Research on death rates and what drives them. Covers cancer-linked stroke, COVID underreporting, hemoglobin levels, and education and survival.
A new study by University of Leicester researchers found that effective healthcare can reduce health inequalities in England, particularly in reducing death rates from diseases like stroke, heart disease, and cancer. The study discovered that population characteristics such as age and socio-economic deprivation are major factors contri...
The PARTNER Cohort B trial found TAVR to be beneficial for patients with severe aortic stenosis, with lower mortality rates and fewer cardiac deaths at three years compared to standard therapy. The study confirms the role of TAVR as the standard-of-care for symptomatic patients who are not surgical candidates.
Research reveals a significant increase in US pulmonary hypertension deaths and hospitalizations from 1999-2009, with higher rates observed among women and older adults. Death rates were also higher for blacks than whites, and hospitalization rates varied by region.
The study found a significant decrease in mortality rate for upper gastrointestinal bleeding, from 4.69% in 1989 to 2.13% in 2009. The proportion of patients undergoing in-hospital endoscopic therapy increased from 2% to 27%, and hospital stays decreased from 4.5 days to 2.8 days.
The implementation of a 24-h ICU in-house staff intensivist coverage significantly improved mortality rates and reduced hospital length of stay by nearly half a day. This model also led to quicker decision-making and a positive trend in end-of-life care quality.
A study of over 300 nursing homes found that norovirus gastroenteritis outbreaks significantly increased hospitalization and death rates among residents. The researchers also identified a specific association between lower daily RN hours per resident and increased mortality during outbreaks.
Researchers found that referring cancer patients to higher-volume hospitals did not lead to lower mortality rates, but some hospitals still performed better. Mechanisms should be created to refer patients to these hospitals to achieve better outcomes.
A recent study found that annualized death rates were 4.6-fold higher for female alcohol-dependent individuals and 1.9-fold higher for males compared to the general population. The study also revealed that females with AD had significantly lower life expectancy, with a mean age at death of 60 years.
A new study in Canadian Medical Association Journal reveals that hospital-specific readmission rates vary significantly depending on the calculation method used. The study highlights the need for caution when comparing hospital performance based on these rates.
A recent study found that overall HIV death rates declined between 1993 and 2007 for most men and women by race/ethnicity and educational levels. However, disparities in mortality rates persisted among non-Hispanic black individuals, particularly those with lower education levels.
Researchers found a link between prolonged QRS wave and increased mortality in heart failure. A new type of pacemaker could be effective for treating this condition, which is often overlooked.
A military trauma study found higher mortality rates from chest injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan, but better triage and transport may have led to more survivors. The study's authors suggest that advances in prehospital care and medical facilities may have contributed to improved survival rates.
A new study published in The Lancet found that widespread diabetes screening programs do not reduce overall mortality rates. The study, which included over 20,000 patients, also showed no significant difference in mortality rates between screened and non-screened groups.
The study analyzed trends in death due to anaesthesia and perioperative mortality worldwide. The estimates suggest a significant decline in anaesthetic-related mortality, with a 90% decrease from the 1970s to the 1990s. Perioperative mortality also decreased by about 88%.
A large-scale European study found that surgical mortality rates are significantly higher than previously estimated, with 4% of patients dying after surgery. The highest mortality rates were observed in Latvia and Poland, while Ireland, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, and France also showed significant variations.
A new report from the American Cancer Society reveals that cancer has surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death among Hispanics in the US. The report highlights the unique factors contributing to this trend, including age distribution, socioeconomic status, and immigration history.
Research published in BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care reveals that cancer and chronic disease account for nearly half of gradual deaths in European Union countries. The study found that thousands of people experience debilitating symptoms before passing away, emphasizing the need for palliative care strategies to improve quality of life.
A new report by the University of Leeds and the University of Leicester found that death rates in children's intensive care units are decreasing overall. However, there is a persistent higher risk of mortality for children of south Asian origin, highlighting disparities in staffing levels and quality of care.
The US performs worst on potentially preventable death rates compared to France, Germany, and the UK, with slower progress in improving healthcare. Despite higher healthcare spending, the US has made less progress in reducing preventable deaths among men and women under 65.
A new collection of articles introduces methodological innovations for estimating child mortality, crucial for monitoring progress toward the MDG goal. The UN IGME's evidence-based estimates are necessary for planning national and global health strategies.
