Articles tagged with State Law
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that opioid prescription limits are effective in reducing prescription length when set according to the type of doctor visit. The study, which analyzed data from West Virginia from 2017-2019, showed a significant reduction in prescription lengths for patients in hospital and outpatient settings.
A new study found that states with restrictive abortion laws had a 16% increased infant mortality rate compared to those with more comprehensive reproductive healthcare. Demographic factors such as low education attainment and inadequate prenatal care also contributed to elevated IMR.
A UMass Lowell researcher has been awarded a nearly $1 million grant to study the effectiveness of extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) in preventing mass public shootings. The research aims to analyze how such laws impact gun violence and provide insights into data interpretation, social media behavior, and warning signs.
A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that individuals born in dry counties due to Prohibition-era laws lived longer, with an average additional lifespan of approximately 1.7 years. This increase in longevity is equivalent to nearly 15% of the overall life expectancy improvements for those born between 1900-1930.
The study highlights substantial heterogeneity in NICS reporting requirements for mental health prohibitions and a lack of clarity around processes. This raises questions about the ability of NICS to prevent firearm purchases or possession by individuals with court-identified risk of violence.
A Northwestern Medicine study found that postpartum individuals living in states with generous mandated paid family and medical leave are more likely to breastfeed and less likely to experience postpartum depression symptoms. Lower-income populations covered by Medicaid saw the greatest benefits, with a 32% greater likelihood of breast...
A study by Brigham researchers reveals a 37% increase in out-of-state residents seeking abortion care in Massachusetts after Dobbs, with an estimated 45 additional abortions. Non-profit funding for out-of-state residents increased by nearly ten percent, while in-state residents' use of funding remained relatively stable.
A Washington State University study found that faster USPS efficiency increases the likelihood of voting by 3.42% in restrictive states. Mail voting laws with universal or no-excuse options had a higher probability of voter turnout, up to 70%.
A new study from Florida Atlantic University compares the characteristics and risk factors of youth detained for running away or sex trafficking to those detained for more serious offenses. The research found significant differences in abuse rates, polyvictimization, and other factors between the two groups.
A study found that 41.8% of US women of reproductive age face long drives (30+ minutes) to reach an abortion facility, while 23.6% have no access within a 90-minute drive. Access is affected by state laws and geographical location.
A new study reveals that rapid state law changes mean many families will need to drive longer distances to access gender-affirming care for their transgender children. The restrictions have led to 25% of Americans aged 10-17 living more than a day's drive away from a clinic offering such care.
A new study by Laura M. DeMarco found that Ohio landlords routinely disqualify individuals with a criminal record from renting homes, particularly in gentrifying neighborhoods and communities with dwindling Black populations. This practice reinforces racial inequalities and perpetuates neighborhood turnover.
Mothers with a criminal record and care experience face negative judgements and excessive scrutiny due to their 'known' status. The study emphasizes the need for supportive dialogue across disciplinary boundaries to break cycles of stigma and social care involvement, focusing on safe spaces and trust-building for care-experienced mothers.
A study by Weill Cornell Medicine found that state laws allowing medical cannabis use did not reduce prescriptions for opioids or other therapies for chronic non-cancer pain. The results challenge previous studies suggesting a link between medical cannabis laws and reduced opioid prescribing.
A study of US state-level maternal mortality from 1999 to 2019 found increased risk among American Indian, Alaska Native, and Black individuals. The study highlights persistent disparities in maternal health care, with limited impact on prevention efforts.
A study of commercially insured adults with chronic noncancer pain found that state medical cannabis laws did not lead to a reduction in the use of opioid or nonopioid pain treatments. The researchers also suggested slow implementation and reluctance among healthcare leaders may have contributed to these findings.
State palliative care laws are associated with an increased likelihood of dying at home or in hospice among decedents from cancer. Passage of these laws may be an effective policy intervention to increase the number of seriously ill patients who experience their death in such locations.
Projected health outcomes associated with Supreme Court decisions in 2022 suggest substantial harms to public health due to lack of COVID-19 workplace protections and revoked abortion rights. Nearly 3,000 excess deaths are projected over a decade.
A study of 5,813 youths found that socially vulnerable communities experienced a disproportionate number of assault-related firearm deaths. Stricter gun laws were associated with lower death rates, but disadvantaged communities remained disproportionately impacted.
