JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
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The few published prospective studies of smoking and mortality in China have reported low relative risks, but the durations of follow-up were short. ⋯ Previous prospective studies of smoking-related mortality in China tended to underestimate the risks, probably because of short durations of follow-up. We have demonstrated that smoking is a major cause of death in China, and the risks are similar to those seen in the United States and the United Kingdom. Thus, about half of the 300 million smokers in China will eventually die of smoking-related diseases if urgent tobacco-control measures are not instituted to prevent this growing epidemic.
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Breast cancer is a major cause of mortality among women. It is important to identify modifiable risk factors for this disease. ⋯ Avoiding adult weight gain may contribute importantly to the prevention of breast cancer after menopause, particularly among women who do not use postmenopausal hormones.
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Community-acquired pneumonia is an important cause of acute respiratory symptoms (eg, cough) in the ambulatory care setting. Distinguishing pneumonia from other causes of respiratory illnesses, such as acute bronchitis and upper respiratory tract infections, has important therapeutic and prognostic implications. ⋯ However, some studies have shown that the absence of any vital sign abnormalities or any abnormalities on chest auscultation substantially reduces the likelihood of pneumonia to a point where further diagnostic evaluation may be unnecessary. This article reviews the literature on the appropriate use of the history and physical examination in diagnosing community-acquired pneumonia.
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Virtually all new cars now are equipped with passenger air bags. Determining whether passenger air bags are saving lives is important, particularly because passenger air bags have caused some deaths among children and adults. ⋯ Passenger air bags were associated with substantial reductions in fatalities among right front passengers in frontal crashes. However, more children are being killed than are being saved by air bags. Immediate countermeasures to reduce the dangers of air bags to children and adults are suggested.