Research on death rates and what drives them. Covers cancer-linked stroke, COVID underreporting, hemoglobin levels, and education and survival.
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.
In the Pacific Northwest, tree mortality rates have doubled in 17 years, with older forests experiencing a faster rate of decline than younger forests. This increase is attributed to warming temperatures, which reduce snowpack, prolong droughts, and enable insects and diseases to flourish.
Mass privatisation programmes coincided with large increases in male mortality in some countries. The study found a 12.8% rise in short-term adult male mortality rates after implementation of mass privatisation, mainly attributed to unemployment and stress.
A study analyzing death rates among men of working age in post-communist countries found that mass privatization was associated with a 12.8% increase in deaths. However, countries that implemented slower reforms experienced lower mortality rates and fewer social costs. The authors conclude that caution is needed when macroeconomic poli...
A recent study found women with STEMI have an adjusted mortality rate almost twice as high as men, due to lower reperfusion therapy. Women are also treated less intensively in the acute phase.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that subway-related fatalities are largely unintentional, with 47.2% due to accidents, and often linked to alcohol intoxication. Structural improvements and public safety messages can reduce the risk of such fatalities.
New research suggests that rapid response teams in hospitals do not reduce cardiopulmonary arrests or deaths. Despite widespread implementation, hospital-wide code rates and mortality rates remained largely unchanged after rapid response team intervention.
Since 1970, India has faced over 4,100 terrorist attacks, resulting in 12,539 fatalities. The Global Terrorism Database reports that these incidents peaked in 1991 and 1992, with a total of 360 fatalities per year.
A Mayo Clinic study reveals women with mitral valve prolapse and severe leakage often receive less aggressive treatment than men, with a higher risk of mortality. The underestimation of cardiac enlargement in women may be the primary reason for these disparities, highlighting the need for more precise evaluation and treatment strategies.
The report found declines in both cancer incidence and death rates, as well as wide variations in lung cancer trends from state to state. Tobacco control measures are key to reducing the risk of lung cancer.
The report reveals declines in cancer incidence and death rates across the US, with some states experiencing significant variations in lung cancer trends. These findings underscore the need to strengthen tobacco control programs and accelerate efforts to prevent or reduce the occurrence of kidney and liver cancers.
A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that raising alcohol taxes immediately reduces the number of deaths from alcohol-related diseases. The study shows that two to four times more lives can be saved through tax increases compared to other prevention efforts.
A new UCLA School of Nursing study analyzes data from the Nurses' Health Study to reveal the consequences of smoking on nursing professionals. The findings show that current smokers are twice as likely to die compared to non-smokers, and quitting makes a significant difference in enhancing longevity.
A vision screening law in Florida has been linked to lower death rates from car crashes among drivers aged 80 and older. The study found that the law, which required drivers over 80 to pass a vision test before renewing their license, resulted in a 17% decrease in fatality rates among this age group.
A new study by NIU researchers highlights the danger of nighttime tornadoes, which are 2.5 times more likely to kill than daytime events. The study suggests that current warning systems may not be adequate for overnight events, particularly in mobile homes where nearly 61% of fatalities occur at night.
A study of 429,751 trauma patients found that African American and Hispanic patients had significantly higher death rates compared to white patients. Uninsured patients also had a higher death risk, with mortality rates doubling for African American and Hispanic patients compared to white patients.
Asthma affects over 2 million Australians, with a plateauing prevalence among children and declining hospital admission rates since 1993. Despite positive trends, asthma remains a major concern due to smoking habits, lack of written action plans, and higher mortality rates among Indigenous Australians.
The updated indicators help measure cardiac care quality and identify areas for improvement. Hospitals with better performance on these indicators have lower mortality rates, potentially saving lives.
The HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America Study found that top-rated hospitals have a significantly lower mortality rate, with an average of 14.17% improvement from 2005 to 2007. If all hospitals performed at the level of five-star rated hospitals, 237,420 Medicare deaths could potentially be prevented.
A study examines the connection between Civil War battlefields and casualties, finding that geology plays a significant role in determining fighter outcomes. Researchers discovered areas with favorable terrain and unfavorable geology resulted in distinct casualty rates.
