Research on death rates and what drives them. Covers cancer-linked stroke, COVID underreporting, hemoglobin levels, and education and survival.
US breast cancer death rates are decreasing overall, with a 39% drop since 1989. Black women still face higher mortality rates than white women, but several states have seen significant declines in the gap between the two groups.
UK researchers found a link between delayed hospital discharges and rising mortality rates, with increased funding needed for the NHS and adult social care to address this issue. The study suggests that each additional day of delay in discharge is associated with an increase in deaths.
Between 1980 and 2014, US chronic respiratory disease deaths rose significantly, with a 29.7% increase overall. The majority of this growth occurred in specific regions, including central Appalachia for COPD, the Southwest for interstitial lung disease, and southern states for asthma.
A study led by Yale researchers reveals that hospital mortality rates for older patients with a heart attack are not representative of younger adults. The findings highlight the need to include younger patients in assessments of hospital quality and further investigate age-related differences.
Researchers used geospatial analysis to identify patterns of death and disease within African nations' states, finding significant differences in child mortality rates. The study's findings can inform targeted interventions to reduce under-5 mortality rates and achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that hospital mortality rates after heart attack vary by age, with older and younger patient groups showing different outcomes. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services currently only considers data for patients aged 65 or older when calculating hospital quality ratings.
A new study published in The Lancet found that India has avoided about 1 million deaths of children under age five since 2005, primarily due to reductions in pneumonia, diarrhea, tetanus, and measles. If national progress had matched states' rates, nearly three times that number could have been saved.
Between 2000 and 2015, opioid-related deaths significantly increased, contributing a loss of 0.28 years in life expectancy. Most of these deaths were unintentional, accounting for 96% of the total loss.
A large Ontario study found people with schizophrenia died 8 years earlier than the general population, with a 35% decrease in death rates. The high mortality risk is attributed to factors such as limited access to healthcare and unhealthy lifestyle habits.
Exposure to seismic signals from air gun surveys increased scallop mortality rates and altered physiological characteristics, including reflex responses and hemolymph biochemistry. These findings suggest potential effects of anthropogenic aquatic noise on marine life.
A recent study found a 37% increase in the gap between the average lifespan of people with schizophrenia and the general population. Longitudinal studies suggest that this widening trend is due to factors such as inadequate healthcare, unhealthy lifestyles, and biological aging.
A recent study published in Critical Care found that patients admitted to ICUs at weekends are at increased risk of death. The severity of illness and case mix were also different between weekends and weekdays, with more patients having a higher severity of illness on Saturdays and Sundays.
A study found that climate change may have contributed to the 7% surge in US road traffic collision deaths in 2015. Warmer temperatures led to an increase in miles driven, resulting in higher CO2 emissions and further temperature increases.
Researchers found that extremely high HDL levels are associated with a higher mortality rate than normal levels. Men with extremely high levels had a 106% higher mortality rate, while women had a 68% higher mortality rate. The study suggests that the focus on HDL as an important health indicator may need to be revised.
A meta-analysis of randomized-clinical trials found that full-dose bivalirudin infusion post-PCI for four hours is associated with improved net adverse clinical events and all-cause mortality. Bivalirudin exhibits a lower risk of bleeding compared to unfractionated heparin, but also increases the risk of acute stent thrombosis.
A new report reveals a significant increase in colorectal cancer mortality rates among adults under 55, with the rise confined to white individuals. Despite declining CRC incidence rates in other age groups, the authors suggest that rising mortality may be due to true disease occurrence rather than earlier detection.
A study published in JAMA found that colorectal cancer mortality rates declined in black individuals but rose in white individuals between 1970 and 2014. The disparity was particularly pronounced among younger adults, with increased mortality rates observed in white men and women since the mid-1990s.
A new study refines death certificate data to provide more accurate estimates of opioid and heroin fatalities, resulting in significant shifts in state-by-state mortality rates. The corrected rates show a 24% higher national growth rate for opioids and a 22% higher rate for heroin.
A study found a significant increase in prescription opioid involvement in fatal car crashes between 1995 and 2015. The prevalence of prescription opioids among fatally injured drivers rose from 1% to over 7%, with higher rates in female drivers.
Child mortality rates in Iraq were not unusually high between 1991 and 2003, contrary to claims made by Saddam Hussein's government. A major national household survey conducted in 1999 was found to be 'a remarkable fiction' cooked up to stir international condemnation and get sanctions lifted.
