Articles tagged with Social Conditions
A new analysis shows that the US has substantially higher death rates at all but the oldest ages compared to five high-income European countries. The excess death gap widened during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the number of excess deaths nearly doubling between 2019 and 2021.
Studies found an association between living close to higher-quality food stores and better weight loss outcomes after bariatric surgery. Living near low-diversity stores was linked to less sustained weight loss, while moderate- or high-diversity stores had no effect.
A new study finds that women and young people are more influential than older men in influencing others to implement sustainable practices. Women's recommendations often led to real action, despite being less likely to be identified as opinion leaders.
A study of 37,000 pediatric head and neck cancer patients found significant decreases in care receipt and survival time with increasing social determinants of health vulnerability. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address social vulnerabilities in pediatric cancer care.
A study of 3,141 US counties found that counties with higher social vulnerability had lower rates of recommended breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings. The findings suggest that addressing social determinants of health may be crucial for improving cancer screening rates.
For people at high risk of overdose enrolled in a safer opioid supply program, there was a rapid decrease in emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and health care costs. The study found improved outcomes for participants compared to those not exposed to the program.
A systematic review of 82 scientific publications found that palm oil boosts local economies and poverty reduction while exacerbating social inequalities. Sustainable palm oil production practices facilitate achievement of SDGs like quality education and access to clean water.
A survey study of 2,500 reservation-area American Indian youth found that COVID-19 affected their physical health and mental well-being. The study highlights the need for culturally sensitive interventions to address the unique challenges faced by this population during the pandemic.
A study of 641 participants found that midlife and older Hispanic/Latinx adults were more likely to experience prolonged loneliness, with 16% persistently lonely. The researchers suggest that culturally important familism was disrupted by social distancing, and reduced access to transportation and community activities may contribute to...
A study by Tel Aviv University researchers found a unique oral microbiotic signature in the saliva of veteran soldiers with PTSD, which may help diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder objectively. The study also showed that people with PTSD exhibit the same picture of bacteria in their saliva as those who have experienced combat stres...
A new study by the University of Exeter recommends using metaphors, images, and poetry to complement traditional medical scales for patients to describe their chronic pain. This approach can improve doctor-patient communication and aid diagnosis or provide better support.
A study of 12,000 Medicare beneficiaries with heart failure at risk for requiring a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) found racial and sex disparities in LVAD access. Adjusting for individual poverty and community-level social determinants of health did not alter the inequity in one-year survival among groups.
The report proposes a health equity framework to address disparities in telehealth services, focusing on strategic priority, patient input, social determinants, and institutional racism. It calls for integrating equity and innovation efforts to ensure access to telemedicine and digitally enabled health tools.
A study from the University of Kansas found that social support was crucial in predicting good sleep quality among individuals with multiple sclerosis. The research, conducted during the pandemic, revealed that tangible and positive social interaction support significantly predicted better sleep quality.
A new theory suggests that lack of perceived safety in marginalized communities can have a direct impact on physical and mental health. This concept challenges decades-old thinking that minority stress is the primary cause of health disparities in the LGBTQ community.
A new study found a significant increase in unprotected sex, drinking, smoking, and cannabis use among rejected minorities. Researchers discovered that social rejection is associated with a 9.1% rise in tobacco consumption and a 12.5% increase in cannabis use.
This supplement explores the complex contributors to obesity and obesity-related health disparities, highlighting the role of social determinants, behavioral factors, and biological influences. Researchers propose strategies for improving population wellbeing and inform healthcare and public policy approaches.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd's murder on crime rates in 28 US cities. The study found that homicides and auto thefts increased, while robberies and larcenies declined. The authors suggest that social unrest, economic conditions, and changed police behavior may b...
A study by Kyushu University has identified biomarkers in blood samples that distinguish healthy individuals from Hikikomori patients and predict the severity of the condition. Key findings include elevated ornithine levels, lower bilirubin levels, and higher long-chain acylcarnitine levels in patients.
A University of Cologne study finds that children with same-sex parents exhibit comparable social adjustment as those with opposite-sex parents, showcasing the resilience of same-sex families.
