Saturday, October 03, 2026

US pharmacy closures are hitting racial minority communities the hardest

Boston University

Pharmacies across the United States continue to close at a rapid rate, leaving millions of Americans in “pharmacy deserts,” where they lack convenient and reasonable access to the care these community health hubs provide. Past research indicates that nearly 1 in 3 pharmacies closed between 2010-2021, including more than 7,000 pharmacies since 2019.

A new study led by researchers at Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) shows that these closures are occurring disproportionately among communities with a majority of racial and ethnic minority residents.

Published in JAMA Network Open, the nationwide study found that predominantly White communities (defined by census block group) had more pharmacies than other racial and ethnic communities, both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Predominantly White neighborhoods had 15 percent more pharmacies per 10,000 people than neighborhoods with predominantly minority populations. Tracking movement of mobile devices, the researchers also examined frequency of pharmacy visits and found that people in White communities most commonly visited pharmacies in similar neighborhoods, while people in other racial and ethnic minority communities with fewer pharmacies tended to utilize pharmacy services in diverse neighborhoods, instead.

This unprecedented decline in pharmacy closures across the US is more than an inconvenience to community members; it may also lead to negative health outcomes. Data indicates that past pharmacy closures have led to a decline in both access and adherence to life-saving medications, including cardiovascular medicine and anticonvulsant medicine. Beyond medication pick-up sites, pharmacies have expanded to become trusted community health hubs over the last several decades, and these shutterings are leaving residents with a dearth of local resources for other clinical support.

“When a pharmacy is absent in a neighborhood because it closed or was never there, this can create barriers for residents to not only obtain medications, but other essential health services such as vaccines, testing and treatment for multiple diseases and conditions, and other health services,” says study lead and corresponding author Dr. Elaine Nsoesie, associate professor of global health at BUSPH, who was inspired to study pharmacy availability and visits after writing a 2024 opinion piece about the impact of pharmacy deserts on Black and Latino communities in The Boston Globe and receiving a variety of responses from the community. “Our findings show that individuals from predominantly Black and other racial-minority areas might prefer to visit pharmacies in diverse neighborhoods, if they do not have an available pharmacy.”

For the study, Dr. Nsoesie and colleagues from BUSPH and The Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College analyzed mobility data from mobile phones in more than 112,000 census block groups across 45 states and Washington, DC between January 2019-January 2020 (before the pandemic) and from January 2023-January 2024 (after the acute phase of the pandemic). Examining demographics, pharmacy availability and visits, the team found that predominantly White and diverse neighborhoods had more pharmacies in 2019 and in 2023 than racial-minority neighborhoods. While White and diverse neighborhoods with at least one pharmacy had a higher median household income than neighborhoods with no pharmacies, neighborhoods with a majority of racial and ethnic minority residents had nearly the same median household income in areas with and without pharmacies, suggesting that race and ethnicity might be a stronger determinant of a pharmacy desert than income alone.

Vehicle ownership, percentage of single-family homes, and median age were linked to neighborhoods with an increase in pharmacies per 10,000 people, while percentage of females, increases in median household income, and percentage of residents born outside the US were linked to neighborhoods with a decrease in pharmacies per 10,000 people.

A number of factors are driving these closures, including thin profit margins, reduced reimbursement rates for medications, and a workforce shortage. The researchers hope this insight emphasizes the need to combine financial reforms with practical local policies that make it easier for residents in pharmacy deserts to access the medicines and care they need.

“Researchers have written about the need to develop policies and financing programs that encourage pharmacies to be located in pharmacy deserts,” Dr. Nsoesie says. “We suggest that such policies could be coupled with affordable and accessible transportation. However, any long-term solutions should consider the specific needs of the local community to ensure that solutions are effective.”

The study was coauthored by Andrew Philips, research fellow at BUSPH at the time of the study; Dr. Nina Cesare, research scientist in the Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center at BUSPH; and Zou Yang, a PhD student at The Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth at the time of the study.

Journal

JAMA Network Open

DOI

10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.37087

Method of Research

Data/statistical analysis

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Census Block Group Demographics, Mobility Patterns, and Pharmacy Visits

Article Publication Date

1-Oct-2026

Firearm-owning parents of young children often store at least one firearm without secure storage

Keeping every firearm locked and unloaded helps keep children safe

American Academy of Pediatrics

SAN DIEGO — About 44% of parents of young children who own firearms reported that they own both a handgun and a long gun, at least one of which is not stored securely, according to research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2026 National Conference & Exhibition in San Diego Oct. 2-6.

