Rural hospital closures lead to higher prices at nearby hospitals
Across the country, nearly 190 rural hospitals closed their doors between 2005 and 2023—reducing access to care while limiting market competition that keeps prices lower. A new SPH study found that after a rural hospital closed, prices climbed 3.6% at nearby “surviving” hospitals.
Demystifying the “obesity paradox”
A new SPH study offers an explanation for why prior research showed that older adults with obesity are less likely to develop dementia than those who are not obese. By controlling for several contributing factors, the researchers were able to identify that it was weight loss at an older age–not low BMI–that predisposed individuals to developing dementia.
Tick genetics behind more Lyme disease in Northern states
“We wanted to understand why deer ticks in the North tend to bite and transmit Lyme disease, while ticks in the South do not,” says SPH PhD student and lead author of a new study on tick genetics, Jacob Cassens. “We discovered numerous genetic differences between populations, particularly between the northern and southern ones, likely reflecting adaptations to distinct environmental conditions and host species. This can help pave the way for innovative strategies that reduce the risks to human health.”
Air pollution may lead to increased blood clots
SPH researchers conducted a new study that found a potential link between chronic air pollution exposure and venous thromboembolism (VTE)—a condition where blood clots form in deep veins and may travel to the lungs, causing serious and potentially life-threatening health risks. Higher concentrations of all pollutants except for ozone were associated with a greater risk of VTE.
Hospitals closing obstetric units
A new SPH study showed that between 2010 and 2022, more than 500 hospitals in the U.S. discontinued obstetric care, with nearly half in rural areas. Maternal mortality rates in the U.S. are consistently higher than those in many other high-income countries, and this wave of closures may add to the already dire situation.
Policies can reduce discrimination for LGBTQ+ people
Minnesota and many other states have enacted policies meant to better protect LGBTQ+ people from discriminatory behavior. A new study found that states with more protections saw discrimination rates drop from 98% to 70% among transgender and nonbinary people.
Preventing opioid-related deaths
Opioid overdoses cause 130 deaths a day. A new SPH study proposes a way to reduce this tragic number. Researchers found that overdose fatalities are far less likely when the overdose happens with a witness, and when combined with the reversal drug naloxone, risk of death falls even further, pointing to ways policymakers can stem the tide of deaths from the opioid epidemic.
