Research on death rates and what drives them. Covers cancer-linked stroke, COVID underreporting, hemoglobin levels, and education and survival.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that class III obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2) is linked to higher mortality rates from various diseases. The analysis of 20 prospective studies revealed a substantially increased risk of death among class III obese individuals, particularly those with heart disease and cancer.
Conflict affects all aspects of reproductive health, including gender-based violence, maternal mortality, and HIV transmission. Clinicians in conflict-affected areas face significant challenges in providing timely care due to scarce services and poor security conditions.
A study of over 56,000 adults undergoing hip repair found regional anesthesia was associated with a modestly shorter length of hospital stay but not a lower risk of death. The use of regional anesthesia may reduce postoperative complications and could lead to improved quality of care.
A study by Duke University researchers found a strong association between improved air quality and declining death rates from emphysema, asthma, and pneumonia in North Carolina. The study analyzed data from 1993-2010 and found that reductions in sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and fine particulates were significantly correlated with l...
The number of battle-related deaths remained relatively stable over the past decade, with 33 active conflicts causing at least 25 casualties in 2013. The deadliest conflict was Syria, accounting for 40% of the total estimated 38,000 casualties in 2012.
A new Northwestern Medicine study finds that delinquency in youth, particularly females, significantly increases the risk of violent death in adulthood. The study reveals that female delinquents are nearly five times more likely to die violently than the general population.
A new study found a significant decline in speeding-related injuries and fatalities among young men in Ontario since the province's tough laws were introduced in 2007. The study credits the deterrence of swift and severe sanctions for reducing risky driving behavior.
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois found that severe hurricanes with feminine names result in a greater death toll due to people taking fewer protective measures. The analysis of over six decades of US hurricane deaths shows that storms with feminine names are seen as less foreboding, leading to increased vulnerability.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that older black trauma patients are 20% less likely to die from their injuries compared to white patients. This counterintuitive finding suggests that factors such as better access to healthcare and lower rates of penetrating trauma may contribute to the difference in survival rates.
A study found that public reporting of ICU mortality rates in California did not reduce overall mortality, but resulted in changes in admission patterns and transfers to other hospitals. The study suggests that the policy initiative may have unintended consequences, including reduced admission of patients with severe comorbidities.
The study found lung cancer rates declining in 47 of 52 populations among young women (30-49 years), while increasing in most countries among older women (50-74 years). Tobacco control efforts and increased awareness have contributed to the decline, but more needs to be done to curtail future deaths.
A study analyzing over 300,000 hospital records found that weekend stays increase the risk of death for patients with COPD or pneumonia, regardless of day of admission. The 'weekend effect' is attributed to reduced quality of care during weekends.
Research published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health found that hurricanes Katrina and Rita may have been responsible for up to half of all recorded stillbirths in the worst hit areas. The study suggested that the true fetal death toll may even be higher due to the displacement of people from devastated areas.
A simple bird scaring line, costing $200, can significantly reduce seabird mortality rates, particularly for albatrosses. The study found a 95% reduction in albatross deaths and a 73-95% lower mortality rate with the introduction of bird scaring lines.
Since 1990, global maternal and child deaths have declined by nearly half, with significant acceleration after the Millennium Development Goals were set. Improved education, income growth, technological advances, and increased investment in maternal and child health have contributed to this progress.
The US has seen a disturbing trend of increasing maternal mortality, ranking 60th globally with 796 maternal deaths in 2013. The largest increase occurred among women aged 20-24, and possible explanations include lack of prenatal care access and high caesarian section rates.
The UK has a higher child mortality rate than nearly every other country in Western Europe, with 3800 children under five dying in the UK in 2013. The country's high infant mortality rates are attributed to poor organisation of children's health services.
A recent study of New York Times war coverage reveals that casualties get little mention in daily war reporting, despite major conflicts going back a century. The study finds that when casualties are covered, they are often presented in ways that minimize or downplay their human costs.
The report ranks states based on 42 health care measures, showing that only a few states improved on most indicators, while many lost ground. Despite improvements in some areas, the overall pace of change was slow, with wide gaps persisting among states.
A new study using National Cancer Data Base data reveals that major lung resection has become progressively safer over the last few decades. The study found that mortality rates after surgery have decreased, especially at the busiest hospitals with high volumes of surgeries performed.