The study, “Handgun and Long Gun Ownership and Storage in Families With Young Children,” found that most of the parents stated they kept firearms for their family’s protection. More than three-fourths (77%) of them reported that they stored at least one firearm unlocked and loaded or both unlocked and loaded.

“We found that many children under age 5 live in homes where firearms are not stored securely,” said Andrew Hashikawa MD, MS, FAAP, clinical professor of emergency medicine and pediatrics at the University of Michigan. “Families often own firearms to protect their loved ones, but leaving them unlocked can put young children at risk. Keeping every firearm locked and unloaded is an important part of keeping children safe.”

Storage was classified as secure if all household firearms were stored both locked and unloaded, and not secure if any firearm was stored loaded, unlocked, or both.

Hashikawa and senior author Alison L. Miller, PhD, questioned 843 U.S. firearm-owning parents of children ages 1 to 5 in an online survey. Eligible participants were ages 18 and older, English-speaking, and living in a household with firearms. The study investigated the types of firearms they own, why they own them, and how they store them. At least 49% of parents surveyed owned at least one long gun, and 44% owned both types.

The authors observe that firearm injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the United States, and the rates of unintentional firearm injury are increasing among young children. Given that most parents owned handguns and reported protection as their primary motivation for firearm ownership, they conclude there is a need for messaging that addresses the needs and concerns of these groups.

Funding for the research: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Media Relations Contact:

Ananya Sen at seananya@med.umich.edu or 734-764-2220.

Study author Dr. Andrew Hashikawa, is scheduled to present the research, which is below, from noon to 1:00 PM PDT on Sunday, Oct. 4 at the Marriot. To request an interview with the authors, contact Ananya Sen at seananya@med.umich.edu or 734-764-2220.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org. Reporters can access the meeting program and other relevant meeting information through the AAP meeting website at http://www.aapexperience.org/

ABSTRACT

Submission Type: Council on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention Program and Firearm Injury Prevention Special Interest Group

Abstract Title: Handgun and Long Gun Ownership and Storage in Families With Young Children

Andrew Hashikawa

Dexter, MI, United States

10/04/2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Firearm injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the United States (US), and the rates of unintentional firearm injury are increasing among children younger than 6 years. Most of these injuries involve household firearms stored loaded and unlocked. Handguns account for most unintentional firearm deaths among young children and may be stored less securely than other firearm types. Families with children may own handguns, long guns, or both for protection, recreation, or hunting, yet little is known about firearm ownership patterns and storage practices in these households. Our study aims were to characterize firearm ownership and storage practices among families with young children and to examine sociodemographic characteristics and motivations for firearm ownership.

We conducted a cross-sectional, nationally representative online survey of US firearm-owning parents of children aged 1-5 years using a national panel. Eligible participants were adults aged 18+ years or older, English-speaking, and living in a household with firearms. Parents reported sociodemographic characteristics, the primary motivation for ownership (e.g., protection, recreation, hunting), the types of firearms they owned (handguns only, long guns only, or both), and storage practices. Storage was classified as secure if all household firearms were stored both locked and unloaded, and not-secure if any firearm was stored loaded, unlocked, or both. We examined: 1) distribution of firearm ownership by type; 2) sociodemographic characteristics and ownership motivations; and 3) storage practices by type of firearm(s) owned.

Demographic characteristics are presented in Table 1. Among 843 firearm-owning parents of young children, more than 94% reported owning a handgun. Nearly half of families reported owning both long guns and handguns (44%), 51% owned handguns only, and 5% owned only long guns. Protection (77%) was the most commonly cited reason for firearm ownership. On average, families owned just under 3 firearms. Compared with parents who owned both handguns and long guns, parents who owned handguns only were more likely to store household firearms securely. Secure storage was reported by 41.5% of handgun-only compared with 30.7% of those owning both handguns and long guns (χ²=14.1, p<.001).

Among firearm-owning families with young children, firearm type and reasons for ownership may be important considerations for injury prevention efforts. Although handgun-only families stored more securely, more than half of all families stored at least one household firearm either unlocked, loaded, or both. As handguns pose a particular risk for young children, it is critical to emphasize the secure storage of handguns. Efforts to promote secure storage could tailor firearm safety messages to household firearm type and ownership motivations. Partnering with families who store securely could be a way to engage other families with young children to encourage secure storage.

