Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Mar 2022
Physical activity intensity profiles associated with cardiometabolic risk in middle-aged to older men and women.
Accelerometers provide detailed data about physical activity (PA) across the full intensity spectrum. However, when examining associations with health, results are often aggregated to only a few summary measures [e.g. time spent "sedentary" or "moderate-to-vigorous" intensity PA]. Using multivariate pattern analysis, which can handle collinear exposure variables, we examined associations between the full PA intensity spectrum and cardiometabolic risk (CMR) in a population-based sample of middle-aged to older adults. ⋯ The strongest favourable associations were from 50 to 800 cpm (r = 0.10-0.12) in men, but from ≥2500 cpm (r = 0.18-0.20) in women; with higher proportions of model explained variance for women (R2 = 7.4% vs. 2.3%). Most of the PA intensity spectrum was beneficially associated with CMR in middle-aged to older adults, even at intensities lower than what has traditionally been considered "sedentary" or "light-intensity" activity. This supports encouragement of PA at almost any intensity in this age-group.
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Preventive medicine · Mar 2022
The relationship between cannabis use and legalization frameworks: A cross-sectional analysis using a nationally representative survey.
State policies related to cannabis have rapidly evolved but the impact of current legislative frameworks on usage is not well characterized. This study explored cannabis use patterns under different legalization statuses in the United States. The dataset included individuals from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey in 2017 and 2018. ⋯ Users were more likely to use non-smoking methods in the full legalization group compared to the limited medical use group (1.77, 95%CI:1.41-2.22). A greater proportion of users in the full legalization group reported medical usage than in the other two groups. Policymakers should consider these findings in order to allow for use while safeguarding public health.
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Preventive medicine · Mar 2022
The role of neighborhood social capital on health and health inequality in rural and urban China.
Given the "community lost" vs. "community saved" debate on how neighborhood solidarity changes with urbanization, we compared the rural-urban difference in the association of individuals' neighborhood social capital with health and the interaction effect between neighborhood social capital and income-poverty on health in China, where huge rural-urban disparities existed. Participants were 5014 Chinese adults (≥ 18 years) (rural: 2034; urban: 2980) from the 2012 cross-sectional Chinese General Social Survey. Health outcome was a factor score constructed by three items. ⋯ Our study suggested that cohesive neighborhoods benefit both rural and urban residents' health. Health interventions to improve neighborhood social cohesion should be designed to cope with the challenge of urbanization. Policymakers should avoid damaging neighborhood social capital when implementing other public policies, especially in rural areas where neighborhood network seems to matter more for health.
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Preventive medicine · Mar 2022
ReviewEconomics of sedentary behaviour: A systematic review of cost of illness, cost-effectiveness, and return on investment studies.
METHODS: RESULTS: We identified nine articles (conducted in Australia (n = 5), Europe (n = 3) and China (n = 1)); three reported healthcare costs associated with excessive sedentary time, whilst six were economic evaluations of interventions targeting sedentary behaviour. Healthcare costs associated with excessive sedentary time as reported in cost of illness studies were substantial; however, none explored non-health sector costs. In contrast, all full economics evaluations adopted a societal perspective; however, costs included differed depending on the intervention context. One sedentary behaviour intervention in children was cost-saving. The five interventions targeting occupational sitting time of adults in office workplaces were cost-effective. Physical environmental changes such as sit-stand desks, active workstations etc., were the key cost driver. ⋯ Sedentary behaviour is likely associated with excess healthcare costs, although future research should also explore costs across other sectors. Cost-effectiveness evidence of sedentary behaviour reduction interventions in workplaces is limited but consistent. Key gaps relate to the economic credentials of interventions targeting children, and modelling of long-term health benefits of interventions.
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Preventive medicine · Mar 2022
ReviewCausal effects of cannabis legalization on parents, parenting, and children: A systematic review.
Medical and recreational cannabis legalization lead to increased cannabis use among adults. There is concern that legalization has negative implications for minors via effects on parents. We conducted a systematic review of studies examining legalization in the United States. ⋯ Additional causally informative research is needed. Studies of parental cannabis use in a legal context are particularly needed. Commonsense guidelines must recognize the shifting national landscape around legalization while seeking to minimize potential harm to minors.