American journal of preventive medicine
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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.
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Several studies of nonfatal firefighter injuries have been conducted but are limited by the inclusion criteria used and coverage. The aim of this study was to enhance current knowledge by providing national estimates of nonfatal injuries to firefighters treated in U.S. emergency departments. ⋯ The results demonstrate that nonfatal injuries for firefighters remained high throughout the study period. The predominance of sprains and strains in all firefighting activities suggests the need for additional research and prevention needs in areas of improved fitness, safer body postures and movements, and situational awareness.
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Falls often cause severe injuries and are one of the most costly health conditions among older adults. Yet, many falls are preventable. The number of preventable medically treated falls and associated costs averted were estimated by applying evidence-based fall interventions in clinical settings. ⋯ This report is the first to estimate the number of medically treated falls that could be prevented and the direct medical costs that could be adverted. Preventing falls can benefit older adults substantially by improving their health, independence, and quality of life.
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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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There are major problems with failure to replicate research findings. Contributing to this problem is a failure to report on factors related to external validity. Frequently, researchers have little knowledge whether findings apply more generally, especially to low-resource settings and underserved populations. The CONSORT flow diagram has improved reporting on variables related to internal validity, but it has very limited detail on issues related to external validity. A recent CONSORT update and other publications have called for more transparent reporting on external validity and context, and information regarding the sustainability of interventions. All of these elements influence the generalizability of findings from outcomes research. ⋯ Improving transparent reporting on external validity by using the proposed expanded CONSORT figure would help to address both the scientific replication crisis and health equity concerns. This figure provides a method to efficiently address the representativeness, generalizability, and sustainability of outcomes research.