Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Sep 2015
Nicotine replacement therapy and other interventions for pregnant smokers: Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, 2009-2010.
Current U.S. guidelines recommend consideration of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for pregnant smokers if behavioral therapies fail, only under close supervision of a provider, and after discussion of known risks of continued smoking and possible risks of NRT. The percentage of pregnant smokers offered NRT by their prenatal care providers is unknown. ⋯ One in five pregnant smokers was offered NRT. About a quarter of pregnant smokers did not receive any interventions to stop smoking. There may still be reluctance to provide NRT to pregnant women, despite known harms of continued smoking during pregnancy.
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Preventive medicine · Sep 2015
Disparities in physical activity resource availability in six US regions.
We conducted an ecological study to determine physical activity resource availability overall and by sociodemographic groups in parts of six states (CA, IL, MD, MN, NC, NY). ⋯ The availability of physical activity resources varied by sociodemographic characteristics and across regions. Improved knowledge of resource distribution can inform strategies to provide equitable access to parks and recreational facilities.
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Preventive medicine · Sep 2015
Do provincial policies banning smoking in cars when children are present impact youth exposure to secondhand smoke in cars?
To examine youth exposure to smoking in cars following 7 provincial bans on smoking in cars with children in Canada. ⋯ Although rates declined, significant differences were only found in Ontario relative to control provinces in the immediate and long term.
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Preventive medicine · Sep 2015
Dipstick proteinuria as a predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in Bangladesh: A prospective cohort study.
Baseline, persistent, incident, and remittent dipstick proteinuria have never been tested as predictors of mortality in an undeveloped country. The goal of this study was to determine which of these four types of proteinuria (if any) predict mortality. ⋯ Baseline, persistent, and incident dipstick proteinuria were predictors of all-cause mortality with persistent proteinuria having the greatest risk. In developing countries, those with 1+ dipstick proteinuria, particularly if persistent, should be targeted for definitive diagnosis and treatment. The two most common causes of proteinuria to search for are diabetes mellitus and hypertension.
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Preventive medicine · Sep 2015
Has recommended preventive service use increased after elimination of cost-sharing as part of the Affordable Care Act in the United States?
An early provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) eliminated cost-sharing for a range of recommended preventive services. This provision took effect in September 2010, but little is known about its effect on preventive service use. ⋯ These early observations suggest positive benefits from the ACA policy of eliminating cost-sharing for some preventive services. Future research is warranted to monitor and evaluate longer term effects of the ACA on access to care and health outcomes.