Published in Pediatrics, a new University of Minnesota Medical School study highlights how children interpret common medical phrases, revealing surprising — and sometimes alarming — misunderstandings.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous studies had shown that COVID-19 patients with high levels of neutrophils, a key immune cell, presented with more severe disease and poor clinical outcomes. It was not clearly understood though how or why this was happening. A recently published study from Trinity researchers now sheds light on the role of neutrophils in COVID-19 and its contribution to the disease's progression. Their findings uncover potential mechanisms that could guide more effective treatments for severe COVID-19.  The study has been published in the journal JCI Insight.

Key Takeaways:

 

A new study led by the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute sheds light on the trajectory of cardiovascular health (CVH) early in life, which may contribute to CVH disparities in adulthood.

Across demographic subgroups, CVH scores begin to decline at approximately 10 years of age and appear driven by health behaviors rather than health factors.

Key health behaviors to target for improving early-life CVH include better sleep, healthier diet, and reducing smoking.

About The Study: In this cohort of 1,500 children, across demographic subgroups, the trajectory of cardiovascular health (CVH) scores began to decline at approximately age 10, associated with health behaviors rather than health factors. Statistically significant (albeit small) differences in CVH trajectory parameters by sociodemographic characteristics were also identified. This study provides insight into the trajectory of CVH early in life, which may contribute to CVH disparities in adulthood, and identified modifiable health behaviors for focused prevention efforts to optimize CVH in early life. 

About The Study: This study found that Black children and adolescents were suspected to have experienced child abuse at higher rates than children and adolescents of other racial and ethnic backgrounds. More research is necessary to understand the origins of these disparities to reduce them in child abuse identification.

Compared with 2000-2022, the number of union petitions with physicians in the bargaining units filed and certified increased in 2023 through May 2024. Organizing efforts were motivated by concerns about working conditions, physicians’ autonomy, and voice in management, and the quality of patient care.