A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that a shift from rate-setting to market-based competition in New Jersey's healthcare system led to increased mortality rates among uninsured patients with acute myocardial infarctions. Mortality rates for insured patients declined at the same rate in both states.
A long-term study of 299 adult sickle cell patients found that hydroxyurea treatment improved survival by increasing fetal hemoglobin and reducing severe pain episodes and chest syndrome. The results confirm the benefits of hydroxyurea in reducing complications in the sickest patients.
A daily multivitamin and mineral supplement reduced the incidence of minor infections among healthy people over 45. Intentional weight loss was associated with a 24% lower death rate compared to unintentional weight loss.
Mortality rates from cancer, stroke, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS declined significantly in Los Angeles County over the past decade. However, age-adjusted mortality from diabetes remained disproportionately high among African-American and Latino populations.
According to a study by Fred Pampel, measures of gender equality do not explain the gap between men's and women's lung-cancer death rates. The gap is best explained historically, with women's smoking following men's on the upswing after a typical lag of around three decades.
A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials found that pacemaker therapy reduced death from progressive heart failure by 51% and hospitalizations by 29%. The device range in cost $20,000 to $50,000 and improves quality of life for heart failure patients.
A study of Danish data found that mothers who experienced a child's death were 40% more likely to die within 18 years compared to those with alive children. Fathers also faced increased mortality risk, but to a lesser extent.
A study led by Dr. Donald Redelmeier found a 41% increase in driving fatalities after the Super Bowl, with a peak during the first hour after the game ends. The researchers suggest avoiding unnecessary night driving and consider trauma centers adding more night staffing to combat this risk.
A meta-analysis of over 1 million participants from 61 studies found that lower blood pressure is strongly linked to reduced risk of cardiovascular causes, including stroke and ischemic heart disease. The study suggests that even small reductions in average blood pressure can lead to significant improvements in health outcomes.
A recent study at Duke University Medical Center found hospitals that adhere to established treatment guidelines for heart attacks have lower mortality rates. The researchers compared over 250,000 patients and found leading hospitals reported significantly better outcomes.
Researchers found that emergency PCI is both safe and effective at hospitals without on-site surgical ability. Delaying treatment doubles the risk of patient mortality. Hospitals with diagnostic heart catheterization laboratories can save lives by performing immediate balloon angioplasty for acute heart attack patients.
A new study led by Alan Scott found that screening men for aortic aneurysms can significantly reduce aneurysm-related deaths. The Multicentre Aneurysm Screening Study showed a relative risk reduction of around 50% among screened men, with a corresponding decrease in absolute risk.
Researchers found that hospitals with more critical care specialists had significantly lower ICU and hospital death rates and lengths of stay. The study estimates that this increased mortality rate reduction could save up to 162,000 potential lives annually.
A European seal plague outbreak may claim up to 10,000 harbor seals in 2002, with mortality rates varying from 15-58 percent among regions. The virus is spread through coughing and is thought to have been introduced by migrating harp seals.
Researchers found that beta blockers significantly reduced overall death rates by 16-34% in two years, regardless of inducible tachycardia presence. However, the drugs did not reduce arrhythmic death or cardiac arrest, but showed a trend towards fewer events with combined antiarrhythmic and beta blocker therapy.
A report by Imperial College London reveals that children in deprived areas are disproportionately affected by road accidents, with rates three times higher than expected. The study recommends implementing traffic calming measures and speed management strategies to reduce injuries and inequality.
A large study of older adults with heart failure found that those with diastolic heart failure had significantly higher mortality rates than those with systolic heart failure. Diastolic heart failure, which affects the heart's main chamber filling with blood, has a much higher prevalence among elderly patients and is responsible for mo...
The study found that wine drinkers consumed less saturated fat, cholesterol, and smoked less than those who preferred other beverages or abstained. Women in the group also reported healthier dietary habits than men. The authors suggest further research on lifestyle differences between drinkers and non-drinkers.
A new study reveals that men are on average twice as likely to die prematurely as women at every age, particularly in their twenties. The disparity holds true for various causes of death, including car crashes and heart disease. If male mortality rates matched female rates, over 375,000 lives would be saved annually in the US.
A CDC report confirms that residents of Appalachia, particularly those in rural areas, face higher risks of dying from cancer. The study, conducted by the Appalachian Cancer Network, shows significantly higher death rates for lung and cervical cancers in rural Appalachia compared to the national average.
