Research on death rates and what drives them. Covers cancer-linked stroke, COVID underreporting, hemoglobin levels, and education and survival.
Researchers found GXYLT2 promotes malignant phenotypes in diffuse-type gastric cancer cells, driving tumor progression through Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Targeting GXYLT2 or its downstream axis may provide a novel strategy for improving molecular stratification and therapeutic intervention in gastric cancer.
A new study by IIASA researchers found that education has a stronger association with lower premature mortality than income or household wealth in India. Adults with higher levels of education are less likely to die prematurely, regardless of their economic status.
A cohort study of 47,000 adults found that males had a 63% greater risk of all-cause mortality compared to females after adjusting for demographic and behavioral factors. The study suggests intrinsic biological factors, such as sex hormones or immune response, may contribute to these sex differences in mortality.
A cross-sectional analysis of nationwide population data reveals that high-deductible health plans are associated with worse overall and cancer-specific survival among cancer survivors. The study suggests that financial disincentives for medical care may lead to delayed or foregone necessary care, ultimately worsening cancer outcomes.
A recent study found that low-dose aspirin use was not associated with incident cancer incidence in older adults, contrary to previous findings. However, the study revealed a significant elevation in cancer mortality risk during the randomized clinical trial period, which did not persist after the trial ended.
Treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) significantly lowers risks of limb events, cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and kidney disease progression compared to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors in patients with diabetes. GLP-1 RAs are preferred for secondary prevention in this high-risk population.
A new study from Uppsala University reveals a substantial increase in cardiomyopathy diagnoses in Sweden between 2004 and 2023, associated with high excess mortality rates. The study highlights the need for improved detection and targeted treatments to address this growing public health concern.
A cohort study found that Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act was associated with lower overall mortality among women with breast cancer aged 40-64. The benefits of expanded coverage were uneven, highlighting persistent disparities in healthcare access for certain populations.
A cohort study of St. Louis adults found that heightened cumulative lifespan stress and elevated inflammation were associated with shorter survival among Black participants. The findings highlight the need for policies addressing structural racism and treatments reducing inflammation to reduce mortality disparities.
Residential wood burning accounts for over one-fifth of wintertime exposure to outdoor fine particulate matter, linked to increased risks of heart disease and premature death. By reducing indoor wood burning, Americans could decrease outdoor air pollution and save thousands of lives.
Researchers found that an increasing number of preexisting maternal chronic conditions increases the risk of severe neonatal morbidity and mortality. Women with multiple chronic conditions may benefit from preconception counseling, earlier identification of complications, and enhanced newborn supports to optimize outcomes.
Cancer mortality rates have decreased for breast cancer and leukemia, despite increasing incidence, while colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of death among US young adults. Colorectal cancer surpasses lung, breast, and prostate cancers as the leading cancer-related death in people under 50 years old.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that abortion bans are associated with a significant increase in pregnancy-related mortality in the United States. The study suggests that restricting access to safe abortion care forces pregnant individuals to take on increased health risks, leading to higher mortality rates.
Predictions for lung cancer death rates among EU and UK women indicate stabilization of mortality rates at 12.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2026. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death for both sexes in the EU, with mortality rates continuing to decline among men.
Women with a genetic predisposition to higher body mass index are at increased risk of all-cause mortality after breast cancer diagnosis. Targeted lifestyle recommendations can mitigate this risk.
A new study of over 32,000 US Veterans found that longer treatment with medications for opioid use disorder is associated with a greater probability of short- and medium-term survival. The benefit continues to increase at least for four years of ongoing treatment.
The study developed subgroup-specific mortality prediction models for high and low ventilatory ratio (VR) subgroups, achieving improved accuracy in short-term mortality prediction. Minute ventilation is a key predictor for the high VR subgroup, while respiratory rate, hypocapnia, and acidemia are unique predictors for the low VR subgroup.
A population-based cohort study found that U.S.-born individuals had significantly higher odds of infant mortality, particularly among full-term births. Sudden unexpected infant death was a major contributor to these disparities, highlighting the need for investigation into underlying factors contributing to these disparities.
The study found a significant increase in alcohol-related hospitalizations between 2016 and 2022, with rising mortality rates and extended lengths of stay. Preventive efforts are needed to reduce population-level alcohol consumption and improve treatment outcomes for individuals with alcohol use disorder.
