American journal of public health
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We evaluated the influence of financial strain on smoking cessation among Latino, African American, and Caucasian smokers of predominantly low socioeconomic status. ⋯ Greater financial strain predicted lower cessation rates among racially/ethnically diverse smokers. Our findings highlight the impact of economic concerns on smoking cessation and the need to address financial strain in smoking cessation interventions.
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Historical Article
Triangulating on success: innovation, public health, medical care, and cause-specific US mortality rates over a half century (1950-2000).
To identify successes in improving America's health, we identified disease categories that appeared on vital statistics lists of leading causes of death in the US adult population in either 1950 or 2000, and that experienced at least a 50% reduction in age-adjusted death rates from their peak level to their lowest point between 1950 and 2000. Of the 9 cause-of-death categories that achieved this 50% reduction, literature review suggests that 7 clearly required diffusion of new innovations through both public health and medical care channels. Our nation's health success stories are consistent with a triangulation model of innovation plus public health plus medical care, even when the 3 sectors have worked more in parallel than in partnership.
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Despite advances in the prevention and early detection of cancer and the treatment of some malignancies, clinical research has not yet delivered treatment benefits of the magnitude anticipated after the launch of imatinib, which established highly effective new treatment standards. The primary impediments to progress are scientific, but the efficiency of research is also affected by structural deficiencies relating to where and by whom it is conducted, as well as how it is organized and regulated. To optimize the research environment and maximize the benefits of improved funding, adjustments in the roles of government, industry, the academic community, national research bodies, and regulatory authorities are needed. A patchwork of reforms that are enabling in character and build on existing expertise can deliver substantial progress without the need for radical intervention.
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Racial scholars argue that racism produces rates of morbidity, mortality, and overall well-being that vary depending on socially assigned race. Eliminating racism is therefore central to achieving health equity, but this requires new paradigms that are responsive to structural racism's contemporary influence on health, health inequities, and research. ⋯ Critical Race Theory's tools for conducting research and practice are intended to elucidate contemporary racial phenomena, expand the vocabulary with which to discuss complex racial concepts, and challenge racial hierarchies. We introduce Critical Race Theory to the public health community, highlight key Critical Race Theory characteristics (race consciousness, emphases on contemporary societal dynamics and socially marginalized groups, and praxis between research and practice) and describe Critical Race Theory's contribution to a study on racism and HIV testing among African Americans.