Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Jan 2009
ReviewMonitoring the tobacco use epidemic I. Overview: Optimizing measurement to facilitate change.
This Overview paper (I of V) summarizes research work to date on monitoring the tobacco use epidemic, discusses the recommendations made at the November, 2002 National Tobacco Monitoring, Research and Evaluation Workshop sponsored by the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Legacy Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on the topic of tobacco surveillance and evaluation, and discusses the current state of affairs. ⋯ Tobacco monitoring efforts play a vital role in combating the epidemic of addiction and disease produced by various tobacco products. The knowledge and experience gained by the tobacco use prevention and control community through this commitment to linkages of data collected in the domains of Vector and Environment, in addition to Agent and Host, could inform monitoring of a wide range of other public health issues as well, including diet and nutrition, physical activity, overweight and obesity, and substance abuse.
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Preventive medicine · Jan 2009
ReviewMonitoring the tobacco use epidemic V: The environment: factors that influence tobacco use.
This environment paper (V of V) summarizes important surveillance and evaluation systems that monitor influences on tobacco use such as smoke-free laws and other legislation, excise taxes, mass media, and a broad range of tobacco control activities, discusses their strengths and weaknesses, and makes recommendations for enhancement. ⋯ Systematic surveillance and monitoring of key program inputs and outputs and environmental influences is central to understand the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of tobacco control efforts.
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Preventive medicine · Jan 2009
ReviewMonitoring the tobacco use epidemic III: The host: data sources and methodological challenges.
This Host paper (III of V) reviews key surveillance and evaluation systems that monitor the characteristics, attitudes and behaviors of tobacco users that are crucial for tobacco control efforts. ⋯ Although the field of tobacco control research is an advanced area of public health, improvements in data systems are necessary to accurately evaluate progress and continue tobacco control gains. A coordinated surveillance and evaluation network would increase efficiency and improve the overall utility, quality and timeliness of the current data systems.
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Preventive medicine · Nov 2008
ReviewA review of mediators of behavior in interventions to promote physical activity among children and adolescents.
The effectiveness of interventions to promote physical activity in youths is still developing. To develop a better understanding "what works", researchers are now focusing on constructing an evidence base for mediators of behavior change. ⋯ Despite recognition of the importance of mediation studies, few interventions have assessed mediators of physical activity behavior in youth interventions. The small number of studies examining mediators of behavior and the variability in study design and quality prevent us from forming strong conclusions regarding the most effective mediators of behavior.
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Preventive medicine · Apr 2008
Review Meta AnalysisVitamin D and calcium intake in relation to risk of endometrial cancer: a systematic review of the literature.
In response to a recent ecologic study of UV exposure and endometrial cancer incidence, we present the epidemiologic evidence on the relation between intake of vitamin D and its metabolically related nutrient, calcium, and the occurrence of endometrial cancer. ⋯ The limited epidemiological evidence suggests no relation between endometrial cancer in the ranges of dietary vitamin D examined, and suggests a possible inverse association for calcium from supplements. Prospective studies, ideally including plasma 25(OH) D to estimate vitamin D input from diet and sun exposure, are needed to further explore these hypotheses.