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Nearly two thirds of youth would stop vaping without added sweet flavors, menthol, synthetic cooling agents

A new study from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that restricting sweet flavorings and cooling agents in e-cigarettes could significantly reduce youth vaping rates. Nearly 39% of survey respondents would quit using their e-cigarettes if tobacco-flavored e-liquids were the only options available.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·DateJul 10, 2023

No increase in mortality for most overweight people, study finds

A large US study of over half a million adults found that BMI was not significantly linked to increased all-cause mortality in most cases. The study suggests that further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between BMI and mortality risk, particularly among younger adults.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJul 5, 2023

State medical cannabis laws not associated with reduced use of opioid or nonopioid pain treatments

A study of commercially insured adults with chronic noncancer pain found that state medical cannabis laws did not lead to a reduction in the use of opioid or nonopioid pain treatments. The researchers also suggested slow implementation and reluctance among healthcare leaders may have contributed to these findings.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 3, 2023

New study: Mental illness obstructs cancer screening

A new study from Aarhus University found that people with mental health issues are less likely to accept offers of colorectal cancer screening. The research showed that those with severe mental disorders had a 13.8 percentage point lower participation rate compared to those without mental illness.

SourceAarhus University·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 29, 2023

New nationwide modeling points to widespread racial disparities in urban heat stress

A new study finds that the average Black urban resident is exposed to disproportionately higher heat stress due to warmer air temperatures, while white residents experience cooler temperatures. The research highlights income- and race-based disparities in urban heat stress across US cities.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalOne Earth·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 23, 2023

Chinese Medical Journal Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine study uncovers trends in the global burden of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer

The study found a decreasing trend in the global TBL cancer burden from 1990 to 2019, but regional variations persisted. The burden was highest in upper-middle-income countries and lowest in high-income countries.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal - Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 22, 2023

Fatal overdoses increase after police seize drugs, study finds

A new study found that police drug seizures are associated with increased fatal overdoses in the surrounding geographic area, suggesting that efforts to disrupt drug markets can have unintended effects. The research highlights the need for comprehensive policing strategies that consider all outcomes, including harm reduction approaches.

SourceBrown University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 12, 2023

One in 15 in changed reported sexual identity over a six-year period, new UK survey study finds

A new UK survey study led by Lancaster University found that 6.6% of the population aged 16 and over changed their reported sexual identity over a six-year period. The research challenges the assumption that sexual identity mobility declines with age, revealing that it is as prevalent among over-65s as young people.

SourceLancaster University·JournalDemography·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 12, 2023

MU researcher finds similarities in COVID-19 mortality rates between Canadian provinces and American states before vaccines were available

A study by University of Missouri researchers found similarities in COVID-19 mortality rates between certain US states and Canadian provinces, highlighting the importance of localized public health strategies. The findings suggest that factors such as population density, age, and socioeconomic conditions may have contributed to these s...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalCanadian Studies in Population·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 1, 2023

Is vaping a new gateway into further substance use? New national study shows adolescent vapers much likelier to use cannabis and binge drink

A new national study of over 50,000 US adolescents reveals a strong association between vaping nicotine and increased likelihood of high-level cannabis usage and binge drinking. The findings highlight the need for sustained interventions to address co-occurring substance use among young people.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalSubstance Use & Misuse·TypeObservational study·DateMay 18, 2023

Lesbian, bisexual women more likely to have worse heart health than heterosexual women

A new study found that lesbian and bisexual women are less likely to have ideal cardiovascular health scores compared to heterosexual women. In contrast, gay and bisexual men were more likely to have ideal cardiovascular health scores. The study highlights the need for prevention strategies among sexual minority adults in France.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMay 17, 2023

Democrats, urban dwellers, and 30-40-year-olds more likely to purchase first firearms during the pandemic

