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Wayne State’s Community Health Worker Academy receives MDHHS grant to support expansion of Neighborhood Wellness Center initiative

The project aims to enhance workforce and social services provided by community health workers, launching consultations and screenings, providing education and resources, and offering referrals. The goal is to improve living conditions and prevent chronic diseases in Southeast Michigan, particularly in Detroit.

Adding nurse case managers to telehealth significantly lowers blood pressure in Black and Hispanic stroke survivors

Low-income Black and Hispanic stroke survivors with uncontrolled hypertension experienced a more than two-fold reduction in blood pressure when tracked at home and sent readings to a nurse. Nurse case management enhanced telehealth programs showed significant benefits for this vulnerable population.

Continuing study: Tel Aviv University researchers identify the pathogen causing sea urchin mass mortalities in the Red Sea; The epidemic has spread to the Indian Ocean possess an eminent threat to coral reefs

A deadly epidemic discovered last year in the Red Sea has spread to the Indian Ocean, annihilating most sea urchin populations and threatening coral reef stability. The researchers identified a scuticociliate parasite as the cause of the mass mortality.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 23, 2024

Study finds extreme temperature swings hit minority, low-income communities hardest

A new study found that daily temperature variation has a disproportionate impact on marginalized groups, particularly Black and brown communities, with greater swings in temperature on average. The researchers used satellite data to analyze temperature patterns across the US, finding that densely populated regions with limited green sp...

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 21, 2024

New transit station in Japan significantly reduced cumulative health expenditures

A new transit station in Japan significantly reduced average healthcare expenditures per capita over four years, with savings of approximately $929.99. The study used a causal impact algorithm and time series data to analyze the medical expenditure data gathered from a suburban city on the West Japan Railway line.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalJournal of Transport & Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 14, 2024

Bruxism is a recurring condition among people with post-traumatic stress disorder

A study published in Clinical Oral Investigations found that people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often experience bruxism, or teeth grinding. The researchers emphasized the importance of collaboration between dentists and psychiatrists to diagnose and treat these patients effectively.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalClinical Oral Investigations·DateMay 14, 2024

Study reveals higher injury and assault rates among NYC food delivery gig workers dependent on the work

A study by CUNY researchers found that NYC food delivery gig workers are at a high risk of injury and assault, particularly those who rely on gig work for their main income. The study analyzed data from 1,650 delivery workers and found that fully dependent gig workers are 61% more likely to experience injury and 36% more likely to expe...

SourceCUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy·JournalJournal of Urban Health·TypeSurvey·DateApr 29, 2024

US building footprints could help identify neighborhood sociodemographic traits

A new study analyzing building footprints in US metropolitan areas identifies five distinct neighborhood types associated with varying socioeconomic and demographic traits. These neighborhoods differ in footprint size, shape, and placement, reflecting differences in population density, homeownership rates, and commuting habits.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 10, 2024

A smarter city skyline for flood safety

Urban flooding is increasing due to climate change and urbanization, posing a significant threat to pedestrian safety. Researchers found that building configurations can significantly impact flood vulnerability; staggered layouts provide more danger zones, while rounded or circular footprints reduce high-floodwater areas.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateApr 9, 2024

The future of independent primary care practices serving vulnerable populations depends on new policies that support health equity

A mixed-methods study examines the challenges faced by independent family physicians in urban communities, who serve socially vulnerable patients with limited support from healthcare entities. The researchers propose that health equity-focused policies and new payment models could help these practices stay afloat.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 25, 2024

Is active screening for tuberculosis among vulnerable populations cost-effective?

