Michigan State University is leading the effort to create a computer program that produces a holistic biological profile of human remains and makes the investigative process clearer and more efficient.

The percentage of children under 18 years old with anxiety and depression increased steadily from 2016 to 2022, according to publicly available data from the National Survey of Children’s Health that were analyzed by researchers from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. In contrast, there was no increase during that timeframe related to physical health problems, such as asthma, severe headache or migraine, and heart conditions. Results were published in JAMA Pediatrics.

About The Study: In this large, nationally representative sample of U.S. youths, the proportions of youths with anxiety or depression increased from 2016 to 2022. In contrast, youth physical health conditions like asthma and severe headache or migraine decreased, while behavioral or conduct problems and heart conditions were consistent. These findings suggest that deterioration in youth health was specific to depression and anxiety but not select physical health conditions. This study aimed to characterize trends in youth health in the U.S., but more work is needed to identify factors associated with observed trends and mechanisms associated with changes. 

About The Study: In this survey study of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) health care workers, burnout and professional stress decreased on average following the pandemic, but burnout levels remain elevated compared with prepandemic levels. The VHA has made several efforts to reduce burnout and stress, and results showed some promise, but exploration of ways to reduce burnout to prepandemic levels is needed.

A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that hospitalized patients with alcohol use disorder who began taking the AUD medication naltrexone before they were discharged were able to reduce heavy drinking in the three-month period following their hospital stay. The findings specifically showed that both forms of naltrexone, which is offered as a pill or as an extended-release injectable, were similarly effective at reducing patients’ alcohol consumption. After three months of treatment, heavy drinking within the last 30 days decreased by approximately 38 percentage points among patients who took the oral version of naltrexone, compared to about a 46 percentage-point decrease among patients who received the injectable version of the medication.