Journal of public health
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Journal of public health · Jun 2019
Assessing the public health impact of cannabis legalization in Canada: core outcome indicators towards an 'index' for monitoring and evaluation.
The legalization of non-medical cannabis use and supply is impending in Canada. This constitutes a major policy change with the declared objective of improving public health outcomes, which requires rigorous monitoring and evaluation. While numerous different aspects associated with legalization will be examined, a focused perspective is required for effective policy evaluation purposes. ⋯ As ideally an integrated outcome assessment of cannabis legalization's impact on public health will be available, we further propose options to merge the individual indicators into an integrated, weighted 'index', considering their expected relative impact for public health. One possible approach to undertake this is 'multi-criteria decision analysis' as a method to weight the relative indicator impact on public health; alternative approaches are proposed. The integrated 'public health index' for cannabis legalization will allow for scientifically comprehensive, while focused, monitoring and evaluation of the effects of legalization in Canada for the benefits of science and evidence-based policy alike.
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Journal of public health · Sep 2018
The nature and frequency of abdominal symptoms in cancer patients and their associations with time to help-seeking: evidence from a national audit of cancer diagnosis.
Raising awareness of possible cancer symptoms is important for timely help-seeking; recent campaigns have focused on symptom groups (such as abdominal symptoms) rather than individual alarm symptoms associated with particular cancer sites. The evidence base supporting such initiatives is still emerging however; understanding the frequency and nature of presenting abdominal symptoms among cancer patients could inform the design and evaluation of public health awareness campaigns. ⋯ Abdominal symptoms are common at presentation among cancer patients, while time to presentation varies by symptom. The need for awareness campaigns may be greater for symptoms associated with longer intervals to help-seeking.
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Journal of public health · Jun 2018
Combatting the opioid epidemic: Baltimore's experience and lessons learned.
In the midst of a national opioid crisis, Baltimore City witnessed 393 deaths from drug and alcohol overdose in 2015. With an estimated 25 000 residents who are addicted to heroin or other opioids, Baltimore has been profoundly affected by the opioid epidemic. ⋯ Local jurisdictions must play a critical role in addressing the U. S. opioid crisis through public health coalitions, overdose prevention, treatment expansion, and anti-stigma education.
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Journal of public health · Jun 2018
Do comorbidities influence help-seeking for cancer alarm symptoms? A population-based survey in England.
We examined associations between different chronic morbidities and help-seeking for possible cancer symptoms. ⋯ Comorbidities are common and may facilitate help-seeking for possible cancer symptoms, but associations vary for specific symptom-comorbidity pairs. The findings can contribute to the design of future cancer symptom awareness campaigns.