Research on death rates and what drives them. Covers cancer-linked stroke, COVID underreporting, hemoglobin levels, and education and survival.
US heart disease death rates have declined overall since the 1970s, but there are significant differences in rates among US counties, with weaker declines found south of the Mason-Dixon Line. The study's findings emphasize the importance of geography for heart disease prevention and treatment, suggesting that social and economic condit...
New research published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine suggests that austerity measures in England have been associated with significant increases in mortality rates among pensioners aged 85 and over. The study found a 1.4% rise in mortality for every 3% drop in pension credit spending per beneficiary.
Overdose deaths in PA rose 14-fold between 1979 and 2014, with highest rates among young women and white men. The analysis suggests potential targets for public health intervention and law enforcement efforts.
A new analysis suggests that reducing fruit and vegetable prices by 10% could lower the death rate from heart disease and stroke by about 1%, saving around 64,000 to 69,000 lives over a 15-year period. This is more effective than mass media campaigns, which would save between 7,500 and 8,300 lives.
A new Penn study links moving more with decreased mortality, finding even small amounts of physical activity can have a significant impact. Adding just 10 minutes of light activity per day can reduce the risk of mortality, according to the research published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
A study of nearly 460 ICUs across 50 countries found ARDS to be underrecognition and undertreatment, associated with a high mortality rate. Clinical recognition of ARDS ranged from 51% to 78.5%, with varying hospital mortality rates depending on severity level.
Patients with chronic kidney disease and periodontitis have a significantly higher all-cause mortality rate compared to those with chronic kidney disease alone. The study analyzed data from 13,734 participants and found an increased risk of death at 10 years for individuals with both conditions.
A Yale University study found VA hospitals to have slightly lower mortality rates among older men with specific conditions, but higher readmission rates compared to non-VA hospitals. The differences were small, indicating that the VA healthcare system is doing comparatively well for these vulnerable patient groups
A new study found that dietary and pharmaceutical interventions can have opposite effects on mortality rates in males versus females. The findings support the theory that the sexes age differently, with some interventions increasing longevity in females but decreasing it in males.
A study found that Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals had lower 30-day all-cause mortality rates for heart attack and heart failure, but higher readmission rates for these conditions compared to non-VA hospitals. The findings suggest that VA hospitals are starting from a better place in terms of quality care than two decades ago.
A UK study found a link between reduced one-to-one nursing care for sick newborns and higher death rates in neonatal intensive care. The study suggests that improving staffing ratios could reduce neonatal deaths and is in line with guidelines from the British Association of Perinatal Medicine.
A higher nurse to patient ratio is associated with a reduced risk of inpatient death, particularly when each registered nurse cares for an average of six or fewer medical inpatients. Policies geared towards substituting registered nurses with healthcare support workers should be reviewed.
A study found that US life expectancy is lower than in comparable high-income countries due to injury deaths. The 3 main causes of death, motor vehicle traffic crashes, firearm-related injuries, and drug poisonings, accounted for a significant portion of the gap.
A study of 536 patients found that those admitted as medical emergencies at weekends are significantly older and more physically incapacitated than weekday admissions. The researchers suggest this may explain the higher death toll for weekend hospital admissions.
Death rates from leukemia in Europe are expected to decline, with the greatest falls seen among children and young adults. Improvements in treatment and management have contributed to this trend, but some leukaemias remain challenging to treat.
A population-based study found that preoperative frailty is strongly associated with an increased risk of death following surgery, particularly in younger patients and after joint replacement. Frail patients are at a higher risk of mortality, especially in the early postoperative period.
A new University of Birmingham study has found that lower levels of antibodies in saliva are associated with an elevated risk of mortality. The research discovered a negative correlation between IgA secretion rate and all-cause mortality rates, with underlying associations to cancer mortality, particularly non-lung cancers.
A study found that politicians elected as heads of government face a higher risk of early death compared to runner-up candidates. In contrast, the general population in the UK has seen a 37% lower mortality rate over the past 65 years.
A large UK study of one million women found no association between unhappiness and increased mortality. Life-threatening poor health can cause unhappiness, but unhappiness itself is not directly linked to illness or death.
A new study found that as country-level C-section rates increase up to 19%, maternal and neonatal mortality rates decline, while rates above 19% show no further improvement. The World Health Organization's recommended rate of 10-15% may be too low.