A new study found that childhood circumstances and personality traits are significantly associated with loneliness in older age, accounting for 10.42% and 7.50% of the variance respectively. Life experiences during childhood, such as having few friends or a poor relationship with parents, can increase the risk of loneliness later in life.
Research suggests that immigrants who prefer to stay in host countries develop valuable skills and social contacts, leading to better job prospects and increased economic contribution. Policymakers should consider location preferences and planned migration duration when designing immigration policies to maximize fiscal benefits.
A recent study found that community-based rangeland management projects in Namibia improved resource governance but had limited impact on environmental and economic outcomes. The projects aimed to increase household incomes and improve rangeland conditions through coordinated land use practices, but ultimately failed to achieve signifi...
A study on women-only Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Brazil found that participants experienced rejection and loneliness due to social stigma. The women-only format provided a safe space for self-expression and reclaimed dignity, differing from mixed meetings where men-focused testimonials prevailed.
A study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health reveals that income loss during COVID-19 significantly increases menstrual product insecurity, with lower-income and less educated individuals most vulnerable. The pandemic's impact on menstruation management challenges underscores the need for health and social policy legi...
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry has found that individuals without jobs or stable housing experience worse depression symptoms when treated with therapy or antidepressants. The researchers analyzed data from nine studies involving over 4,800 participants and discovered that unemployed patients had 28% poorer outcomes compar...
A novel framework for improving scientific understanding of 'recurrent acute disasters' (RADs) has been developed to account for legacy conditions that leave people vulnerable in the wake of repeated disasters. The framework proposes a holistic view of the 'human ecosystem' and trends in legacy conditions.
A new study from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that medical-legal partnerships, which connect pediatric patients with advocates from Legal Aid Society, significantly reduce hospital admissions for children. The program, launched in 2008, has resulted in a 38% reduction in hospitalizations among referred cases.
A new study reveals that corrections staff in Kentucky view incarcerated individuals as 'monsters' or 'evils', dehumanizing them to justify violent behavior. This us-them ideology can lead to abuse and harm, and has implications for prison management and the carceral system.
A new study found that neighborhood-level gun violence dynamics in Philadelphia during the COVID-19 pandemic were linked to changes in drug market and police activity. Average shooting rates increased after the pandemic began, but this increase occurred at different rates for different neighborhoods.
A study found that COVID-19 patients from high-vulnerability neighborhoods presented with more severe illness and required intensive care, but did not experience higher mortality rates. Researchers suggest policies targeting socially vulnerable neighborhoods to improve access to testing, treatment, and vaccination.
A VA research team found increased risks of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders, in individuals who had COVID-19 infection. The study analyzed medical records of nearly 154,000 patients with COVID-19 and compared them to over 11 million people without COVID-19.
The University of West Virginia leads a global initiative to integrate behavioral and social sciences into oral health promotion, aiming to reduce dental disparities and inequities. The effort involves innovative technologies like apps and smartphones to increase access to dental care.
Researchers found that prisoners in buildings located in green areas are less likely to engage in self-harming or violent behaviours. The study, published in Wellbeing, Space and Society, suggests that surrounding greenspace has a positive effect on prisoner wellbeing alongside prison walls.
A NTU study found that entrepreneurs quickly build trust in work-related situations and adapt to dishonesty. They also recover more easily from losing trust, making them valuable assets for organisations in negotiation and trust-building roles.
A recent study published in lambda nordica suggests that recognizing the psychological, social, and physical effects of shame on HIV patients is crucial for enhancing their medical treatment. The research argues that healthcare workers should be more aware of how shame contributes to poor health outcomes, particularly in individuals wi...
A new model of autism care and treatment prioritizes personalized, stepped approaches tailored to individuals' unique needs throughout their lives. The Lancet Commission calls for global coordination between governments, healthcare providers, and families to reform research, care, and treatment.
Room attendants, largely feminized and immigrant workers, face precarious conditions, including physical labor exploitation and lack of social protection. Las Kellys employs three types of subversion tactics to redefine their work, highlight central roles, and fight for dignity.
A study found that adults with sensory impairment experienced a decline in emotional well-being during the pandemic due to lack of social interactions. Researchers hope to develop hybrid solutions for remote access and clear communication.
