Articles tagged with Urban Studies
A study published in JAMA found that the use of a fall prevention tool kit with health information technology reduced patient falls in hospitals by 30%. The intervention, which included a fall risk assessment and personalized prevention plans, was most effective for older patients.
A new study by the US Forest Service found that certain types of city trees can reduce property and violent crime rates. Large street trees were associated with lower crime rates, while numerous small yard trees may increase crime by blocking views.
A case study from Washington State University explores how Urban Agriculture is used to help homeless and underprivileged youth. The CSA program, implemented in Seattle's South Park Neighborhood, provides a weekly box of produce while promoting social skills and employment.
A new study suggests Oregon's land use planning program has largely protected farm and forest operations while promoting scenic views, water quality, and environmental amenities. However, it has also enabled the growth of 'hobby farms' that may not prioritize agricultural production, but still contribute to rural beauty and job creation.
A new study reveals falls as the leading cause of non-fatal injuries among older adults in China, with 70% of injuries occurring at home or on the street. The divorced and widowed elderly are identified as high-risk groups for injury, highlighting the need for targeted prevention programs.
A new study found that praying for another person's healing can be effective, especially when the prayerer is physically near the person. The study, which measured improved hearing and vision in rural Mozambican subjects, revealed statistically significant benefits after proximal intercessory prayer (PIP) was administered.
A new study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that a mentorship program paired healthy young adults with urban middle school students helped them adopt healthy habits, active lifestyles and a healthy weight. The program, called Challenge!, showed promise as a way to have a major impact on children's lives.
The study found that smaller hospitals in Kentucky and Indiana adopted quality improvement measures quickly and implemented the expanded surgical time-out checklist with high rates of adherence. Surgical specialists committed to accepting safety parameters, and clinicians provided an extremely high standard of care to patients.
A Canadian study found First Nations people on peritoneal dialysis experience higher rates of peritonitis and mortality, despite living in either rural or urban areas. The high prevalence of diabetes and obesity among First Nations populations contributes to the growth of kidney disease and renal failure, necessitating dialysis care.
A study by Emory University found that sewage overflows in urban creeks and streams increase the risk of West Nile virus transmission, particularly in lower-income neighborhoods. The analysis showed a seven times higher risk for residents near affected areas compared to other parts of the city.
Tulane University will establish an International Center of Excellence in Malaria Research for West and Central Africa, aiming to achieve malaria control in the region. The seven-year project will involve 48 investigators from 10 institutions, including four African partners.
The study found that stroke incidence rates in urban Tanzania were almost three times higher than in rural areas, with crude yearly rates of 94.5 per 100,000 in rural Hai and 107.9 per 100,000 in urban Dar-es-Salaam. The authors suggest that undiagnosed or inadequately treated hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for stroke i...
A study on frequent users in inner-city emergency departments found that social factors such as transportation, insurance, and healthcare costs were associated with a higher number of visits. Researchers also discovered an 83% increase in visits by frequent users over a 10-year period despite stable insurance coverage.
A new Indiana University study reveals that the inside of a person's home has a significant impact on their physical activity levels. Researchers found that home conditions, such as dusting and cleaning, were more strongly linked to physical activity than external factors like sidewalks and lighting.
Researchers found that even tiny urban woodlots are valuable for Swainson's Thrushes and other migrant landbirds, providing food and protection. The study revealed that birds stayed in these sites for an average of four days, with the duration varying depending on factors such as calendar date, weather, and body mass.
A new study reveals that population health plays a significant role in explaining geographic differences in Medicare spending, accounting for nearly one-third of the variation. The study's findings suggest that policies based on misperceptions of unexplained geographic differences may be flawed.
A study by Northwestern University suggests that New York City received less Homeland Security funding than optimal in 2009, translating to a potential net increase of $15 million to $92 million. The researchers analyzed budgets for five fiscal years and found Chicago underfunded while Los Angeles overfunded.
A study analyzing data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey found that about 65% of 100-year-olds reported good or very good sleep quality. Sleep duration was closely linked to health status, with those having poor health more likely to experience sleep problems.
A new study found that disadvantaged urban preschoolers are at risk of developmental delays in basic motor skills, such as running and catching. The researchers evaluated 469 preschool students and found that 86% scored below the 30th percentile, which is considered developmentally delayed.
