Public Health – Page 2

“Never More Than 15 Feet From the Respirator”: Housestaff Research During the 1955 Boston Polio Epidemic

By MedXY 05/05/2026

During Boston's devastating 1955 polio epidemic, Massachusetts General Hospital trainees conducted groundbreaking patient research while providing round-the-clock care in iron lung wards – a striking contrast to trainee roles during COVID-19.

news Otorhinolaryngology Public Health

Ergonomic Strain Is Common in Otolaryngology Surgery, With Pain Rising as Cases Become More Difficult and Prolonged

By MedXY 05/04/2026

A prospective study found frequent medium-to-high ergonomic risk and measurable postoperative pain among otolaryngology surgeons, highlighting modifiable occupational hazards in routine head and neck surgery.

General Surgery news Public Health

Laparoscopic Groin Hernia Repair Showed the Lowest Long-Term Operative Recurrence in Medicare Patients, While Robotic Use Expanded Without Clear Recurrence Benefit

By MedXY 05/04/2026

A large Medicare cohort found low 5-year operative recurrence after groin hernia repair overall, with laparoscopic repair showing the lowest adjusted risk and robotic-assisted repair offering no recurrence advantage despite rapid uptake.

Neurology news Public Health

Status Epilepticus Mortality in U.S. Adults Is Rising, With the Highest Burden in Older Adults, Men, Non-Hispanic Black Populations, and the South

By MedXY 05/03/2026

A U.S. mortality analysis from 1999 to 2020 found increasing deaths from status epilepticus after 2007, with marked disparities by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and region.

news Oncology Public Health

Quality of Breast Cancer Care and Patient Survival Show No Link to Hospital Safety-Net Burden

By MedXY 05/01/2026

A major study reveals that safety-net hospitals—serving vulnerable Medicaid and uninsured patients—deliver breast cancer care and survival outcomes on par with other hospitals, challenging assumptions about quality disparities in resource-constrained settings.

Neurology news Public Health

Commercially Insured Patients Wait a Median of 25 Days for New Neurology Care, with Regional and Plan-Based Differences

By MedXY 04/30/2026

Among 114,034 commercially insured patients, the median time to a new neurology visit was 25 days. Waits varied by sex, diagnosis, region, and plan type, while neurologist density showed no association with access.

Cardiology news Public Health

ATTR-CM Is Often Diagnosed Years After Heart Failure in Medicare Patients

By MedXY 04/30/2026

In Medicare beneficiaries, ATTR-CM was diagnosed a median 494 days after heart failure and 840 days after loop diuretic initiation, with delays more common in women and patients with several common comorbidities.

Cardiology news Public Health

Coronary Stent Trial Site Selection Could Narrow Racial Gaps in Enrollment, but Women Remain Underrepresented

By MedXY 04/30/2026

In nine U.S. coronary stent PMA trials, minority participants were markedly underrepresented, while women were modestly underrepresented. Site geography and surrounding county demographics predicted minority enrollment, suggesting targeted site selection could improve racial and ethnic representation.

Diabetes & Endocrinology news Public Health

Microplastics in Human Thyroid: A Potential Trigger for Autoimmune Thyroiditis

By MedXY 04/29/2026

Microplastics detected in thyroid tissues show higher concentrations in autoimmune thyroiditis patients, suggesting a potential environmental link to thyroid autoimmunity.

Diabetes & Endocrinology news Public Health

Ethnicity, Migration, and Mental Health: Independent Risk Factors Persist in Type 2 Diabetes Disparities

By MedXY 04/29/2026

A cohort study reveals persistent ethnic disparities in type 2 diabetes risk, with migration status and mental health conditions as independent contributors, highlighting unmet needs in addressing structural determinants of health inequalities.

Diabetes & Endocrinology news Public Health

Intermittent Lifestyle Physical Activity: A Promising Strategy for Type 2 Diabetes Prevention

By MedXY 04/29/2026

Brief, intermittent bouts of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity during daily routines may significantly reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in adults who do not engage in leisure-time exercise.

Cardiology news Public Health

Global Disparities in Heart Failure: Incidence and Mortality Across Income Levels and Regions

By MedXY 04/28/2026

The PURE study reveals significant global disparities in heart failure incidence and mortality, with hypertension as the leading modifiable risk factor, highlighting the need for targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

Anesthesiology news Public Health

Geographic Disparities in Opioid Prescribing Patterns for Toothache Pain in the United States

By MedXY 04/27/2026

A national study reveals significant state-level and urban-rural variations in opioid prescribing following toothache diagnoses, with 15 states exceeding the national average and rural areas showing slightly lower prescription rates.

Diabetes & Endocrinology news Public Health

Long-term Air Pollution Linked to Adverse Body Composition Changes in Older Adults with Metabolic Syndrome

By MedXY 04/24/2026

A study of 1,454 older adults with metabolic syndrome reveals that long-term exposure to air pollutants like black carbon, PM2.5, and NO2 is associated with increased fat mass and decreased lean mass, persisting over three years, particularly in those under 65.

news Public Health

Hemorrhage, Hypertensive Disorders, and Infection Are the Leading Underlying Causes of Severe Maternal Morbidity, Study Finds

By MedXY 04/23/2026

A new hierarchical algorithm identifies hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and infection as the most common underlying conditions for severe maternal morbidity, differing significantly from causes of maternal mortality.

Neurology news Public Health

Statistical Inconsistency in ALS Trials: How Analysis Methods Skew Treatment Efficacy

By MedXY 04/22/2026

A study reveals significant variability in ALSFRS-R analysis methods across 45 ALS trials, impacting treatment effect estimates and increasing false-positive risks, with implications for clinical decision-making and drug development.

Diabetes & Endocrinology news Public Health

Childhood BMI Trajectories Strongly Predict Adult Metabolic Multimorbidity: A 36-Year Cohort Study Reveals Life-Course Risk Patterns

By MedXY 04/22/2026

A 36-year prospective study demonstrates that cumulative BMI burden from childhood to adulthood significantly elevates risks of metabolic multimorbidity, with distinct life-stage patterns and sex-specific vulnerabilities.

news Oncology Public Health

Survival of Patients Diagnosed With Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic

By MedXY 04/22/2026

A cohort study of over 1 million cancer patients revealed significant reductions in 1-year survival rates during 2020-2021 compared to pre-pandemic trends, with an estimated 17,390 excess cancer deaths attributable to pandemic-related care disruptions.

news Psychiatry Public Health

SAIA-MH Strategy Boosts Mental Health Outcomes in Mozambique: A Breakthrough in Low-Resource Settings

By MedXY 04/21/2026

The Systems Analysis and Improvement Approach for Mental Health (SAIA-MH) significantly improved functional outcomes, medication adherence, and appointment attendance in Mozambican outpatient clinics, offering a scalable model for low-resource settings.

news Psychiatry Public Health

Digital Mental Health Interventions Show Promise for Black and Female Health Care Workers

By MedXY 04/21/2026

A proactive digital mental health platform improved mental health outcomes for health care workers, with notable benefits for Black and female participants in work productivity and sustained depression reduction.