Research on the US population and its health. Covers cancer-trial sponsorship, myopia control, statistical literacy, and substance-use trends.
A new analysis by American University sociology professor Celine-Marie Pascale finds that US news media coverage following the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster minimized health risks to the general population. Only 6% of coverage focused on health risks, framing them as low or uncertain.
A report by an expert panel highlights the need for new approaches to tackle the US opioid epidemic, including multimodal pain management and optimizing health outcomes. The panel also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between healthcare providers, patient advocates, and legislators to address this growing public health issue.
A study published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization found that an estimated 312.9 million surgeries took place globally in 2012, with only 30% of operations occurring in low-income countries representing 71% of the global population.
Black adults have higher cardiovascular disease risk compared to non-Hispanic white adults. A study validated risk prediction models for CVD incidence in black adults, showing modest improvement over standard risk factors and biomarkers.
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that cardiovascular disease risk prediction models developed with predominantly white populations are effective in black adults. The models were validated using data from the Jackson Heart Study and compared to existing algorithms.
A study by UTMB found that APPs prescribed short-acting inhalers and consulted with pulmonary specialists more often, leading to lower ER visits for COPD and higher follow-up rates. However, they had lower vaccination rates and less frequent clinic visits after hospitalization compared to physicians.
A University of Leicester study finds that GPs and hypertension detection are associated with lower premature mortality in England. In less deprived practices, continuity of care was also linked to lower mortality rates.
People with depression are more likely to smoke and try to quit but face difficulties in overcoming addiction. Seeing a stop-smoking specialist and using nicotine products can improve their chances of quitting successfully.
A landmark study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association found significant variation in dementia incidence among six ethnic and racial groups. Researchers discovered that blacks and American Indians/Alaska Natives had the highest rates, while Asian Americans had the lowest.
New research from the University of Missouri suggests that biculturalism is linked to higher self-esteem and prosocial tendencies in Mexican-American youth. This positive association allows them to maintain connection with both their culture of origin and mainstream American culture.
TB cases decreased in recent US entrants from Mexico, Philippines, India, Vietnam, and China due to decreases in population and TB case rates. Non-recent entrants also experienced an unexpected decline, highlighting the need for strategies impacting both groups to further reduce TB morbidity.
A new study finds that concussions significantly increase the risk of suicide in adults, with a three-fold risk compared to the general population. The risk is further elevated if the concussion occurred on a weekend, and can be prevented with greater attention from healthcare providers.
Researchers estimate US periodontitis prevalence at state and local levels using a novel SAE method, revealing high risk areas in the southeast and southwest, including Native American reservations. The study informs oral health policy decisions and intervention strategies to increase access to care for populations at higher risk.
A new study found that dupilumab treatment was associated with significant improvements in nasal polyp size and burden after 16 weeks. The patients also reported improved quality of life and reduced symptoms such as nasal obstruction and nocturnal awakenings.
A new study by Lauren Davenport found that daughters of interracial parents are more likely to identify as multiracial than sons. The study also reveals that religion and socioeconomic status play a significant role in how biracials self-identify, with women being more likely to identify as multiracial than men.
New research reveals that Native American populations in the Southwest US collapsed rapidly in the 17th century due to sustained daily interaction with European colonizers, resulting in epidemic diseases, violence, and famine. The population decline had indirect effects on forest fires and climate, with findings published in PNAS.
The University of Louisville has received a $2.55 million grant to establish the Kentucky Rural & Underserved Geriatric Interprofessional Education Program (KRUGIEP), which aims to address workforce shortages, culturally appropriate care, and chronic disease burden in rural areas.
The USGS report highlights the need for cooperative research and management efforts to develop effective disease-management strategies before Bsal arrives in the US. Early detection of Bsal is crucial to quickly implement management responses, reducing its spread.
Research at Georgia State University reveals that African Americans with serious mental illness are more likely to experience recurring victimization over time. The study, published in the Journal of Quantitative Criminology, found that racial disparities in mental health services access and social barriers contribute to these outcomes.
Cancer rates vary significantly among Asian American/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander populations, with Samoan men having the highest lung cancer rates and Laotian men having the highest liver cancer rates. Breast cancer mortality rates have decreased among AANHPI women combined, while liver cancer death rates declined among AANHPI males.
