Diabetes cases show signs of increase in American youth, according to CDC report
May 12, 2020 For years, the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study has been monitoring the increase in diabetes cases in young people across the United States. A new update in that data shows that this increase is continuing in five U.S. locations, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities.
Adults in Mexico are consuming fewer soft drinks three years into a sugary-beverage tax
May 6, 2020 “These results show that the tax is lowering the consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks among an adult cohort over the first three-years of the tax implementation,” says Dr. Shu Wen Ng. “In particular, it lowered the proportion of medium and high consumers of the beverages, while increasing the share of adults who were low-consumers and non-consumers.”
How important is therapy for expectant mothers with depression? Researchers found mental and financial benefits seven years later.
April 30, 2020 When pregnant women are depressed, how important is it that they receive therapy? A first-of-its-kind study found outsize positive effects on mothers’ mental health, financial status and parenting skills even seven years after the birth of their child — and the results could lead to big changes in global public policy. (Photo by Jake Brewer)
Remdesivir, developed through a UNC-Chapel Hill partnership, proves effective against COVID-19 in NIAID human clinical trials
April 29, 2020 Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, reported that data from an international clinical trial testing the broad-spectrum antiviral drug remdesivir showed “quite good news” and should result in a new standard of care for COVID-19 patients. Remdesivir was co-developed by researchers in the Baric Lab at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.
Study estimates COVID-19 mortality rates in South Korea, shares modeling tool
April 21, 2020 In a pre-print study, researchers discuss the mortality burden of COVID-19 in South Korea — one of the first countries to report a case outside of China. They also share a mortality rate modeling approach that relies solely on publicly available data.
Accountable care organizations struggle to integrate social services despite commitment and effort
April 20, 2020 Many health care organizations that adopt an accountable care organization (ACO) model seek to offer services that improve patient outcomes by addressing social determinants of health, but new research shows many of these ACOs face challenges in incorporating these social services despite commitment and effort.
New York only state to reduce income-based disparities in smoking, study finds
April 10, 2020 Lower-income Americans are more likely to smoke cigarettes than those who are more affluent. While the federal government and most states have set goals to reduce income-based disparities in tobacco use, only one state has lessened the gap.
Prevalence of pregnancy UTIs underscores need for better screening, treatment in low- and middle-income countries
April 7, 2020 Prenatal screening for urinary tract infections (UTIs) is standard practice in high-income countries because of the risk that untreated UTIs pose during pregnancy. But women in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) are still in need of screening and treatment that is accessible and accurate due to social and environmental risk factors that may contribute to the high prevalence of UTIs in pregnancy.
A new antiviral drug heading into clinical trials offers hope for COVID-19 treatment — in part because it can be taken as a pill
April 6, 2020 Scientists are hopeful that a new drug — called EIDD-2801 — could change the way doctors treat COVID-19. The antiviral shows promise in reducing lung damage, has finished testing in mice and will soon move to human clinical trials.
Who gets admitted to medical education in low- and middle-income countries — and why does it matter?
March 31, 2020 Recent studies have found that doctors and nurses in low- and middle-income countries are often absent from work, sometimes seek unauthorized payments for services, and may treat patients in disrespectful or abusive ways. UNC researchers suggest a solution: reforming medical education practices to focus on admitting students who are motivated by a strong desire to serve the needs of their community, rather than by receiving external rewards.
