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Arts and creativity interventions prove cost-effective for enhancing older adults' health and well-being

Study in BMC Public Health evaluates the cost-effectiveness of arts and creativity interventions (ACIs) for older adults, revealing their positive impact on health and well-being, with a focus on economic evaluation and the potential for significant returns on investment.

18 Dec 2023

“Forever chemicals” could contribute to cancer metastasis in living organisms

In a new study by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health, two "forever chemicals" spurred cancer cells in the lab to migrate to new positions, an indication that the chemicals could contribute to cancer metastasis in living organisms.

18 Dec 2023

New study casts doubt on effectiveness of opioids for cancer pain

The world's largest review on opioid medicines for cancer pain has found it is unclear whether some commonly used opioid medicines are better than a placebo and suggests that non-opioid medicines, including aspirin, may be as effective as opioids.

18 Dec 2023

Daily toothbrushing may lower hospital-acquired pneumonia rates

Researchers have found an inexpensive tool that may help reduce rates of pneumonia for hospitalized patients - and it comes with bristles on one end.

18 Dec 2023

Experts call for valuing patient "lived experiences" in diagnostic decisions

Experts today call for more value to be given to patients' 'lived experiences' as a study of over 1,000 patients and clinicians found multiple examples of patient reports being under-valued.

18 Dec 2023

Study reveals connection between early-life diseases and childlessness

Led by Aoxing Liu and senior authors Melinda Mills, Andrea Ganna and an international team, the study examined the link between 414 early-life diseases and lifetime childlessness in over 2.5 million individuals born in Finland and Sweden.

18 Dec 2023

Only 1 in 18 people with opioid use disorder get effective treatment after overdose

In the week following any hospital visit for an overdose, only 1 in 18 people with opioid use disorder begin a treatment known to be highly effective in reducing illness and deaths, according to new research in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

18 Dec 2023

‘They see a cash cow’: Corporations could consume $50 billion of opioid settlements

The marketing pitches are bold and arriving fast: Invest opioid settlement dollars in a lasso-like device to help police detain people without Tasers or pepper spray.

18 Dec 2023

$9M awarded to study HIV and substance use at intersection of vulnerable populations

The Institute of Human Virology (IHV) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) received an annual award for $3 million funded by the NIH Office of AIDS Research.

15 Dec 2023

Exposure to phthalates linked to lower probability of getting pregnant

Exposure to phthalates, a group of plasticizing and solvent chemicals found in many household products, was linked to a lower probability of getting pregnant, but not to pregnancy loss, according to research by a University of Massachusetts Amherst environmental and reproductive epidemiologist.

15 Dec 2023

Study reveals potential health risks of chemicals in menstrual products

The average menstruator will use over 11,000 tampons or sanitary pads in their lifetime. Vaginal and vulvar tissue that touch pads and tampons is highly permeable.

15 Dec 2023

Urgent need for action as vaping spreads through social media

A University of Queensland research project will investigate the online influences behind young people taking up vaping, and develop social media content to support them in quitting the habit.

15 Dec 2023

Light physical activity emerges as powerful tool to reverse childhood inactivity's cholesterol risk

Increased sedentary time in childhood can raise cholesterol levels by two thirds as an adult, leading to heart problems and even premature death - but a new study has found light physical activity may completely reverse the risks and is far more effective than moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.

15 Dec 2023

Outrageous hospital cost for colonoscopies compared to smaller clinics

U.S. hospitals charge facility fees for colonoscopy procedures covered by private health insurance that are on average approximately 55 percent higher than facility fees billed by smaller clinics known as ambulatory surgical centers, according to a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

15 Dec 2023