Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Dec 2020
Comparative StudyAmericans' perceptions of disparities in COVID-19 mortality: Results from a nationally-representative survey.
As with many other infectious and chronic conditions, the COVID-19 crisis in the United States (U. S.) reveals severe inequities in health. The objective of this study was to describe public perceptions of disparities in mortality from COVID-19 and examine correlates of those perceptions. ⋯ Partisanship and information sources used were associated with perceptions of SES- and racial-disparities, with Democrats and those attune to national news-but not Fox cable news-more likely to perceive these disparities. As of April 2020, information about age- and health condition-related disparities in COVID-19 was well known by the U. S. public, while information about social disparities was less recognized and varied along socioeconomic and partisan lines.
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Preventive medicine · Dec 2020
Cross-sectional association between physical activity level and subjective cognitive decline among US adults aged ≥45 years, 2015.
Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is the self-reported experience of worsening or more frequent confusion or memory loss within the previous 12 months and can be one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Regular physical activity can contribute to the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of cognitive decline. At the national level, prevalence estimates of SCD by physical activity level in the United States are currently unknown. ⋯ Among those with SCD, the prevalence of functional limitations also increased as physical activity level decreased (active: 40.5%; insufficiently active: 50.0%; inactive: 57.4%). These differences largely remained after adjusting for respondent characteristics. Findings highlight the potential public health impact nationally of efforts to promote physical activity for cognitive health.
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Preventive medicine · Dec 2020
Observational StudyLongitudinal effects of a nationwide lifestyle intervention program on cardiometabolic outcomes in Japan: An observational cohort study.
The Japanese government launched a nationwide health screening and lifestyle intervention program in 2008 to prevent and reduce metabolic syndrome in at-risk individuals. This study examined the longitudinal effects of the program's lifestyle interventions on metabolic outcomes using health insurance data from one prefecture. The study population comprised 16,317 individuals aged 40-74 years who met the recommendation criteria for the interventions between 2009 and 2015. ⋯ The aHRs (95%CI) for metabolic syndrome incidence were 0.84 (0.75-0.94), 0.80 (0.71-0.91), and 0.67 (0.51-0.89) for overall, motivational, and intensive interventions, respectively. The interventions reduced body mass index and waist circumference, but had modest effects on blood lipids, blood glucose, and hemoglobin A1c levels; blood pressure was unaffected. These interventions represent an effective strategy to prevent the progression of preclinical metabolic syndrome, but further studies are needed to evaluate their long-term preventive effects on cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
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Preventive medicine · Dec 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialFit and strong! plus: Twelve and eighteen month follow-up results for a comparative effectiveness trial among overweight/obese older adults with osteoarthritis.
This comparative effectiveness trial compared the longer-term effectiveness (12 and 18 months) of the standard Fit & Strong! physical activity program to Fit & Strong. Plus, which combined physical activity and dietary weight loss. Outcomes were weight, diet quality, physical activity, osteoarthritis symptoms, performance measures, and anxiety/depression. ⋯ African American older adults in the F&S. Plus arm showed sustained modest improvements in weight, waist circumference, and lower extremity strength at 12 months and in lower extremity strength at 18 months compared to F&S!. Implications for the translation of evidence-based programs into community settings to support healthy behaviors in older adults are discussed.
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Preventive medicine · Dec 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialControl of cardiovascular risk factors with tailored recommendations: A randomized controlled trial.
This study analyzed the efficacy of tailored recommendations to control cardiovascular risk factors at 1-year follow-up in a population-based randomized controlled trial in individuals aged 35-74 years with no history of cardiovascular disease at baseline. Total, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were measured at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. The primary outcome was the quantitative change in total cholesterol. ⋯ In the stratified analysis, women showed no differences in any of the outcomes. In conclusion, an intervention with tailored recommendations increased mean total cholesterol values. The intervention effect was higher in men who maintained blood lipids at optimal levels and had decreased BP values.