A new survey found that younger individuals (ages 35-40) and those living in urban areas were more likely to report purchasing a firearm for the first time due to the pandemic. This demographic shift is concerning given the increased risk of firearm-related death associated with having children and firearms present in the same household.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalPublic Health·TypeSurvey·DateApr 26, 2023

Lower risk of severe illness and death in newborns of low-income immigrant than Canadian-born females

Research found that newborns of low-income immigrant mothers had a significantly lower risk of severe neonatal morbidity and mortality compared to those of Canadian-born mothers. The study suggests that immigration status may influence birth outcomes, with healthier immigrants possibly being more likely to migrate.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateApr 17, 2023

Study shows families making choices that perpetuate segregation in city with school choice policy

Research from the University of Kansas shows that families in Washington D.C.'s school choice policy are making choices that perpetuate segregation. Despite having more opportunities for integration, white families are returning to city centers and using tactics such as gaming the lottery system to secure spots in desirable schools.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalUrban Education·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 10, 2023

A closer look at how environment influences physical activity

A systematic review of literature on physical activity found that the built environment and social factors have a significant influence on physical activity levels. The study identified gaps in research, particularly in understanding how social and built environments interact across communities and affect health disparities. Researcher...

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalJournal of Physical Activity and Health·DateApr 5, 2023

Use of monoclonal antibodies reduces death, hospitalization risk by more than one-third after COVID-19 diagnosis

Researchers found that using monoclonal antibodies within two days of a COVID-19 diagnosis reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 39% compared to those who did not receive treatment. This finding suggests that early treatment with monoclonal antibodies significantly reduced the severity of COVID-19.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 3, 2023

Climate change threatens lemurs on Madagascar

A study published in PNAS found that climate change is destabilizing mouse lemur populations on Madagascar, increasing their risk of extinction despite high reproductive output. The data analysis revealed opposing trends of rising mortality and reproductive rates, which have prevented population collapse but accelerated the life cycle.

SourceDeutsches Primatenzentrum (DPZ)/German Primate Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMar 28, 2023

Human-caused mortality is the leading source of death for mountain lions in California

A study found that human-caused mortality is the leading source of death for mountain lions in California, primarily driven by conflicts with humans over livestock and collisions with vehicles. The research also suggests that human tolerance plays a crucial role in conserving large carnivores in landscapes shared with humans.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMar 20, 2023

COVID-19 pandemic has long-lasting effects on adolescent mental health and substance use

A new study found that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a long-lasting impact on adolescent mental health and substance use, with increased depressive symptoms and negative effects observed up to two years into the pandemic. Parental social support and adequate sleep duration were associated with better mental health outcomes.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·DateMar 14, 2023

Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on incidence of long-term conditions in Wales

A population data linkage study found fewer people in Wales diagnosed with long-term conditions in 2020 and 2021 than expected, indicating a potential backlog of undiagnosed patients. This disparity affects chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and anxiety disorders, corresponding to over 30 and 80 missing diagnoses respectively.

SourceSwansea University·JournalBritish Journal of General Practice·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 13, 2023

Ethnic minority parents want customized advice, research shows

A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that ethnic minority parents in Inner Mongolia prefer evidence-based knowledge on family education tailored to their local environment and culture. They sought information on how geographical features like the geomagnetic field influence children's growth and well-being.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateMar 6, 2023

Sexual minority families fare as well as, and in some ways better than, ‘traditional’ ones

A pooled data analysis of 16 studies found that most family outcomes were similar between sexual minority and different sex parent families, with some advantages in child psychological adjustment and child-parent relationships. However, risk factors such as stigma and discrimination can negatively impact family outcomes.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Global Health·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 6, 2023

Older Black men are likelier to die after surgery than others, particularly following elective procedures, new UCLA research suggests

Researchers found that Black men have a higher mortality rate after surgery compared to other groups, with a 50% higher risk of death after elective procedures. The study suggests that structural racism, poor pre-operative care, and exposure to toxins may contribute to these disparities.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalThe BMJ·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 1, 2023