A study from Indiana University found that internet searches for abortion- and contraception-related terms increased significantly in states with trigger laws or pre-Roe bans after the June 2022 ruling. Searches surged 61% in these states, indicating concerns about impending restrictions on reproductive care access.
The study found that the program increased access to mental health care for thousands of New Jersey residents, with practitioners serving patients in 13 languages and underserved racial or ethnic minority groups. Increasing access to mental health services is crucial during the pandemic, especially given a shortage of providers.
A new analysis of three decades of US food policies defines junk food based on a combination of product categories, processing, nutrients, and place. The study identifies common criteria used in existing policies, including exemptions for staple foods and favoring products with lower levels of processing and additives.
Current state reporting methods may be inadequate, as not all individuals experiencing an overdose connect with medical services or community programs. This study highlights the need for more comprehensive reporting of nonfatal drug overdoses across US states.
A new study by University of Georgia researcher Shane Singh found that mandatory voting laws increase voter turnout when enforced, not the severity of the law. Turnout can increase by nearly 20 points with credible sanctions, compared to 8-10 points without them.
A recent study found that Medicaid expansion is associated with a decrease in eviction judgments and rates across states. The association varies by state and county, suggesting that Medicaid expansion may have different effects on housing stability.
A new study from the University of Washington found that the number of US adult handgun owners carrying a loaded handgun on their person doubled from 2015 to 2019. In 2019, approximately 16 million adult handgun owners had carried a loaded handgun in the past month, with 6 million carrying every day.
Despite Illinois' strong stock inhaler laws, school administrators cite difficulty obtaining prescriptions and liability concerns as barriers to implementation. A study found that 35% of stakeholders cited prescription issues and liability fears, highlighting the need for enhanced education and verbiage to alleviate these concerns.
Researchers captured mothers' experiences using documentary photography, revealing disempowerment, incongruent systems, and the need for relational support to aid recovery. Positive relationships with others in the recovery community were noted sources of support.
Research in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals a significant association between paid sick leave requirements and reduced mortality among US adult workers. The study found that state preemption laws hindering local mandates contribute to increased workforce mortality.
Researchers found that heightened awareness around GMO-related topics leads to an increase in demand for non-GMO products. The shift in consumer preferences was quantified as a 36% increase in new non-GMO product adoption tied to legislative activity, suggesting the role of indirect awareness effects.
A study of 482,000 children and adolescents found no link between state laws limiting opioid prescriptions and the receipt of these prescriptions. Alternative strategies, such as youth-specific guidelines, are needed to address this public health concern.
A study found that cannabis use and daily use are more common in US states with recreational cannabis laws compared to those without. Cigarette smokers in these states have even higher rates of cannabis use.
A new study found record-high demand for abortion medications in the US following the leaked Supreme Court draft ruling. Searches for abortion medications spiked 162% during the 72-hour period after the leak, with significantly more searches in states with restrictive reproductive rights. The team urges prioritizing accessible informat...
Research published by the American Psychological Association found that states with hate crime laws protecting LGBTQ populations have lower rates of suicide attempts among both sexual and gender minority students, as well as heterosexual students. Overall, suicide attempt rates decreased by 16% in those states.
A recent statewide census of California bumble bees found significant declines due to climate change, urbanization, and pesticide use. Despite finding most common species, researchers failed to locate several iconic species, including the Western bumble bee, highlighting urgent need for conservation efforts.
Most U.S. states have laws addressing teen dating violence in secondary schools, but these laws vary in content and comprehensiveness. The study highlights the need for improved legislation to prevent and respond to teen dating violence.
A new study by Michigan Medicine reveals that people in some states will be significantly affected by restrictions on interstate telehealth. Rural residents have taken advantage of this service, with 18% using it for in-person care or telehealth, compared to 13% of non-rural residents.
A Michigan study reveals that hundreds of thousands of surgical and dental opioid prescriptions are filled long after writing, but a state law helped reduce this trend. The authors suggest tightening state laws to prevent or reduce misuse associated with delayed dispensing of opioids.
A new study of over 20,000 Americans found that state legalization of recreational cannabis leads to increased cannabis use, especially among young people. The study suggests that this could have detrimental health effects, including impaired respiratory function and cardiovascular disease.
A study found that states with laws requiring CPR/AED training in high school had higher rates of bystander CPR after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest compared to those without such mandates. The study suggests that this intervention can help reduce health disparities, particularly among low-income and minority communities.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that relaxing concealed firearm laws led to a 12.9% increase in officer-involved shootings with civilian victims in 10 US states. Four states saw significantly higher rates, including Missouri and West Virginia.