In a randomized clinical trial, eplerenone significantly reduced the composite primary endpoint of cardiovascular mortality, re-hospitalization, or heart failure in patients with acute ST-elevated myocardial infarction. The study found lower levels of biomarkers BNP/NT-proBNP in the treatment group.
Death rates from pancreatic cancer are expected to rise in Europe in 2014, with 41,300 men and 41,000 women predicted to die from the disease. This represents a small but steady increase since 2000, with only five percent of patients surviving for five years after diagnosis.
A new study suggests that individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may experience an increased risk of mortality over a six-year period. The research, conducted by the American Academy of Neurology, found that those with MCI had an 80% higher death rate compared to those without MCI.
A recent Mayo Clinic study discovered that individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) tend to die at a higher rate than those without the condition. People with MCI experience an 80% increased risk of death over nearly six years.
Researchers found that mortality begins to increase at an occupancy level of 92.5%, indicating the safety tipping point for hospitals. For critically ill patients, high occupancy levels significantly increase the risk of dying in hospital.
Outcomes of TAVR in real-world settings show comparable results to clinical trials, but specific patient characteristics affect mortality and stroke rates. Baseline factors like age, gender, and kidney function influence outcomes.
A study found that self-expanding TAVR significantly lowers death rates compared to traditional surgical valve replacement in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. The treatment resulted in lower all-cause mortality and heart attack/stroke-related deaths at one year.
Breast cancer mortality rates in Europe have decreased from 1989 to 2010 due to improved treatments and enhanced access to care. However, notable variations between countries remain, with France showing a modest decrease despite devoting substantial resources to cancer care.
A new study calls for increased routine HIV testing among older adults, citing high rates of 'late presentation' and significantly increased mortality. The UK's growing population of older individuals living with HIV requires a more comprehensive approach to care, incorporating mental, functional, and social aspects.
A new study by North Carolina State University researchers found that approximately 90% of black sea bass with visible barotrauma survived, similar to those without injury. The findings inform stock assessments for sustainable fishing practices and may provide insights into mortality rates for other species.
A study of 43,543 THRs found complication rates similar to younger patients among nonagenarians, with higher mortality rates within 90 days. The authors concluded that THR can be safely performed in this population.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that eliminating maternal mortality worldwide would result in a gain of over 0.6 years in life expectancy. This improvement is significant, as it would take place during the most productive ages of human life, carrying non-trivial socio-economic implications.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change found no link between warmer winters and reduced excess winter death rates in the UK. Instead, flu activity was identified as the main cause of year-to-year variation in winter mortality.
A Spanish study reveals that hard drug users have a mortality rate significantly higher than the general population. The fatality rate among heroin and cocaine consumers is 14.3 times higher, while among those only using cocaine, it is 5.1 times higher.
A new study found that adults with low education levels live longer if they feel in control of their lives. Conversely, those who feel little control are three times as likely to die. Researchers believe innate and external factors contribute to perceived control.
The number of excess deaths caused by hot weather in England and Wales is projected to surge by 257% by the mid-2050s due to climate change and population growth. The elderly, particularly those aged 75+, will be most at risk, with rising temperatures expected to lead to increased mortality.
A large prospective study has confirmed that vodka consumption is a major cause of early death in Russian men, with those who drink heavily facing a 60-70% increased risk. The study found that heavy vodka drinkers were more likely to die from alcohol-related causes such as poisoning, accidents, and violence.
A recent study led by Boston University School of Medicine found that hospitals caring for more sepsis patients have significantly lower mortality rates than those with lower volumes. The superior outcomes were achieved at similar costs, suggesting improved processes of care for patients with severe sepsis.
A new study reveals alcohol consumption is a necessary cause of nearly 80,000 deaths per year in the Americas, primarily due to liver disease. The risk varies by country and age group, with men accounting for 84% of all deaths.
A study estimates that US tobacco control has saved 8 million premature smoking-attributable deaths, with beneficiaries gaining nearly 2 decades of life. Tobacco control efforts have also increased life expectancy by 7.8 years for men and 5.4 years for women.
A new study reveals that the high mortality rates in the US Central Southern states are most likely due to smoking. The study found that smoking behaviors account for a significant burden of smoking, with southern states maintaining high levels of smoking despite declining prevalence nationwide.
