Research on death rates and what drives them. Covers cancer-linked stroke, COVID underreporting, hemoglobin levels, and education and survival.
A large-scale US study found that live kidney donors have similar long-term survival rates as healthy individuals, contradicting previous concerns about increased mortality. The study, which analyzed over 80,000 donations, suggests that living kidney donation is a safe and reasonable option for addressing the organ shortage.
A new study finds that cancer death rates have decreased significantly since the initiation of the 'war on cancer', resulting in a decline of 21% in men and 12% in women. For individuals under 75, this drop translates to approximately 2 million years of potential life gained.
A study published in the Lancet found that women's community groups in India led to a dramatic improvement in neonatal survival rates, with a 45% reduction in mortality rates. The groups also showed significant reductions in maternal depression and improvements in hygiene practices among new mothers.
Research findings suggest that participatory women's groups can reduce neonatal mortality by up to one-third and moderate maternal depression. The groups' impact was attributed to improved hygiene and care practices, as well as increased community mobilization and support for the poorest populations.
Researchers found that patients with a low ejection fraction in the right ventricle had a significantly increased risk of death. The study suggests that measuring RVEF can help identify high-risk patients and improve treatment outcomes.
A recent US study reveals that pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases have significantly lower mortality rates compared to previous studies. The Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance estimates that 300,000 children in the US suffer from some form of arthritis or rheumatic disease.
Recent research on the Darfur conflict identifies diseases as the main cause of death, particularly diarrhoea, affecting displaced populations. Adequate humanitarian assistance is essential to prevent and treat these potentially fatal diseases.
After the implementation of a new Medicare rule, bariatric surgery procedures were centralized to high-volume centers, resulting in shorter hospital stays and lower complication rates. The shift to minimally invasive procedures also contributed to improved outcomes.
The Surviving Sepsis Campaign has been shown to improve sepsis treatment, with a significant increase in compliance with performance measures and a decline in hospital mortality rates from 37% to 30.8%. The campaign's updated guidelines are endorsed by 18 professional societies and hospital networks globally.
A new study found that rural males are 47% more likely to die from injuries than their urban counterparts, while rural females face a 33% higher risk of injury-related mortality. The disparity is attributed to various factors such as unintentional suffocation in infants and suicide among older adults.
Patients admitted on weekends are 20% more likely to receive tissue plasminogen activator, a clot-dissolving medication. Despite this increased use, weekend stroke deaths do not differ significantly from weekday deaths.
A study published in JAMA found that telemedicine for ICU patients was not associated with improved mortality rates, length of stay, or reduced illness and death. Tele-ICU systems were only beneficial for sicker patients.
A Canadian study found that mortality rates among lower-income individuals with diabetes have increased, even as overall mortality rates from the disease have decreased. The study highlights the need to address barriers to adequate diabetes care in low-income populations.
A new study by MSU sociologist Hui Liu finds that widowed people in the US experience a higher mortality rate, especially among white women. The study reveals a growing mortality gap between married and unmarried individuals, primarily due to loss of social support and economic resources.
European cancer mortality has declined steadily, but large variations exist among countries and sex. The decline is largely driven by a decrease in tobacco-related cancers, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer.
A study of 29,513 patients with STEMI found no significant difference in death rates among hospitals with high, medium, or low primary angioplasty volumes. Despite lower door-to-balloon times and higher adherence to guidelines at high-volume centers, mortality rates remained consistent across the groups.
A randomized controlled trial found that prone positioning in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) did not significantly reduce mortality rates compared to supine positioning. Despite higher complication rates in the prone group, outcomes were similar for both groups at 28 days and 6 months.
A study published in BioMed Central's Conflict and Health journal found that news reports on the Iraq conflict grossly underestimated civilian casualties. The researchers analyzed media coverage and found that US newspapers reported more Coalition fatalities than Iraqi civilians, while non-US newspapers showed a reversed pattern.
A team of researchers found that community-based education and awareness programs minimized the death toll from the recent Samoan tsunami. The study suggests that tsunami education, awareness, and evacuation exercises played a crucial role in containing the death toll, with most people evacuated after experiencing an earthquake.
Research estimates cardiovascular and noncardiovascular mortality rates in patients receiving dialysis, finding that noncardiovascular death is the most common cause. The study suggests that excess mortality in patients starting dialysis may not be specific to cardiovascular deaths.