The SITS-ISTR study found that alteplase was safe and effective when given 3-4.5 hours after stroke onset, similar to the traditional 3-hour treatment window. Outcome measures were comparable in both groups, with similar mortality rates, brain haemorrhage risk, and independence at 3 months.
A new study by the American Cancer Society found that lung cancer death rates among never-smokers are highest among men, African Americans, and Asians in Asia. The review analyzed data from over 630,000 individuals and found that the incidence of lung cancer among lifelong nonsmokers is similar to brain and nervous system cancers.
A study of 2 million people and 22 cancer registries found that African Americans and Asians living outside the US have higher death rates from lung cancer than Europeans. Lung cancer risk among never smokers is not increasing, contradicting previous research.
A new study published in the American Sociological Review found that individuals with personal connections to victims of the Iraq War or 9/11 terrorist attacks are less likely to approve of President Bush's performance, affecting both Republicans and Democrats. The pattern holds true across all demographics.
A study by David Stuckler and colleagues found that International Monetary Fund loans were associated with a 16.6% rise in death rates from tuberculosis (TB) in the former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern European countries between 1992 and 2002.
A new study by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that higher gasoline prices can lead to a significant reduction in traffic deaths. According to the analysis, death rates could drop by over 1,000 per month nationwide if gas remains at $4 a gallon or higher for a year or more.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that higher education levels were associated with significant mortality reductions in four common cancers: lung, colorectal, prostate, and breast. Individuals with a college degree experienced greater declines in cancer mortality rates compared to those with less e...
Research found that communities with a large number of Catholic and Mainline Protestant churches tend to have lower mortality rates due to their emphasis on community outreach and public charity. In contrast, Conservative Protestant churches often focus on individual relationships with God and may lead to higher mortality rates.
A study published in JAMA found that HIV-infected individuals in industrialized countries now have mortality rates similar to the general population in the first 5 years following infection. However, longer-term excess mortality remains evident, with higher risks for older age groups and injection drug users.
A new analysis of the devastating May 12 earthquake in China found that it resulted from faults with little seismic activity. The quake occurred at a boundary between two tectonic plates and was caused by the obstruction of rapidly flowing crustal material, leading to a simultaneous rupture of two separate but contiguous faults.
Injury-related deaths among black males ages 15 to 24 decreased by 24% from 1999 to 2005, while injury death rates among white males increased by 7%. This reduction was attributed to a decrease in motor vehicle crashes and firearm suicides among black males.
The Iraq war saw a shift from maneuver warfare to insurgency warfare, resulting in more severe injuries and longer transport times. Fragment wounds increased, while gunshots decreased, leading to higher mortality rates.
A study of 3,000 older men found that disrupted rest and activity biological rhythms were associated with a higher risk of death. Men with more robust rest/activity rhythms had lower mortality rates, highlighting the importance of regular sleep routines for health and longevity in older adults.
A new study published at SLEEP 2008 found strong associations between disturbed rest/activity rhythms and mortality rates in older, community-dwelling men. The research, which included 3,053 men aged 67 years and older, showed that those with lower amplitude (i.e., weaker) rhythms had higher mortality rates than those with stronger rhy...
A review of heart bypass patients in Ontario hospitals found that 111 deaths (32%) might have been prevented with better care. Many preventable deaths were related to lapses in established procedures, highlighting the need for quality improvement initiatives.
Road traffic deaths in China have surged almost 100% over two decades, with the leading cause of death for people up to age 45. The study found that deaths increased by 95% between 1985 and 2005, despite a decrease in road-related injuries.
A study from Karolinska Institutet found that golfers have a lower death rate than non-golfers, with a 5-year increase in life expectancy. Golfing, especially with a low handicap, has beneficial health effects.
Researchers developed a method to identify bromadiolone poisoning in humans, which has a 20% mortality rate. The analysis method helps treat bleeding disorders by quickly identifying the cause of the condition.
A new study finds that people who were overweight in adolescence have a higher risk of mortality from endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, colon cancer, and respiratory diseases. The study of 230,000 Norwegian adolescents found an increased mortality rate among those with high BMI.
A study found that black patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a higher risk of dying in the early stages of the disease compared to white patients. The disparities are attributed to sociological factors, including poverty and access-to-care, rather than biological differences.