A study found that switching to electronic medical records at HIV clinics in Malawi led to a 28% reduction in deaths after five years, with the greatest impact on children. The introduction of EMR systems prevented approximately 5,050 AIDS deaths and improved healthcare efficiency.
A new study uses AI to regulate mechanical ventilation for patients with ARDS, aiming to provide personalized support. The tool combines live patient monitoring with historical data to modulate ventilation parameters and reduce lung injury.
A decline in churchgoing among middle-aged, less educated white Americans is linked to increased mortality rates from drug overdoses, suicide, and alcoholic liver disease. The study found that states with the largest declines in churchgoing experienced larger increases in deaths of despair, starting years before the opioid crisis began.
Experts warn that nicotine-containing products, including vapes, heated tobacco, and shisha, cause cardiovascular damage regardless of delivery system. The report highlights a rapid rise in youth addiction fueled by flavours and social media marketing.
A new study reveals that reducing mortality through large-scale investment in public health is a more effective and ethically sound strategy than encouraging people to have more children. By focusing on lowering mortality rates, countries can slow population decline and maximize the return on investment in their existing population.
A case-crossover study found that air conditioning in nursing homes reduces mortality among older adults during extreme heat. The study suggests that AC provision may be crucial for preventing mortality in congregate care settings.
Research shows that 77% of severely injured children are transported or transferred to pediatric trauma centers, highlighting the need for improved access and evidence-based strategies. Variability in access exists across Canadian provinces, with some areas having higher access than others.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that older adults with chronic kidney disease or cerebrovascular disease are at double the risk for developing neuroinvasive West Nile virus infection, which can lead to paralysis and death. The study identified several risk factors, including male sex, immune suppressants, and multiple scle...
A recent study published in JAMA found that initiating resuscitation of preterm infants with fraction of inspired oxygen levels of 0.6 versus 0.3 did not affect the risk of death or brain injury by 36 weeks' corrected gestational age.
A study published in JAMA found that expectant management resulted in higher survival rates compared to active treatment for patent ductus arteriosus in extremely preterm infants. The protocol-defined study showed no significant difference in mortality or bronchopulmonary dysplasia between the two groups.
A study by University of California, Riverside scientists found that alternative RNA processing, or
A new study reveals that social determinants of health have a significant impact on rural–urban differences in colorectal cancer mortality rates. The research found that low socioeconomic status, household characteristics, and racial/ethnic minority status were key drivers of these disparities.
Lung cancer screening has the potential to prevent 3 times more deaths and gain 3 times more life-years than current levels. Increasing awareness and accessibility of lung cancer screening could lead to wider adoption.
A study found that lowered arsenic exposure was associated with a decrease in mortality rates from chronic diseases among populations exposed to contaminated drinking water. The findings support the importance of reducing arsenic levels in drinking water for public health benefits.
Risk-adjusted mortality declined significantly following the COVID-19 pandemic, resuming prior improvement trends. Patient acuity, measured by case mix index, remained elevated, suggesting a new postpandemic baseline.
Researchers developed two risk prediction models to estimate the risk of death and illicit drug overdose in patients discharged against medical advice. Multimorbidity, heart disease, cancer, homelessness, and opioid use disorder were strong predictors of death and overdose, respectively.
New research from the University of Utah shows a significant decline in veteran suicide rates since 2020, but rates remain high for those with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The study's findings highlight the importance of safe gun use and various suicide prevention measures.
Over the past two decades, nearly half of US states have reported firearm mortality as the leading cause of death in children aged 1-19. Gun violence has become the primary cause of death for this age group, with Alaska being the first state to report this trend in 2004.
Research published in ERJ Open Research suggests that assessing hospital patients' reported shortness of breath could help doctors prioritize care for those at high risk of death. Patients who developed shortness of breath were six times more likely to die than those who did not, with a higher rating indicating greater risk.
Premature mortality among adults aged 18-64 increased by over 27% between 2012 and 2022, with racial disparities widening substantially. Despite contributing to Medicare, Black individuals are less likely to live long enough to reach the qualifying age for coverage, resulting in unrealized benefits.
A new study estimates that about 14% of adults worldwide have chronic kidney disease, with 1.5 million deaths in 2023. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent severe interventions like dialysis and transplantation.
