Mortality in Adults Age 65 and Older: United States, 2000–2019
National Vital Statistics Reports on December 15, 2023 presented data on trends in mortality before the COVID-19 pandemic for adults age 65 and older. Death rates are presented by age group; sex; race and Hispanic origin; urban–rural status; and leading causes of death. From 2000 through 2019, age-adjusted death rates for adults age 65 and older decreased from 5,169.0 deaths per 100,000 U.S. standard population to 4,073.8, with a slower rate of decline from 2009 onward compared with earlier years. Among women, declines occurred in all age groups (65–74, 75–84, and 85 and older). Among men, declines occurred for those ages 75–84 and 85 and older. Overall, for men ages 65–74, death rates were stable from 2012 through 2019, however, death rates for Black non-Hispanic men ages 65–74 increased by 0.3% annually. Age-adjusted death rates were higher in rural areas than urban areas and declined more slowly in rural areas.
Black Mother's Experiences, Communication, And Support In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
A study described in the January 2024 issue of the journal Ethnicity & Health involved an examination of Black mothers' perceived provider communication, support needs, and overall experiences in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Among the mothers participating in the study, most were married; had a cesarean birth; had a previous pregnancy complication (e.g., diabetes, hypertension); had attained a graduate degree or more; earned an annual household income of $75,000 or more; and were between 35–44 years of age. The study reinforces the need for racially congruent interventions and policy reformations to protect Black birthing women regardless of socioeconomic factors and social class using life course, holistic approaches, and intersectionality mindset. Importantly, this study calls for culturally sensitive research to capture the nuances associated with the multiplicity of experiences of Black people.
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY CORNER
Inhalable Sensors To Enable Early Lung Cancer Detection
Disproportionately high mortality is observed in lung cancer cases in low- and middle-income countries and correlates with late-stage disease detection, illustrating inequity in early diagnosis in resource-poor settings, one of the chief challenges in addressing cancer health disparities. A strategy to address such inequity is to lower the technological threshold for a patient’s access to screening programs and early detection. Using a new technology developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, diagnosing lung cancer could become as easy as inhaling nanoparticle sensors and then taking a urine test that reveals whether a tumor is present, according to research described in an article published in the journal Science Advances on January 5, 2024. The new diagnostic is based on nanosensors that can be delivered by an inhaler or a nebulizer. If the sensors encounter cancer-linked proteins in the lungs, they produce a signal that accumulates in the urine, where it can be detected with a simple paper test strip.
Underground Anti-Aging Secrets From Burrowing Rodents
Naked mole rats (Heterocephalus glaber) do not look beautiful, but they age gracefully. They survive past 30 years old, whereas laboratory mice rarely have a third birthday. Unlike mice and humans, age does not curse naked mole rats with cancer, dementia or heart disease. A few factors that keep them young are that their DNA repairs itself well when damaged and their cells have many antioxidants. but their most interesting anti-aging strategy may be outside their cells altogether. According to an article in the December 2023 issue of the Journal of Experimental Biology (No. 23), most cells live in a blanket of molecules and minerals called an “extracellular matrix.” Naked mole rats produce a heavier and larger version of the molecule hyaluronan, which is the backbone of the extracellular matrix. This extra padding protects cells from inflammation and early death. Researchers genetically modified mice to produce this naked mole rat version of hyaluronan throughout their skin, muscles, and internal organs.