Table 1. Characteristics of firearm-owning parents of children aged 1-5 years

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Handgun and Long Gun Ownership and Storage in Families With Young Children

Article Publication Date

2-Oct-2026

Teddy bears with medical devices help normalize them for children

The bears are fitted with various wearable medical devices such as pacemakers

American Academy of Pediatrics

SAN DIEGO — Teddy bears fitted with medical devices such as gastronomy (feeding) tubes may help normalize and lessen medical anxiety in children who need the same devices, according to a project presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2026 National Conference & Exhibition Oct. 2-6, 2026, at the San Diego Convention Center.

Children who live with medical devices often feel anxious or self-conscious about them, especially around other kids at school. Pediatric residents at the Mayo Clinic hoped to find a way to make their patients a bit more comfortable. Their solution: teddy bears fitted with the same medical devices such as gastronomy tubes, tracheostomy tubes, and pacemaker devices their young patients have.

The program, outlined in an abstract titled, “The Teddy Bear Clinic: A Therapeutic Play Intervention to Normalize Pediatric Medical Devices,” offers benefits to medical students, pediatric residents, and their patients. Medical students and residents are able to practice their suturing techniques while preparing the bears with each device and patients see a real-life representation of their own care. The additional suture practice also helps medical students and residents become more confidant in their abilities and can double as a peer-education tool.

"Therapeutic play has long been used to ease children's medical fears, but this advocacy project specifically targets the body-image and self-consciousness piece, the part of a child's experience tied to feeling ‘different’ because of a medical device,” explained Anders Jenson, M.D., PGY-2 Pediatric Resident at Mayo Clinic. “It's a small, easily replicated idea with a real emotional payoff for kids with medical devices.”

Additionally, the program is fairly low cost, with the authors receiving a grant for just $2,200 that was used to purchase about 200 bears. Medical equipment also came at little cost as manufacturers donated many of the supplies while others were made from everyday materials like inflation valves.

The bears can become a hands-on recruitment tool that introduces medical students to pediatrics through a low-pressure, high-impact, meaningful project, authors state. Families can also use the bears as a tool to practice care steps the child needs on their devices and can be a way to help other children understand and accept others who use medical devices.

"As someone with a medical device myself, I remember how isolating it could feel growing up surrounded by those without one,” Dr. Jenson said. “I hope these teddy bears help children to feel more comfortable and confident with their medical devices, knowing that they are not alone in their journey."

This research received external funding from Kid’s Cup Rochester.

Contact: Dr. Jenson at andersjenson@gmail.com

Study author Anders Jenson is scheduled to present the research, which is below, from 10 to 10:30 am PDT on Saturday, Oct. 3 in the poster hall at the conference. T

In addition, Dr. Jenson will be among highlighted abstract authors who will give brief presentations and be available for interviews during a “Soundbite Session” from noon- 1 pm PDT Sunday, Oct. 4, in the conference center Press Room, 14A.

Program Name: Call for Abstracts

Submission Type: Council on Children with Disabilities

Abstract Title: The Teddy Bear Clinic: A Therapeutic Play Intervention to Normalize Pediatric Medical Devices

Anders Jenson

United States

10/03/2026 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Children with implanted medical devices often experience anxiety, stigma, and social isolation, particularly in school and community settings. The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes child-centered, trauma-informed approaches that promote resilience and normalize chronic illness experiences. Therapeutic play has long been recognized as a developmentally appropriate strategy to reduce fear and improve coping among children with complex medical need. However, few interventions specifically address body image and device-related self-consciousness.

To promote normalization of medical devices in our pediatric patients, we developed a program providing stuffed animals outfitted with the same medical devices (e.g., gastrostomy tubes, tracheostomies, pacemakers) as the patient. This program was resident initiated and run. Funding was secured through an internal Mayo Clinic grant for $2,200 and used to procure approximately 200 teddy bears. Pacemaker and tracheostomy models were provided generously by medical device manufacturers. Gastrostomy tubes were simulated with inflation valves of beach balls. These devices were then sutured into the stuffed animals using suture materials donated by the Mayo Clinic Emergency Department. Medical students were recruited to assist with the implanting of the medical devices, while also gaining exposure to the field of Pediatrics. Stuffed animals with implants were then distributed to patients with the corresponding medical device on the pediatric hospital service.

