American journal of preventive medicine
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This study examines the associations between state-level and provider sources of racism and healthcare access and quality for non-Hispanic Black and White individuals. ⋯ State-level racism may engender benefits to healthcare access and quality for White individuals and may decrease access for Black individuals. Disparities may be driven by both White advantage and Black disadvantage. State-level policies may be the actionable levers of healthcare inequities with implications for preventive medicine.
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The impact of defining secondhand smoke exposure among nonsmokers using an expanded serum cotinine range is currently unknown. ⋯ Expanding the serum cotinine range to 0.015-10 ng/mL more than doubles the estimated proportion of U.S. nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke. In contrast to a serum cotinine range of 0.05-10 ng/mL, it suggests that progress has been made in reducing population-level secondhand smoke exposure during 2011-2018, especially among nonsmokers experiencing lower exposure levels.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. Workplace exposures are important modifiable contributors to the burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Among U.S. workers, 19% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cases are attributable to workplace exposures. This study examines the trends in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease prevalence during 2012-2018 among workers and assesses the population attributable fraction for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with work by smoking status, industry, and occupation. ⋯ Public health efforts to increase the awareness and understanding of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with occupational risk factors are needed to prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among workers, especially among those employed in industries and occupations with increasing prevalence trends.