Research
The Pump Handle
Category archives for Research
IoM proposes national public health research agenda to prevent gun violence
Posted by The Pump Handle on June 11, 2013 It seems we barely go a week now without news of another violent gun incident. Last week’s shooting rampage in Santa Monica, Calif., has resulted in the deaths of five people. And since the Newtown school shooting last December — in the span of less than six months — thousands of Americans have been killed by guns.
Researchers find that medical bankruptcy is hitting cancer patients hardest
Posted by The Pump Handle on May 31, 2013 In the United States, getting better often comes with an unfortunate and devastating side effect: financial bankruptcy. In fact, a 2009 study in five states found that between 2001 and 2007, medical-related bankruptcies rose by nearly 50 percent. And for those diagnosed with cancer, the risk is even worse.
The importance of improving mental health research in developing countries
Posted by The Pump Handle on May 30, 2013 The World Health Organization is working to address unmet needs for mental health care in low- and middle-income countries, but a lack of research is making it hard to prioritize disorders and understand how best to reach individuals in need of care.
Study: Sending nonviolent drug offenders to treatment instead of prison saves money
Posted by The Pump Handle on May 24, 2013 When it comes to nonviolent drug offenses, systems that favor treatment over incarceration not only produce better health outcomes, they save money, too. It’s yet another example of how investing in public health and prevention yields valuable returns on investment.
Teenagers’ calorie consumption at McDonalds versus Subway
Posted by Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH of George Washington University School of Public Health & Health Services on May 20, 2013 Researchers compare the calories purchased by teenagers at McDonald’s versus Subway.
Colorado community demanded health impact review of 200 proposed natural gas wells
Posted by Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH of George Washington University School of Public Health & Health Services on May 16, 2013 The residents of Battlement Mesa didn’t want their “Colorado Dream” to turn into a nightmare because of a proposed hydrofracking project. They turned to a Health Impact Assessment for help.
Wage theft in South Florida: Nation’s first county with wage theft protections reports on progress and perils
Posted by The Pump Handle on May 14, 2013 Earlier this month, Florida lawmakers wrapped up their latest legislative session. And nearly 500 miles south of Tallahassee in Miami-Dade County, workers’ rights advocates breathed yet another sigh of relief.
Newborn screening: One of public health’s greatest achievements celebrates 50 years and thousands of lives saved
Posted by The Pump Handle on May 3, 2013 On Feb. 13, 2012, Honey Stecken gave birth to her daughter Maren. Everything appeared perfectly fine — she ate and slept and did all the things a baby does. Even after a couple weeks at home in South Fork. Colo., with her newborn little girl, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
Study: Banning smoking in subsidized housing could save millions in health care costs
Posted by The Pump Handle on April 26, 2013 Another day, another study that shows investing in public health interventions can make a serious dent in health care spending. A new study has found that banning smoking in all U.S. subsidized housing could yield cost savings of about $521 million every year.
Study: Peer-to-peer training can improve safety, knowledge among Hispanic construction workers
Posted by The Pump Handle on April 19, 2013 Eric Rodriguez and his colleagues at the Latino Union of Chicago quite literally meet workers where they’re at — on the city’s street corners. Many of the day laborers who gather there are hired to work construction at residential housing sites. Work arrangements are hardly formal and day laborers are frequently subjected to unnecessary and illegal dangers on the job. Unfortunately, worker safety is often kicked to the curb in the street corner marketplace.