A systematic review by Gogichadze et al. suggests that active pulmonary TB screening programs targeting vulnerable populations in low-TB-incidence countries are cost-effective. The authors conclude that screening immigrants and other high-risk groups is a viable approach to detecting latent infections.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 22, 2024

Over half of global commutes are by car, says study

According to a new study, around 51% of global commutes are made by car, varying greatly across regions. In contrast, cities like Copenhagen, Paris, and Utrecht rely heavily on cycling and public transportation. The US also shows minimal variation in modal share across cities, with nearly 92% of commutes made by car.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalEnvironment International·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 18, 2024

Rope entanglement cause of low breeding rates in right whales

A new study published in Proceedings B of the Royal Society found that every injury from rope entanglements impacts North Atlantic right whale population recovery. Modelling data shows female whales who get tangled in fishing gear are less likely to calve, potentially leading to extinction.

SourceMacquarie University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 12, 2024

NYC ranks safest among big US cities for gun violence, new research from NYU Tandon School of Engineering reveals

A recent study by researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering found that NYC is the safest among large US cities in terms of gun violence. The study used a data analytics measure called Scale-Adjusted Metropolitan Indicators (SAMIs) to filter out population effects and compare cities of different sizes.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalNature Cities·DateFeb 29, 2024

Multiple city hubs, dispersed parks keep metro areas cooler

An analysis by Cornell University city planning scholars found that metropolitan areas with multiple city centers and dispersed green spaces are more effective at mitigating extreme heat than those with one dominant city. Polycentric development can moderate the urban heat island effect, especially in larger urban areas.

SourceCornell University·JournalEnvironment and Planning B Urban Analytics and City Science·DateFeb 12, 2024

Chinese Medical Journal study explores the health and economic burden of air pollution

A Chinese Medical Journal study examined the spatiotemporal features of disease burden due to air pollution across China between 2005 and 2017. The findings revealed a downward trend in premature mortality from fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) pollution, but an increasing financial burden due to economic growth.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 6, 2024

How a city is organized can create less-biased citizens

Researchers found that larger, more diverse, and less segregated cities experience decreased implicit racial biases due to increased social interactions. This is attributed to a lack of cosmopolitan public spaces where people can interact with others from different groups, creating barriers to equity.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 6, 2024

Pedestrian injuries from falls versus motor vehicle collisions: are we lacking critical policy and interventions?

A recent study found that pedestrian injuries from falls exceed those from motor vehicle collisions in the US, with older adults particularly vulnerable. The study analyzed EMS data and found that pedestrians over 50 years old were 3.9 times more likely to experience severe injuries from falls compared to motor vehicle collisions.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Urban Health·DateJan 31, 2024

Risk of death during heatwaves in Brazil linked to socioeconomic factors

A new study found that heatwaves in Brazil are disproportionately affecting female, elderly, Black, Brown, and low-education individuals, resulting in a staggering 48,075 deaths between 2000 and 2018. The research highlights the need for targeted efforts to reduce mortality rates during future heatwaves.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJan 24, 2024

Rice engineers propose hybrid urban water sourcing model

Rice University engineers have developed a hybrid urban water supply system that combines conventional, centralized water sources with reclaimed wastewater to save energy and reduce freshwater use. The system is also more resilient against disruptions such as hurricanes and flooding.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Water·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 16, 2024

Better mental, physical health in older people tied to living near nature

A Washington State University study found that living near nature can reduce serious psychological distress and improve general health in older adults. Researchers analyzed data from over 42,000 people aged 65 and older, finding a strong association between access to green spaces and better mental and physical health outcomes.

SourceWashington State University·JournalHealth & Place·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 4, 2024

City living can pose developmental risks

A new study highlights the wide range of urban exposures during early childhood that can influence growth and development, including air and noise pollution, overcrowding, and limited green space. The first 2000 days of life are a critical period for physical, cognitive, social, and emotional health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalPublic Health Research & Practice·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 20, 2023

Helping more people get to safety in a wildfire

Researchers have developed a new web-based software platform called Wildfire Safe Egress (WISE) that allows emergency planners to design custom-made evacuation plans. The tool uses data on demographics and road networks to simulate wildfire scenarios and calculate safe evacuation probabilities. By analyzing the Camp Fire disaster, rese...

SourceSociety for Risk Analysis·JournalRisk Analysis·DateDec 13, 2023