The study found clear absolute benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors on kidney, hospitalization, and mortality outcomes regardless of diabetes status and level of urine albumin to creatinine ratio. This benefit suggests a potential therapeutic approach for patients with kidney disease.
Heat- and cold-related mortality burden in the US increased significantly between 2000 and 2020, with temperature extremes contributing to excess deaths. The study found that geographic location, cause of death, and demographic factors played a crucial role in differential vulnerability to temperature-related health risks.
A study published in JAMA finds that using different methods to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) can lead to significant discrepancies, particularly for those with chronic kidney disease. The findings suggest that cystatin C-based eGFR may be more accurate in predicting clinical outcomes.
A study of 12,490 dementia cases found significant variations in survival times among early onset dementia patients by clinical subtype. The study revealed that those with frontotemporal dementia or Lewy body dementia had the shortest survival time, while Alzheimer's disease and vascular cognitive impairment had longer average survival...
A new study in the Journal of Hepatology shows liver transplantation from MAiD donors yields similar survival rates as standard donation after circulatory death. This practice can significantly expand the donor pool, leading to more organs available for transplant and potentially saving thousands of lives.
A new study found that a minimum happiness threshold of 2.7 is necessary for increased happiness to translate into measurable health benefits and lower non-communicable disease mortality rates, suggesting happiness as a public health resource.
A new AI-based risk assessment tool, GRACE 3.0, has shown better predictability of future risk for heart attack patients compared to traditional methods.
A new study finds that benzodiazepines and antipsychotics prescribed to patients with dementia receiving hospice care may carry major unintended risks, including increased mortality. The study highlights two policy issues: lack of oversight of medication use in hospice and a mismatch between hospice policy and dementia care.
The latest Global Burden of Disease study reveals declining global mortality rates, but rising youth deaths and widening health inequities. Non-communicable diseases account for nearly two-thirds of total death and disability, with ischemic heart disease, stroke, and diabetes leading the globe.
Researchers found that quitting smoking more than doubles survival time among patients with advanced cancers. The study shows the benefits of integrated smoking cessation interventions into cancer treatment plans.
Current minimum case volume standards for complex surgical procedures no longer align with contemporary best practices. Studies have shown that fewer cases are now needed to meet benchmark 30-day mortality rates over time.
A new cross-sectional study reveals significant disparities in premature mortality across the globe, highlighting unequal access to health-enhancing technologies and living standards. The research emphasizes the need for rapid and fair dissemination of technological and medical advancements to universalize health benefits.
A large-scale observational study found that patients who continued taking ACEis or ARBs had a significantly lower risk of mortality and functional decline after non-cardiac surgeries. These benefits were most evident among patients undergoing orthopedic or gastrointestinal surgeries.
A significant risk factor for in-home firearm homicide is domestic violence and child abuse, highlighting the need for improved safe storage laws and extreme risk protection orders. Young children are disproportionately affected, emphasizing the importance of preventing these deaths through stricter regulations.
A new study estimates that tropical cyclones cause the death of 850,000 children under five from 2000 to 2020. The research found a significant link between cyclone exposure and child mortality, emphasizing the urgent need for disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions.
The latest Global Burden of Disease study reveals a significant increase in cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden worldwide, with CVD causing one in three deaths globally. The report estimates that 79.6% of all CVD deaths are attributable to modifiable risk factors, which has increased globally by 97.4 million since 1990.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found a strong association between alcohol consumption per capita and an increase in suicide mortality rates. The study suggests that targeting alcohol consumption may be a useful strategy for comprehensive national suicide prevention efforts.
Rates of alcohol-induced deaths in the US nearly doubled between 1999 and 2024, reaching a record high in 2021. The largest increase was among females aged 25-34, with mortality rates rising by 255%.
A new AI-powered deep learning model has been shown to accurately estimate the malignancy risk of lung nodules, achieving high detection rates while reducing false-positive results. The model outperformed existing probability-based tools in a retrospective study, with a relative reduction of 39.4% in false positives.
A Danish study found that individuals with a normal weight range (22.5-25 kg/m2) had the lowest mortality rate, followed by those in the overweight category. However, being underweight was associated with a significantly higher risk of death, while severe obesity was linked to a slightly increased risk. The study suggests that BMI may ...