Health
Half of Americans not equipped to provide life-saving treatment in a crisis, poll finds
Only half the people in the U.S. feel they could be helpful in an emergency situation, a new poll found.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center surveyed a national sample of 1,005 Americans, finding that only 51% of them knew how to perform hands-only CPR if needed.
In cases of serious bleeding, only 49% said they could assist, and 56% said they would be equipped to help someone who was choking.
The data was collected via phone and email from April 5 to April 7 of this year.
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“The key takeaways from our survey are that patient outcomes would improve if the general public learned some basic life-saving measures in the areas of hands-only CPR, choking rescue and bleeding control,” Nicholas Kman, M.D., emergency medicine physician at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center and clinical professor of emergency medicine at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, told Fox News Digital.
“We can save lives while we wait for first responders to arrive.”
Only half the people in the U.S. feel they could be helpful in an emergency situation, a new poll has found. (iStock)
“For every minute that passes, the chance of survival drops, and if they do survive, there’s less chance of a good neurologic outcome.”
Data shows that 70% to 80% of cardiac arrests occur in the home and 20% happen in a public place, according to Kman.
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“Outcomes are poor when the arrest is unwitnessed at home,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Just think, the person with the medical emergency could be your loved one in your house. You may have to provide life-saving treatment until first responders arrive.”
Data shows that 70% to 80% of cardiac arrests occur in the home and 20% happen in a public place, a researcher said. (iStock)
Based on the survey findings, Kman advised the public to get trained in life-saving measures — particularly hands-only CPR, choking and serious bleeding.
“Look for training that may be offered through community days at hospitals, schools, libraries, community organizations, religious institutions, volunteer groups, festivals and sporting events,” he suggested.
“We’re responsible for each other.”
Organizations and websites such as the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association and Stop The Bleed may offer these courses for free or low cost, Kman noted.
After learning the skills, it’s important to practice them, the doctor said.
“We would love the public to learn how to do hands-only CPR and practice the skill of doing CPR every six weeks,” Kman said.
Based on the survey findings, researchers advised people to get trained in life-saving measures, particularly hands-only CPR, choking first-aid and serious bleeding assistance. (iStock)
“As with any skill, practice builds confidence. If we don’t practice it, we lose that skill.”
The OSU survey did have some limitations, Kman acknowledged.
“The survey was a convenience sample of a cross-section of Americans,” he told Fox News Digital.
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“Most demographics were equally represented, but different regions do better at this than others, and their cardiac arrest results and survival reflect that,” he continued.
“States and countries that prioritize training the public have higher survival rates.”
“When you’re trained in these lifesaving skills, you’ll know how to recognize the signs that someone needs help and buy time until the [first] responders can get there,” a doctor said. (iStock)
Dr. Kenneth Perry, an emergency department physician in South Carolina, was not involved in the survey but said he was surprised that more people don’t feel unprepared.
“Even for medical professionals, having a medical emergency occur without preparation can be a very stressful event,” he told Fox News Digital.
“It is very important for people to have basic lifesaving skills.”
“It is very important for people to have basic lifesaving skills.”
The easiest and most helpful skill that people should learn is how to operate an automated external defibrillator (AED). These are located in many public places, such as gyms, malls and even some public walkways, according to Perry.
“These devices are the best way to save a person who is suffering from cardiac arrest,” he said.
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“If the person has an abnormal heart rhythm that can be brought back to normal with electricity, this device will save that patient.”
This is a very time-sensitive process, however — it must happen as early as possible, the doctor advised.
“Early defibrillation is directly correlated with the best outcomes for patients who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.”
Ultimately, Kwan, said, “we’re responsible for each other.”
“When you’re trained in these lifesaving skills, you’ll know how to recognize the signs that someone needs help and buy time until the responders can get there.”
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
Life expectancy is expected to rise worldwide by 2050, according to findings recently published by The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington.
The institute cites many factors for its findings, including “declining deaths from cardiovascular diseases, respiratory infections and tuberculosis, and maternal and neonatal death.”
While the study has outlier countries with much greater gains in lifespan – Singapore tops the list with an estimated life expectancy of 88 – the region of southern Europe, despite poor GDP, has also made strides.
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The institute’s findings conclude that the relatively poorer southern European countries of France, Italy, Spain and Portugal will gain higher life expectancy by 2050. The world’s oldest living woman at 117, Maria Branyas Morera, is Spanish.
