American journal of preventive medicine
-
Suicide rates have risen considerably in recent years. National workplace suicide trends have not been well documented. The aim of this study is to describe suicides occurring in U.S. workplaces and compare them to suicides occurring outside of the workplace between 2003 and 2010. ⋯ The upward trend of suicides in the workplace underscores the need for additional research to understand occupation-specific risk factors and develop evidence-based programs that can be implemented in the workplace.
-
Rates of non-access to needed medical services are elevated among uninsured and sociodemographic subpopulations. Clinical depression is associated with comorbid medical illness and reduced treatment adherence. The purpose of this study was to examine whether prior depression predicts missed needed medical care independent of health insurance status and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. ⋯ Prior depression corresponded to greater probability of missed needed medical care report in the previous year, independent of health insurance status, employment, income, and demographics.
-
Underinsurance is a barrier to vaccination among children. Information on vaccination among adults aged ≥18 years by insurance status is limited. This study assesses vaccination coverage among adults aged ≥18 years in the U.S. in 2012 by health insurance status and access to care characteristics. ⋯ Overall, vaccination coverage among adults aged ≥18 years is lower among uninsured populations. Implementation of effective strategies is needed to help improve vaccination coverage among adults aged ≥18 years, especially those without health insurance.
-
The explosion of technologic advances in information capture and delivery offers unparalleled opportunities to assess and modify built and social environments in ways that can positively impact health behaviors. This paper highlights some potentially transformative current and emerging trends in the technology arena applicable to environmental context-based assessment and intervention relevant to physical activity and dietary behaviors. ⋯ The paper ends with a set of challenges and opportunities for significantly advancing the field. Key areas for progress include data collection and expansion, managing technologic considerations, and working across sectors to maximize the population potential of behavioral health technologies.
-
The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) provides mammograms and diagnostic services for low-income, uninsured women aged 40-64 years. Mammography facilities within the NBCCEDP gradually shifted from plain-film to digital mammography. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of replacing film with digital mammography on health effects (deaths averted, life-years gained [LYG]); costs (for screening and diagnostics); and number of women reached. ⋯ Digital could result in slightly more LYG than film mammography. However, with a fixed budget, fewer women may be served with fewer LYG. Changes in the program, such as only including biennial screening, will increase LYG/screen and could offset the potential decrease in LYG when shifting to digital mammography.