Two studies by Queen's University researchers suggest southeastern Ontario has enormous solar energy potential, producing nearly as much power as the US nuclear grid. The studies, led by Professor Joshua Pearce, estimate 95 gigawatts of potential power in the region.
Researchers reveal that Patagonia's indigenous societies were dynamic, with complex social organization, linguistic diversity and high mobilization capacity. They also adjusted their internal characteristics to cope with change.
A new LSU study reveals that increased Latino employment in low-skill jobs has displaced blacks from labor markets, leading to higher murder rates in urban black communities. The research attributes this trend to US immigration policies over several decades.
A new study based on women's self-reports suggests that many who live with chronic psychological abuse still see certain positive traits in their abusers, such as dependability and being affectionate. The study found that over half of the surveyed women (54%) saw their partners as highly dependable.
A recent study found that standard hepatitis C therapy is less effective in urban minority patients compared to clinical trials, with lower sustained viral response rates. Researchers attribute this disparity to the complex interaction of genetic variations, environmental factors, and health behaviors in these populations.
A study in Journal of Consumer Research explores how street art initiates conversations about the search for common space and democratization of art. Various stakeholders have different reactions to street art, but it rejuvenates public spaces while talking back to corporate logos.
A Stanford study finds urban CO2 domes cause local temperature increases and worsen air pollution, leading to increased deaths. The research contradicts current cap-and-trade proposals that fail to account for local emissions' health impacts.
A Kansas State University study found that the availability of supermarkets, rather than their lack, increases the risk of obesity for low-income women living in small cities. The researchers used a statewide dataset and found that micropolitan areas with higher supermarket availability had an increased risk of obesity.
A recent study found that stormwater runoff is the primary source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollutants in the New York/New Jersey Harbor. The study estimated that stormwater runoff contributes about half of the total PAH load to the harbor. The researchers also identified gaps in data, particularly for stormwater runoff ...
A new study found that nearly a third of patients age 65 and older referred to a specialist do not receive treatment due to failed referrals. The study revealed that only 50% of those referred had the opportunity to receive treatment, highlighting the need for improved health information technology to address this issue.
A study published in Pediatrics found that over half of low-income urban mothers met the criteria for a diagnosis of depression after childbirth. Researchers identified three reliable screening tools to detect depression accurately among this population, highlighting the need to adjust cutoff scores for optimal identification.
A new study analyzing the impact of hand-held cell phone legislation on driving safety concludes that usage-ban laws had more of an impact in densely populated urban areas with a higher number of licensed drivers than in rural areas. The study found lower fatal accident rates and personal injury accidents in counties with high driver d...
A new study suggests that painting building roofs white could reduce urban heat island effects by 33%, cooling cities by an average of 0.7 degrees F. However, the authors caution that actual use of white roofs would depend on various factors and may not be feasible due to wear and tear.
A new study found that rural males are 47% more likely to die from injuries than their urban counterparts, while rural females face a 33% higher risk of injury-related mortality. The disparity is attributed to various factors such as unintentional suffocation in infants and suicide among older adults.
A long-term study by Indiana University School of Medicine found that frequent testing and treatment does not reduce the prevalence of chlamydia in urban teenage girls. Despite regular screenings, 84% of repeated infections were reinfections.
According to a new study, half of urban teenage girls may acquire at least one common sexually transmitted infection (STI) within two years of becoming sexually active. The researchers found that repeated infections with chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis were very common among the participants.
A study found that rural Medicare beneficiaries were 27% more likely to undergo total knee or hip replacement surgeries compared to urban recipients. Women and minorities showed significant disparities in both rural and urban areas. The study used the 2005 Medicare data and included over 6 million rural and nearly 38 million urban part...
Research highlights from NHLBI-supported studies presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions include new education strategies for controlling hypertension and findings on a possible link between short-term and long-term exposure to air pollution and increased risk of constricted blood vessels. Two surgical approac...
The GAZEL study found that older workers' perceived health improves significantly after retirement, especially in those with ideal working conditions. This suggests that improving working conditions is crucial to retaining older workers in the workforce.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has renewed a five-year, $56 million contract to study asthma in children living in lower-income, inner-city environments. The Inner-City Asthma Consortium (ICAC) will evaluate promising new therapies to reduce asthma severity and prevent disease.
