Research on death rates and what drives them. Covers cancer-linked stroke, COVID underreporting, hemoglobin levels, and education and survival.
A new study estimates 655,000 more Iraqi deaths due to the 2003 invasion than expected in a non-conflict situation. The mortality rate doubled from 5.5 to 13.3 per 1000 people per year post-invasion.
A New Mexico study found a 29% increase in Sunday crashes and a 42% increase in alcohol-related crash fatalities since lifting the statewide ban on Sunday packaged alcohol sales. The study, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, analyzed data from 1990 to 2005.
A nationwide systematic screening program in Italy has shown a significant decline in sudden cardiovascular deaths among young athletes, with a 89% reduction in incidence rates. The study analyzed data from 1979 to 2004 and found that most cases of sudden death were due to previously unsuspected structural heart disease.
A new study published in Science estimates that at least 200,000 people have died in Darfur, far exceeding previous estimates of tens of thousands. The study's authors used primary surveys and extrapolation to arrive at this revised estimate, which underscores the urgency of the situation.
Researchers identified eight distinct regions in the US with varying life expectancies, with gaps between best-off and worst-off groups exceeding 15 years. Chronic diseases and injuries were found to be major contributors to these disparities.
A Swedish study found that pensioners who received regular home visits from health professionals had a mortality rate nearly half that of those without visits. The mortality rate increased after the visits ended.
In sub-Saharan Africa, AIDS deaths are disproportionately affecting health professionals, particularly nurses and clinical officers. The study found that over a decade, death would claim more of these healthcare workers than resignation or normal retirement due to the disease.
A study found that youth-onset type 2 diabetes is associated with a substantially increased risk of end-stage kidney disease and death between 25-55 years old. Participants with early-onset diabetes had a significantly higher incidence rate of kidney disease compared to those with older-onset diabetes.
A study of nearly 600,000 deaths in men aged 35-69 years across four countries found that smoking-related diseases account for more than half of the disparity in death rates between rich and poor. The research highlights the importance of quitting smoking to narrow health inequalities.
A study published in Science found that Albertosaurus survived for two years with low mortality rates, but death rates increased after reaching teenage years. The research provides insight into the life patterns of tyrannosaurs and challenges previous theories about their behavior.
Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) who are physically active have a significantly lower death rate than inactive individuals. A study published in Circulation found that higher physical activity levels are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and death in PAD patients.
A recent study found that hospital quality measures do not fully account for the variation in hospital death rates for heart attack patients. The study used data from over 962 hospitals and found moderate correlations between certain process measures, such as medication use, and patient outcomes.
A new scoring system can help determine which patients are at the lowest risk of dying after gastric bypass surgery. The system is based on five easy-to-identify patient characteristics and provides a standardized way to compare outcomes among centers performing the surgery.
A Healthgrades study found that women's cardiac and stroke outcomes improved by an average of 9.54% from 2002 to 2004, but hospital performance varies widely, with best-performing hospitals having a 40% lower mortality rate than poor performers
A study published in Anesthesia & Analgesia found that patients who received older blood during repeat open-heart procedures had a higher risk of death, kidney damage, and prolonged hospital stays. The researchers also found that the number of transfusions and duration of storage were independent predictors of long-term mortality.
A new study found significant racial disparities in seatbelt use among black and white motorists, with blacks less likely to wear seatbelts in states with secondary seatbelt laws. The study suggests that upgrading these laws to primary laws could eliminate the disparity and reduce motor vehicle crash-related injuries and deaths.
A new measure of heart rate deceleration capacity has been found to be a stronger predictor of mortality than traditional measures in patients who have had a heart attack. This alternative marker for wellbeing can detect high-risk patients even if current gold-standard measures fail.
A study of 940,000 adults found similar lung cancer death rates for men and women, but higher rates among African-American women. Never-smoking African-Americans may have a higher risk of lung cancer mortality compared to non-smoking whites.
A new study suggests that body mass index (BMI) standards for younger adults may not be appropriate for people in their 80s and 90s. The analysis found that those who were overweight had the lowest mortality rates, while being underweight led to higher mortality rates.
A UK hospital analysed the Shipman murders and added virtual deaths to their records to test the hospital's monitoring system. The study found that the system would have raised alarms in eight months for a surgeon and ten months for an anaesthetist, highlighting the need for robust local monitoring to prevent similar events.