A 15-year study of French registries shows a 68% decrease in STEMI mortality rate, with key factors including younger patients, increased use of reperfusion therapy, and improved early management. The results highlight the importance of addressing population characteristics and behavior to further reduce mortality rates.
A recent study found that the number of new heart failure cases in Ontario decreased by 33% between 1997 and 2007, suggesting that preventive measures may be working. The study also showed a decline in mortality rates for people with heart failure, particularly among those over age 85.
A study of 2,625 participants with new diabetes found that those who were normal weight at diagnosis had higher rates of total and noncardiovascular mortality. The researchers suggest that genetic and metabolic factors may contribute to the findings, warranting further research.
A Yale study found that safety-net hospitals in urban metro areas provide quality care comparable to non-safety-net hospitals. The study's findings suggest that expanding insurance coverage can help safety-net hospitals achieve better outcomes for patients with heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and pneumonia.
A recent NIH study found that equatorial regions in Brazil experienced less severe and delayed influenza mortality during the 2009 pandemic. The study, published in PLOS ONE, suggests that climate played a key role in the dynamics of the outbreak.
A survey of all 24 Scottish intensive care units found that a quarter of admissions were alcohol related, particularly among men and younger people. Patients with alcohol problems required longer ventilation times and had higher estimated annual costs.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that breast cancer mortality rates in Swedish women aged 40-69 declined at a rate similar to the prescreening period, suggesting limited impact of mammography screening. Researchers note potential limitations, including obesity and population mobility biases.
Researchers analyzed data from 782 hospitals on 127,950 Medicare beneficiaries with acute ischemic stroke. They found that including stroke severity in hospital mortality models significantly improved predicting the risk of death within 30 days and changed performance rankings for many hospitals.
A UCLA-led study found that reporting models for mortality may unfairly skew hospital rankings if stroke severity isn't considered. The researchers discovered that more than half of hospitals initially classified as having higher-than-expected mortality rates were reclassified after adjusting for stroke severity.
A new study reveals dramatic differences in lung cancer death rates among women born between 1930s and 1970s in various US states. California shows a decline in lung cancer death rates, while many southern states experience an increase, highlighting the need for stronger tobacco control policies.
A study published by The Endocrine Society found that vitamin D and calcium supplements reduce mortality in seniors, but not when taken alone. Elderly patients showed a 9% reduced death rate during the three-year study.
According to researchers from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and National Institutes of Health, preventable childhood deaths can be nearly eliminated in 10 years. To achieve this goal, a new common vision is proposed with concrete and measurable benchmarks for curbing childhood preventable deaths.
The study analyzed Massachusetts General Hospital records to examine the value of healthcare over time. The analysis revealed four distinct eras: low costs and high mortality from 1821 to 1910, rising costs with declining mortality during the mid-20th century, and increasing costs with minimal changes in mortality since 2001.
A study found little difference in mortality within four years of treatment, but rhythm control may be associated with more effective long-term outcomes for patients with atrial fibrillation. The research suggests that rhythm control therapy may have a protective effect over time.
A study found that in-hospital mortality measures can be biased due to discharge practices, which may disadvantage large academic hospitals and those with a high proportion of commercial HMO patients. Discharge bias was greater in small hospitals and non-teaching hospitals, affecting hospital rankings.
A recent report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy found a significant increase in older adult fall deaths following the introduction of ICD-10 update in 1999. The study revealed that improved reporting quality, rather than actual increases in fatal falls, was the main contributor to the rise in mortality rate.
Researchers at Yale University found that short- and long-term mortality decreased in all subgroups of age, sex, and race after mitral valve surgery. Despite this improvement, female and non-white patients still experienced higher mortality rates compared to male and white patients.
A new research published in The Lancet reveals that coordinated efforts across multiple sectors in Millennium Village sites in sub-Saharan Africa have led to a third reduction in child mortality rates under 5 years old. The study found that integrated interventions, including agricultural inputs and basic improvements in water and sani...
Cardiac device infective endocarditis (CDIE) is a serious complication with high in-hospital and 1-year mortality rates, especially if valve involvement occurs. Coexisting valve infection and heart failure were also common complications.
The largest generation of adolescents worldwide faces significant health risks, including high rates of tobacco and alcohol use, obesity, and physical inactivity. The study highlights the need for better coordination across UN agencies and countries to produce regular reports on adolescent health.