Two studies found that higher cesarean delivery rates were not correlated with maternal or neonatal mortality, but rather inversely correlated with certain health problems in childhood. The researchers suggest that the optimal level of cesarean delivery may be higher than previously recommended.
Research shows that higher C-section rates up to 19% can lead to lower maternal and neonatal mortality rates, while rates above 19% show no further improvement. This study suggests re-examining policy benchmarks for C-section rates on a country-wide level.
On November 13, 2015, a coordinated attack in Paris overwhelmed medical staff. Doctors from Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP) describe the heroic response of their colleagues, praising teamwork and solidarity in treating over 300 wounded patients.
A higher resting heart rate is associated with a greater risk of death from all causes, independent of traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors. Research published in CMAJ found that every 10 beats/min increment of resting heart rate increases the risk by 9% for all-cause mortality and 8% for cardiovascular mortality.
A study found that young women who survived heart attacks or strokes had higher mortality rates from cardiovascular events, with an increased risk of cardiac and cerebral events. The researchers followed up with 226 women who had a heart attack, 160 women who had ischemic stroke, and 782 comparison patients for nearly 19 years.
A new analysis found that global maternal mortality rates declined by 43.9% between 1990 and 2015, with the largest decreases seen in Eastern Asia, where the rate fell from 95 to 27 deaths per 100,000 live births. However, the decline was lower in other regions, falling short of the UN's 75% goal.
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that youth offenders face a significantly higher risk of early death as they become more involved in the judicial system. The study analyzed 518 youth offender deaths and found that mortality rates rose with increasing levels of interaction with the justice system.
A study found that women with heart disease are less likely to receive optimal care at discharge from U.S. hospitals, resulting in a higher death rate compared to men. Additionally, black patients with heart disease have a significantly higher three-year death rate than white patients, despite similar quality of care.
Researchers found that middle-aged white Americans have seen a sharp increase in death rates after 1998, primarily caused by drug and alcohol poisoning, chronic liver disease, and cirrhosis. This trend reverses decades of progress and is not seen in other rich countries or minority groups.
Breast cancer incidence rates have increased among African American women, converging with those of white women. The rise is attributed to ER positive breast cancers and may reflect rising obesity rates. Black women are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages and have poorer survival rates due to lack of access to timely treatment.
The age-standardized death rate for all causes combined decreased by 43% between 1969 and 2013, driven by declines in heart disease, cancer, stroke, and unintentional injuries. While the rate of decrease has slowed for these leading causes, other factors such as tobacco control efforts and advances in early detection and treatment have...
Despite rising life expectancy in every province of China, substantial health inequalities remain. Life expectancy is up to 10 years lower in some western provinces compared to less developed countries like Bangladesh.
An international team of researchers analyzed data from 308,297 nuclear industry workers and found a linear increase in cancer mortality with increasing radiation exposure. The study strengthens the scientific basis for current radiation protection standards.
The study found significant reductions in central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) and surgical intensive care unit (SICU) mortality rates after EHR implementation. This improvement resulted in a lower risk of CLABSI per 1,000 catheter days and a decrease in overall SICU mortality.
The prevalence of nonmedical use of prescription opioids decreased among adults in the US from 2003 to 2013, while the prevalence of prescription opioid use disorders and related deaths increased. The study highlights the need for coordinated efforts to address nonmedical use of prescription opioids and heroin abuse.
Researchers found a 30% higher mortality rate by suicide among those born before the school cutoff day, compared to those born after. This study highlights the importance of policy intervention to alleviate the relative age effect and its impact on future well-being.
A 2009 mandate reduced time between critical injury and definitive care, resulting in improved survival rates. Decreasing transport time and increasing prehospital helicopter transport within 60 minutes or less led to a lower percentage killed in action.
Researchers found that shielding parenteral nutrition from light significantly decreases oxidative stress and cell damage in premature infants, improving their survival rates. The study's findings suggest a potential solution for reducing mortality rates in preterm infants born between 26-31 weeks of gestation.
A new study published in International Journal of Quality in Health Care found an association between hospital accreditation and mortality rate among patients. Hospitals that fully met the requirements of the Danish Healthcare Quality Programme had a significantly lower mortality rate compared to those that only partially met the stand...