Despite these relatively poorer countries scoring low on GDP in comparison to their high life expectancy, they all possess common characteristics. Normally, more wealth correlates with better health worldwide.
A man in a wheelchair is seen at the Somorrostro Beach in Barcelona, Spain. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Unlike their fellow top 20 lifespan countries in the study, like Switzerland or Denmark, health might not mean wealth for these southern European nations.
A 2017 study reveals that Spaniards take 5,936 steps per day on average. For reference, the average American makes only 4,774 in the same study. The cultural heritage of daily movement like walking in nations like Italy and Spain may contribute to their projected high life expectancies.
People sit outdoors at a cafe in Barcelona, Spain. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Additionally, Spanish cities are built more densely populated than their counterparts. Regular social interaction could contribute to higher life expectancy. A 2023 Gallup poll among Spaniards found that just over three quarters, or 76%, reported feeling “fairly” or “very” socially supported.
Intergenerational family living is also more common among Spaniards than Americans, with the same poll reporting that 83% of Spaniards had seen “friends or family who live with you or near you” in the same week of polling.
The institute projects France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain having life expectancies in 2050 somewhere between 84 and 86 years.
All week long, Fox News Digital keeps you up-to-date on the latest wellness news — clinical trials, medical research, new medications, cutting-edge health technologies, success stories and more.
In case you missed them, here are a few of the biggest health stories from the past week.
As always, you can see a full list of recent health pieces at http://www.foxnews/health.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
1. New liver drug gets green light from FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the French drugmaker Ipsen’s medication Iqirvo (elafibranor). Doctors and patients discuss how this new option could transform the landscape of liver treatment. Click here to get the story.
Patients have expressed relief at having another treatment option for liver disease. (iStock)
2. Major Alzheimer’s study reveals protective gene
In an Alzheimer’s breakthrough, researchers identified a genetic marker that delayed cognitive decline in a high-risk family. Among 27 family members with the gene, disease progression was slowed by an average of five years. Click here to get the story.
Among more than 1,000 high-risk family members, 27 of them who have one copy of a rare gene variant — the APOE3 gene, known as Christchurch — reported delayed onset of symptoms. (iStock)
3. These 6 culprits can drain men’s energy and vitality, experts say
For Men’s Health Month, several doctors shared with Fox News Digital some common reasons for energy and vitality to decline — along with tips for getting back up to speed. Click here to get the story.
For Men’s Health Month, several doctors shared with Fox News Digital some common reasons for the decline — and tips for getting back up to speed. (iStock)
4. Promising news for Parkinson’s patients
A new blood test that uses artificial intelligence could detect Parkinson’s disease up to 7 years before symptoms. An AI health care expert discusses its potential impact. Click here to get the story.
A new blood test could reveal Parkinson’s diagnoses up to seven years before symptoms emerge, according to recent research. (iStock)
5. Expert shares swimming safety tips for summer
Each year, some 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths occur in the U.S., with the highest rates among children between 1 and 4 years of age. From choosing the right bathing suit color to installing pool alarms, these eight tips can help prevent tragic accidents. Click here to get the story.
Each year, some 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths occur in the U.S., with the highest rates among children between 1 and 4 years of age. (iStock)
6. Study reveals bad news for night owls
A recent study by Stanford University, published in the journal Psychiatry Research, found that going to bed after a certain time could lead to mental health issues. Researchers and sleep experts share the negative effects of staying up past that hour. Click here to get the story.
Not getting enough sleep has been proven to compromise mental health, according to a sleep expert. (iStock)
7. Service dogs bring ‘significant’ benefits to veterans
The first study of its kind, funded by the National Institutes of Health, looked into exactly how pairing service dogs with PTSD-diagnosed veterans improves symptoms. A veteran also shares his personal story. Click here to get the story.
Marine Corps veteran Bill Lins, a sergeant from 2004 to 2016, is pictured here with his dog, Link. Lins suffered from PTSD and a traumatic brain injury after he left the service. (K9s for Warriors)
8. Kids with obesity need ‘behavioral counseling,’ task force says
The US Preventive Services Task Force says that kids and teens with a high BMI (95% or greater) should receive at least 26 hours of “comprehensive, intensive behavioral interventions.” Dr. Brett Osborn weighs in on the recommendation. Click here to get the story.
This week’s health stories included new liver drugs, sleep warnings, a new blood test for Parkinson’s, men’s energy boosters and much more. (iStock)
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