American journal of preventive medicine
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Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are promoted as a less risky alternative to conventional cigarettes and have grown in popularity. Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that they could increase the risk of myocardial infarction. ⋯ Daily e-cigarette use, adjusted for smoking conventional cigarettes as well as other risk factors, is associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction.
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Interventions that reduce access to highly lethal and commonly used methods of suicide (e.g., limiting firearm access) are considered essential elements of effective suicide prevention programs. Scant epidemiologic data are available to inform such efforts among Veterans. The aim of this study is to describe firearm storage practices and correlates of those practices among a nationally representative sample of U.S. Veteran firearm owners. ⋯ Storing a firearm loaded and unlocked is common among Veterans. Storage practices are strongly related to reasons for ownership and potentially malleable perceptions including beliefs about firearm-related risks. Suicide prevention initiatives among Veterans should incorporate communication strategies that address common misperceptions about household firearm risk and whether safe storage practices may better align with reasons most Veterans own firearms (i.e., safety)-especially when someone in their home is at increased risk for suicide.
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Hearing loss is a worldwide societal and public health concern. Globally, disabling hearing loss affects 538 million adults (men, 12.2%; women, 9.8%). This study examined the prevalence and risk factors associated with deafness or serious difficulty hearing in two nationally representative surveys. ⋯ The prevalence of deafness or serious difficulty hearing was approximately 6% in the National Health Interview Survey and BRFSS, but increased considerably for older, less advantaged individuals and in more public health-challenged states.
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Review Meta Analysis
Chronic Noise Exposure and Adiposity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Noise is a key environmental stressor affecting millions of people worldwide on a daily basis. Chronic exposure to noise may elevate the risk of adiposity through sleep deprivation and heightened stress level. ⋯ Noise tends to be positively associated with waist circumference but not BMI in adults, but current evidence remains limited. Future studies should assess the impact of noise on adiposity in alternative settings and across population subgroups and geographic areas, examine different sources of noise, and elucidate the biomedical and psychosocial pathways linking noise to adiposity.
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The purpose of this study is to examine adolescent perceptions of harms and benefits associated with electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and their associations with use. ⋯ Youth who are susceptible to use, currently use, or have used e-cigarettes are less likely to report harms and more likely to perceive benefits associated with e-cigarette use compared with committed never users. Addressing harm and benefit perceptions may be important for interventions designed to reduce e-cigarette use among adolescents.