Providing a stuffed animal with a matching medical device fosters normalization and may reduce device-related anxiety. Additionally, the stuffed animals can be used during teaching sessions, facilitating improved understanding of their own devices and increased willingness to engage in care (e.g., tracheostomy suctioning or gastrostomy tube feeds). Stuffed animals can even be used to increase awareness of medical devices in peers, supporting peer education and reducing stigma by introducing the device through toys and play. The project also serves as a recruitment opportunity to engage medical students in the field of Pediatrics, who are given a unique experience to practice their suturing technique while also benefiting patients without the pressures of a clinical environment. These students are also exposed to a special component of the field of Pediatrics in the utilization of developmentally appropriate care and education for our patient population.

The Teddy Bear Clinic Advocacy Project demonstrates a low-cost, scalable intervention that leverages therapeutic play to promote resilience, normalize implanted medical devices, and reduce stigma among children with complex medical needs. By combining advocacy, education, and creative partnership, this initiative offers a replicable model for pediatric institutions seeking to advance child-centered, trauma-informed care.

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

The Teddy Bear Clinic: A Therapeutic Play Intervention to Normalize Pediatric Medical Devices

Article Publication Date

2-Oct-2026

Adolescents’ uptick in suicidal thoughts increased after 2009, 2010

The time period marks the start of an ongoing mental health crisis in American high school students

American Academy of Pediatrics

SAN DIEGO — Researchers believe broader societal changes beginning around 2009 to 2010 severely impacted the mental health of an entire generation of young people, according to research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2026 National Conference & Exhibition Oct. 2-6, 2026, at the San Diego Convention Center.

In a 30-year analysis of data from the national Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, researchers found a significant increase in suicidal thoughts and attempts in teens after nearly two decades of previous downturns. The abstract, titled, “A Turning Point in Adolescent Mental Health in the United States: A 30-Year Analysis of U.S. High School Students Using YRBSS Data,” also found increased feelings of persistent sadness or hopelessness, rising rates of obesity and insufficient sleep. These factors also resulted in a steady decline in academic performance among teens.

“Our study identified a clear turning point in adolescent mental health around 2009-2010 across various mental health indicators like suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, sadness, sleep, obesity, and academic performance,” said study author Niyati Sharma, who is a junior at Horseheads High School, Horseheads, NY.

“The most surprising finding was not simply that mental health worsened, but that all indicators changed around the same time.”

Researchers state that while the study doesn’t determine what is causing this shift, it does suggest that broader societal changes could be at play.

“While our study cannot determine what caused these changes, the coordinated shift suggests we may be observing the impact of broader societal changes rather than isolated problems and it deserve much closer investigation to protect the mental health of future generations,” Sharma stated.

By pinpointing a starting point of where these changes began, researchers hope to better identify factors contributing to today’s mental health crisis and allow researchers, educators, physicians, families, and policymakers to develop more effective and targeted prevention strategies.

Media Relations Contact: Saurabh Sharma MD, FACC, MHA, FASE, FACP, RPVI, saurabh.sharma@guthrie.org, 347-423-1168

Study author Niyati Sharma is scheduled to present her research, which is below, from 10 AM to 12 PM PDT on Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Marriott.

Program Name: Call for Abstracts

Submission Type: Council on School Health

Abstract Title: A Turning Point in Adolescent Mental Health in the United States: A 30-Year Analysis of U.S. High School Students Using YRBSS Data

Saurabh Sharma

Horseheads, NY, United States

10/03/2026 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Adolescent mental health indicators in the United States have shown substantial fluctuation over the past three decades. While recent reports describe rising rates of suicidality and depressive symptoms, long-term temporal patterns remain incompletely characterized. We examined national trends to identify potential inflection points in adolescent mental, behavioral, and academic indicators.

We conducted a repeated cross-sectional trend analysis using nationally representative Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) data from 1991–2021, comprising U.S. high school students in grades 9–12. Primary outcomes included suicidal ideation (considered suicide), attempted suicide, persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, insufficient sleep, obesity, and school grades. Joinpoint regression analysis was performed by a statistician to identify statistically significant changes in the directions of the trend and to estimate Annual Percent Change (APC) within each outcome. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05.

The number of high school students who had suicidal ideation (considered suicide) declined significantly from 1991–2009 (APC −3.61%, p< 0.001) but rapidly increased from 2009 to 2021 (APC +3.66%, p< 0.001) (Fig 1). Attempted suicide rates increased significantly after 2009 (APC +3.42%, p=0.032) (Fig 2). Sadness/Hopelessness increased modestly from 2009 to 2017 (APC +1.71%, p=0.046) and accelerated sharply from 2017 to 2021 (APC +7.67%, p< 0.001) (Fig 3). Insufficient sleep increased after 2013 (APC +1.58%, p=0.002)(Fig 4), and obesity increased after 2011 (APC +2.68%, p< 0.001) (Fig 5). Academic performance (Grades) declined steadily from 2001–2019 (APC −1.83%, p< 0.001) (Fig 6).