A new study by LA BioMed researcher Rajnish Mehrotra found that black patients with early-stage chronic kidney disease are 78% more likely to die than whites. The study suggests that socio-economic factors such as poverty, lack of education and medical insurance contribute to the higher mortality rates among blacks.
A new study reveals that prostate cancer screening programs and access to urologists are significantly linked to reduced mortality rates. The research, presented at the AUA 2008 conference, found that higher urologist population densities and PSA screening rates correlate with lower mortality rates.
Researchers conclude that adding chemotherapy to active symptom control does not improve overall survival or quality of life for mesothelioma patients. However, exploratory analyses suggest that vinorelbine may merit further investigation.
A study published in PLOS ONE found a widening gap in death rates between Americans with less than high school education and college graduates. The study analyzed data from 1993 to 2001 and found that mortality rates among the most educated decreased significantly, while those with less education remained relatively unchanged.
A recent study found that coronary heart disease mortality rates among younger women under 50 are increasing despite overall declines since the 20th century. Factors such as high levels of smoking, obesity, and a lack of exercise may be contributing to this trend.
A new UCLA study identified common precipitating factors that may contribute to hospital admissions nationwide for heart failure. Researchers found pneumonia, irregular heart beats, and obstructed blood flow to the heart as the most frequent contributing factors.
The study found that in-hospital death rates following CABG decreased from 5.4% in 1988 to 3.3% in 2003, with hospitals performing the fewest procedures experiencing the largest decreases. This suggests that quality care practices have improved everywhere, regardless of hospital volume.
A new study found that between 1983 and 1999, death rates in women increased in low-income counties due to chronic diseases like smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity. Inequality in life expectancy worsened across US counties, particularly for disadvantaged populations.
Research reveals a striking decline in US prostate cancer mortality compared to the UK, with faster rates of decline attributed to increased screening and treatment. The study suggests that differences in detection and treatment policies may contribute to this disparity.
A 10-year retrospective study found that even small increases in serum creatinine levels during hospitalization raise the risk of end-stage renal disease and mortality in elderly patients. The study also identified that larger changes in creatinine levels were associated with higher risks.
The Lancet Editor Dr Richard Horton calls for increased action on maternal and child mortality rates, citing strikingly inadequate progress towards the MDGs. He urges politicians, policy makers, donors, research funders, and civil society to take radical change to prevent unnecessary deaths.
Leading cardiologists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center are presenting new basic and clinical research findings on drug-eluting stents, wound closure devices, and noninvasive coronary angiography. Dr. Antonio Gotto Jr. will present data showing the ExoSeal device speeds up clotting time and reduces patient i...
A new study has shown that lowering blood pressure in very elderly patients can significantly reduce their risk of death and cardiovascular events. The trial, HYVET, found a 21% reduction in total mortality rate and a 39% reduction in stroke mortality rate among participants.
A recent University of Missouri study found that states with repealed universal helmet laws experienced a 12.2% increase in motorcyclist fatalities, while states with universal laws had a 11.1% lower fatality rate.
A University of Maryland study of 1841 hospitals in 13 states found that when whites and minorities are admitted for the same reason, they receive the same quality care. However, the study also identified low-performing hospitals where minority patients face higher risks of mortality and complications.
A new study from the American Cancer Society reveals that breast cancer death rates among African American women are decreasing in only 11 US states and remain flat or increase in at least half. The disparity is attributed to access issues, regional variations in treatment quality, and limited screening services.
The 2008 HealthGrades America's 50 Best Hospitals list identifies top-performing facilities with superior patient outcomes, including an average 27% lower mortality rate compared to all other US hospitals. These elite hospitals demonstrate consistent quality care across multiple procedures and diagnoses.
A recent study found that US disparities in health status have reversed since the 1960s, contrary to previous findings. The research demonstrates that improvements in overall population health led to declines in social inequities in health between 1966 and 1980.
A large-scale study confirms that the cardiac surgery drug aprotinin increases death rates and damages kidney function. The study analyzed data from over 10,000 patients and found that those who received aprotinin had higher mortality rates and impaired kidney function compared to those who did not.
Studies found that stroke patients who arrive in the emergency department during off-hours, especially on weekends, are more likely to die in the hospital. Hemorrhagic strokes showed a significant increased risk of mortality compared to ischemic strokes.