A new paper highlights the need for uniform patient confidentiality policies for adolescents, as state laws vary significantly and often contradict medical societies' standards. The authors argue that this variability can lead to clinically significant consequences for adolescents seeking care for sensitive issues.
A new study found that naming legislation after a victim increases support for the law and its associated punishment, with notable benefits for laws named after African American women. The study used distracted driving as an example and surveyed a national sample of 1,000 U.S. adults.
A study of insurance claims data found that state laws governing opioid prescribing had a negligible effect on opioid prescribing trends. The authors suggest that shifting clinical guidelines, professional norms, or other factors may be driving the decline in opioid prescribing. In contrast, a post-hoc analysis of an ASPREE trial found...
Economists Ed Timmons and Conor Norris suggest reforms such as shorter medical school pathways, expanded physician assistant and nurse practitioner independence, and federal regulation of telemedicine to alleviate the healthcare industry's stress in light of COVID-19. These proposals aim to address staffing shortages, improve access to...
This study evaluates the relationship between 'Stand Your Ground' laws and homicide rates in the US. The analysis found that states with more restrictive laws had lower rates of firearm homicides, highlighting a possible link between self-defense laws and gun violence.
A growing number of US states have passed laws requiring employers to provide paid sick leave, with 27.6% of jobs covered as of 2019. However, some states block local governments from creating their own regulations, exacerbating health disparities and leaving low-wage workers without access to benefits.
A study of drivers with past-year alcohol and cannabis use found that two in five reported driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or both. Simultaneous use was associated with a higher risk of DUI, particularly among young adolescents.
Physicians in Colorado are more willing than expected to provide medical aid in dying, with 81% open to discussing the topic and 88% willing to make referrals. However, 46% were unwilling to serve as consultants, highlighting the need for better understanding of the challenges physicians face in this practice.
The pandemic has led to significant progress in increasing practice authority for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) across the US. Several states have made emergency changes permanent, expanding full practice authority for APRNs in Delaware and Massachusetts.
A LSU Health New Orleans study reports a nearly 70% decrease in morphine milligram equivalent (MME) per discharge opioid prescriptions for patients who underwent common lower extremity surgical procedures. The study also found a significant decline in new opioid prescriptions, from 50% in 2013 to 19.3% in 2018.
States allowing minors to consent to HPV vaccination without parental involvement showed higher vaccine series initiation rates from 2015 to 2018, according to a JAMA Pediatrics analysis of nearly 82,000 adolescents. The study found increased vaccine uptake in these states compared to those with parental consent requirements.
A survey study found that US state cannabis laws differ significantly, leading to varying dispensary staff recommendations. The study highlights the need for standardized guidelines to ensure patients receive accurate information about cannabis use.
A national study compares three state laws aimed at increasing hospital nurse staffing: mandated staffing ratios, staffing committees, and public reporting. The study found that staffing mandates lead to a significant increase in RN staffing, while alternative approaches have little impact on hospital nursing levels.
Prices paid to in and out-of-network anesthesiologists decreased after surprise billing legislation was introduced, with California and Florida seeing significant drops. In-network prices also decreased in these states, suggesting a direct impact on provider-payer negotiating dynamics.
Researchers investigated the link between state opioid prescription duration limits and changes in opioid prescribing. The study found that limiting initial opioid prescriptions may lead to a decrease in opioid-related overdose deaths, but also increase unnecessary hospitalizations.
Researchers found that state medical and recreational cannabis laws were associated with lower rates of self-harm and assault injuries. The study suggests that these laws may have contributed to a decrease in violent behavior, potentially due to the therapeutic benefits of cannabis.
A study by Columbia University researchers found that strong state gun laws are associated with lower rates of firearm homicides within the state and across state lines. Weaker laws in one state contribute to higher homicide rates in neighboring states, particularly when guns can flow undetected into areas with already weak laws.
A recent University of Washington study found that age restrictions on handgun purchases have little effect on the rate of homicides involving guns by people in this age group. The central issue is high informal access to firearms, making it difficult to address with age limits. Firearms are a leading cause of death among American youth.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that weaker gun laws in neighboring states are associated with increased gun deaths in adjoining states. The researchers analyzed 578,022 firearm deaths over a 17-year period and found that stronger state gun policies were linked to decreased firearm deaths.