Research on death rates and what drives them. Covers cancer-linked stroke, COVID underreporting, hemoglobin levels, and education and survival.
The study analyzed data from 2000 to find large regional variations in stroke and heart disease-related deaths across Europe. Mortality rates for ischemic heart disease (IHD) were lower in southern and western countries, while cerebrovascular disease (CVD) mortality was reduced in the center of Western Europe.
A recent Johns Hopkins Medicine study suggests that the current standard for heart transplant hospitals may be too lenient. The researchers recommend increasing the benchmark from 10 to 14 heart transplants per year, as high-volume centers consistently show better survival rates and fewer complications.
A study found that trauma centers upgraded to Level 1 designation had lower death rates compared to those designated as Level 2. Severely injured patients admitted to Level 1 centers had significantly reduced mortality rates, suggesting improved protocols and care may be key to saving lives.
A recent study found that patients with severe COPD who received salmeterol-fluticasone (SFC) therapy had lower mortality rates compared to those treated with tiotropium. Additionally, SFC treatment was associated with better health status and fewer patient withdrawals.
A US study found that despite historic advances in public health, the gap in health rates between socioeconomic classes has persisted. The relative advantage in child mortality rates and health associated with social and economic status remained stable over the past century.
The proposed global goal aims to reduce chronic disease mortality by 2% yearly, averting millions of deaths and saving billions of dollars. In 23 studied countries, this reduction could extend life expectancy by up to 18 years.
A study found that adding a rapid response medical team to a children's hospital led to an 18% decrease in death rates and a 70% decline in cardiac and respiratory arrests. The intervention resulted in the estimated saving of 33 lives.
Recent research suggests that decades of progress in reducing young adult coronary disease risk appears to be stalling. The worrisome plateau is likely caused by poor health habits such as smoking, lack of physical activity, and excessive weight gain.
A new study challenges traditional notions of triage in disaster response by highlighting the importance of regional hospital capacity and field triage accuracy. The research suggests that levels of overtriage can be beneficial, harmless or detrimental depending on local resources and response times.
A Mayo Clinic study reveals no significant improvement in life expectancy for RA patients over the past four decades. Researchers found a widening mortality gap between RA subjects and the general population, with cardiovascular deaths contributing to this trend.
A study by Johns Hopkins surgeons found that newborns with uncomplicated gastroschisis have varying survival rates depending on the hospital, with some having death rates three to five times higher than the national average. The researchers compared mortality rates among 1,775 infants born with the condition in 40 US hospitals.
A study found that a structured quality improvement program called RightStart improved outcomes for new dialysis patients, including significant reductions in mortality and hospitalization rates. The program, which included education, close medical follow-up, and self-empowerment, was associated with better nutrition, less anemia, and ...
Bariatric surgery significantly increases the risk of death from heart disease and suicide, with nearly 6% of patients dying within five years. The study found that age and comorbidities play a significant role in these outcomes.
The HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America Study found a 71% lower mortality rate at top-rated hospitals compared to the lowest-rated hospitals across 18 procedures and conditions. Improvements were seen in procedures like pancreatitis, pulmonary embolism, and diabetic acidosis and coma.
A new study found associations between occupation and increased risk of dying from systemic autoimmune diseases, particularly in farming and industrial jobs. Exposure to specific substances like asbestos and pesticides was also linked to higher mortality rates.
Researchers found that safety measures introduced over the past decade have failed to reduce death rates and speed in Grand Prix motor racing. Experts recommend strengthening barriers, protective clothing for drivers, and improving cornering speeds to prioritize driver safety.
Researchers from the University of Warwick and University College London found that both lack of sleep and excessive sleep increase mortality rates. A study of 10,308 civil servants revealed that those who slept less than 7 hours per night were 1.7 times more likely to die from all causes.
Researchers found that TP10 significantly reduced complement levels during surgery, but there was no significant difference in mortality between groups. The study suggests that female patients may have special mechanisms protecting them from complement activation during open-heart surgery.
A new study proposes a universal rule to explain the equilibrium of plant populations, identifying phytoplankton as the shortest-lived species and trees that can live for centuries. The research suggests that plant mortality is highly temperature-sensitive, with potential increases of 40% in land temperatures above 4ºC.
