Annals of epidemiology
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Annals of epidemiology · Sep 2011
Adolescent marijuana use from 2002 to 2008: higher in states with medical marijuana laws, cause still unclear.
Since 1996, 16 states have legalized marijuana use for medical purposes. The current study provides a scientific assessment of the association of medical marijuana laws (MML) and adolescent marijuana use using national data. ⋯ While the most likely of several possible explanations for higher adolescent marijuana use and lower perceptions of risk in MML states cannot be determined from the current study, results clearly suggest the need for more empirically-based research on this topic.
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Annals of epidemiology · Aug 2011
Variation in rates of fatal coronary heart disease by neighborhood socioeconomic status: the atherosclerosis risk in communities surveillance (1992-2002).
Racial and gender disparities in out-of-hospital deaths from coronary heart disease (CHD) have been well-documented, yet disparities by neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES) have been less systematically studied in US population-based surveillance efforts. ⋯ Low nSES was associated with an increased risk of out-of-hospital CHD death and SCD. Measures of the neighborhood context are useful tools in population-based surveillance efforts for documenting and monitoring socioeconomic disparities in mortality over time.
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Annals of epidemiology · Aug 2011
Black preterm birth risk in nonblack neighborhoods: effects of Hispanic, Asian, and non-Hispanic white ethnic densities.
Studies of ethnic density and health in the United States have documented poorer health outcomes among black individuals living in black compared with nonblack neighborhoods, but few studies have considered the identities of the populations in nonblack neighborhoods. ⋯ The low risks of preterm birth among foreign-born non-Hispanic black women in majority-Hispanic neighborhoods may be related to protective psychosocial or lifestyle and warrant further investigation.
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Annals of epidemiology · Aug 2011
Ethnicity and risk of hospitalization for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
To identify ethnic differences for risk of hospitalization for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ⋯ Ethnic disparities in risk of asthma and COPD as well as between both diseases exist, especially for Asian Americans, who have high asthma risk and low COPD risk. While residual confounding for smoking or other environmental factors could be partially responsible, genetic factors in Asians may be involved in decreased COPD risk.
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Annals of epidemiology · Dec 2010
Investigation of disparities in geographic accessibility to emergency stroke and myocardial infarction care in East tennessee using geographic information systems and network analysis.
Stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) require timely geographic accessibility to emergency care. Historically, studies used straight line distances as measures of geographic accessibility. Recently, travel time has been recognized as a better indicator of accessibility because travel impedances can be considered. This study used finer grained transportation data and network analysis to investigate neighborhood disparities in travel time to emergency stroke and MI care. ⋯ This study identified disparities in geographic accessibility to emergency stroke and MI care in East Tennessee. Use of air ambulance or telemedicine could play a vital role in addressing these disparities. This information is important for evidence-based health planning and resource allocation.