The study found that mortality from melanoma remained relatively stable in Scotland between 1979 and 1993, with a slight decrease in women under 65. Meanwhile, the number of people diagnosed with melanoma has increased each year. The researchers attribute the decline in death rates to improved treatment seeking behavior.
A study of 200 type 1 diabetic patients found a significantly higher mortality rate among African Americans, due largely to acute complications. The results suggest an inadequacy in care for African Americans with type 1 diabetes, potentially linked to issues such as access to care and education.
A systematic review of studies found private for-profit hospitals in the US had a higher risk of death compared to not-for-profit institutions. This new evidence has sparked debate about the relevance of for-profit care and the importance of a universal healthcare system with public accountability.
A Canadian debate over for-profit hospitals has been informed by a study showing these facilities have significantly higher mortality rates compared to non-profit hospitals. The analysis of 38 million patients found that the profit motive leads to reduced staffing and limited care, resulting in increased mortality.
A 10-year study of over 6,500 patients with diabetes undergoing major vascular operations revealed a mortality rate of only 1 percent. The study's findings contradict previous research and suggest that patients with diabetes should be offered the same surgical options as those without diabetes.
Evidence suggests PSA screening may not significantly reduce prostate cancer mortality rates. Large-scale randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm these findings and provide clarity on the effectiveness of PSA screening at a population level.
A six-year study of over 1 million adults found that those who slept 6-7 hours a night had a lower death rate compared to those who slept 8 hours or more. The study, led by UCSD professor Daniel F. Kripke, could not explain the causes behind this association.
A Canadian study analyzed 19,265 infant deaths in 17 NICUs between 1996 and 1997, finding that common causes of death were birth at a different hospital, congenital anomalies, infection, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The risk-adjusted mortality rates varied significantly among hospitals.
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that foreign-born women have a higher risk of dying from heart disease and stroke compared to U.S.-born women. The study suggests that lower rates of hormone replacement therapy use and higher rates of hypertension may be contributing factors.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that mentally ill patients are at a significantly higher risk of dying from homicide compared to the general population. The study analyzed data from over 72,000 individuals and revealed that those with mental illness were six times more likely to die by homicide.
Researchers analyzed 20 years of US vital statistics data to find racial disparities in heart disease mortality rates. The study confirmed that African Americans experienced a slower decline in CHD death rates, highlighting the need for targeted prevention programs.
Researchers found that treating patients in the Emergency Department with Early Goal Directed Therapy (EGDT) improves patient outcomes. Patients treated with EGDT had a lower mortality rate, fewer organ failures, and shorter hospital stays compared to those receiving standard care.
Researchers found a significant drop in deaths from meningococcal disease, with a death rate of just under 9% among children admitted between 1995 and 1998. The authors attribute the decline to increased awareness of the disease, improved treatment delivery, and the introduction of the meningococcal C vaccine.
Researchers found that black swallowtail caterpillars fed on Bt corn pollen experienced significant growth rate reduction, varying up to three times smaller in distance from the crop. The discovery suggests sublethal effects of Bt corn pollen on non-target species and emphasizes the need for careful event selection by producers.
A study of French data from 1987-1997 found that heart attack deaths peak on weekends among young and middle-aged men. The exact reason for this is unknown, but strenuous activity during the weekend may contribute to increased risk.
A recent study found that diabetes markedly raises the long-term death rate of people with heart attacks, especially women. The study followed 1,935 men and women hospitalized for a heart attack for an average of 3.7 years after their initial hospitalization.
Researchers found African Americans hospitalized at VA centers have a 25% lower mortality rate compared to white patients. The study suggests equal access to care may be the key factor behind this finding, but more research is needed to understand the underlying reasons.
A study by Ashish K. Jha and colleagues found that black patients in VA hospitals had lower mortality rates than white patients for six common medical diagnoses, including pneumonia, angina, and diabetes. The survival advantage was consistent across disease, age, financial status, and hospital-level subgroups.
A new study published in Neurology found that selegiline, a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease, does not increase the risk of death for patients taking levodopa. The study compared the death rates of 97 patients with Parkinson's who received selegiline treatment with those of 902 people without the disease.
A new study published by the American Psychological Association found that older adults who feel they have control over valued roles tend to adopt healthier behaviors and live longer. The study suggests that maintaining a sense of control over the most important role can help prevent premature death.