A new study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology found that drug-related deaths have skyrocketed among middle-aged white men, increasing by over 25-fold between 1980 and 2014. The researchers argue that economic insecurities and an 'obesogenic' environment are contributing factors, rather than 'despair deaths'.
A Yale-led study analyzing data from 2008-2014 found that reducing hospital readmission rates for heart attack, heart failure, and pneumonia does not increase mortality rates. The research suggests that hospitals' efforts to keep patients out of the hospital may have actually improved mortality outcomes through better preparedness, tim...
A new study published in JAMA found that reductions in hospital 30-day readmission rates were weakly but significantly correlated with reductions in hospital 30-day mortality rates after discharge. This suggests that hospitals' efforts to lower readmissions have not resulted in increased mortality.
A study in Springer's journal The Science of Nature estimates that the Escarpia laminata tubeworm can live for at least 300 years, making it potentially the longest living animal in the world. This longevity is attributed to its extremely low death rate, supporting longevity theory.
Patients with opioid use disorder on buprenorphine are at significantly higher risk of death when in and out of treatment. The study found a 2.6 times increased risk of mortality compared to individuals without addiction issues during the same time period.
A RAND Corporation study found that providing medical care to patients with opioid addiction using three quality measures can significantly reduce death rates. These measures include not prescribing opioids or common anxiety medications, receiving psychosocial counseling, and having quarterly visits with a physician.
A new study from Duke University and the University of California, Davis, found no marked improvement in the survival rate of U.S. gunshot victims over the past decade. The researchers analyzed data from 2003 to 2012 and discovered problems with data collection and coding, leading to an incorrect assumption of a decline in fatality rates.
A recent study published by The BMJ found that cancer control measures have led to rising life expectancy in rich populations but not in poorer ones. Urgent global action is needed to develop effective and affordable cancer control measures for countries undergoing socioeconomic transitions.
A special supplement to Wilderness & Environmental Medicine outlines the transferability of military trauma care techniques to austere environments. Key findings include the reduction of preventable trauma deaths from bleeding, airway obstruction, and collapsed lungs with TCCC guidelines.
A major UK study is assessing the effects of 20mph speed limits on road safety and traffic accident rates in two British cities. The project will measure casualties, cycling, and walking rates to determine if lower speed limits improve safety.
European countries with higher healthcare expenditure experienced lower amenable mortality rates, with declines of up to 3.5% for men and 2.1% for women, according to a Health Affairs analysis.
A new study by Michigan State University scholars highlights the need to address inadequate healthcare and water access in Africa to reduce neonatal mortality rates. The study found that nearly half of under-5 child deaths occur during the neonatal period, emphasizing the importance of timely interventions.
The Lancet Infectious Diseases study finds that diarrhoea is the fourth leading cause of death for children under 5, with 42% of deaths occurring in India and Nigeria. The researchers call for immediate and sustained actions to increase healthcare access and the use of oral rehydration solutions.
A study by Florida State University researchers found that doubling the population under a tornado's path leads to only a 21% increase in casualties, while a doubling of energy dispersed by the tornado leads to a 33% increase. Stronger storms tend to pass through areas with lower population density, and climate change could impact futu...
A new review of child-related auto fatalities found that the South had the highest number of fatalities and the Northeast the lowest, with a national mortality rate of 16%. Improper restraints and crashes on rural roads were common causes of deaths.
A recent study analyzing over 21 million Medicare discharges found that admission to a major teaching hospital was linked to a lower overall 30-day risk of death compared to nonteaching hospitals. The study, published in JAMA, also revealed differences in mortality rates among smaller and larger teaching hospitals.
A large national study found that teaching hospitals had significantly lower 30-day mortality rates than non-teaching hospitals, even after adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics. This association persisted across various medical conditions and procedures.
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) mortality is lower in high-volume Intensive Care Units (ICUs), according to a new study analyzing the French CUB-REA database. The research found that despite increased ARDS severity, ICU mortality decreased in high-volume ICUs compared to low and moderate volume ICUs.
Researchers found that patients treated by hospitalist physicians over 40 years old are more likely to die within a month of admission compared to those under 60. The study analyzed over 730,000 Medicare patient records and found a significant gap in mortality rates between younger and older physicians.
