Research on the US population and its health. Covers cancer-trial sponsorship, myopia control, statistical literacy, and substance-use trends.
A new study finds that ending birthright citizenship would have the largest relative growth of unauthorized births among Asians, while Latinos would comprise 93% of the U.S.-born population without legal status in 2050. The policy change could disenfranchise highly educated immigrants who contribute to the economy.
The study found that women with pregnancy-associated spontaneous coronary artery dissection (P-SCAD) have a higher risk of cardiovascular events, including dissections and aneurysms. Women with P-SCAD also experienced less recovery in left ventricular ejection fraction compared to those without P-SCAD.
Early-stage drug development has nearly doubled globally over the past decade, driven by a shift from a US-dominated system to a two-hub structure. This change may have implications for scientific workforce development, investment, and patient access to new therapies.
A landmark study highlights the stability of STEM teacher qualifications and turnover rates in high-need schools, with some improvement in credential alignment. However, gaps in subject-specific qualifications remain, and compensation structures are insufficient to address financial pressures.
A single-group implementation trial successfully introduced warfarin patient self-management in the US healthcare system, providing critically needed evidence to accelerate its implementation. The study's results support safe and effective patient self-management of anticoagulation therapy.
A concerning rise in adolescent obesity has been found, with overall rates climbing to 15.9% in 2023. Obesity patterns also reveal a decline in weight-loss attempts, with females more likely to attempt weight loss but fewer adolescents reporting efforts in 2023.
A study analyzing US household data found that women's higher poverty rates reflect their differing circumstances, including higher childcare responsibilities and poorer health. Factors such as employment, education, and age also influenced poverty risk, but women saw fewer benefits from employment.
A study found insufficient sleep among US adolescents, with trends suggesting environmental and structural factors are driving the issue, rather than specific behaviors. The findings highlight the need for population-level interventions to address widespread sleep loss.
A recent study by JAMA Pediatrics reveals stark disparities in birth outcomes by poverty status, with low-income families facing increased risks of low birth weight. The findings underscore the importance of supporting vulnerable populations during pregnancy and birth through evidence-based antipoverty policies.
A recent study found that nearly 6 in 10 long COVID patients have recovered, but many adults over 35 continue to experience lasting symptoms. The study's authors suggest greater investment in understanding biological mechanisms may provide insights into pathways of persistence and potential targets for intervention.
Contemporary donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors are now at 44% of organ procurement organizations. DCD donations account for half of all deceased donors in the US, leading to increased reliance on these organs to maintain transplant access.
This study found that US thyroid cancer overdiagnosis persists even after accounting for possible true incidence rises, highlighting opportunities to reduce unnecessary referrals and diagnoses
A new study found that US newborn hepatitis B virus vaccination rates declined by over 10 percentage points in the last 2 years. This decline reverses 6 years of growth and is aligned with WHO and CDC coverage estimates through 2022.
This cross-sectional study highlights critical gaps in accessible mental health services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The findings underscore the need for policy reforms to address systemic inequities and provide disability-informed care.
Nearly 2/3 of US adults reported using medication in the past 7 days, with similar prevalence of over-the-counter and prescription medications. This study emphasizes the reliance on these therapies and underscores the need for increased accessibility to address health disparities.
A nationally representative study found that 1 in 5 US households have a parent-perceived mental health treatment need for their children. The study also revealed significant difficulties in accessing care, with 21.8% citing it as the reason for unmet needs.
Access to higher-level neonatal care is limited at rural birth hospitals, where less than 20% offer this care compared to 74% of urban hospitals. Urban birth hospitals are expanding higher-level neonatal care, exacerbating geographic disparities in access to care for high-risk infants.
A nationwide cohort study found that semaglutide initiators had a significantly higher risk of developing nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy compared to sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor initiators. The absolute risk was low, but clinicians and patients should be aware of this rare but evident increased risk.
A cohort study found that historically Black college or university attendance was associated with improved cognitive function compared to predominantly white institution attendance. The association held true for those attending college before and after legal racial segregation and discrimination in education.
The study found excess adiposity remained highly prevalent among US youths in 2024, with certain racial and ethnic subgroups affected more. The prevalence of severe obesity was also higher for these subgroups.