A review of the initial medical response after a Christchurch earthquake found that careful preparation and effective triage helped reduce death rates and the burden of injury. The response was critical due to the city's only hospital being damaged, but radiotelephones and mobile phones were used to keep staff updated.
A study found that large day-to-day variations in summer temperature may shorten life expectancy for elderly people with chronic medical conditions. The researchers estimate that greater summer temperature variability could result in over 10,000 additional deaths per year.
A new study from Harvard School of Public Health found that the largest hospital-based pay-for-performance program in the US did not improve 30-day mortality rates for patients with acute conditions. Non-Premier hospitals showed similar outcomes to poor-performing Premier hospitals, suggesting that incentives may need to be adjusted.
The International multicenter ADVANCE study found significant improvement in valve function and low mortality rates at 30 days after TAVI. The study analyzed data from 1,015 high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis.
A recent study estimates that up to two million lives could be saved globally with improvements in trauma care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The researchers suggest that reductions in fatality rates among seriously injured individuals could save nearly two million lives annually.
A UK study published in PLOS Medicine found that uterine rupture is rare but increases with the number of previous caesarean deliveries. Women planning vaginal delivery after a previous caesarean section are at higher risk, especially if labor is induced or has a short interval since the last surgery.
A recent UNC study revealed pockets of high cervical cancer rates in North Carolina, highlighting the need for targeted education, vaccination, and screening programs. The study found that less affluent counties had higher rates and mortality rates were disproportionately high among African American women.
A study by Queen Mary University of London reveals that cyclists are injured and killed at a higher rate than previously thought, with HGVs causing the most severe injuries. Cyclists involved in collisions with HGVs had a higher death rate and required longer hospital stays compared to those injured in car collisions.
Chronic diseases, particularly stroke, are the leading causes of death among older adults in Latin America, India, and China. Education has been shown to have a significant impact on mortality rates, suggesting that efforts to ensure universal access to education could lead to substantial health benefits for generations to come.
A recent study has quantified the impact of unsafe water and poor sanitation on child and maternal mortality. The research found that countries with inadequate access to safe water had significantly higher death rates among children under five, with a difference of 4.7 deaths per 1,000 children.
Researchers found that hospitals with better patient ratings tend to have lower death rates and readmission rates. Hospitals rated as cleaner also have lower rates of MRSA infections. The study suggests that NHS Choices ratings may provide useful information for patients making care choices.
Research by Leonid Gavrilov and Natalia Gavrilova reveals that mortality rates do not flatten out above age 80, contrary to previous assumptions. The study uses accurate data from the Social Security Administration Death Master File to correct misunderstandings about the mortality rate of oldest citizens.
A review of the Mumbai hospital's response to the 2008 terrorist attack highlights the importance of meticulous planning, effective casualty assessment, and efficient teamwork in medical management. The study also emphasizes the need for safe on-site assessment and training civilian doctors by military personnel.
A study by the American Cancer Society finds that recent declines in melanoma mortality rates are largely confined to the most educated individuals. The study reveals a widening disparity in melanoma mortality rates by education, with higher death rates among those with lower levels of education.
A long-term study found elevated mortality rates among individuals who experienced venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism compared to controls. The research, published in PLoS Medicine, underscores the major consequences of venous thrombosis on both morbidity and mortality.
The study found that new generation drug-eluting stents were associated with a 28% lower risk of mortality, compared to old generation DES, and a 23% lower mortality rate at two years. The new generation DES also had a 38% lower risk of restenosis and a 43% lower risk of stent thrombosis within two years.
A study published in the British Journal of Surgery found that trauma centers are increasingly using non-surgical options to treat abdominal gunshot wounds, with a success rate of up to 80% in select patients. This approach has been associated with shorter hospital stays, better outcomes, and reduced pressure on healthcare budgets.
The American Cancer Society's annual report shows a decline in cancer incidence and death rates, particularly among African American men and women. The report also highlights increasing trends in certain cancers, such as pancreatic and liver cancer, which may be linked to obesity and early detection practices.
A new study by Yale researchers found that measuring patient deaths over a 30-day period, rather than just during initial hospitalization, provides a more accurate assessment of hospital quality. This approach reveals significant differences in quality between hospitals and favors those with shorter patient stays.
A new study found that while colorectal cancer mortality rates decreased in both African Americans and whites over the past two decades, the rate of decrease was smaller among African Americans. For distant stage disease, the decline was 32.6% for African Americans versus 4.6% for whites.