A study published in Tobacco Control found that adopting more ambitious UK smoking cessation targets could avoid over 14,500 fewer heart attack admissions by 2010 compared to current targets. Achieving these targets is expected to save the NHS £1.14 billion.
A new study found that blacks have a higher mortality rate than whites after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), with hypertension being a significant factor. The study suggests that blacks may be more prone to severe and frequent ventricular hypertrophy, an enlargement of the heart's chambers.
Randomized trials demonstrate the effectiveness of mammography programs in reducing breast cancer mortality. The studies showed that recall rates after first and subsequent screens were 9.5% and 4.6%, respectively. Additionally, organized breast cancer screening programs can provide more comprehensive monitoring for at-risk populations.
A study of 9,454 patients found that abnormal heart rate recovery after exercise is a strong predictor of mortality. The researchers also discovered that the combination of abnormal heart rate recovery and a high-risk treadmill test score provides even stronger prognostic information.
A community program in rural Maine associated with a significant decrease in heart disease death rates, thanks to its comprehensive approach to tracking patient risk factors and providing lifestyle education. The study suggests that such programs can be an effective way to blunt the worldwide cardiovascular disease epidemic.
A new mortality forecast suggests that life expectancy in G-7 industrialized nations may be greater than previously thought, with Japan expected to live up to 8 years longer than official estimates predict. This could lead to a higher dependency ratio, requiring re-examination of programs for old-age support.
Maternal mortality remains a global health problem, despite significant international efforts. A new $4.95 million grant will aid in developing tools to diagnose and treat ectopic pregnancy, prevent preeclampsia, and identify women at risk of life-threatening infections.
Falling fertility rates in sub-Saharan Africa may signal the first steps towards a balanced population, adequate food supplies, and relative economic stability. The region's population is expected to increase from 650 million to 1.5-2 billion by 2050.
After a 13-year study, researchers found no significant increase in cancer mortality among TMI residents. Initial results showed higher mortality from heart disease, but these were largely attributed to smoking habits and education levels.
Researchers found that bypass surgery significantly reduces mortality rates for diabetic patients undergoing revascularization procedures. The study, BARI, compared coronary artery bypass graft surgery with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease.
A UNC-CH study reveals that fewer than 5,000 patients in North Carolina use cardiac rehabilitation services despite being eligible for Medicare coverage, leading to concerns about disparities among women and minority groups who are disproportionately affected by heart disease.
Teenage drivers face increased risks of fatal crashes when transporting more passengers, particularly those under 30 years old. Researchers recommend graduated licensing systems to mitigate this risk and reduce motor vehicle crashes among teenagers.
Patients awaiting coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in Ontario face higher mortality risk compared to the general population. However, a new study found that those on the waitlist may actually have similar or decreased vital risk when compared to patients living with coronary artery disease.
A new study found that having a passenger in a vehicle increases the risk of fatal injuries for young drivers, with three or more passengers posing the highest risk. The researchers suggest that graduated licensing systems could help reduce accidents by prohibiting teen-age drivers from transporting passengers.
Young women in Scotland are four times more likely to have a heart attack than those in the South of England, but survive at almost twice the rate. Ambulance response time may play a significant role in differences in mortality rates across UK regions.
A new study reveals that tiny increases in creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) can indicate heart damage and predict increased risk of death. Elevated CK-MB levels are associated with higher rates of stroke, shock, and other complications.
Adults without private health insurance are 35% more likely to die than those with insurance between 1986 and 1995. The study found income and education reduce mortality risk by purchasing health insurance and acquiring necessary knowledge, respectively.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researcher Akira Sekikawa found a wide range of death rates across the US, with southern states having the highest CHD mortality rates. The researchers attributed these differences to variations in cigarette smoking and high school graduation rates among men aged 35-44.
Researchers found striking variations in heart disease rates across the US, with states with high cigarette smoking rates and lower educational levels having higher mortality rates. Lifestyle factors are believed to contribute significantly to early death from heart disease, particularly in male baby boomers.
A recent study by Wake Forest University School of Medicine found a high diabetes rate among Lumbee Indians, with approximately 9% of adults in Robeson County diagnosed. The study suggests that diabetes is a major concern for the Lumbee community and highlights the need for increased healthcare awareness and prevention efforts.