Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Apr 2021
Association between physical activity and subjective memory decline triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from the PAMPA cohort.
Implementation of social distancing reduced the incidence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases. Nevertheless, this strategy has other undesirable effects such as physical inactivity and psychological distress, which are associated with cognitive impairment. We aimed to examine whether physical activity during social distancing restrictions could reduce the risk of subjective memory decline in adults. ⋯ Participants were less likely to experience subjective memory decline if they either became (PR: 0.56; 95%CI: 0.36, 0.89) or remained (PR: 0.68; 95%CI: 0.49, 0.93) physically active compared to inactive respondents. Physical activity participation during social distancing reduced the likelihood of subjective memory decline in adults. Physical activity should be highlighted as a potential alternative to reduce the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on cognitive function and mental health.
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Preventive medicine · Apr 2021
Sexually transmitted disease clinics in the United States: Understanding the needs of patients and the capabilities of providers.
Reports of bacterial sexually transmitted infections are at the highest levels ever reported in the United States, and state and local budgetary issues are placing specialized sexually transmitted disease (STD) care at risk. This study collected information from 4138 patients seeking care at 26 STD clinics in large metropolitan areas across the United States with high levels of reported STDs to determine patient needs and clinic capabilities. Surveys were provided to patients attending these STD clinics to assess their demographic information as well as reasons for coming to the clinic and surveys were also provided to clinic administrators to determine their operational capacities and services provided by the clinic. ⋯ Patients attending STD clinics across the country indicated that they do so because of the relative ease of getting an appointment; including walk-in and same-day appointments as well as the welcoming environment and expertise of the staff at the clinic. Additionally, STD clinics provide specialized care to patients; including HIV testing and counseling as well as on-site, injectable medications for the treatment of gonorrhea and syphilis in an environment that helps to reduce the role of stigma in seeking this kind of care. Sexually transmitted disease clinics continue to play an important role in helping to curb the rising epidemic of sexually transmitted infections.
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Studies show that raising the minimum wage in a US state above the federal minimum wage can reduce infant mortality rates in those states. Some states have raised their minimum wage in recent decades, while many others did not, and have prohibited local authorities from doing so by enacting preemption laws. This study investigates how the recent emergence of state preemption laws that remove local authority to raise the minimum wage has affected infant mortality rates. ⋯ When considering all large metro counties in preemption states, as many as 605 infant deaths could be attributed to preemption. State preemption laws that remove local authority to enact health-promoting legislation, such as minimum wage increases, are a significant threat to population health. The growing tide of these laws, particularly since 2010, may be contributing to recent troubling trends in US life expectancy.
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Preventive medicine · Apr 2021
Negative emotions and cancer fatalism are independently associated with uptake of Faecal Immunochemical Test-based colorectal cancer screening: Results from a population-based study.
Although systematic colorectal cancer screening is efficacious, many programmes suffer from low uptake. Few behavioural or attitudinal factors have been identified as being associated with participation in colorectal cancer screening. We explored knowledge, beliefs about cancer, subjective health literacy, emotional attitudes to screening, and social influences among individuals invited to a population-based screening programme. ⋯ Negative cancer-related and screening-related beliefs and emotions are associated with non-participation in FIT (-based screening). Research is warranted to explore if these negative beliefs and emotions are modifiable and, if so, whether this would improve screening uptake. The association between the influence of a partner and screening participation present a challenge around improving uptake among those not in co-habiting relationships.
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Preventive medicine · Apr 2021
Associations between sexual identity-attraction discordance, and prescription opioid misuse among adults.
Prior research has shown that sexual minorities are disproportionately affected by substance use disorders and prescription opioid misuse. While most studies explore how single dimensions of sexual orientation (i.e., identity, attraction, and behavior) are associated with substance use disorders, we aimed to explore how multiple dimensions of sexual orientation interact with substance use behaviors. Specifically, we examined sexual identity-attraction discordance, the situation when one's sexual identity does not match their socially-expected sexual attractions, with prescription opioid misuse. ⋯ Those with discordant sexual identity-attractions had higher odds of prescription opioid misuse in their lifetime (aOR= 1.22, 95% CI 1.07-1.40) when compared to those with concordant sexual identity-attractions. When stratified by sex, we found sexual identity-attraction discordant females had higher odds of prescription opioid misuse in their lifetime (aOR= 1.29, 95% CI 1.13-1.49); there was no association among males. These findings further emphasize the need to consider the dynamic nature of sexual orientation in substance use research.