Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
ReviewAcute effects of short-term exposure to air pollution while being physically active, the potential for modification: A review of the literature.
The science behind the combined effect of (and possible interaction between) physical activity and air pollution exposure on health endpoints is not well established, despite the fact that independent effects of physical activity and air pollution on health are well known. The objective of this review is to systematically assess the available literature pertaining to exposure to air pollution while being physically active, in order to assess statistical interaction. Articles published during 2000-2020 were identified by searching PubMed, Science Direct, and ProQuest Agricultural & Environmental Science Database for terms encompassing air pollution and exercise/physical activity. ⋯ Even in low levels of air pollution, low-intensity activities (i.e., walking), may intensify the negative impacts of air pollution, particularly among those with pre-existing conditions. However, among healthy adults, the review suggests that exercise is generally beneficial even in high air pollution environments. Particularly, the review indicates that moderate to high-intensity exercise may neutralize any short-term negative effects of air pollution.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
Prevalence, trends, and distribution of nicotine and marijuana use in E-cigarettes among US adults: The behavioral risk factor surveillance system 2016-2018.
Use of substances other than nicotine in e-cigarettes, especially marijuana, is becoming increasingly popular in the US. However, population-representative data on such poly-use (nicotine and marijuana) remains limited. We therefore conducted a cross-sectional logistic regression analysis of the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System among 16 US states/territories with data on past 30-day marijuana use to describe the emerging dual nicotine and marijuana vaping population. ⋯ Dual nicotine and marijuana vaping is prevalent in the US, and compared to predominantly nicotine vapers such users have higher mean ages, and are more likely to be Blacks, Hispanics, and never cigarette smokers. Marijuana use overall increased from 2016 to 2018. Dual vapers represent a large and important emerging population that will require dedicated study of health effects and tailored regulatory strategies.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialSick days in general hospital patients two years after brief alcohol intervention: Secondary outcomes from a randomized controlled trial.
Little is known about the long-term impact of brief alcohol interventions (BAIs) on health and on sick days in particular. The aim was to investigate whether BAIs reduce sick days in general hospital patients over two years, and whether effects depend on how BAIs are delivered; either through in-person counseling (PE) or computer-generated written feedback (CO). To investigate this, secondary outcome data from a three-arm randomized controlled trial with 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-month follow-ups were used. ⋯ Differences between PE and CO, and concerning sick days when any reported, were non-significant. This study provides evidence for the long-term efficacy of BAIs concerning health, and concerning sick days in particular. BAIs have the potential to reduce the occurrence of sick days over 2 years, independent of whether they are delivered through in-person counseling or computer-generated written feedback.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
Widening disparities in cigarette smoking by race/ethnicity across education level in the United States.
Reducing tobacco use is an important public health objective. It is the largest preventable cause of death and disease, yet inequalities remain. This study examines combined educational and racial/ethnic disparities in the United States related to cigarette smoking for the three largest racial/ethnic groups (African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and non-Hispanic Whites). ⋯ College graduates had the highest quit ratios for all racial/ethnic groups from 1992 to 2018, with quit ratios significantly increasing for Hispanics/Latinos and non-Hispanic Whites, but not African Americans. In conclusion, educational disparities in smoking have worsened over time, especially among African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos. Targeted tobacco control efforts could help reduce these disparities to meet public health objectives, although racial/ethnic disparities may persist regardless of educational attainment.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2020
Patterns of adolescent gun carrying and gun-related crime arrests in Indianapolis, Indiana over an 11-year time period.
Adolescent males are disproportionately affected by homicide as both victims and offenders. Indianapolis has seen increases in youth homicides over the past few years; gun carrying increases an individual's risk for involvement in firearm violence. It is unclear how often youth are arrested for gun carrying and gun-related crimes. ⋯ Proportions of juvenile arrests for both gun carrying (47.0 per 1000 arrests) and gun-related crime (25.4 per 1000 arrests) have substantially increased compared to ten-years ago (4.5 per 1000 arrests and 2.0 per 1000 arrests, respectively). Of those arrested, 27.7 per 100,000 population were arrested for a repeated gun-related offense; of which 21.5 per 100,000 were first arrested for gun carrying and 6.2 per 100,000 were arrested for a gun-related crime. The majority of gun-related repeat offenders were first arrested for gun carrying; therefore, these gun-carrying arrests may be an opportunity to intervene on an individual level by providing treatment, other needed resources, and discussing safe firearm storage with families and communities.