A new American Cancer Society study reveals that having at least some education beyond high school is associated with a decreased risk of cancer death. The study found stronger associations between higher education levels and lower cancer mortality among black men, white men, and white women.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that higher education levels are associated with decreased cancer mortality rates among black and white men and women. The difference in mortality was greatest between those with 12 or fewer years of education and those with more than 12 years. This association is ...
Advanced age does not increase risk of death following liver transplant, according to a study. The authors analyzed 26 variables related to the recipients and found that preoperative hospitalization, cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C, and increasing model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score were associated with higher death rates.
A study by Imperial College London and Loughborough University found a significant increase in motorcycling casualties in inner London during the congestion charging period. The research suggests that the incentive to use motorcycles may be driving the rise, while cyclists in outer London also experienced an increase in casualties.
Research found that older climbers (60+) have a sharply higher chance of dying if they reach the summit compared to younger climbers. The overall chances of reaching the summit dropped to 13% for those in their 60s, and the death rate more than tripled to 5%.
Researchers analyzed US cities' non-pharmaceutical interventions during the 1918-1919 pandemic and found an association between these measures and reduced death rates. Cities that implemented early and extended interventions had lower death tolls, suggesting these actions can be crucial in planning for future pandemics
Mortality rates from pulmonary fibrosis are expected to continue rising, with a significant increase in deaths from the disease itself rather than coexisting conditions. The study found higher mortality rates in older men and women, as well as disparities among racial and ethnic groups.
A national initiative designed to improve heart-failure patient care in hospitals resulted in significant gains, including increased adherence to key quality-of-care performance measures and reduced hospital stays. The initiative also led to favorable trends for in-hospital and post-discharge mortality rates.
Research suggests that older adults with poor health literacy have a higher risk of mortality compared to those with adequate literacy. The study found that individuals with lower education levels had poorer health outcomes, including increased rates of cardiovascular disease deaths.
A recent study found ethnic differences in neonatal mortality and morbidity rates, with South Asian infants facing significantly higher risks. Small for gestational age was a significant factor only among Caucasian infants, while premature birth was a risk across all ethnic groups.
Research shows a slowdown in heart disease deaths among younger Britons, with death rates levelling off in some age groups. This trend is concerning as it may indicate that the gains made in reducing heart disease mortality are being reversed due to rising obesity and diabetes rates.
A new study from Harvard School of Public Health found that hospitals in the top quartile of performance had nearly 1% lower mortality among patients with AMI, 0.4% among those with CHF, and 0.8% among those with pneumonia. This suggests that using quality measures to choose a hospital can increase survival odds.
A Yale University study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that top-ranked hospitals may not necessarily provide better care for heart attack patients. The research compared death rates among patients treated at both ranked and non-ranked hospitals, revealing a surprising disparity between the two groups.
According to a study published in Archives of Internal Medicine, individuals admitted for heart attack to top-ranked hospitals are less likely to die within 30 days compared to those admitted to non-ranked hospitals. However, the study found that many unranked hospitals also had lower-than-expected death rates.
A study found that consuming small amounts of dark chocolate daily reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure without adverse effects. The findings suggest that adopting flavanol-rich cocoa into one's diet may be a promising approach to lower blood pressure in individuals with above-optimal blood pressure levels.
The study found that women treated at top-performing hospitals have a significantly lower risk-adjusted mortality rate for cardiovascular disease, with an average improvement of 8.7%. The greatest quality gaps were seen in heart failure and interventional cardiology procedures.
A study comparing patients aged 60 and younger found similar postoperative complication rates, with no age-related mortality differences. Bariatric surgery is also deemed acceptable for Medicare recipients, with expert management leading to low morbidity and mortality rates.
The study found that the death rate for men with diabetes declined by 43% between 1971 and 2000, while the death rate for women with diabetes did not change. The authors suggest that different approaches may be needed to improve health outcomes for women with diabetes.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that hazardous drinking is responsible for 43% of deaths in Russian men aged 25-54. This includes both excessive consumption of regular beverage-alcohol and drinking of non-beverage alcohol such as colognes, medical tinctures and cleaning agents.
Researchers found that early palliative care interventions can reduce ICU stay length by over seven days without affecting mortality rates. This proactive approach aims to improve quality of life for seriously ill patients.
A large study found that black Medicare patients are less likely to receive blood vessel opening procedures like angioplasty following a heart attack and experience higher mortality rates at 1 year. They also face barriers in receiving revascularization even when transferred to hospitals with the service.