Research suggests that women live longer than men due to the biological imperative of attracting mates, with males competing aggressively for female attention. This competition leads to riskier behavior and physiology, ultimately shortening male lifespans relative to females.
The Biodesign Institute developed a mobile, rapid assessment device to respond to potential bioterror threats using automated miniaturized lab-on-a-chip cartridges. A portable biodosimetry system was also designed for identifying radiation exposure in 'dirty bomb' victims.
A Penn State study found that perfectionist fathers can reinforce negative eating habits in their sons and daughters, which can lead to anorexia and other clinical illnesses. The researchers suggest that treating maladaptive eating disorders requires a focus on the patient's relational network, including communication with parents.
A new study by UC Davis Cancer Center researchers reveals that smoking is a significant contributor to cancer death rates among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The study found that non-lung cancer death rates correlate closely with smoke exposures, suggesting that eliminating smoking could lead to very low cancer mortality rates.
Researchers found that older men who drank moderately or heavily and had comorbidities worsened by alcohol use had a 20% higher mortality rate than other drinkers. The study also revealed that lower drinking thresholds should be recommended for older adults with specific conditions.
A new study published in JAMA found that women are at a higher risk of developing angina, a symptom of chest pain or discomfort due to insufficient oxygen supply to the heart muscle. Women with angina and diabetes are particularly at risk of experiencing high rates of death from heart disease
Research finds blood type and age may be pivotal in transfusion success. Blood transfusions are associated with a markedly increased risk of mortality in patients suffering from ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
A Joslin Diabetes Center study reveals insulin's critical role in blood vessel formation, which may lead to new treatments for heart attacks in diabetes patients. The researchers found that insulin activates a pathway producing VEGF, essential for new blood vessel growth.
A study found that corticosteroids in the trauma intensive care unit are associated with a higher risk of pneumonia, bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, prolonged ICU stays, and increased mortality rates. The use of corticosteroids for conditions not widely studied also resulted in significant additional costs.
The study highlights the co-dependence of mortality risk and poverty, with lower-income countries suffering greater losses due to inadequate infrastructure and emergency response systems. The Earth Institute at Columbia University is a leading academic center for integrated study of the Earth's environment and society.
A recent study published by the University of South Florida has found that drug use is linked to an increased risk of brain hemorrhage in young adults. The study analyzed data from 307 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage and found that cocaine, marijuana, and amphetamines were common substances of abuse among those under 50.
A new study suggests that lower doses of the clot-busting drug tPA can effectively treat intracerebral hemorrhage without increasing bleeding risks, with mortality rates dropping to 13 percent in some cases. The findings are promising for patients who suffer from this type of stroke, which affects over 100,000 Americans annually.
Cornell University is developing a distributed communications system to coordinate emergency response efforts, hospital management, and local officials. The system will combine real-time reports with databases of hospital capacity and resources to optimize treatment capacity during mass casualty events.
A study of 851 patients found that metabolic acidosis was associated with a higher mortality rate compared to non-acidosis patients. Lactic acidosis and SIG acidosis were identified as independent predictors of hospital mortality in critically ill patients.
The study found that top 5 percent hospitals have significantly lower mortality and complication rates compared to the rest. These hospitals can avoid 21,896 complications and save 152,966 lives if they match the quality of care of top-performing hospitals.
A large cohort study found that sulfonylurea drugs increase the risk of mortality and cardiac events in patients with type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that sulfonylureas should be used only as a third-line treatment option, due to their potential to harm heart muscle.
Researchers analyzed data from hundreds of thousands of heart surgeries and found African-American patients face a two-fold increased risk of post-procedure death. Despite better access to high-volume hospitals, racial differences in mortality rates remain, highlighting the need for quality improvement beyond hospital volume.
A nationwide household mortality survey found the national crude mortality rate to be 40% higher than sub-Saharan regional levels, resulting in 600,000 more deaths. The conflict has led to 3.9 million total deaths and 38,000 excess deaths per month.
Liver cirrhosis mortality rates have increased significantly in Scotland, England and Wales, doubling the European average. The authors attribute this to rising alcohol consumption, particularly wine and spirits, as well as other factors like obesity and hepatitis C.
