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Massachusetts General study identifies pathway linking socioeconomic status to cardiovascular risk

A new study by Massachusetts General Hospital identifies a biological pathway linking socioeconomic status to cardiovascular risk. The pathway involves brain stress centers, immune cell production, and arterial inflammation, which can be targeted by lifestyle approaches such as exercise, meditation, and statins.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJun 25, 2019

Families with a higher socioeconomic position have a greater risk of exposure to chemicals

A new European study found that families with a higher socioeconomic position are at a greater risk of exposure to environmental chemical contaminants. Pregnant women and their children from more affluent backgrounds had higher levels of pollutants such as PFAS, mercury, and pesticides in their bodies.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalInternational Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health·DateMay 13, 2019

Socioeconomic deprivation increases risk of developing chronic kidney disease in England

A study of 1.4 million adults in England found that socioeconomically deprived individuals are 68% more likely to develop advanced chronic kidney disease than the least deprived, experiencing poorer health outcomes and quality of life. The research recommends targeted interventions to engage disadvantaged groups through improved screen...

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalNephrology Dialysis Transplantation·DateApr 23, 2019

Lower pension, shorter life

A study by Max Planck Institute found that pension gap between rich and poor in Germany has grown significantly over the past 20 years. Life expectancy of poor men is diverging more from rich men, with those receiving high retirement benefits living 19 years longer on average compared to low-income men.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateApr 11, 2019

Poverty leaves a mark on our genes

A Northwestern University study found that poverty can become embedded in nearly 10% of the genome, associated with over 2,500 sites and 1,500 genes. This epigenetic mark may shape gene expression and contribute to disease development.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateApr 4, 2019

The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology: Economic growth linked to reduction in stunting and thinness, but rise in overweight and obesity in Chinese children and adolescents

A study found that economic growth in China led to a decrease in stunting and thinness among children and adolescents, but a significant increase in overweight and obesity rates. The research suggests a need for policies promoting dietary diversity, physical activity, and health education.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateMar 19, 2019

Location and competition

A UC Santa Barbara study reveals that proximity to highly trafficked areas, shopping centers, and freeways leads to higher gas prices. The researchers also found that market competition can override the effect of location, with nearby gas stations influencing pricing behavior.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalAsia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science·DateMar 5, 2019

Attending the 'best' high school may yield benefits and risks for students

A recent study found that attending socioeconomically advantaged high schools tends to lead to higher educational attainment, income, and occupational prestige, while attending high-achievement schools can harm students' career prospects. Researchers hope to identify teacher-related factors that can buffer against these negative effects.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateOct 17, 2018

Individual characteristics that predict multiple chronic conditions are identified

A 10-year study found that age, low socioeconomic status, obesity, and low physical activity are positively associated with the risk of developing multimorbidity. Promoting healthy lifestyles and targeting an internal locus of control may help empower patients to achieve behavior change and reduce multimorbidity incidence.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 10, 2018

The impact of the sugar tax in Chile: A bittersweet success?

A new study reveals that Chile's sugar tax led to a significant decrease in the purchase volume of sugary soft drinks, particularly among high socioeconomic groups. However, the reduction was statistically insignificant for low-income groups, suggesting that further evaluations are needed to address socioeconomic inequalities.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJul 3, 2018

Global 2 degrees C rise doubles population exposed to multiple climate risks compared to 1.5 degrees C

A recent study finds that a 2°C global temperature rise could expose nearly half of the world's population to multiple climate change risks, compared to a 1.5°C rise. The areas most at risk are densely populated and located in south Asia alone, with Africa facing greater challenges due to high social inequality.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMay 16, 2018