Hospitalized patients treated with antimicrobials against atypical pathogens experienced reduced time to clinical stability, decreased hospital stays, and lower mortality rates. The study found that atypical treatment significantly improved patient outcomes in regions globally.
Studies by University of Missouri-Columbia professors Lilliard Richardson and David J. Houston found that upgrading to primary seatbelt enforcement laws increases belt use and improves public safety considerably. States with primary laws consistently had the highest seatbelt usage rates, while those with secondary laws had the lowest.
A simple blood test taken at hospital admission can predict in-hospital mortality risk for heart failure patients, says UCLA researcher. Higher BNP levels are associated with higher mortality rates and other clinical outcomes such as mechanical ventilation and longer hospital stays.
Research published in the journal Heart found a significant link between performance league tables and lower death rates after coronary artery bypass surgery. The study analyzed data from almost 26,000 patients and showed that public disclosure of cardiac surgery outcome data led to improved patient outcomes.
A study by Purdue University researcher Dan Mroczek found that neurotic men whose levels dropped over time had a better chance at living longer. Those who were highly neurotic and grew worse over time died much sooner than their peers.
A study by researchers at the University of Bristol found that female woodhoopoes that started breeding later in life produced more offspring than those that started earlier. The researchers attributed this to a high mortality rate among young females, suggesting they were not yet in optimal condition to breed.
A new study reveals that recent declines in breast cancer mortality rates have been most significant among women with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive tumors and women younger than 70. These groups experienced a 38% decline in mortality from breast cancer, compared to a 19% decline for ER-negative tumors.
A multi-disciplinary panel of experts from eight countries examined emergency medical responses to blast events and identified commonalities that can be used to enhance preparedness worldwide. These findings highlight the importance of pre-defined command structures, regular triage guidelines, and effective scene security measures in r...
A new study details the devastating impact of a nuclear attack on American cities, including casualties from blast and radiation, and burn victims from massive fires. The researchers suggest simple interventions can save tens of thousands of lives.
A study of 46,993 patients found that hospital death rates ranged from 10% to 28%, with nursing staff levels and care map use associated with lower mortality rates. The study suggests that hospitals can reduce deaths by employing more registered nurses and implementing routine care maps or protocols.
A new study reveals that birds with larger brains relative to their body size have a lower mortality rate than those with smaller brains. The research supports the cognitive buffer hypothesis, which suggests that large brains enable animals to better cope with environmental challenges such as climate change and habitat destruction.
The London bombings on July 7, 2005, resulted in a large mass casualty event. Researchers found that the Royal London Hospital's Helicopter Emergency Medical Service achieved low over-triage rates, leading to a death rate among critically injured of 15%, lower than most previous terrorist mass casualty events.
A study found little difference in death rates for common conditions at high and low-performing hospitals, suggesting that current measures may not accurately predict patient outcomes. The authors call for more tightly linked measures to improve health care quality.
A new study finds that 93% of gorillas at the Lossi Sanctuary in Congo were killed by Ebola during outbreaks in 2002 and 2003. The research suggests that targeted vaccination strategies could be effective in controlling the spread of the disease, which has devastated ape populations in Africa.
A study of 44 patients with pulmonary embolism from illicit silicone injection found high fatality rates and severe complications. Transsexual males were disproportionately affected, highlighting the need for increased awareness and medical checks.
A recent study published in Tobacco Control found that halving daily cigarette consumption has no significant health benefits. Among the participants who cut back on their smoking, women actually had higher death rates from all causes combined than heavy smokers.
Medicaid patients are less likely to receive recommended cardiac care, including short-term medications and invasive procedures. They also have higher in-hospital mortality rates and are less likely to receive recommended discharge care. The study suggests that system problems and biases may contribute to these disparities.
A population-based study of 393 patients with rheumatoid arthritis found that they aged at approximately 1.25 times the rate of people in the general population. This accelerated aging was consistent with increased mortality rates among RA patients, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and intervention to address total health.
African-American women have the highest mortality rate for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), according to a new study. The study found that racial disparities exist in IPAH mortality and morbidity, with African-American women exhibiting the highest mortality rate when compared with all other groups.
The HealthGrades 2007 hospital-quality study found a significant gap in patient outcomes between top-rated and poorly performing hospitals. The study analyzed 40.6 million Medicare records and revealed that mortality rates declined by nearly 8% across the nation, while the quality chasm between best and worst-performing hospitals grew ...