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 most US parents intend to vaccinate their infants and young children against COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), with 40% planning to vaccinate against COVID-19. The study also highlights the growing concern of vaccine hesitancy and its potential impact on public health.
A study found that persistent COVID-19 symptoms and previous severe cases were associated with increased odds of pandemic-related economic hardship. Families with lower incomes before the pandemic were disproportionately affected, experiencing more employment disruptions and earnings losses.
Research compares US, Australian, and UK gun violence rates to mental illness rates, finding higher US rates without comparable differences in mental illness prevalence. Gun ownership and access to firearms are suggested as plausible but unproven explanations for the disparity.
Opioid prescribing rates from US surgeons decreased between 2016 and 2022, but rebounded after the COVID-19 pandemic. Larger prescription sizes were observed during the pandemic due to refills being difficult to obtain.
A Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute study found a strong link between higher prenatal PFAS exposure and increased rates of obesity and body fat in adolescent offspring. Higher levels of certain PFAS were associated with a 13-59% increase in the risk of obesity, highlighting the long-term consequences of PFAS for developmental health.
A new study by Texas A&M University researchers found a significant decrease in measles antibody concentrations with increasing urinary arsenic levels in children with low serum folate levels. Folate intake may mitigate the toxic effects of chronic arsenic exposure, but the unequal impact of arsenic by sex remains unclear.
A study of 353,000 US adults found a decline in smoking prevalence from 2011 to 2022, except for those 65 and older. The greatest gains in reducing smoking-attributable morbidity and mortality can be achieved by targeting individuals with low socioeconomic status.
A study of 3 million US adults found anxiety and depression were significantly higher among younger adults, possibly due to economic conditions and social upheaval. The findings highlight the need for targeted mental health care and economic policies for younger adults during the pandemic.
A 20-year Australian study found no evidence that cannabis reduces illicit opioid use, and its effectiveness in managing opioid crisis is uncertain. The researchers suggest that clinicians and policymakers should exercise caution when relying on cannabis as a solution.
The American Heart Association and Neurocritical Care Society emphasize the need for improved critical care management of patients after cardiac arrest. The consensus statement highlights gaps in knowledge, particularly in areas like neurological, cardiac, and gastrointestinal care.
A study of 33.1 million hospital visits found that Black and Hispanic patients are more likely to be discharged against medical advice, indicating a need for interventions to address medical segregation. This disparity may be related to unequal allocation of healthcare resources in hospitals serving racial and ethnic minoritized groups.
A new Stanford University study found that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy lowered the risk of preterm birth. The research analyzed natality data from California and found a significant reduction in preterm births among vaccinated mothers compared to unvaccinated ones.
A study of 438,000 U.S. adults found that smoking cessation can significantly reduce cardiovascular, cancer, and respiratory mortality rates. Within a decade of quitting, former smokers' risk of cardiovascular death was approximately one-third that of continuing smokers.
This study analyzed data from 262 adolescents who discharged firearms in 253 school shootings over 26 years. The most common source of these firearms was family members or relatives of the perpetrators, highlighting the importance of secure firearm storage to reduce adolescent access.
A recent study of 7,000 older US residents found that food insecurity was associated with a higher risk of dementia, as well as poorer memory function and accelerated memory decline. The researchers suggest that addressing food insecurity may have benefits for brain health.
US-born Latinos have a higher incidence of liver cancer than foreign-born Latinos, suggesting lifestyle and cultural differences may contribute to the trend. Researchers found second and third generation Mexican Americans had a 37% and 66% higher risk of liver cancer, respectively.
A recent study reveals that over one-quarter of older transgender adults have seriously contemplated ending their lives, highlighting the urgent need for targeted support and interventions. The study found that experiencing challenges in areas such as workplace issues and personal safety significantly increased the odds of contemplatin...
A study by the Keck School of Medicine of USC found that liver cancer risk increases with each successive generation of Mexican Americans, particularly among men. The research analyzed data from over 30,000 participants and found third-generation Mexicans to be 66% more likely to develop liver cancer than first-generation individuals.
A comprehensive meta-analysis led by Dr. Micheal Sandbank reveals that many low-quality studies are driving intervention recommendations and patient outcomes in early childhood autism care. The study highlights the need for more rigorous research to understand the positive and negative effects of various interventions.
