American journal of preventive medicine
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Coadministering COVID-19 and influenza vaccines is recommended by public health authorities and intended to improve uptake and convenience; however, the extent of vaccine coadministration is largely unknown. Investigations into COVID-19 and influenza vaccine coadministration are needed to describe compliance with newer recommendations and to identify potential gaps in the implementation of coadministration. ⋯ Among Medicare beneficiaries vaccinated against COVID-19, influenza vaccination was high, but coadministration of the 2 vaccines was low. Future work should explore which factors explain variation in the decision to receive coadministered vaccines.
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The sexual and reproductive health of cisgender women with HIV is essential for overall health and well-being. Nationally representative estimates of sexual and reproductive health outcomes among women with HIV were assessed in this study. ⋯ Many women with HIV did not receive important sexual and reproductive health services, and many experienced unintended pregnancies, miscarriages/stillbirths, or induced abortions. Disparities in some sexual and reproductive health outcomes were observed by certain social determinants of health. Improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes and reducing disparities among women with HIV could be addressed through a multipronged approach that includes expansion of safety net programs that provide sexual and reproductive health service coverage.
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Food insecurity is associated with adverse health outcomes, but may also have a detrimental effect on social relationships, potentially exacerbating social isolation and loneliness, and consequently affecting health-related quality of life. This study examined the associations of food insecurity with social isolation, loneliness, and health-related quality of life among U.S. adults. ⋯ Food insecurity is associated with worse social and mental well-being among U.S. adults. This suggests that food insecurity interventions should not focus too narrowly on nutrition, but instead give holistic consideration to the multiple ways food insecurity harms health-not only via lower quality diets, but through worse mental health and impairing the ability to participate in social life.
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Missed appointments also known as no-shows adversely affect clinical outcomes, clinic efficiency, and quality of care and have been attributed to barriers such as work schedule conflicts and lack of transportation. The widespread telemedicine implementation and adoption that has occurred as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to address these barriers and improve missed appointment rates. This study aims to analyze the relationship between telemedicine and missed appointments. ⋯ Telemedicine appointments were associated with a decreased likelihood of no-shows, and the protective effect of telemedicine appointments on missed appointments was greatest for underserved groups. Strategies to increase telemedicine uptake, especially for underserved groups, are critical.
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The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all adults be screened for alcohol use and those with hazardous use be provided a brief discussion. However, it is unclear to what extent healthcare providers screen for and discuss alcohol use with cancer survivors. ⋯ Cancer survivors are being screened for alcohol use, but heavier users are infrequently advised by healthcare providers to reduce their consumption.