A new study reveals that some neighborhoods with high levels of walkability also have low levels of air pollution, while others prioritize one over the other. Neighborhoods designed for walkability often encourage higher daily activity levels, which can mitigate health issues linked to air pollution and physical inactivity.
A new study by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology found that adolescents' perception of family functioning is no longer decisive. Family structure is no longer a determining factor in an adolescent's perception of proper family function.
A study of over 20,000 young drivers found that those living in rural areas are more likely to be involved in serious crashes than urban counterparts. Rural roads pose significant risks due to curved sections and speeding.
A team of researchers developed an intelligent surveillance system to detect incorrect behavior by drivers and pedestrians crossing pedestrian crossings. The system, based on multi-agent artificial intelligence, can identify abnormal movements and potentially penalize such behaviors.
A USGS study reveals over 40% of urban streams have chlorides above recommended federal criteria for aquatic protection. Chloride from deicing salt use is a major source, with levels as high as 4,000 ppm during winter months.
A study predicts a 40% increase in blindness in Nigeria by 2020, with nearly all cases being either preventable or treatable. The research found that cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors are the most common causes of blindness, particularly among those with limited access to healthcare.
Researchers found no correlation between community garden presence and property crimes in Houston neighborhoods. However, residents reported a positive influence of gardens on neighborhood revitalization and perceived safety.
Adults living in areas with high fast food concentration who don't own a car are at increased risk of excess body mass index and weight gain. Not owning a car in these areas is associated with a 12-pound weight difference compared to those living without fast food outlets.
A nationwide study found that elevated carbon monoxide levels, even below national limits, are associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular disease among seniors. The study suggests an under-recognized health risk to seniors, highlighting the need for re-evaluation of health-based standards.
A new study found that road tunnels can concentrate ultrafine particles and pollutants by up to 1000 times, posing serious health risks to occupants. This concentration level is higher than previously reported measurements.
A CU-Boulder study shows that noise pollution negatively affects woodland bird populations, with declining species richness at noisy sites. However, some bird species, such as black-chinned hummingbirds and house finches, prefer noisy areas due to reduced predation by western scrub jays.
A recent study by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found that children exposed to high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urban areas had lower full-scale and verbal IQ scores compared to less exposed children. The effects were similar to those seen with low-level lead exposure.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers estimates that after five years of staying clean, an individual with a criminal record is no greater risk of committing another crime. The study suggests it may be safe to hire ex-offenders with clean records, providing employers with data to inform their hiring decisions.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that primary care physicians who adopted a new capitation model for payment had fewer sick patients and less after-hours billing. However, they also had more patients visiting emergency departments and fewer new patients compared to those who opted for an enhanced fee-...
A new study published in the American Cancer Society found that people living in urban areas are more likely to develop late-stage cancer than those in suburban and rural areas. The research suggests a need for more effective urban-based cancer screening and awareness programs, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Researchers will evaluate health and monetary benefits of green, affordable housing for low-income residents, comparing data before and after moving. They expect significant improvements in respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and mental health outcomes.
A Temple University study found that middle-class parental involvement in urban education can have a positive impact when parents focus on making the school better for everyone. However, the study also shows that this influence can sometimes be exclusive to their own children's needs at the expense of working-class students.
A new automated system for interpreting coronary CT angiography (CCTA) studies detects major coronary artery stenosis with 95% accuracy, helping prioritize cases. The technology aims to improve radiologist efficiency and reduce response times in positive cases.
A University of Illinois study suggests that challenging middle-school math classes and increased access to advanced courses can close the racial academic achievement gap. The research found that students who take more advanced math courses in middle school have better academic outcomes and are less likely to fall behind.
A recent study found that middle school students as young as 12 are engaging in vaginal, oral, and anal sex, with 1 in 3 sexually active students reporting unprotected sex. The study highlights the need for comprehensive sexual education programs to promote healthy attitudes and skills among young people.
A study published in Ophthalmology found that while vision problems are rare among urban preschoolers, nearly 5% require treatment, yet only 1% receive it. Untreated refractive errors can lead to amblyopia and strabismus if left unchecked.