A cross-sectional study investigates the effect of a smartwatch feature that alerts users about high blood pressure, impacting a significant portion of U.S. adults without diagnosed hypertension. The study reveals that nearly 1 in 5 participants received notifications and subsequently sought medical attention.
A new study found semaglutide to be an effective treatment for preventing secondary cardiovascular disease in US adults. The medication meets conventional thresholds when used alone, but its cost-effectiveness is improved with combination therapy.
A study by the University of Cambridge found that US political divisions increased by 64% from 1988 to 2024, with most of the change coming after 2008. The shift was driven by liberal Americans moving in a more progressive direction on social and political issues.
The study examines the characterization of the international-born health care workforce in rural US communities. It highlights the Conrad 30 waiver program, which enabled thousands of J-1 visa holders to remain in the US, caring for approximately 44 million patients, and H1-B visas as additional vehicles for immigrant clinicians.
A cross-sectional study found that up to half of adolescents in the US were using generative AI apps, while a small subset engaged in heavy use. The study highlights the need for future research on individual differences in GenAI use and its impacts on adolescent development.
US adults with uncontrolled blood pressure are often not taking antihypertensive medication, yet many have blood pressures within 10mmHg of the 2025 goal. Most adults with uncontrolled BP could achieve control through initiation of medication and lifestyle modification
A cohort study of 47,000 adults found that males had a 63% greater risk of all-cause mortality compared to females after adjusting for demographic and behavioral factors. The study suggests intrinsic biological factors, such as sex hormones or immune response, may contribute to these sex differences in mortality.
Non-Hispanic white births now constitute less than half of US births, while Hispanic births exceed one-fourth. These shifts reflect declining fertility across most groups, contrasted with immigration trends and younger ages among Hispanic women that sustain overall birth rates.
A new study found that people from strongly liberal-leaning or conservative US counties prefer visiting like-minded destinations for everyday travel. This preference was observed even after accounting for factors such as income and race.
The study analyzed US state-level adult obesity prevalence from 1990 to 2022, showing a significant increase to 42.5% by 2022 and forecasted to 46.9% by 2035. Disparities in obesity rates vary substantially by race and ethnicity.
A cohort study found that stronger family connections during adolescence can lead to improved social connections in adulthood. The study suggests that increasing family connection may help mitigate the effects of adult social disconnection.
A new study finds that U.S. middle-aged adults experience higher loneliness, depressive symptoms, and poorer memory and physical strength compared to peers in Nordic Europe. This decline is largely attributed to the lack of comprehensive family policies, inadequate healthcare access, and rising income inequality.
A cohort study of St. Louis adults found that heightened cumulative lifespan stress and elevated inflammation were associated with shorter survival among Black participants. The findings highlight the need for policies addressing structural racism and treatments reducing inflammation to reduce mortality disparities.
Cancer mortality rates have decreased for breast cancer and leukemia, despite increasing incidence, while colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of death among US young adults. Colorectal cancer surpasses lung, breast, and prostate cancers as the leading cancer-related death in people under 50 years old.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that abortion bans are associated with a significant increase in pregnancy-related mortality in the United States. The study suggests that restricting access to safe abortion care forces pregnant individuals to take on increased health risks, leading to higher mortality rates.
A recent survey study found a significant association between generative AI use and increased depressive symptoms in US adults. The magnitude of the effect varied by age group, suggesting that further research is needed to understand the causal relationship and underlying factors.
A new study found that shingles vaccination is associated with lower inflammation, slower epigenetic aging, and overall slower biological aging in older adults. Vaccination showed benefits even four years after the initial dose.
Population risk-based screening using 5-year invasive breast cancer risk is associated with similar or greater benefits than age-based screening, as well as reduced false-positive recalls. As personalized medicine advances, risk-based screening is poised to become a cornerstone of breast cancer prevention.
A 2025 survey found that U.S. adults view opioid overdose as a serious problem, with differing opinions on who is responsible for reducing overdose rates. The study suggests varying preferences for future actions to address overdose among conservatives, moderates, and liberals.
