Preventive medicine
-
Preventive medicine · Oct 2023
Temporal trends and geographic variations in mortality rates from tobacco and firearms in the United States.
We explored temporal trends and geographic variations in United States of America (US) mortality rates from smoking and firearms from 1999 to 2019. To do so, we used the publicly available Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Wide Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) with Multiple Cause of Death files from 1999 to 2019. Using age-specific rates and ArcGIS Pro Advanced software for Optimized Hot Spot Analyses from Esri, we generated maps of statistically significant spatial clusters with 90-99% confidence intervals with the Getis-Ord Gi* statistic for mortality from smoking-related causes and firearms. ⋯ The trends suggest smoking and firearm-related causes pose particular challenges to the Southeast and firearms also to the West and Alaska. These data may aid clinicians and public health authorities to implement evidence-based smoking avoidance and cessation programs as well as address firearm mortality, with particular attention to the areas of highest risks. As has been the case with cigarettes, individual behavior changes as well as societal changes are likely to be needed to achieve decreases in premature mortality.
-
Preventive medicine · Oct 2023
Prolonged screening interval due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its association with tumor characteristics and treatment; a register-based study from BreastScreen Norway.
During the COVID-19 pandemic Norway had to suspend its national breast cancer screening program. We aimed to investigate the effect of the pandemic-induced suspension on the screening interval, and its subsequent association with the tumor characteristics and treatment of screen-detected (SDC) and interval breast cancer (IC). ⋯ Pandemic-induced prolonged screening intervals were not associated with the tumor characteristics and treatment of SDCs, but did increase the risk of a histopathological grade 3 IC. This study provides insights into the possible effects of extending the screening interval.
-
Preventive medicine · Oct 2023
Association between long working hours and cigarette smoking, leisure-time physical activity, and risky alcohol use: Findings from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014-2021).
Long working hours cause adverse health outcomes; however, the precise mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unknown. We examined the association between long working hours and health behaviors, as well as gender differences in this association. ⋯ Our findings emphasize the need for policy interventions aimed at reducing excessive working hours and fostering healthy lifestyle behaviors among individuals engaged in long working hours.
-
Preventive medicine · Oct 2023
Dynamics of colorectal cancer screening in low and middle-income countries: A modeling analysis from Thailand.
Low and middle-income countries face constraints for early colorectal cancer (CRC) detection, including restricted access to care and low colonoscopy capacity. Considering these constraints, we studied strategies for increasing access to early CRC detection and reducing CRC progression and mortality rates in Thailand. ⋯ Until colonoscopy capacity increases, enhanced screening and symptom evaluation are needed simultaneously to curb CRC deaths, albeit not the best strategy for CRC progression prevention.
-
Preventive medicine · Oct 2023
Potential impact of time trend of whole grain intake on burden of major cancers in China.
Numerous studies have revealed associations between high intake of whole grains and reduced risk of various cancers. Yet, in recent decades, the traditional Chinese diets have been challenged by reduction in whole grains and increase in refined grains. To assess the impact of this dietary transition on cancer prevention, we analyzed the time trend of whole grain intake using nationally representative sampling data of over 15 thousand individuals from the China Health and Nutrition Survey. ⋯ Compared with 1997, insufficient intake of whole grains was responsible for 9940 more cases of breast cancer, 12,903 more cases of colorectal cancer and 434 more cases of pancreatic cancer in 2011. Our projections suggest that if every Chinese would consume 125 g whole grain per day as recommended by the latest Chinese Dietary Guidelines, 0.63% bladder cancer, 8.98% breast cancer, 15.85% colorectal cancer, 3.86% esophageal cancer, 2.52% liver cancer and 2.22% pancreatic cancer (totaling 186,659 incident cases) could theoretically be averted by 2035. Even if everyone maintained the 2011 whole grain intake level, an estimated 8.38% of cancer events could still be prevented by 2035.