A new nationwide study suggests that people are more likely to support withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq if one or more soldiers from their home state were killed there recently. This localized factor outweighs other considerations, such as national casualties, in shaping public opinion.
A HealthGrades study found that patients at top-rated hospitals in the US have a significantly lower risk of dying compared to those at lower-rated hospitals. The study also revealed that Joint Commission stroke-certified hospitals had an 8% lower risk-adjusted mortality rate and were more likely to receive high ratings.
A study of critically ill patients with 2009 H1N1 found a high fatality rate of 40% due to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and shock. Young patients were disproportionately affected, highlighting the importance of early recognition and treatment.
Visual impairment without correction is associated with a higher risk of death among individuals aged 49-74 and all visual impairments. Disability in walking may represent an important indirect pathway to mortality for persons with visual impairment.
A new study suggests that high mortality rates in small-bodied people may be linked to their small stature. Researchers found that populations with high mortality rates experienced a decrease in height over time, while those with lower mortality rates remained stable.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that high-quality hospitals have medical teams proficient at rescuing patients once complications arise. Low-mortality hospitals have lower death rates from post-surgical complications compared to high-mortality hospitals.
Researchers found a six percent higher mortality rate for patients admitted on the first Wednesday in August compared to the previous Wednesday. The study of nearly 300,000 patients suggests a possible link between the influx of newly qualified doctors and increased mortality rates, but further research is needed.
Researchers suggest a link between lower mortality rates in September and the preceding summer vacations in Mediterranean countries. The study found that extreme heat and cold are associated with increased risk of death, but also noted a physiological effect of increased vitamin D synthesis and stress-relieving benefits of time off.
A new Harvard study estimates nearly 45,000 annual deaths are associated with a lack of health insurance, up from an earlier estimate of 18,000. The uninsured face a 40% higher risk of death compared to those with private insurance.
A new study from North Carolina State University found that the Bush administration's 'investment frame' strategy increased support for the Iraq War among supporters, but decreased tolerance among opponents. The study used a nationally representative sample to gauge public opinion in September 2006.
The study reveals that nearly two-thirds of adolescent deaths in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia occurred, despite these regions containing only 42% of the global 10—24-year-old population. Traffic accidents and violence were among the leading causes of death, with more than half of all deaths due to injuries or violence.
The global average annual rate of reduction in under-5 mortality has increased from 2000-2008 compared to 1990-2000. However, the world is still far from achieving Millennium Development Goal 4, with many regions not on track to meet the target.
Research highlights striking differences in national prevention policies and cardiovascular mortality rates across EU countries, with Hungary and Greece showing highest rates. The study also found noticeable disparities in risk factor prevalence and CHD prevention policies among the 16 participating countries.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found a significant increase in deaths from unintentional injuries, particularly among middle-aged white women and men. The death rate from falls increased by 38% for white men and 48% for white women 65 and older.
A significant decline in heart attack mortality rates has been observed in Europe over the past 25 years, primarily due to organisational changes in the pre-hospital phase. The successful implementation of these measures can lead to a reperfusion rate of over 75% and reduce mortality to below 5%.
Despite high GDP per capita, developed countries experience lower life expectancy and poor health outcomes. In contrast, countries with strong social safety nets and labor protection show smaller health impacts during recessions.
Smoking causes an estimated 0.7 million deaths per year in the European Union, with 23 years of life lost on average for those dying before age 70. Quitting smoking can reduce this risk, although a quarter of smokers will still die from tobacco-related causes if they continue
Between 1995 and 2006, the death rate for Medicare patients hospitalized for a heart attack decreased from 18.9% to 16.1%, with a significant reduction in between-hospital variation in mortality rates. The study found that hospitals made progress in reducing short-term mortality rates for acute myocardial infarction.
A study by Elliott R. Haut and colleagues found no significant differences in death rates among patients treated by novice vs. experienced trauma surgeons in a structured trauma program. Patients managed by novice surgeons showed improvement in mortality rates after structural changes were implemented.
A recent report by the American Association for Cancer Research finds that cancer mortality rates have declined steadily across all age groups over the past three decades. The decline is attributed to improved screening and treatment methods, with even younger individuals experiencing significant reductions in mortality rates.
A new study by Steve Carlton-Ford at the University of Cincinnati found that major armed conflicts have little consistent effect on child mortality rates, while social militarization significantly increases child mortality. The research also reveals that praetorian militaries have a detrimental impact on civilian populations.