The Lancet Editor Richard Horton emphasizes the importance of medical journals and general news media in drawing attention to neglected issues of child and maternal health. The current huge imbalances in research publications between high and low-income countries highlight the need for increased funding and action.
A new set of guidelines aims to help care for children during emergencies, with a focus on simplifying treatment protocols and addressing special needs. The guidelines will be based on existing clinical protocols and are designed to be accessible to community health workers and volunteers.
A study found that road deaths are nearly 400 times higher than those from international terrorism in OECD countries. The data reveals a significant disparity between the number of lives lost to car crashes and terrorist attacks.
A new theory explains tropical rain forests' rich biodiversity and community assembly patterns. The theory proposes that abundant species regulate themselves to make room for others, regulating dynamics and permitting coexistence.
A study published in JAMA Network found that US Medicare beneficiaries with heart failure had significantly better 30-day mortality rates compared to Canadian patients. However, one-year mortality rates were similar between the two groups.
The study found that taking aspirin reduced the risk of cardiovascular death and death from all causes in postmenopausal women with cardiovascular disease. Women taking 81mg or 325mg of aspirin showed a significant reduction in mortality rates, with no difference between the two doses.
Researchers seek to improve bowel cancer screening rates among socio-economically disadvantaged groups in Scotland. The study will help fill a knowledge gap on the effectiveness of primary care strategies targeting these groups.
The HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America Study found a significant 'quality chasm' between the nation's best-performing hospitals and worst-performing hospitals, with better outcomes associated with higher hospital volumes and intensivists staffing intensive care units. Overall mortality rates improved by 12% across the nation, but...
Researchers analyzed surrogate alcohols consumed by Russian men, finding high ethanol content or toxic contaminants. These products, including home-made spirits and medicinal tinctures, contribute to Russia's high death rate due to accidents, violence, and cardiovascular deaths.
A long-term guillemot study on Skomer Island found that major oil spills double the mortality rate of adult guillemots in Britain. The research also reveals a direct link between warmer climate conditions and higher mortality rates among British guillemots.
The annual report shows cancer death rates decreasing for 12 of the top 15 cancers in men and nine in women, with lung cancer remaining a leading cause. Overall incidence rates have been stable since 1992, but breast cancer incidence has increased due to rising rates for six other cancers.
The Guidelines Applied in Practice Project improves mortality rates in hospitals by implementing evidence-based therapies, resulting in lower heart attack death rates. The study found that standard discharge documents can cut the risk of patient dying within one year almost in half.
A study tracking 43,000 men and women found that light smoking (1-4 cigarettes/day) significantly increases the risk of coronary artery disease and lung cancer. Women are almost five times as likely to die from lung cancer compared to non-smokers.
This year's 25 MacArthur Fellows have made significant contributions to reducing cervical and breast cancer through innovative research. The award comes with a $500,000 grant that recipients can use as they see fit.
A study of 51 countries found that women outlive men due to higher murder rates among men and patriarchal societies. The wealth gap also contributes to male mortality, with GDP accounting for 13.6% of death rate variation among men.
The study found a significant decrease in age-standardized death rates from heart disease (52%), stroke (63%), and accidents (41%) since the 1970s. However, death rates from cancer, COPD, and diabetes increased over the same period, despite improvements in detection and treatment for chronic diseases.
A new study reveals that women who suffer from heart attacks are more likely to experience longer hospital delays compared to their male counterparts. The study, which analyzed data from six major hospitals in Dublin, found that women were medically assessed an average of 30 minutes after arrival, while men received medical attention i...
A survey of 6,000 healthcare workers in the NYC area found that only 48% would report for work during a SARS outbreak. The main barriers were transportation problems, child or elder care, and pet obligations, with safety concerns influencing willingness to work.
The ESSENTIAL trial found that low-dose oral enoximone therapy improved exercise capacity and reduced hospitalization rates in patients with advanced heart failure. However, the study also showed no significant difference in mortality rates between the enoximone and placebo groups.
Lowering PSA cutoff from 4.0 ng/mL to 2.5 ng/mL would call for more biopsies, with 10.7% of US men aged 50-59 and 17% of those aged 60-69 affected.
A new study suggests that surgical myectomy can significantly improve symptoms in patients with severe obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), resulting in comparable life expectancies to those who never had the condition. By correcting blood flow obstructions, surgery offers a better quality of life for these younger patients.