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Epidemiology

All articles tagged with #epidemiology

US Cancer Survival Rates Reach 71% as New Report Highlights Decades of Progress
health2 days ago

US Cancer Survival Rates Reach 71% as New Report Highlights Decades of Progress

A new report from the American Association for Cancer Research indicates that the five-year survival rate for cancer patients in the United States has risen to 71%, up from 49% in the late 1970s. Significant improvements have been seen in lung, liver, and childhood leukemia treatments, driven by advancements in surgery, immunotherapy, and refined dosing protocols. While progress is substantial, survival rates for certain malignancies remain low, highlighting ongoing challenges in oncology.

From Bird Flu to Melting Sea Stars: Ten Mass Animal Die-Offs That Defied Explanation
science4 days ago

From Bird Flu to Melting Sea Stars: Ten Mass Animal Die-Offs That Defied Explanation

A recent compilation highlights ten historical and ongoing mass animal die-offs that resembled apocalyptic events but stemmed from specific, often unexpected causes. Key examples include the 2010 Beebe, Arkansas incident where fireworks caused thousands of blackbirds to crash, the 2014-2016 'Blob' marine heatwave that starved four million murres, and the 2015 saiga antelope collapse in Kazakhstan triggered by a bacterial outbreak. Other notable events include the 2013 sea star wasting disease, the 2016 Chilean red tide, and the ongoing H5N1 avian influenza panzootic. While some events were linked to toxins, disease, or weather anomalies, others remain partially mysterious, illustrating the complex vulnerabilities of global wildlife populations.

Global Study: 12% of 2024 Cancer Cases Linked to Preventable Infections
health4 days ago

Global Study: 12% of 2024 Cancer Cases Linked to Preventable Infections

A new study in The Lancet Oncology estimates that 2.3 million new cancer cases worldwide in 2024, or 12% of all diagnoses, were caused by 12 specific infections. Helicobacter pylori and HPV were the leading contributors, accounting for over 1.5 million cases. While effective prevention tools like vaccines and treatments exist for most of these pathogens, 77% of these cancer cases occurred in low- and middle-income countries due to uneven access to healthcare.

Global study of 6 million people confirms women report higher pain across all body sites
health5 days ago

Global study of 6 million people confirms women report higher pain across all body sites

A massive global study published in Nature Medicine confirms that women report higher levels of pain than men across all 11 bodily sites measured. Analyzing data from over 6 million people in 118 countries, the research highlights a persistent gender pain gap, noting that women’s pain is often dismissed or undertreated despite being more prevalent. The findings suggest that pain burden peaks in mid-to-late adulthood, with specific types like headache and abdominal pain rising earlier in life, while musculoskeletal pain increases steadily with age.

Global Study: 12% of Cancers Are Preventable Infections
health5 days ago

Global Study: 12% of Cancers Are Preventable Infections

A new analysis in The Lancet Oncology finds that 2.3 million new cancer cases in 2024, or 12% of the global total, were caused by infections. Five pathogens—H. pylori, HPV, hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr virus, and hepatitis C—account for nearly all cases. Experts emphasize that vaccines, screening, and treatments can prevent these cancers, though access remains unequal.

Global Study Links 2.3 Million Cancers to Infections, Highlighting Prevention Gaps
health6 days ago

Global Study Links 2.3 Million Cancers to Infections, Highlighting Prevention Gaps

A new WHO study published in The Lancet Oncology estimates that 12% of all global cancer cases in 2024, totaling 2.3 million, were caused by infections. Five pathogens—Helicobacter pylori, HPV, hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr virus, and hepatitis C—account for the vast majority of these cases. While these cancers are largely preventable through vaccination and treatment, access to these interventions remains severely limited in low- and middle-income countries, where 75% of infection-related cancers occur.

Infections Account for 12% of Global Cancers, Study Finds
health9 days ago

Infections Account for 12% of Global Cancers, Study Finds

A new analysis by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reveals that infections caused approximately 2.3 million new cancer cases worldwide in 2024, representing 12% of all diagnoses. Helicobacter pylori and human papillomavirus (HPV) are the leading contributors, each responsible for about 4% of cases. While the burden is disproportionately high in low- and middle-income countries, experts emphasize that these cancers are largely preventable through vaccination, screening, and treatment. The study highlights the critical role of infection control in reducing the global cancer burden, noting that many cases could be avoided with existing preventive measures.

Infections Drive 12% of Global Cancers, with Five Pathogens Responsible for 2.3 Million Cases
health11 days ago

Infections Drive 12% of Global Cancers, with Five Pathogens Responsible for 2.3 Million Cases

A new study in The Lancet Oncology estimates that infections caused 2.3 million new cancer cases worldwide in 2024, accounting for 12% of all diagnoses. Five pathogens—Helicobacter pylori, HPV, hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr virus, and hepatitis C—are responsible for nearly all infection-linked cancers. While many of these cancers are preventable through vaccines and treatments, access remains unequal, with 75% of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

Weekend Meal Irregularity Linked to Higher Heart Disease Risk in Men
health13 days ago

Weekend Meal Irregularity Linked to Higher Heart Disease Risk in Men

A large-scale study published in Communications Medicine finds that significant shifts in meal timing between weekdays and weekends, termed 'eating jet lag,' are associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk in men. Analyzing over 100,000 adults, researchers determined that each additional hour of discrepancy in eating windows raised the risk of cardiovascular disease by 14% and coronary heart disease by 21%. This association was observed only in men, with no significant link found for women, suggesting that regularity in meal timing may be a critical factor for heart health independent of diet quality.

Study: 11% of US Healthcare Workers Suffer Persistent Long-COVID Symptoms at Six Months
health16 days ago

Study: 11% of US Healthcare Workers Suffer Persistent Long-COVID Symptoms at Six Months

A new study in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine reveals that 11.3% of US healthcare personnel experience persistent moderate or severe long-COVID symptoms at both three and six months post-infection. Fatigue is the most common complaint, with older age, female sex, and multiple underlying conditions significantly increasing risk. The findings highlight a potential strain on healthcare workforce sustainability due to ongoing symptoms requiring accommodations or role changes.

Global study links small daily UPF intake to higher chronic disease risk
health16 days ago

Global study links small daily UPF intake to higher chronic disease risk

A large-scale analysis of nearly 8.8 million adults across multiple continents finds that consuming just 100 grams of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) daily is associated with a 14% higher risk of cardiovascular events. The study also links this intake to increased risks of cancer, metabolic syndrome, and all-cause mortality. Led by cardiologist Xiao Liu, the research highlights that even small amounts of packaged, additive-heavy foods correlate with significant health declines. While the observational nature of the study prevents causal proof, experts emphasize replacing UPFs with whole, minimally processed foods to improve long-term health outcomes.