A study found that one in ten ICU patients develops PTSD within a year of discharge, with pre-existing conditions being strong risk factors. The study also suggests that proactively organized psychological aftercare for ICU survivors is needed to address this growing issue.
A recent study by Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health found that local health departments provide mental health care services to around 30-40% of their populations, with those that offer services being seven times more likely to address population-based mental illness prevention. Local health departments also have oppo...
Even before the Affordable Care Act (ACA), cancer survivors in non-expansion states had limited access to healthcare. The study analyzed data from the 2012 and 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and found that these survivors were less likely to have a personal doctor, receive an annual checkup, or see a doctor due to cost.
A team of researchers found that current harvest levels for gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains have led to decreased survival and reproduction rates. The study suggests that policies regulating wolf hunting are not sustainable and should be revised to prioritize population growth.
A team of biologists found that current harvest levels for gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains lead to decreased survival and reproduction, smaller packs, and social disruption. The research highlights the need for stronger science-based policies to guide regulated carnivore hunting.
Researchers found that wider in-row spacings and row configurations with three- or four-row setups result in higher yields and better marketable cabbage heads. In-row spacings between 30-35 cm are recommended for early plantings, while 25-cm spacing is more productive for later plantings.
A recent study suggests that eliminating food deserts may not lead to improved dietary quality in the US. Instead, initiatives like education and changes to food assistance programs can have a greater impact on reducing disparities in diet quality. The authors argue that addressing these disparities is crucial for improving public health.
Novel antiviral therapies for hepatitis C have transformed treatment, effectively reducing HCV in over 90% of cases. Enhanced screening and treatment efforts could virtually eliminate the disease within a decade by increasing treatment rates four-fold.
A recent study by the CDC found that US adults now smoke at a rate of 17.8%, the lowest since 1965. However, smoking rates remain high among three groups: American Indians, LGBT individuals, and those with mental health issues. The largest non-profit quitline in the US is hiring Native coaches to better serve these communities.
A study of over 14,000 adults found those born with congenital heart disease have a 3.5 times higher risk of heart attack before age 50 and twice the risk after. Mortality rates are also significantly higher, with some cases showing a mortality rate four times that of the general population.
A new study suggests that lowering systolic blood pressure to 120 mmHg could benefit up to 16.8 million Americans, who meet specific eligibility criteria for intensive blood pressure management. The study found that this lower target could have a significant impact on reducing risk of heart failure, heart attack, and death.
A study published in JAMA Network found a small increased risk of childhood-onset epilepsy among Danish children with hospital-diagnosed pertussis infections. Researchers identified 90 cases of epilepsy in the pertussis cohort, compared to 511 in the general population.
The study found that African immigrants experienced discrimination and stigma linked to the Ebola virus, leading to stress and hardships. The researchers emphasize the need for research on infectious diseases affecting immigrant communities in the US.
Two infants buried in Alaska, 11,500 years ago, share genetic material with Native Americans in North and South America. The study supports the Beringian standstill model, suggesting that Native Americans descended from Asian migrants who spent time in Beringia before moving to the Americas.
A new study shows a decline in postdoctoral researchers in the US, with a 5.5% loss from 2010-13, despite increasing PhD students. This decrease affects men and women, as well as US citizens and foreign postdocs.
Researchers reconstructed population history of New York City using genetic data, ancestry information, and electronic health records. They identified hidden patterns of relatedness among Puerto Rican residents with Steel syndrome, a genetic condition characterized by short height and spinal issues.
A study of 1.17 million patients on dialysis found that tallness was associated with higher premature mortality risk and shorter life spans, especially in white, Asian, and American Indian/Alaskan native patients. The association persisted even after adjusting for concurrent illness and care differences.
Research suggests that universal TB screening of immigrants to Canada is costly and inefficient, with most cases detected from a small number of high-risk countries. The study recommends targeting screening on immigrants from countries with high TB rates, rather than universally.
Researchers attached geolocators to Prothonotary Warblers in Louisiana, tracking their migration patterns that spanned at least 5,000 miles across seven countries. The study provides new insights into the birds' migratory behavior and wintering locations.
A recent study by Raymond Fisman et al. reveals that the wealthy and educated elite tend to be less fair-minded and more inclined towards efficiency when distributing resources. The research found that those who prefer efficiency are more likely to work in the corporate sector, which may contribute to the muted policy response to incre...
