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Black male incarceration can compromise research studies

A recent study by Yale University researchers found that black male incarceration has compromised research studies on health outcomes, leading to a significant loss of follow-up data. The study estimated that high incarceration rates among black men may have accounted for up to 65% of the loss of follow-up among this group.

SourceYale University·JournalHealth Affairs·DateMay 6, 2014

Experts call for prison health improvements

The article highlights the need for improved prison healthcare, citing that over 95% of prisoners will return to the community with significant health burdens. Experts recommend alternatives to imprisonment, improved oversight, and a 'risk-needs-responsivity' model to address chronic medical conditions and substance abuse after release.

SourceBrown University·JournalHealth Affairs·DateMar 3, 2014

Medicaid expansion improves health care services for prison population

A nationwide survey of state prison administrators found that Medicaid enrollment increased in preparation for release, improving access to basic health services. Most systems provided assistance with reenrollment, but termination policies were common, making it challenging for prisoners to access care upon release.

SourceLifespan·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJan 16, 2014

CWRU researcher finds released inmates need programs to meet basic and mental health needs

A new study from Case Western Reserve University finds that released inmates with severe mental illness prioritize basic needs like housing and food over mental health services. The study suggests that social workers and policymakers must ensure that both basic and treatment needs are met during the transition from jail to community.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalQualitative Health Research·DateJan 6, 2014

Social benefits of regret, ethics of gift giving in business, humor after a hurricane

A new study reveals that publicly expressing regrets can provide emotional support from others, highlighting the social benefits of regret. Additionally, professionals who believe they are least vulnerable to gift-biasing effects are most likely to accept gifts, while peer pressure can easily lead to unethical behavior. Research also s...

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateDec 17, 2013

Embargoed news from Nov. 5, 2013 Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet

A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that women who adhered to a Mediterranean-type diet in midlife had greater physical and mental function in old age. Researchers also developed a scoring system to identify low-risk patients for strep throat, which could potentially save hundreds of thousands of doctor visits...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateNov 4, 2013

NYU study on incarcerated youth shows potential to lower anti-social behavior and recidivism

A NYU study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that mindfulness training, combined with cognitive behavioral therapy, improved attentional task performance in incarcerated adolescents. The intervention showed a protective effect on youths' attentional capacity, leading to better self-control and reduced anti-social behavior.

SourceNew York University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateOct 31, 2013

Maya dismembered their enemies

Archaeologists at the University of Bonn have discovered a 1,400-year-old mass grave containing 24 skeletons from the Maya civilization. The remains show signs of violent death and dismemberment, including decapitation and hatchet marks.

Tattoos reduce chances of getting a job, new research says

Employers view visible tattoos as a stigma, perceiving them as making employees look dirty or unsavory. However, certain innocuous symbols like flowers or butterflies are seen as acceptable. The stigma surrounding tattoos is expected to decrease over time as younger generations increasingly get tattoos.

SourceSAGE·DateSep 3, 2013

Why is orange the new black for female victims of trauma?

Researchers found that intimate partner violence increases risk for property crimes, drug offending, and commercial sex work. Witnessing violence also contributes to property crimes, fighting, and use of weapons. Women who experienced caregiver violence are more likely to run away as teens.

SourceSAGE·JournalPsychology of Women Quarterly·DateAug 2, 2013

Prison reform results in strain on welfare system

A study by Rice University and Louisiana State University found that court-mandated prison reforms led to a 22% decrease in welfare spending. The researchers discovered that states that were ordered to improve living conditions spent significantly more on correctional facilities, but less on social programs.

Study examines link between incarceration and psychiatric disorders

A study by Jason Schnittker and colleagues reveals a long-lasting relationship between incarceration and psychiatric conditions affecting one's mood. The research suggests that mental health treatment could help former inmates reintegrate into society, addressing difficulties such as diminished social relationships and daily activities.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·DateJan 16, 2013

Human obedience: The myth of blind conformity

Classic studies on obedience and conformity have been revisited to show that people do not blindly conform but actively identify with and believe in the authority's actions. The authors' own prison experiment found that participants only acted in terms of group membership and empowered themselves to resist their assigned position.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 20, 2012

Traumatic consequences long after fall of the Berlin Wall

A recent study has found that former political prisoners in East Germany continue to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 15 years after their imprisonment. The study, which followed up with 78 men and 15 women who were initially interviewed in the mid-1990s, revealed that PTSD affects about a third of those studied.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalDer Nervenarzt·DateOct 25, 2012

Treating hepatitis C infection in prison is good public policy

A recent study found that treating hepatitis C in prison can be just as effective as treatment for non-incarcerated patients, with 43% of prisoners achieving a sustained viral response. The research highlights the importance of providing antiviral therapy to incarcerated individuals to curb the spread of hepatitis C.

SourceWiley·JournalHepatology·DateSep 27, 2012