Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Dec 2015
Lack of private health insurance is associated with higher mortality from cancer and other chronic diseases, poor diet quality, and inflammatory biomarkers in the United States.
The lack of health insurance reduces access to care and often results in poorer health outcomes. The present study simultaneously assessed the effects of health insurance on cancer and chronic disease mortality, as well as the inter-relationships with diet, obesity, smoking, and inflammatory biomarkers. We hypothesized that public/no insurance versus private insurance would result in increased cancer/chronic disease mortality due to the increased prevalence of inflammation-related lifestyle factors in the underinsured population. ⋯ Insurance status was strongly associated with cancer/chronic disease mortality after adjusting for lifestyle factors. The results suggest that inadequate health insurance coverage results in a substantially greater need for preventive strategies that focus on tobacco control, obesity, and improved dietary quality. These efforts should be incorporated into comprehensive insurance coverage programs for all Americans.
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Preventive medicine · Dec 2015
Comparative StudySupermarkets and unhealthy food marketing: An international comparison of the content of supermarket catalogues/circulars.
Supermarket marketing activities have a major influence on consumer food purchases. This study aimed to assess and compare the contents of supermarket marketing circulars from a range of countries worldwide from an obesity prevention perspective. ⋯ Supermarket circulars in most of the countries examined include a high percentage of discretionary foods, and therefore promote unhealthy eating behaviours that contribute to the global obesity epidemic. A clear opportunity exists for supermarket circulars to promote rather than undermine healthy eating behaviours of populations. Governments need to ensure that supermarket marketing is included as part of broader efforts to restrict unhealthy food marketing.
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Preventive medicine · Dec 2015
Quantifying the physical activity energy expenditure of commuters using a combination of global positioning system and combined heart rate and movement sensors.
Active commuting may help to increase adults' physical activity levels. However, estimates of its energy cost are derived from a small number of studies which are laboratory-based or use self-reported measures. ⋯ We have demonstrated how GPS and activity data from a free-living sample can be used simultaneously to provide objective estimates of commuting energy expenditure. On average, incorporating walking or cycling into longer journeys provided over half the weekly recommended activity levels from the commute alone. This may be an efficient way of achieving physical activity guidelines and improving population health.
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Preventive medicine · Dec 2015
Racial and ethnic differences in human papillomavirus positivity and risk factors among low-income women in Federally Qualified Health Centers in the United States.
Reasons for racial/ethnic disparities in HPV infection are unclear. This study assessed racial/ethnic differences in and risk factors for HPV positivity among low-income women. Data were collected from 984 low-income women visiting Federally Qualified Health Centers across Illinois (2009-2011). ⋯ In multivariate-adjusted logistic regression, being non-Hispanic black, first sexual intercourse before age 16 years, increasing numbers of recent or lifetime sexual partners and current cigarette smoking status were associated with a higher likelihood of HPV positivity. Our findings highlight racial/ethnic differences in HPV positivity and risk factors in a population of women with similar socioeconomic characteristics. When measuring HPV risk factors within the Hispanic population, foreign-born status and other mediating factors, such as social norms and cultural characteristics, may be relevant to assess the intragroup heterogeneity.
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Preventive medicine · Dec 2015
Public support for selected e-cigarette regulations and associations with overall information exposure and contradictory information exposure about e-cigarettes: Findings from a national survey of U.S. adults.
We assessed public support for six e-cigarette regulations and examined whether self-reported exposure to e-cigarette information and contradictory e-cigarette information were associated with support. ⋯ Exposure to overall and conflicting information about e-cigarettes in the public sphere is associated with reduced support for certain proposed e-cigarette policies. These findings are important for policymakers and tobacco control advocates involved in promulgation of e-cigarette policies. The results provide insights on which policies may meet some public resistance and therefore require efforts to first gain public support.