American journal of preventive medicine
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Appropriate secondary preventive care for people with diabetes can reduce complications and premature death, yet many people with diabetes do not get these services. Mass media may influence individual health behavior. ⋯ Media campaigns with preventive health messages targeted to Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes can reach them and may induce appropriate responses.
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Several physical activity measures used in U.S. surveillance systems lack estimates of reliability in this country. This information is needed among diverse populations of women and men, to aid in interpretation and use of the measures. The objective of this study was to document the test-retest reliability of several measures of physical activity and inactivity used in surveillance in a diverse adult population. ⋯ In conclusion, this study provides estimates of test-retest reliability for several physical activity and inactivity measures used for surveillance purposes. Validity data, coupled with the reliability estimates reported here and elsewhere, can aid in interpretation and use of these measures in surveillance, as well as in epidemiologic studies.
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Burden of disease studies have been implemented in many countries using the disability-adjusted life year (DALY) to assess major health problems. ⋯ This analysis provides the first detailed, comprehensive estimates using DALYs of the fatal and nonfatal conditions that exact large health burdens in the United States.
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Population-based studies from Medicare and privately insured individuals have consistently identified lower rates of colorectal cancer-screening tests among African-American versus white individuals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether, at a Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center, similar racial/ethnic differences in colorectal cancer screening could be identified. ⋯ In contrast to other settings, in a general medicine clinic at a VA hospital, rates of colorectal cancer-screening tests were not lower for African-American patients compared to white patients.