A new Rutgers University study examines COVID-19 disparities among communities of color, finding that underlying health conditions and lack of healthcare access are major contributing factors. The research suggests that education, policy, and intervention efforts can help decrease mortality rates by targeting these social determinants.
A new study finds that schools with high levels of student substance use and depressed feelings have a higher prevalence of discipline, out-of-school suspensions, and police contact. Schools with lower levels of safety and support also experience higher discipline rates.
A University at Buffalo study explores how social and economic characteristics influence hospital readmissions and health inequity in the US. The research found that patients with lower household income, male gender, or treated in urban hospitals have a higher risk of being readmitted within a month of discharge.
A KU study reveals that individuals' political ideologies play a crucial role in shaping their health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, conducted using two surveys and a review of existing data, found that ideology was a significant predictor of health behavior, especially when compared to other factors such as age,...
A study of four US states finds that Black people are more likely to be nonfatally shot and injured by police, with disparities greater than seen for fatal shootings. The research highlights the need for comprehensive data on police shootings to draw reliable conclusions about racial disparities.
A 500-year-old English illuminated manuscript provides fresh insights into Catholic beliefs in England before the Reformation. The metre-long prayer roll contains religious verse and illustrations, including symbols of Christ's crucifixion, which were connected to a famous pilgrimage site.
Research links Social Vulnerability Index scores with higher rates of cardiovascular disease death in young and middle-aged adults. The study highlights the urgent need for tailored interventions to address social risks in socially vulnerable communities.
A simple form of talking therapy, delivered by trained support workers over the telephone, reduced loneliness in older people left isolated during the pandemic. The intervention was found to improve mental health and reduce rates of loneliness substantially in the first three months.
A new USC study reveals that gaps in income, education, and access to care contribute to poorer outcomes for people of color with multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. The review shows significant inequities in accessing healthcare, leading to diagnostic delays and underuse of services.
A new study of 51,000 UK adults found that COVID-19 lockdowns had differential impacts on people's income, time use, and subjective well-being based on their gender, ethnicity, and educational level. The study suggests that these inequalities may persist even after lockdown restrictions eased.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science discover that vicarious social defeat can cause psychological stress in mice, leading to depression and decreased neurogenesis. The study sheds light on the pathophysiology of depression and may lead to the development of novel antidepressants.
A new study from the University of California Firearm Violence Research Center shows that physical disorder in Detroit doesn't lead to a steep increase in violent crime. The study's findings suggest that community-driven efforts to rebuild and remake rundown neighborhoods can be effective in reducing disorder and fear.
A recent study modelled social, economic, and personal factors influencing voters and parties to identify four key levers that tip the balance towards political extremes. Social contagion and macro-economic factors such as employment and economic growth play a significant role in driving polarization.
Two studies found that social isolation and quarantine can cause significant psychological and/or physical distress on individuals with diabetes and hypocortisolism. These effects include increased anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, weight gain, and decreased physical activity.
Research found that people focus more on the present when with others, while focusing on past and future when alone. Social interactions boost anxiety and anger, but alleviate sadness.
Researchers found that evolution can select for loner behavior in slime molds, which could provide an ecological insurance plan to ensure the survival of collective behavior. The study suggests that having some individuals stay out of the swarm may be part of the strategy of this organism.
Experts propose a clear definition of hikikomori to improve treatment worldwide. The new criteria emphasize the importance of addressing social withdrawal as a health issue, despite modern tools providing alternatives to in-person interaction.
Acclaimed author Gloria Naylor's unpublished manuscript 'Sapphira Wade' provides insight into her prequel to Mama Day, exploring Bascombe Wade's life and cultural connections. The 131-page draft covers nearly two decades of his life, revealing unexpected character developments.
Researchers found that fully linked networks between social actors and ecological resources improve ecological conditions. Building community capacity through communication and trust can also lead to better outcomes for coral reef fisheries.
Analysis of human remains from a Pre-Roman Celtic cemetery in Italy shows variations in funerary treatment that may be linked to social status, despite no differences in living conditions. The study found distinct diets for men and women, as well as higher rates of dental enamel defects in the population.
The project aims to understand how the Internet has influenced Orthodox Christianity, particularly in terms of social media and online practices. Researchers plan to analyze blogs, interview churchgoers, and examine the role of social media in shaping Orthodox traditions.