Research at Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust found a 90% medical bed occupancy target reduced hospital death rates by 4.5-4.8% and improved the national 4-hour A&E waiting target performance from 33% to 51.4%.
A University of Granada study found that young male cyclists between 15 and 24 years old are at highest risk of death in traffic accidents. The researchers analyzed data from over 50,000 cyclists involved in accidents between 1993 and 2009, concluding that age and sex play a significant role in mortality rates among cyclists.
A new report finds breast cancer incidence is increasing in many low- and middle-income countries, while death rates are decreasing in most high-income countries. The study suggests that economic development and urbanization may be contributing factors to the rising incidence rates.
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in Europe, with four million deaths annually. Inequalities between European countries are stark, with higher death rates in Eastern Europe, indicating the impact on longevity.
Research reveals that young adults, especially women, are not benefiting equally from declining heart disease death rates. Despite improvements in older adults, the annual percentage change in death rates for young men and women showed no improvement between 1990-1999 and has only fallen one percent since 2000.
A study of over 100,000 women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) found that the 20-year breast cancer-specific death rate was 3.3 percent, higher for women under 35 and black women compared to non-Hispanic white women. Preventing ipsilateral invasive recurrence did not reduce mortality from breast cancer, according to researchers.
Research published in Archives of Disease in Childhood found the UK's child mortality rate is nearly double that of Sweden, with premature birth, congenital abnormalities, and infections being major causes. The study calls for a stronger focus on prevention to improve the UK's position on the European child mortality league table.
A Dartmouth study found that NICU admission rates are rising among normal birth weight and term infants, raising concerns about the necessity of such care. The study's findings suggest that increased admissions may be due to overuse of NICU services, potentially leading to increased costs, stress, and exposure to invasive medical tests.
A 15-year trend analysis found decreased rates of all-cause mortality, hospitalization, and expenditures among Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older. Average inflation-adjusted inpatient expenditures per beneficiary declined from $3,290 to $2,801, indicating improved healthcare outcomes.
A new study reveals that Louisiana's colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates would drop significantly if the state had the same risk factors, screening rates, and survival rates as New Jersey. With these changes, Louisiana's rates would be lower than those in New Jersey, essentially reversing recent trends.
Researchers at Duke University found that attention problems are a key factor in civilian shooting casualties. Training in response inhibition can improve shooting abilities and reduce errors.
A new USC-led study found that heart disease is the main reason for the disparity in life expectancies between men and women, with female death rates decreasing 70% faster than male death rates after 1880. The study suggests that biological differences may be at play, with potential factors including diet, exercise, and genetics.
Research reveals higher mortality rates associated with poverty levels, with significant variation among urban areas. The study analyzed nine causes of death and a socioeconomic deprivation index in 15 European cities.
A recent study found that nearly a third of US adults own guns, with a higher prevalence among white married men over 55. Gun ownership is also linked to social gun culture, where family or friends also own guns or engage in activities involving firearms.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found no evidence that warmer winters lead to reduced winter mortality rates. Instead, other seasonal factors such as lack of exercise and respiratory infections may drive winter excess mortality.
A large outcomes study found that community-acquired pneumonia increases long-term morbidity and mortality rates compared to the general population. CAP patients have high rates of all-cause hospitalization, emergency department visits, and pneumonia-related hospital visits.
A new report by MBRRACE-UK identifies regional variations in stillbirth and neonatal death rates in the UK, even after controlling for factors such as poverty, mother's age, and ethnicity. The report recommends setting national aspirational targets to improve services and reduce deaths.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that death rates among people over 65 are higher in areas with more fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) than in those with lower levels. Exposure to PM2.5 was linked to increased mortality, even at concentrations below EPA standards.
A study found that pre-surgery beta-blockers may increase the risk of death in patients with no cardiac risk factors undergoing noncardiac surgery. However, the use of beta-blockers was beneficial for patients with three to four cardiac risk factors. The analysis included over 326,000 patients and measured 30-day surgical mortality.
New research on gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park reveals that social group living can offset mange's effects, increasing survival rates. Living in packs also provides a net survival benefit, even when infected individuals are present.
A recent study has found that shorter adults have a higher risk of dying while waiting for a lung transplant and are more likely to be placed on mechanical ventilation. The study analyzed data from over 13,000 adults initially listed for lung transplantation in the US between 2010 and 2011.