Financial settlements from opioid epidemic lawsuits are being redirected to fund potentially lifesaving interventions. These efforts aim to curb overdose deaths and improve public health outcomes.
This study reveals an increase in nonmedical childhood vaccination exemptions from 2010 to 2024, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, with wide regional disparities.
From 2022 to 2025, US counties saw a population-level decline in child poverty rates overall. However, Black and Hispanic children continued to experience disproportionately higher poverty rates compared to white children.
This cohort study found that exposure to Migrant Protection Protocols was associated with higher rates of trauma during migration among asylum seekers. The Migrant Protection Protocols may have potential downstream implications for U.S. public health and security, including adverse health outcomes for asylum seekers.
A population-based cohort study found that U.S.-born individuals had significantly higher odds of infant mortality, particularly among full-term births. Sudden unexpected infant death was a major contributor to these disparities, highlighting the need for investigation into underlying factors contributing to these disparities.
A simulation study forecasted potential injury reductions in the US with AV adoption, suggesting a possible decrease in road traffic injuries. However, predicted confidence intervals remain broad, and no scenario reduced injuries outside of these bounds.
A cohort study found associations between exposure to multiple fine particulate matter components and increased depression risk among US Medicare population members. The study highlights the importance of targeted regulation to protect vulnerable populations from harmful air pollution.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that a significant majority of Americans will experience cost burdens due to healthcare expenses throughout their lives. The study suggests that policies aiming to reduce out-of-pocket costs could potentially improve the well-being of individuals in the US.
A population-based surveillance study found both maternal RSV vaccine and nirsevimab effective in protecting infants from RSV hospitalizations. The studies results show that these products reduced RSV-associated hospitalization rates in newborns and infants under 11 months by up to half compared to previous seasons.
Ending federal support for housing first programs will lead to a significant increase in US homelessness, projecting a 5% rise within a year. This trend is part of an already increasing homeless population, resulting from the cessation of discretionary federal funding.
A study by Penn State's Allison Fleming found that poor health is the primary driver of forced retirements. State vocational rehabilitation agencies may be able to help individuals with disabilities remain in the workforce longer, addressing issues such as financial and health costs associated with early retirement.
Behavioral health spending in the US increased significantly between 2017 and 2022, reaching 40% of child health spending. This shift is associated with high family financial burdens due to expanded access to services and supports through insurance coverage and clinician availability.
A repeated cross-sectional study found a significant increase in stimulant prescribing for ADHD, with the largest acceleration observed among female adolescents and young adults aged 18 to 64. The study's findings are consistent with prior research but provide new insights into population-level trends.
Approximately one-third of US adults met criteria for metabolic syndrome in 2023, with no significant change in prevalence between 2013 and 2023. Triglyceride levels demonstrated a modest increase over the past decade.
A study published in JAMA Network Open reveals low adherence to cervical cancer screening guidelines among commercially insured US adults, with only 7.3% following recommended guidelines. The findings suggest that guideline confusion and lack of incentives are contributing factors to this issue.
Health insurance premiums rose at rates close to hospital prices during the COVID-19 pandemic but have since stabilized, reflecting shifts in healthcare utilization. Insurance premiums increased 3 times faster than workers' earnings since 1999, accompanied by rising hospital costs.
A survey study found that US voters generally support government role in ensuring safe vaccines, with high partisan divide among Trump and Harris supporters. Vaccine requirements for schools show similar support across parties.
A survey study found that overall trust in scientists as sources of cancer information is high, but ideologically diverse. The results suggest the need for tailored messaging and trusted messengers to reach diverse audiences with evidence-based cancer information.
A growing trend of antipsychotic medication prescription increases in older U.S. adults, with long-term care pharmacies being a primary source. Non-psychiatrist prescribers contribute to the trend, highlighting concerns over medication accessibility and oversight.
A cross-sectional study found that US population faces significant challenges with nervous system disorders, impacting 180.3 million people, mainly due to stroke, Alzheimer's disease, diabetic neuropathy, and migraine conditions.
Current USPSTF guidelines exclude two-thirds of patients from age-based screening, disproportionately affecting women and never-smokers. Age-based screening has been shown to improve detection and demonstrated superior cost-effectiveness compared to existing programs.