A study of over 12,000 people in the US compares Baby Boomer and Millennial financial outcomes. Millennials with typical middle-class life trajectories accumulated substantially more wealth than their Baby Boomer counterparts, while those with low-skilled service jobs or living with parents struggled financially.
A study of US neighborhoods found a strong association between environmental burden and higher rates of cardiovascular risk factors and diseases. Socially vulnerable neighborhoods showed the strongest associations, highlighting the need for initiatives to address poor environmental conditions and improve cardiovascular health.
The COVID-19 pandemic and drug overdose epidemic significantly contributed to the widening gender gap in US life expectancy. Chronic metabolic disease and mental illness are also thought to play a role in the growing disparity.
The study found an increase in breastfeeding initiation and duration among US children from 1999 to 2018. Higher rates of breastfeeding were observed among male infants, older mothers, Mexican American participants, and households with higher incomes.
A study of 48,000 Black women found that those who reported experiences of interpersonal racism faced a higher risk of stroke, even after accounting for other risk factors. This finding suggests a link between racism and racial disparities in stroke incidence among U.S. Black women.
A study of 3.5 million patients diagnosed with cancer found a deficit in cancer treatments during the first year of the pandemic. The data showed decreases in cancer diagnoses but not changes in treatment strategies, highlighting the impact of the pandemic on cancer care.
A new study analyzing lice genetic diversity found that head lice arrived in the Americas twice – once with early human migrants and again during European colonization. This discovery supports existing theories on human migration and provides insights into how lice have evolved alongside humans.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that approximately one in eight military families with children used a food bank or pantry to make ends meet. The odds of using these resources increased by 35% for each dependent child, highlighting the need for targeted support to alleviate financial stress among military families.
A new MU study shows that high school students who attended college-run STEM Career Days were far more likely to have STEM-related career aspirations than those who did not attend. The study highlights the benefits of introducing high school students to STEM opportunities and can help increase diversity in the STEM workforce.
Health care spending for Black adults was equal to or less than that of White adults, but only in areas with racial and economic equity and equitable insurance access. The study highlights the need to recognize place as a contributor to race-based differences in health care spending.
The study found that bronchiolitis admissions decreased temporarily during the pandemic but then surged among older patients, suggesting atypical seasonality. Hospitals should prepare for potential outbreaks in unusual timing in 2023.
A new study reveals a distinct genetic fingerprint of Leishmania mexicana in non-traveler patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, suggesting locally acquired cases are on the rise. The CDC warns that domestic sand flies may acquire a deadly form of visceral leishmaniasis via imported dogs.
Asian female immigrants working in the US beauty service industry face numerous workplace health challenges. Researchers suggest that outreach and education at individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels can address these issues, including cultural competency, better wages, training, and paid time off.
Researchers found that working memory was the most significant predictor of writing ability among English learner students. Cognitive functions such as phonological awareness and oral language development were also important, but only working memory consistently predicted higher scores in writing.
Patients from racial and ethnic minority groups receive inadequate pain treatment in the prehospital setting, according to a study of over 4.7 million encounters across the US. The results suggest a significant disparity in pain management practices based on race and ethnicity.
A study of over 13 million US infants found maternal Medicaid insurance associated with higher infant mortality rates. Novel strategies are needed to improve outcomes among women and infants enrolled in Medicaid.
A study found significant disparities in Medicare-funded home health services across US counties, highlighting socioeconomic disadvantage and inadequate care access. Nearly a quarter of counties lacked sufficient clinicians, exacerbating the vulnerability of homebound Medicare beneficiaries.
A study by Jessica Ho found that Americans born in 2019 can expect to spend 48% and 60% of their lives taking prescription drugs, respectively. The majority of men start taking medication at age 40, while women begin at age 15.
A new study reveals a reversal in the trend of early-onset lung cancer, now affecting younger women and middle-aged adults. The increased incidence in women is attributed to rising rates among those born in the 1960s, without higher smoking prevalence.
Approximately 1 in 5 adolescents had major depressive disorder, with less than half receiving mental health treatment. Racial and ethnic minority groups, particularly Latinx, experienced the lowest treatment rates.
A new UC Davis study investigates the complex mix of attitudes and concerns about the state of democracy in the US. While most respondents reject political violence altogether, some believe it is usually or always justified to advance political objectives.
