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Alcohol-related liver cancer deaths were falling. Then the trend reversed during the COVID-19 pandemic

A global analysis of GBD 2023 data found that alcohol-attributable liver cancer mortality increased modestly from 1990 to 2023, while mortality from alcohol-attributable cirrhosis, alcoholic cardiomyopathy, and alcohol use disorders declined. Liver cancer mortality shifted from a pre-pandemic decline to an increase during 2020–2023, particularly among women, although the researchers cautioned that the ecological analysis cannot establish that pandemic-related changes caused the reversal.

1 Sep 2026

The global toll of snakebite may be much bigger than we thought

A global literature review and geostatistical modeling study estimated the burden of snake envenoming and deaths across countries, accounting for differences in surveillance, underreporting, socioeconomic conditions, and environmental factors. The analysis highlights major gaps in epidemiological data and provides updated country- and regional-level estimates to help guide prevention, antivenom access, surveillance, and healthcare resources.

1 Sep 2026

Researchers found one childhood behavior linked to folic acid use before pregnancy

Researchers analyzed 646 children aged 2–8 years and their 563 mothers to examine whether maternal folic acid supplementation before conception was associated with childhood behavioral difficulties. Preconception supplementation was associated with a 34% lower risk of peer relationship problems, while no significant associations were found for total behavioral difficulties, emotional, conduct, hyperactivity/inattention, or prosocial problems.

1 Sep 2026

Semaglutide did more than cut weight in this analysis of 6,239 adults

A systematic review and meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled trials involving 6,239 adults with overweight or obesity without diabetes found that subcutaneous semaglutide produced substantially greater reductions in body weight, waist circumference, and C-reactive protein than placebo. The higher dose of 7.2 mg semaglutide showed potential for greater weight loss, although the evidence is largely based on a single trial and requires confirmation.

31 Aug 2026

Social media messages could empower parents to prevent teen vaping

Parents are an important line of defense against teen vaping, yet many lack the knowledge and tools needed to recognize vaping products, understand their risks and prevent their children from using them.

31 Aug 2026

Near-real-time data tracks health impacts during heat waves

As summer heat waves grow longer and more dangerous, public health officials often must wait months to learn who and how many people were harmed.

31 Aug 2026

Seminal fluid facilitates monkeypox virus entry into human cells

Monkeypox virus used to be transmitted predominantly from animals to humans. In recent years, however, new virus variants have become increasingly capable of spreading from person to person.

31 Aug 2026

Mathematical model shows combined strategies greatly reduce Mpox transmission

Mpox (formerly Monkeypox), a viral zoonotic disease, remains a global public health concern because it can spread between animals and humans and among people.

31 Aug 2026

New tool predicts heart failure treatment effects on blood pressure, kidney function and serum potassium

A new heart failure (HF) treatment effect calculator could help overcome one of the largest barriers to effective heart failure care by predicting the expected effects of treatment on blood pressure, kidney function and potassium levels.

31 Aug 2026

Nurse-led collaborative care significantly improves heart failure patient outcomes

Days alive and out of hospital were significantly increased in patients with heart failure when a nurse-coordinated collaborative care model was introduced, according to results presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2026 and published simultaneously in Circulation.

31 Aug 2026

Blood pressure intervention lowers dementia risk in community-based trial

In a community-based trial in rural China, an intensive blood-pressure lowering intervention reduced the incidence of dementia compared with usual care, according to results from the China Rural Hypertension Control Program presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2026.

30 Aug 2026

Digital registry strategy doubles heart failure treatment uptake

A registry-based digital strategy that identified untreated patients and invited them to a telephone consultation more than doubled implementation of an effective type of heart failure treatment.

29 Aug 2026

Atorvastatin reduces major cardiovascular events but misses disability-free survival goal

Atorvastatin reduced major cardiovascular events by 30% in older people without known cardiovascular disease, diabetes or dementia, but did not significantly improve disability-free survival, according to results presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2026 and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine.

29 Aug 2026

Digital technologies reshape clinical research and public health

JMIR Publications this week released seven feature News and Perspectives articles covering how digital tools are transforming clinical research, public health readiness, health care institutions, and consumer choices.

28 Aug 2026

Millions face health coverage loss under new Medicaid work rules

A new study found that nearly 20 percent of eligible adults in Medicaid expansion states are in danger of not meeting the minimum work hours that will be required nationwide beginning January 1.

28 Aug 2026

Major cardiac societies develop and publish a universal definition of myocardial infarction

When a myocardial infarction, such as a heart attack, occurs, being able to classify its type can improve diagnosis and treatment.

28 Aug 2026

Study shows how temperature extremes can contribute to heart failure hospitalizations

Heart failure hospitalization risk increases after short-term exposure to cold spells, lower ambient temperatures and higher ambient temperatures, according to a study published in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology, and simultaneously presented at ESC Congress 2026.

28 Aug 2026