Researchers found that nearly 50% of Asian Americans with diabetes remain undiagnosed, with the highest prevalence in Hispanic Americans at nearly 23%. The study highlights the need for increased education and testing efforts among this population.
A new study by UT Dallas refutes the notion that NFL players are more criminal than the general population. The research found that the overall arrest rate for the general population was nearly twice as high as the rate for NFL players from 2000 to 2013.
A recent study by University of Kansas researchers found that darker skin color negatively impacts male immigrants' employment chances, particularly for Asian males. In contrast, female immigrants face different outcomes, with lighter or darker skin not affecting their job prospects.
The use of statins for primary prevention in patients without vascular disease older than 79 increased between 1999 and 2012. The proportion of patients using atorvastatin peaked in 2005-2006 and declined, while simvastatin usage rose after 2007-2008.
A new study published by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology found that white American citizens who believe in a common group identity are less racist toward immigrants and more likely to donate their time and money to help them integrate. This research suggests that acceptance of immigrants as equal members of society hi...
The world population is expected to surpass 11 billion people by 2100, driven primarily by Africa's rapid population growth. The UN projects that Nigeria will have a 90% chance of exceeding 752 million people in 2100, with the US population projected to reach 450 million by century's end.
Two leading public health scholars, Sandro Galea and Ronald Bayer, warn that the US emphasis on precision medicine may distract from broader investments to reduce health inequities and address social factors. They cite a 2013 report by the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine, which found that health is determined by...
The University of Chicago Medicine has contributed to the Illinois Transplant Fund, providing financial assistance for organ transplants to qualified uninsured residents. The fund, launched by the ITF, offers insurance premium support and financial help to patients in need.
A study of ancient and modern genomes clarifies the history of Native American migration to the Americas, tracing their ancestry back to a single late Pleistocene event. Genetic analysis reveals two distinct populations: Athabascans and northern Amerindians, diverging from shared ancestors at around 23,000 years ago.
A new study has analyzed data from Great Britain, the US and Sweden to profile human population growth and its consumption of energy. The research found that energy use generally outpaced population growth over the past few hundred years.
A new study has found that inbreeding is not the primary cause of Colorado's declining bighorn sheep population. Genetic analysis suggests that high ram migration and gene flow between herds have maintained healthy levels of genetic variation, rescuing the population from a genetic bottleneck. However, other factors such as nutritional...
A new study reveals that young people with autism are struggling to find and keep jobs, with only 47% securing employment after receiving vocational services. Experts emphasize the importance of vocational counseling, guidance, and coordination between high schools and rehabilitation systems to support this growing population.
A recent genetic study has uncovered a previously unknown wave of migration to the Americas, linking Native Americans in the Amazon to indigenous people in Australasia. The research suggests that Population Y, an ancestral group from the ice sheets, contributed to the DNA of today's Amazonians.
A new genomic analysis pinpoints the arrival of the first Americans to Siberia around 23,000 years ago, with subsequent migrations leading to distinct populations in North and South America. The study also reveals genetic admixture from East Asians and Australo-Melanesians, suggesting limited isolation from the Old World.
Ancient and modern genetic data reveal that Native American ancestors entered the Americas as a single wave approximately 23,000 years ago. The research also shows that ancestral Native Americans split off into two branches around 13,000 years ago, coinciding with glacier melt and the opening of routes into North America's interior.
A genome-scale study reveals that all present-day Native Americans descended from a single migration wave into the Americas, arriving no earlier than 23,000 years ago. The ancestral population diversified into two basal branches around 13,000 years ago.
A large-scale genetic study has discovered that the regions of the genome underlying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are consistent across diverse populations. The study included nearly 10,000 DNA samples from East Asian, Indian or Iranian descent and an existing set of 86,640 samples drawn from Europe, North America and Oceania.
Researchers have developed a new method to compare and identify processing sweet corn hybrids with improved crowding stress tolerance (CST), enabling growers to maximize yields and profits. The approach involves growing hybrids at higher plant populations than usual, allowing for more efficient comparison of CST among different hybrids.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study analyzed data from 63,109 patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury and found a significant increase in incidence rates among men aged 65-74. Most patients regain some function after an injury, but many require lifelong healthcare services.
Biologists from Penn University analyzed genetic data to track blacklegged tick migrations. The study reveals that ticks moved into new areas through short-distance local moves, shedding light on patterns of disease spread and controlling strategies.