The estimated ADHD prevalence among children and adolescents in the US was 10.08% to 10.47% from 2017 to 2022, similar to previous estimates. No significant annual change in prevalence was found during this period.
A recent study has found that rural US counties have worse health outcomes than their urban counterparts, with declines in health measures accelerating over time. The researchers developed a publicly available dashboard to visualize health disparities and identify areas for policy interventions.
A study of 1.84 million US adults from 2008 to 2019 found registered nurses and healthcare support workers were more likely to attempt or die by suicide than non-healthcare workers. The findings highlight the need for improved mental health protections for these workers.
A new MU study found that APRNs recognize the importance of breast cancer survivorship care and can benefit from standardized education. The findings suggest that formalizing education on breast cancer survivorship could lead to improved healthcare for patients, including symptom management, monitoring, and follow-up appointments.
A new study from North Carolina State University explores how racism shapes Black motherhood in the US, revealing distinct challenges and stresses faced by Black mothers. The study categorizes these effects into three areas: protective mothering, resistance mothering, and encumbered mothering.
A new study found that only a third of US adults were able to achieve complete financial independence from their parents. Instead, most people fall into one of six categories of intergenerational support pathways, which are influenced by race, education level, and other social factors.
A study of 3,635 female participants found premenstrual disorders are associated with increased risks of early menopause and moderate or severe vasomotor symptoms. This suggests underlying physiology may be linked to earlier menopause and health risks later in life.
The economic burden of youth violence in the US has reached $122 billion, driven primarily by medical care, lost productivity, and avoidable mortality from male firearm homicides. Prevention strategies can help mitigate this substantial economic burden.
A study of 44,000 low-income adults found that providing public health insurance to immigrants has a lower direct cost than for US-born individuals. Upon coverage, immigrants' healthcare utilization remains relatively modest, contradicting the assumption that offering insurance would significantly impact healthcare expenses.
Receiving two doses of BNT162b2 vaccine was associated with lower risk of COVID-19 emergency department and outpatient visits. The risk appeared lower for those with two versus three doses, despite Omicron sublineages becoming dominant.
A study of 2,176 US counties reveals that breast cancer mortality is influenced by local factors such as poverty, education, and access to healthcare. The findings suggest that geographically targeted interventions could lead to healthier communities and reduced mortality rates.
Research found that cold weather slightly increases blood pressure and decreases blood pressure control rates during winter months. Participants' systolic blood pressure increased by up to 1.7 mm Hg in the winter months compared to summer, while blood pressure control rates decreased by up to 5%.
Researchers found that people with high blood pressure while lying flat on their backs had a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and premature death. The study suggests that measuring blood pressure in different body positions may help identify cardiovascular disease risk.
A new remote digital monitoring program improved blood pressure control rates in over half of patients, highlighting its potential to improve outcomes and decrease heart attacks and strokes. The study found significant improvements when combining digital monitoring capabilities with clinical feedback.
A recent study found a three-fold increase in obesity-related heart disease deaths in the US between 1999 and 2020. The study highlights racial disparities, particularly among Black women, who faced the highest rates of obesity-related cardiovascular mortality.
A new study from the University of Michigan found significant language-based disparities in patients' access to cancer care. English-speaking callers were able to get information on next steps 94% of the time, while Spanish-speakers and Mandarin-speakers were only connected at 38% and 28% respectively.
US preterm infant mortality rates have declined among all categories of prematurity between 1995 and 2020. However, racial disparities persist, while socioeconomic disparities have widened over time, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address these inequalities.
Patients with cancer had disparate COVID-19 mortality rates during the winter Omicron wave compared to the general US population. The study suggests that immune-evasive SARS-CoV-2 variants pose a significant threat, requiring prioritized efforts to prevent transmission.
A large cohort study found that post-9/11 veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experienced a more than 10-fold increase in suicide rates compared to the US adult population, highlighting a significant public health concern. The study also revealed that TBI exacerbates the risk of suicidal behavior among this vulnerable population.
Researchers found that optimized statin therapy can significantly reduce mortality and cardiovascular events in US military veterans with coronary artery disease. Widespread use of ezetimibe alongside statins may lead to additional reductions in cardiovascular risk.