A new study published in CMAJ found that hip and back fractures in people aged 50 and older significantly increase mortality rates. Approximately 25% of individuals who develop a hip fracture and 16% who develop a spine fracture will die within 5 years.
The IMCI strategy has improved health-worker skills, health-system support, and family and community practices, leading to increased care-seeking and community treatment. However, its impact on mortality rates was not statistically significant, despite a decrease in stunting among children aged 2-5 years.
The study documents the extent of flooding and damage in the Ayeyarwady River delta after Cyclone Nargis, with findings including storm surges up to 5 meters high. Researchers recommend implementing a cyclone education program, developing flood maps, and constructing cyclone-safe buildings to reduce future loss of life.
A new study in Operations Research journal highlights the difficulty of defeating insurgent groups like the Taliban, citing the crucial role of timely and accurate military intelligence. The model shows that even good intelligence may only contain the insurgency, not defeat it, and that the government's best option is to achieve a cont...
A study by Rhode Island Hospital researchers found a substantial link between increased levels of nitrates in the environment and food with increased deaths from diseases such as Alzheimer's, diabetes mellitus, and Parkinson's. The study suggests that reducing nitrate levels in fertilizer and water, detoxifying food and water, may help...
A study in Spain found a 17% increase in maternal deaths since 1996, with the highest death rates among foreign women and those aged 35-44. The risk of death rose exponentially with maternal age, highlighting the need for epidemiological monitoring and studying causes to prevent deaths.
A large-scale analysis of nearly 60,000 patients found bariatric surgery to be relatively safe with complication rates around 10% and a total mortality rate under 1%. The study's findings indicate improved safety measures in modern weight-loss surgery.
The Millennium Development Goals are failing to address high under-five child mortality amongst the country's most vulnerable groups. The goal of reducing average under-5 mortality by two-thirds by 2015 may be achieved, but inequity will persist if resources are allocated solely based on averages
A study found that elderly patients experiencing nighttime urination had a higher mortality rate compared to those without nocturia. Researchers identified several factors associated with an increased risk of death, including age, diabetes, and hypertension.
A study analyzing 19,363 patients found no significant difference in mortality rates or complications between bariatric surgery centers of excellence and other hospitals. However, these centers performed more procedures annually, resulting in higher costs per patient.
A Stanford study found that the US AIDS Relief program reduced HIV/AIDS death tolls by over 10% in targeted African countries, saving an estimated 1 million lives. However, there was no significant impact on disease prevalence rates.
Researchers at Florida Institute of Technology have developed a virtual simulation tool that assesses the impact of crowd formation patterns on survival and injury rates during a suicide terrorist attack. The study suggests that following specific crowd formation patterns can reduce fatalities by 12% and injuries by 7%.
A study by the University of Edinburgh found that Scotland and Ireland have twice the rate of alcohol-related deaths compared to the rest of England and Wales. Men born in India showed similar rates of alcohol-related death as Scottish- and Irish-born people, highlighting cultural differences in drinking habits.
A study of 900,000 adults found that a body-mass index above the ideal range of 22.5-25 kg/m2 leads to increased mortality rates. Moderate obesity has only one-third the effect on mortality as smoking, while severe obesity has a similar impact but is relatively rare.
Researchers found a decrease in heart attack diagnoses using ECG, while biomarker-based diagnoses increased, contributing to stable hospitalization rates. Additionally, cardiogenic shock incidence declined over 30 years, likely due to reperfusion therapy and primary angioplasty.
Studies show that stroke mortality rates and burden vary greatly by country, with low-income countries being the most affected. Despite knowing known risk factors for stroke, such as diabetes and alcohol consumption, these do not explain the greater burden in low-income countries.
A new study found that patients waiting for a kidney transplant who receive care at centers with shorter wait times tend to live longer. The research analyzed data from nearly 109,000 patients and found that waiting time had the strongest effect on survival, with patients at centers with long waits having a higher risk of death.
Researchers at Rice University and Duke University Medical Center found no increase in death rates after states dropped regulations on heart procedures. Dropping CON rules led to increased entry of new cardiac-care facilities, potentially raising costs per procedure.
A recent study led by the U.S. Geological Survey found that tree death rates have more than doubled over the last few decades in old-growth forests of the western United States. The increase is widespread, affecting various forest types, elevations, and tree species.