Researchers warn that declining response rates and concerns about data accuracy are causing a 'quiet crisis' due to foreign aid cuts and COVID-19 disruptions. The lack of census data compromises public administration and can lead to inadequate resource allocation, resulting in pernicious effects.
A 16-year study of over 10,000 individuals aged 50+ found that those with higher wellbeing were more likely to have better scores on memory tests. The association was independent of depressive symptoms and suggested that psychological factors affect brain health.
This cross-sectional study reveals a substantial rise in alcohol-associated liver disease mortality, particularly among women and younger adults. The findings highlight the importance of targeted public health initiatives to address this growing health concern.
A cohort study reveals high support for care economy policies among all political affiliations, suggesting a policy window to address the needs of aging populations and those with disabilities. The results also highlight the importance of considering caregiving responsibilities when evaluating support for care economy policies.
A cross-sectional study found elevated rates of severe maternal morbidity among marginalized racial and ethnic groups with planned cesarean births. The study emphasizes the need for interventions to improve quality of care and promote equity for this population.
A circulating tumor DNA-based blood test demonstrated acceptable accuracy for colorectal cancer detection in an average-risk population. However, it struggled to detect advanced precancerous lesions, highlighting the need for further improvements.
The study analyzed the impact of climate change during the late Palaeolithic and found that humans migrated eastwards to adapt to new climate conditions. The European population may have decreased by up to half during the Younger Dryas event, but populations in central and eastern Europe increased.
A large cohort study found that early antibiotic treatment did not significantly improve outcomes for patients with nonsevere COVID-19. The results argue against routine antibiotic use in this population due to associated risks.
A recent study found that home health care is increasingly used among people with dementia, while rates have decreased since 2020. This trend suggests a need for ongoing monitoring of service use and outcomes for this high-need population.
A groundbreaking NTU Singapore-led study has identified the earliest known Asian migrants who traveled over 20,000km from North Asia to South America. The GenomeAsia100K study reveals that these ancient humans arrived in the Americas approximately 14,000 years ago, diverging into four major groups and adapting to diverse environments.
A comprehensive study found that the public generally supports individuals with black lung disease and genetic kidney disease over those with COVID-19 and alcohol use disorder. However, a lingering stigma surrounding alcohol use disorder led to it being considered least deserving of a transplant.
A cross-sectional study found that more than one-third of veterans aged 65-84 who used cannabis in the past 30 days had a cannabis use disorder. Routine health screening for cannabis use is necessary to identify older adults with cannabis use. Frequent and inhaled cannabis use was associated with higher odds of any cannabis use disorder.
Research found that early-life growth plays a significant role in determining final adult height, accounting for about 67% of the variation. Childhood growth also accounted for a substantial proportion of the difference in adult height.
A cohort study of 1,787 adults found significant differences in hearing loss prevalence among white male individuals (highest) and Black female individuals (lowest). The study highlights the importance of tailored interventions to reduce hearing loss risk across populations.
A cohort study found maternal hypertension and preeclampsia independently associated with cognitive and language development delays in preterm infants. Recognizing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is crucial for targeted risk management strategies.
The percentage of publicly insured children receiving mental health or neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosis increased significantly between 2010 and 2019. Most diagnostic categories showed increases, emphasizing the importance of accessing appropriate services in safety net systems.
A study from the University of Missouri found that caregiving stress looks different for adults who are only children compared to those with siblings. Adult only children faced greater emotional and financial strain, while support from friends or extended family improved mental health for caregivers with siblings.
A new analysis of job applicant data from a large employer found that Ban-the-Box policies had little impact on employment rates for individuals with criminal records. Despite initial hopes that these policies would improve job prospects, the study suggests that any benefits may be reversed during subsequent candidate assessment.
A centralized notification pathway increased hypertension treatment in individuals with left ventricular hypertrophy. This study highlights the potential of leveraging underutilized cardiovascular data to enhance healthcare delivery.
This cohort study found persistent inadequate sleep duration and late sleep onset linked to increased glycemic variability in adults. The study emphasizes the importance of considering both sleep duration and timing for optimizing glycemic control.