Multiple adolescent mental health indicators demonstrated inflection points beginning approximately 2009 to 2010, suggesting a broad, rapid shift in adolescent mental health. This temporal transition parallels the rapid expansion of digital connectivity and social media engagement, the 2008 economic recession, evolving academic pressures, and changes in healthcare access. Although causality cannot be inferred, further investigation is warranted to better understand how these social and environmental factors are associated with shifts in adolescent mental health trajectories.

JoinPoint Regression analysis showing Annual Percent Change in Mental Health Indicators and Inflection points in the Trajectories.

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

A Turning Point in Adolescent Mental Health in the United States: A 30-Year Analysis of U.S. High School Students Using YRBSS Data

Article Publication Date

2-Oct-2026

Childhood neglect may increase the risk of suicide attempts

Semmelweis University

Researchers at Semmelweis University examined the connection between childhood trauma and adult suicide risk among 300 psychiatric inpatients. According to a study published in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology, both emotional and physical neglect may be associated with repeated suicide attempts. While previous Hungarian and international studies have mainly focused on the consequences of physical and sexual abuse, the role of different forms of neglect has received less attention.

Childhood abuse and neglect, as well as suicidal behavior, are major public health concerns, and numerous previous studies have confirmed the connection between them. However, less is known about how specific forms of childhood trauma relate to repeated suicide attempts. The researchers also examined whether childhood trauma differed between patients who had attempted suicide once and those who had made multiple attempts.

Among the 300 psychiatric inpatients included in the study, emotional neglect was the most common form of childhood trauma (93%), and over 90 percent of the participants reported at least two types of childhood trauma. The study found that different types of trauma frequently occurred together, and their effects may add up. Furthermore, a higher degree of physical neglect was associated with a greater likelihood of repeated suicide attempts. Because the study included psychiatric inpatients, the results cannot be generalized to the wider population.

“Our results show that neglect may have serious and long-term consequences, so its significance should not be underestimated,” stated Noémi Szeifert, clinical psychologist at the Szent Rókus Health Center of Semmelweis University and the first author of the study.

Neglect occurs when a child's basic physical or emotional needs are persistently unmet. Emotional neglect means a prolonged lack of emotional support and a sense of security, while physical neglect refers to the continuous failure to provide for the child's basic physical needs, such as proper nutrition, clothing, or healthcare.

At the same time, the study notes that a direct cause-and-effect relationship cannot be established between childhood trauma and later suicidal behavior. Suicidal behavior is a complex phenomenon influenced by the combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. Childhood trauma may increase long-term vulnerability and can later be associated with mental health disorders and substance misuse. However, these later consequences could also be influenced by numerous protective factors, such as secure family and social relationships.

“While our study supports the connection between early traumas and adult suicide risk, further research is needed to uncover exactly what factors help explain this connection,” said Dr. Xénia Gonda, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology at Semmelweis University, the last author of the study.

Childhood abuse and neglect do not always have clear, easily recognizable signs, but certain changes may be warning signs even if the child does not talk about what they are experiencing. These include a significant or persistent change in behavior, increased anxiety, withdrawal, or avoiding activities they previously enjoyed, including social activities and community events. These signs alone do not prove that a child is experiencing abuse or neglect, but they might indicate that the child is struggling and may need help.

However, abuse and neglect often remain hidden because many victims are afraid to speak about their experiences or worry about the consequences of doing so. According to a previous Hungarian estimate, only one in thirty cases of child abuse or neglect is reflected in official statistics.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please seek immediate support from a local crisis or mental health service.

Journal

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

DOI

10.1080/20008066.2026.2697561

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Saturday, October 03, 2026

US pharmacy closures are hitting racial minority communities the hardest

Journal

DOI

Method of Research

Subject of Research

Article Title

Article Publication Date

Firearm-owning parents of young children often store at least one firearm without secure storage

Subject of Research

Article Title

Article Publication Date

Teddy bears with medical devices help normalize them for children

Subject of Research

Article Title

Article Publication Date

Adolescents’ uptick in suicidal thoughts increased after 2009, 2010

Subject of Research

Article Title

Article Publication Date

Childhood neglect may increase the risk of suicide attempts

Journal

DOI

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