
From lab to bedside, the Wisconsin Idea is all for the good of the patients
As doctors and leaders of health care systems, we are in business for only one reason — the patients and communities we serve.

Analysis shows current national health spending is unbalanced, often wasteful
Nationally, too much money is being spent on certain aspects of health care, and not enough on other factors that are vital to maintaining health and well-being, according to a recent commentary from researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and ReThink Health.

2018 County Health Rankings show Ozaukee healthiest, Menominee least healthy in Wisconsin
Ozaukee County ranks healthiest in Wisconsin and Menominee County is the least healthy county in the state, according to the ninth annual County Health Rankings, released today by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UWPHI).

Short-term high-dose inhaled steroids do not prevent asthma flare-ups in children
Temporarily increasing the dosage of inhaled steroids when asthma symptoms start to worsen does not effectively prevent severe flare-ups, according to a new University of Wisconsin–Madison study. And the common medical practice for children with mild to moderate asthma may be associated with slowing a child’s growth.

Dense breasts and inflammation further linked to breast cancer risk
A new study by University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center researchers has found that dense breasts and inflammation are associated with poor prognosis in breast-cancer patients, and suggests that an FDA-approved drug may improve prognosis for those patients with dense breasts.

UW Carbone study: Caregiver spouses of cancer patients suffer untreated depression
A new study from the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center highlights a troubling disparity in cancer care: the depressed spouses of cancer patients are 33 percent less likely to receive adequate treatment for depression than are patients whose spouses don’t have cancer. In rural areas, it’s even worse: Couples who live in rural areas are 72 percent less likely to receive recommended care for depression (including medication and talk therapy) than the depressed spouses of those without cancer.

Healthy Communities’ designation to celebrate and encourage local health improvement efforts
Communities around the state can now be recognized for their work to become healthier through a new program from the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.

Swallowing problems increase risk of death, nursing home admissions
Patients with trouble swallowing following a stroke or other medical event are more likely to die in the hospital, and had longer and more expensive hospital stays, according to analysis led by researchers from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

UW study questions link between Zika, microcephaly in 2015 Brazil case
A recently published study casts doubt on two major claims about Zika virus infection and microcephaly: first, that there was an outbreak of newborn microcephaly in Brazil in 2015; and second, that maternal Zika virus infection was responsible for the outbreak.

New study to help women make better breast-cancer surgery decisions
Women face big decisions soon after being hit with a cancer diagnosis, including whether to have a breast-conserving lumpectomy or mastectomy.

Study: Diet limiting specific amino acids may be key to weight loss
A new study in mice has suggested that counting calories might not be the only way to improve humans’ metabolic health. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in a study published today in The Journal of Physiology, found lowering the consumption of specific types of amino acids (the building blocks of protein) called branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) improved metabolic health, even when overall calories were not reduced.

Leading cause of vision loss in older adults shows dramatic decline
The risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss in older adults, has decreased significantly for the baby boom generation.