A community-wide preventive intervention significantly reduced reported cases of both substantiated and unsubstantiated child sexual abuse at the population level. The study's findings suggest that targeted interventions can effectively mitigate child sexual abuse rates.
A recent study found that US physicians experienced lower mortality rates compared to the general population, but this benefit did not extend to female or racial and ethnic minority groups. The study highlights the need for renewed efforts to address health inequities within the healthcare workforce.
A cohort study found that patients with obesity undergoing joint replacement who experienced significant weight loss after initiating anti-obesity medications had a lower risk of 5-year and 10-year revision. This suggests that safe and sustainable weight loss may improve implant survivorship in obese patients.
Residents of Ontario with cannabis use disorder had a significantly higher risk of death compared to the general population. The findings highlight the importance of addressing cannabis use disorders, especially as global trends toward cannabis legalization continue.
Research by PLOS found that labor market immigrants in Germany are less likely to choose their preferred region of residence when faced with stronger xenophobic attitudes. This suggests that hostile environments may discourage migrants from choosing areas they would prefer.
Research highlights three vulnerable populations: racial and ethnic minorities, financially insecure individuals, and those with chronic health conditions. Depression is a significant factor in social isolation among these groups.
A cross-sectional study found that underrepresented in medicine internal medicine residents remained underrepresented compared to their program's county populations. The findings highlight the need for racial and ethnic diversity policies to address the continuing disparity among graduate medical education physicians.
The study highlights significant mental health disparities between participants in sexual and gender minority groups and cisgender heterosexual populations. The findings underscore the need for tailored mental health interventions to improve well-being among these populations, reflecting stigma and minority stress.
A new USC study reveals that the US is facing a shortage of 4.5 million homes due to policy missteps in the early 2000s, which led to a historic housing bubble and subsequent Great Recession. The crisis has disproportionately affected millennials and people of color, with racial and ethnic disparities in homeownership widening over time.
A new study analyzing US data from over 27,500 participants reveals that retirees show more signs of depression than working individuals, with binge drinking exacerbating the issue. Moderate drinking appears to have fewer depressive symptoms compared to abstaining completely.
A polypill containing a statin and three half-standard dose antihypertensives could significantly reduce health disparities in low-income, majority Black populations with limited access to healthcare. The study suggests that this treatment approach may be a high-value intervention for preventing cardiovascular disease.
This randomized clinical trial suggests that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation is a safe and effective treatment option for chronic insomnia. Future multicenter trials are needed to validate its effectiveness across different populations.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 96,000 adults found that higher daily step counts were linked to lower depressive symptoms. Further studies are needed to confirm the potential protective role of daily steps in depression.
A study found that user participation and perspective are crucial in developing home-care technology. Common factors across countries include familiarity with robots and a positive impression of them. Japan values convenience, Ireland prioritizes notifying family members, and Finland emphasizes design. These findings highlight the impo...
A comprehensive study reveals that global crop yields have continued to grow at roughly the same rate since the 1960s, offsetting any slowdown in specific crops or regions. The findings highlight the need for sustainable food production and affordability to address future food security challenges.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 27, 2024
A population-based matched cohort study found that preterm birth is associated with higher mortality risks until the third and fourth decades of life. These findings suggest that preterm birth should be recognized as a risk factor for mortality, informing preventive strategies.
Researchers from the Complexity Science Hub found that refugees in Austria experience significantly greater housing instability, with an average of 3.8 moves within a year. This can lead to challenges such as financial strain, limited access to education and healthcare, and unstable relationships within neighborhoods.
Researchers evaluated coronary heart disease polygenic risk scores to determine their performance and agreement at the population level. They found that while scores performed similarly, they generated highly variable individual-level risk estimates, highlighting the need for refined statistical methods.
New study suggests that small group differences may reflect important benefits for individual patients with cardiomyopathy. The authors recommend explicitly describing patient-level data to support clinical interpretation of results.
