CNN (2/21, Cheng) reports, “Maternal mental illness is the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the US, according to a new evidence review, but national initiatives developed to combat the issue often fail to prioritize mental health.” The “maternal mortality rate in the US is two- to threefold greater than in other high-income countries, and it has only increased in recent years, according to the review.” The research, published in JAMA Psychiatry, “examined 30 recent studies and 15 historical references to highlight the underrecognized contribution of mental illness to maternal mortality.”

Related Links:

— “Maternal mental health conditions drive climbing death rate in US, research says,”Mira Cheng, CNN, February 21, 2024

CNN (2/20, McPhillips ) reports, “The mortality rate among renters who faced eviction was twice as high as expected during the first two years of the pandemic, according to a study published on Tuesday in JAMA” that focused “on eviction filing trends in 36 court systems that cover about 400 counties.” Also, the general population “experienced excess mortality during this time, but the risk started higher for renters and rose exponentially for those threatened with eviction.” CNN adds, “From January 2020 through August 2021, the risk of death for renters facing eviction was 2.6 times greater than it was in the general population, the study found.”

Related Links:

— “Mortality surged for renters facing eviction during the pandemic, study finds,” Deidre McPhillips, CNN, February 20, 2024

HCPlive (2/20, Derman) reports, “Crisis response planning reduces the suicide risk for PTSD among US military veterans, according to a new study.” In the study, “participants receiving crisis response planning had significantly greater and quicker reductions in the severity of suicidal ideation.” The findingswere published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders.

Related Links:

— “Crisis Response Planning Can Reduce Suicide Risk for PTSD Among Veterans,”Chelsie Derman, HCPlive, February 20, 2024

HealthDay (2/20, Foster ) reports, “Immigration has become a contentious topic in America, but new research shows the heated debate on the issue may be stressing out Hispanics across the country, whether they are citizens or not.” Researchers analyzed data from 2011 to 2018 and “discovered that, over time, there has” been “an increase in psychological distress among all Hispanics as U.S. immigration policies came under fire.” The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Related Links:

— “Political Changes Are Stressing Hispanic Americans: Study,”Robin Foster, HealthDay, February 20, 2024

HealthDay (2/20, Mundell ) reports, “Anorexia isn’t solely a disease that strikes women and girls, Canadian experts say, so they want to raise awareness that the illness can also be serious for boys and men.” Roughly “0.3% of males will receive a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, with some types of boys and men at higher risk.” These types include “gay, bisexual, trans, and queer people,” the researchers “said, as well as guys ‘involved in body- and strength-focused sports like cycling, running and wrestling.’” The experts’ article was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Related Links:

— “Anorexia Can Hit Boys and Men, Too,”Ernie Mundell, HealthDay, February 20, 2024