A large longitudinal study found that postmenopausal women with RA and anti-CCP antibodies had a significantly higher mortality rate compared to those without these antibodies. The main cause of death was cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease and stroke.
A study published in Nature has cataloged 46 species with their mortality and fertility rates, revealing extraordinary diversity in aging processes. This challenges current explanations, which predict that the probability of dying rises with age, as seen in humans, but contradicted by species like the desert tortoise and white mangrove.
Maternal deaths from haemorrhage have decreased, but still account for the majority of maternal mortality in France. The French National Expert Committee on Maternal Mortality has made recommendations to improve care and reduce avoidable deaths.
A recent study estimates the global death toll from the 2009 H1N1 outbreak to be up to 203,000 respiratory deaths, significantly higher than the World Health Organization's initial count of 18,449 laboratory-confirmed cases. The pandemic disproportionately affected younger people and certain regions, such as the Americas.
A study published in JAMA found that induced hypothermia does not improve outcomes for patients with severe bacterial meningitis. In fact, it may even be harmful. The trial stopped early due to concerns over excess mortality in the hypothermia group.
A study found that increasing insured patients in Massachusetts did not lead to higher ICU utilization. The research suggests that better, earlier care may reduce ICU admissions and mortality rates. Policymakers should focus on improving resource efficiency rather than exacerbating critical care costs.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that new guidelines for starting anti-AIDS drugs in young children may increase treatment access, but do not significantly impact mortality rates. The study analyzed data from over 3000 children with HIV and found that deferring treatment until CD4 counts and percentages fell below certai...
A recent study from Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center found that severe sepsis mortality rates decreased significantly between 1991-1995 (47%) and 2006-2009 (29%). The decline occurred without the development of new pharmacological treatments for severe sepsis.
Pancreatic cancer death rates have increased in whites but decreased in African Americans over the past few decades. The study found that while smoking prevalence has decreased in both groups, other risk factors such as obesity and low vegetable intake may be contributing to the rising mortality rates in whites.
A new study published in PLOS ONE reveals that people with drug-related criminal records in Norway have a significantly higher mortality rate, up to 15 times higher than those with no record. The study also found that even prisoners without substance abuse problems had nearly twice the mortality rate of non-offender populations.
A study published in PLOS Medicine estimates that approximately 405,000 Iraqi deaths were attributed to the 2003-2011 war and subsequent occupation. The research found that violent deaths were primarily caused by coalition forces and militia, with gunshots being the leading cause.
A long-term analysis of economic cycles found that death rates increased for middle-aged and elderly people when the economy was growing. The study suggests that factors like job stress and road traffic accidents may not fully explain these trends, but social support changes could play a role.
A study led by the University of Bristol found mortality rates in the first 90 days following hip replacement surgery have dramatically decreased from 0.6% to 0.3%, with four treatment options associated with lower death rates: spinal anaesthetic, posterior approach, heparin and mechanical thromboprophylaxis.
A recent study found a rise in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among adults aged 80 and older, with significant increases in those with reduced kidney function. The study suggests that targeted efforts to address CKD are necessary for this age group.
Even in the best-case scenario, just 15 countries are expected to meet post-2015 targets for reducing child mortality rates by 2035. The study analyzed data from 69 low- and middle-income countries and found that efforts to improve maternal and child health must intensify to achieve further substantial reductions in child deaths.
A new study published in Spine found that spinal injuries are present in 11 percent of casualties from the US Department of Defense Trauma Registry for the years 2005 to 2009. Fractures accounted for more than 80 percent of spinal injuries, with explosions causing three-fourths of these fractures.
A recent study published at the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy found that patients treated with ceftaroline fosamil (CPT-F) for MRSA pneumonia had a significantly lower mortality rate of 13% compared to standard treatment with vancomycin, which has a reported mortality rate of 32% after 28 days.
A new Johns Hopkins research study reveals that nearly 80% of trauma centers treating predominantly minority patients have higher-than-expected death rates. Meanwhile, trauma patients of all races are 40% less likely to die if treated at hospitals with lower-than-expected mortality rates, which mostly serve white patients.
A new electronic decision support tool has been shown to reduce deaths from pneumonia in emergency departments. The tool uses patient data to predict severity and provide personalized recommendations for treatment, leading to improved hospital admission rates and adherence to guidelines.