‘Diseases of despair’ have soared over past decade in US

Suicidal thoughts/behaviours among under 18s up by 287%, and by 210% among 18-34 year olds  ‘Diseases of despair’, such as substance abuse, alcohol dependency, and suicidal thoughts and behaviours, have soared in the US over the past decade, reveals an analysis of health insurance claims data published in the online journal BMJ Open.  And they now […]

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Health benefits of multivitamins/mineral supplements may be all in the minds of users

No measurable clinical improvements between them and non-users, research suggests The health benefits of multivitamin/mineral supplements may be all in the minds of those who take them, prompted by positive expectations of effectiveness rather than hard evidence of that, suggests research published in the online journal BMJ Open. Multivitamin/mineral supplements are widely used, with some estimates […]

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Late childhood peer group status linked to heightened adult circulatory disease risk

Unpopular pre-teens at significantly higher risk of heart and blood vessel conditions  Late childhood peer group status may be linked to a heightened risk of developing circulatory system disease—conditions that affect the normal functioning of the heart and blood vessels–in later life, indicates research published in the online journal BMJ Open. 13-year olds who aren’t very […]

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Antipsychotic prescriptions haven’t budged in 10+ years despite recommendations to curb use

And antidepressant prescriptions have risen sharply over the same period  The number of antipsychotic drugs prescribed to patients with intellectual disabilities has hardly changed in over a decade despite official recommendations for clinicians to stop using them due to side effects, finds research published in the online journal BMJ Open. And there’s been a sharp rise […]

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Optimal detection and treatment of cardiac risk could save millions of lives and billions of pounds

3.4 million cases of cardiovascular disease likely prevented and £68 bn saved, calculate researchers  Nearly 3.5 million cases of heart disease and stroke could be prevented, and £68 billion saved in health and social care costs over a period of 25 years, if every adult in England at high risk of cardiovascular disease were diagnosed […]

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