This study reveals prevalent adverse childhood experiences among children, including abuse and neglect, with notable disparities across demographics. Early identification and community interventions can reduce ACEs and mitigate future health consequences.
The book uses a 'history from below' approach to center the voices of petitioners, revealing how they framed their demands using language like justice, rights, and equity. Through over 4,000 petitions, Dr. Bright Alozie shows the significance of this genre in shaping colonial society and influencing decision-making.
A digital health behavior intervention improved child weight-for-length trajectory and reduced childhood obesity at 24 months. The intervention was effective in a racially and ethnically diverse population, including groups at elevated risk for childhood obesity.
A new study reveals gentrification's complex impact on residential communities in Seoul, Korea, finding that state-led urban change can lead to emotional displacement of residents. Meanwhile, property-led redevelopment has resulted in direct displacement and replacement of industrial clusters with high-rise residential construction.
Researchers have successfully integrated genome sequencing into newborn screening to identify hundreds of rare genetic disorders. This approach allows for earlier diagnosis and treatment, promoting health equity and reducing time to diagnosis.
A cross-sectional study found that as hospital COVID-19 burdens increased, older racial and ethnic minority adults were more likely to die or experience major morbidity. The adverse outcomes were greater in magnitude among minority populations compared to white individuals.
Most US hospital websites explicitly included SGM populations in nondiscrimination policies, but few provided SGM-friendly clinician directories. Pediatric hospitals posted more SGM-related information than adult hospitals, while states with discriminatory policies had fewer online resources.
A nonselective extracorporeal blood purification device reduced cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury in nonemergent patients. The study showed a significant reduction of AKI in the first 7 days after surgery.
A cross-sectional study reveals a significant risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among autistic transgender and gender-nonconforming US college students. The study emphasizes the importance of providing targeted support to address this issue.
Aerobic physical activity was associated with modest short-term and long-term reductions of depression among adults with cancer. The study suggests that aerobic exercise may be an effective strategy for managing depression in cancer patients.
Hospitalizations involving alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) are a significant concern, especially in high-risk individuals. The study found that AWS burden is comparable to complications of other chronic diseases.
Researchers found that single-housed adult fish exhibited a longer egg-laying period and slower aging process compared to group-housed counterparts. The study suggests that early-life social environment may influence life-long attributes beyond the typical relationship between growth rate and lifespan.
A cohort study of 1.5 million patients found that at-risk groups are disproportionately affected by denied claims for preventive services, perpetuating unequal access to high-value healthcare.
The study found that home discharge rates increased more for Hispanic compared to non-Hispanic white patients, highlighting the importance of considering differential outcomes in Medicare payment policies. These findings suggest the need for tailored approaches to address racial and ethnic disparities in joint replacement care.
A study found that children as young as six can contribute to group projects when there are clear and common goals. The researchers used a game where children worked together to fill a pool with water, with benefits for the whole group but individual costs. The results showed that most groups achieved their objectives and cooperated, e...
A recent study suggests that fear of conflict significantly impacted the development of prehistoric European societies, leading to population declines and concentrations in safer locations. The researchers' computational model matches archaeological evidence, providing context for future refinements to modeling.
A cohort study found elevated depression and anxiety levels in unvaccinated people with COVID-19 diagnosis compared to before or without the virus. Vaccination was associated with lower incidence of mental illnesses after hospitalization for COVID-19.
This special issue of JAMA Network Open highlights scientific progress in combining social determinants and health outcomes to understand mechanisms underlying health disparities. The studies demonstrate the importance of interdisciplinary integration in transforming health disparities research.
α-Synuclein pathology in asymptomatic stages is linked to NBM atrophy, leading to attention/executive impairment. MRI signatures can detect this pathology in memory clinic populations.
A new study from the University of California, Berkeley reveals a significant increase in underweight and premature births among non-white women in the US after Trump's election. Black mothers had the largest increases, with about 3,783 fewer infants born underweight if Trump hadn't been elected.
A study reveals that sexual and gender minority adults in the US have a higher risk of developing epilepsy due to unique biological and psychosocial factors. The findings highlight the need for protected access to medical care for this population.