A recent study reveals significant variations in cardiovascular mortality rates across US counties, highlighting the need for targeted health policies. The largest concentrations of high mortality rates are found in southeastern Oklahoma and eastern Kentucky, while lower rates are observed in areas surrounding San Francisco and central...
A study published in The BMJ found that patients treated by older physicians have higher mortality rates than those cared for by younger physicians, except for those with high patient volumes. However, the researchers note that clinical skills and knowledge accumulated by more experienced physicians can lead to improved quality of care.
A recent study found that East German women are at a higher risk of death from smoking due to insufficient anti-smoking policies. The researchers forecast a significant increase in mortality rates for these women, mainly due to lung cancer and other smoking-related diseases.
A study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found that women with atrial fibrillation/flutter experienced higher death rates than men 30 and 90 days after discharge from emergency departments. The study analyzed data from 21,062 patients and identified differences in outcomes between male and female patients.
A new study found that patients with opioid use disorder in general healthcare settings are more than 10 times as likely to die as those without substance abuse problems. The mortality rate was also higher among older patients and those with comorbid health conditions.
A new analysis of Medicare's Hospital Compare portal found that the statistical methodology used to rate and compare hospitals underestimates mortality rates of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) at small hospitals. The research proposes an alternative model that incorporates additional factors such as hospital volume, nursing staff, an...
Nearly half of secondary schoolchildren with asthma are not controlling their symptoms optimally, and nearly a third experience discomfort using inhalers. The study calls for increased clinical monitoring and targeted interventions to address poor asthma control in UK schools.
A new study identified seven health behavior patterns based on smoking status, alcohol use, physical activity, physician visits and flu vaccination, which are associated with mortality. The research highlights the importance of considering behavioral decisions across multiple behaviors to create more effective interventions.
A new study reveals that men are at a higher risk of mortality after osteoporosis-related fractures compared to women. The study found that men who require surgical treatment for an initial fracture are more likely to suffer a subsequent fracture within three years.
Death rates from cancer are expected to decline faster in men than in women in Europe in 2017, with men predicted to fall by over 8% and women by around 4%. Lung cancer death rates will rise in women, but overall, fewer women than men will die from cancer.
Cancer mortality rates vary significantly within the growing Hispanic population in the US, with wide variations among major ethnic groups. Key findings include higher mortality rates from stomach and prostate cancer, as well as lower rates for lung and breast cancer compared to non-Hispanic whites.
A recent study by Northwestern University researcher Linda Teplin found alarming premature mortality rates among delinquent youth, with 111 deaths recorded 16 years after detention. The study revealed significant risk factors in adolescence, including drug dealing and gang membership, which increased the likelihood of later mortality.
A decline in automobile travel from 2003-2014 showed a significant reduction in car crash deaths, particularly among young men. Physical activity levels remained unchanged during this period.
Researchers from Gero discovered that Strehler-Mildvan correlation has no real biological basis, contradicting long-held assumptions. This finding opens up new possibilities for anti-aging therapies and life extension.
A study published in The BMJ found that internationally trained medical graduates care for patients with higher rates of chronic conditions yet have lower mortality rates than their US counterparts. International graduates also tend to be more expensive but save lives on average.
Researchers predict that melanoma death rates will decrease by 2050 due to the aging of populations, but the number of deaths may increase. Effective treatments could lead to a further decline in mortality rates.
Premature death rates declined among Hispanics, blacks, and Asian/Pacific Islanders due to fewer deaths from cancer, heart disease, and HIV. In contrast, white and American Indian/Alaska Native populations experienced increased rates driven by accidents, drug overdoses, and suicide.
A new study reveals significant disparities in US cancer mortality rates among over 3,100 counties, highlighting unacceptable geographic variations and potential explanations for these differences. The analysis of 29 types of cancer shows that areas with high smoking rates and poor prevention programs tend to have higher mortality rates.
New research suggests cervical cancer death rates are higher among older and black women in the US, particularly due to exclusion of women who have had hysterectomies. This discrepancy highlights the need for better screening and treatment options for these groups.
A study in Health Affairs explores Brazil's Estratégia de Saúde da Família program and its impact on mortality rates. The findings indicate that expanding primary healthcare can reduce mortality rates, but effective implementation depends on strong local governance.
The cancer death rate has decreased by 25% since its peak in 1991, resulting in 2.1 million fewer cancer deaths between 1991 and 2014. The decline is largely driven by reductions in smoking and improvements in early detection and treatment.