare eligibility was associated with lower excess deaths during the pandemic.
A new study found that children who experienced sexual or physical abuse or neglect are more likely to die prematurely as adults. Adults who reported experiencing sexual abuse had a 2.6 times higher risk, while those who experienced physical abuse had a 1.7 times higher risk of premature death.
A large prospective study has found that hospital mortality rates for people with cancer do not appear to have reduced over time, unlike those for people with no history of cancer. The findings are based on anonymized data from over 195,000 people hospitalized in the UK.
A recent study found that deaths where drugs were a contributing cause rose dramatically in the US, outpacing decline in other causes. The death rate from accidents and suicides increased fivefold, while diseases and medical conditions saw a 2.5-fold rise.
The report reveals a high risk of preventable cancers among Hispanic/Latino population, with 2-fold higher rates of liver and stomach cancers. Access to quality prevention, early detection, and treatment services is crucial for reducing the cancer burden in this population.
A new study led by Rachel Penczykowski investigates the hydra effect in water fleas, where parasite infections trigger a counterintuitive increase in population density. The researchers found that infected water fleas consume less algae, leading to an abundance of resources for uninfected individuals.
A study found that elevated mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cell activation is strongly correlated with poor immune coordination and increased mortality in severe COVID-19 patients. In contrast, focused immune responses driven by interferon-alpha are associated with survival.
A team of NTU Singapore scientists developed a predictive computer model called NSGA-II, which proposed strategies to reduce COVID-19 infections and deaths by an average of 72%. The model recommended timely and country-specific advice on interventions such as home quarantines and social distancing measures.
A study from OHSU found that almost 8% of patients with opioid use disorder died within 12 months of hospital discharge, comparable to those who suffered heart attacks. The researchers highlight the need for comprehensive addiction care and destigmatizing healthcare systems.
A single-center study in Libreville, Gabon, found that COVID-19 severity and death were associated with advanced age and stage of lung damage. The study involved 837 patients with no symptoms in 63% of cases.
A new observational study found that hospitalists who worked more days per year had higher patient mortality rates. The study examined 1.2 million Medicare patients and suggested that longer work hours may contribute to poorer outcomes.
An international study found Canadians have the highest relative risk of respiratory mortality resulting from wildfire pollution. Exposure to fine particulate matter from wildfires increased risks of all causes, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality, with about 0.4 percent of total mortality attributable to wildfire smoke.
A recent study found that fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair significantly reduced mortality rates for patients with complex aortic aneurysms, with a 1% risk of mortality at 30 days compared to 21% in open surgical repair. The procedure also showed better outcomes regarding major adverse events, including spinal cord injury.
A cross-sectional study of US nursing homes found approximately 44% of pre-reporting COVID-19 cases and 40% of pre-reporting deaths were not reported in the NHSN. This suggests an underreporting of over 68,000 unreported cases and 16,000 unreported deaths nationally.
Researchers examined changes in life expectancy after allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation over four decades. The study found improved survival rates and reduced risk of death among transplant recipients.
A first-of-its-kind global study links short-term exposure to wildfire-related fine particulate matter to increased all-cause, respiratory, and cardiovascular mortalities. The research found that over 33,500 deaths annually are directly attributable to wildfire pollution in cities worldwide.
A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health reveals stark racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic inequities in COVID-19 vaccination rates across neighborhoods in the largest US cities. High-vaccination neighborhoods were predominantly white with fewer people of color, higher incomes, and lower poverty rates.
A study of 2,100 middle-age adults found that taking over 7,000 steps per day was linked to a lower risk of death. The study also found no association between step intensity and mortality rates.
A nationwide study of transgender individuals in the Netherlands found a significantly increased mortality risk compared to cisgender people. The analysis of national data from 1972 to 2018 revealed that transgender women and men faced higher risks of cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, infection, and non-natural causes of death.
A new study suggests that COVID-19 deaths are driven by a buildup of coronavirus in the lungs. Researchers found that people who died from COVID-19 had 10 times more virus in their lower airways than those who survived.
A new study found that local mobility, primary care access, and limited contacts in contagion hubs can curb COVID-19 deaths. The researchers used novel statistical approaches to analyze mortality curves across 20 Italian regions, identifying a strong association between mobility and COVID mortality.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a combination of seasonal vaccination with RTS,S/AS01 E and antimalarial drugs significantly reduces clinical episodes, hospital admissions, and deaths from malaria. The results show a 70% reduction in these outcomes compared to current interventions.
A review of scientific literature found pregnant women infected by SARS-CoV-2 have a higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia due to reduced ACE2 availability. ACE2 plays a crucial role in placental development, blood pressure control, and fetal development, making its impairment more susceptible to serious complications.
A survey of mostly African American adults found that vaccine hesitancy was greatest among those aged 18-29, with COVID-related housing insecurity increasing the odds by sevenfold. Younger individuals and those experiencing housing insecurity were more likely to be resistant to vaccination.
More than 100 resolutions have been passed naming racism a public health crisis, with less than 1 in 5 explicitly mentioning funding for initiatives. The surge is linked to greater national attention brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and social justice movements.
This observational study of 869,000 births found increased mortality, intubation needs, and ICU admissions among COVID-19 patients. Women with COVID-19 were more likely to experience severe health consequences during childbirth.