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Living in food deserts during early childhood raises long-term obesity risk

Children living in low-income areas with limited food access during early childhood are at greater risk for higher BMI and obesity by age 15. The strongest effects are seen when food insecurity is experienced during pregnancy and early childhood.

22 Sep 2024

Study reveals impact of human breast milk on infant microbiome and respiratory health

Human breast milk regulates a baby's mix of microbes, or microbiome, during the infant's first year of life. This in turn lowers the child's risk of developing asthma, a new study shows.

19 Sep 2024

California Medicaid ballot measure is popular, well funded — and perilous, opponents warn

The proponents of Proposition 35, a November ballot initiative that would create a dedicated stream of funding to provide health care for California's low-income residents, have assembled an impressive coalition: doctors, hospitals, community clinics, dentists, ambulance companies, several county governments, numerous advocacy groups, big business, and both major political parties.

19 Sep 2024

Study highlights disparities in stroke burden across regions

Although stroke is highly preventable and treatable, there has been a rapid rise in the global stroke burden between 1990 and 2021, due to both population growth and the rise of aging populations worldwide, as well as a substantial increase in people's exposure to environmental and behavioral risk factors.

19 Sep 2024

Data analysis sheds light on youth opioid overdose crisis

Drug overdose mortality has risen faster among adolescents than the general population in recent years, largely due to fentanyl, a potent opioid pain medication. A new study published in JAMA sheds light on trends in nonfatal opioid overdoses in youth – an area that was not as well characterized, but key to formulating prevention strategies to save lives.

19 Sep 2024

Antibiotic resistance threatens millions of lives worldwide

More than 39 million people around the world could die from antibiotic-resistant infections over the next 25 years, according to a study published in The Lancet.

18 Sep 2024

New $3.26 million grant launches Undiagnosed Diseases Network site in New York

A new four-year, $3.26 million grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), establishes the first Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) site in the New York metropolitan area.

17 Sep 2024

Early food insecurity linked to higher obesity risk in childhood

Children who faced food insecurity during early childhood - or whose mothers experienced it during pregnancy - had a higher body mass index (BMI) and more than 50% increased chance of developing obesity or severe obesity in childhood and adolescence, according to a new study funded by the NIH Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program.

16 Sep 2024

Caregiver food insecurity impacts outcomes of pediatric hospitalizations

Food insecurity, which is the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe food, is associated with poor health outcomes and the increased need to use health care services.

16 Sep 2024

Study reveals significant increase in drug overdoses in Colombia among young women

Overdose rates in Colombia involving illegal opioids, hallucinogens, stimulants and sedative psychotropic medication increased greatly during 2018-2021, mainly caused by overdoses in young women, according to a study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

12 Sep 2024

Prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke increases mental illness risk in youth

Each additional day of exposure to wildfire smoke and other extreme forms of dirty air boosts risk of mental illness in youth a little more, according to a new University of Colorado Boulder study of 10,000 9 to 11 year olds.

12 Sep 2024

$3.5M grant funds major study on health disparities linked to childhood factors

In the United States, wealthy people live on average 10 years longer than poor people, and Black people can expect to live an average of 5 years less than White people.

11 Sep 2024

Cell-free RNA analysis enhances early detection of pediatric inflammatory conditions

RNA is expelled from cells via cell death or active release, and can then find its way into blood plasma. A Cornell University-led collaboration has developed machine learning models that use these cell-free molecular RNA dregs to diagnose pediatric inflammatory conditions that are difficult to differentiate.

9 Sep 2024

Good heart health during early pregnancy may reduce genetic risk of preeclampsia and hypertension

Maintaining good cardiovascular health during the first trimester of pregnancy may offset the genetic risk of developing preeclampsia and/or gestational hypertension, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2024.

9 Sep 2024

New study finds skincare products could expose children to harmful phthalates

Children's skincare products are linked to urinary phthalate levels.

9 Sep 2024

New immune cell 'atlas' may aid in the diagnosis and treatment of children with life-threatening diseases

Researchers at The University of Queensland are developing a comprehensive pediatric immune cell 'atlas' to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of children with life-threatening diseases such as cancer, diabetes and lupus.

5 Sep 2024

Understanding the risks for young mothers in child care proceedings

Mothers under the age of 20 are at the greatest risk of being involved in care proceedings in the 10 years after having their first child, finds a new study report led by UCL researchers.

4 Sep 2024

Inaccurate data stalls pediatric equity initiatives

Leaders at three Michigan hospitals aiming to address equity issues for pediatric patients wanted to start with inspecting data key to identifying potential inequities.

3 Sep 2024

Maternal fish consumption linked to lower likelihood of autism diagnosis, study finds

Eating any amount of fish during pregnancy was associated with about a 20% lower likelihood of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis, particularly in females, and a slight reduction in autism-related traits in offspring, according to a new study funded by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program at the National Institutes of Health.

3 Sep 2024

In-person contact decreases levels of loneliness in older people

In-person contact helps lead to lower levels of loneliness in older people, but other ways of staying in touch, such as phoning, emailing or texting, are not as effective in lowering loneliness, a team of researchers at The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Michigan have found.

28 Aug 2024