Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Jun 2014
Comparative StudyStemming the tide: rising diabetes prevalence and ethnic subgroup variation among Asians in Los Angeles County.
The primary objective of this analysis was to examine the burden of diabetes among Asians and Asian subgroups in Los Angeles County, which has the largest county population of Asians in the U.S. ⋯ Diabetes prevalence is increasing more rapidly among Asians compared to whites despite overall lower BMI. The significant heterogeneity among Asian subgroups highlights the need for disaggregated data and additional research to develop culturally appropriate interventions for diabetes prevention and control.
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Preventive medicine · Jun 2014
Ethnic disparities in objectively measured physical activity may be due to occupational activity.
We examined whether Mexican American adults report occupations that involve higher levels of objectively assessed physical activity compared with Non-Hispanic White and Black adults, and if the differences were independent of income. ⋯ Mexican American adults may have higher total physical activity levels in NHANES because of occupational activity, particularly among lower income households. To the extent that light-intensity activity may provide health benefits, occupational activity may partly explain the Hispanic paradox.
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Preventive medicine · Jun 2014
Americans' opinions about policies to reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.
Strategies to reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages are a key component of public health promotion and obesity prevention, yet the introduction of many of these policies has been met with political controversy. The objective of this study is to assess the levels of and determinants of U.S. public support for policies to reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. ⋯ The results provide policymakers and advocates with insights about the political feasibility of policy approaches to address the prevalent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, as well as the role of attitudes toward soda companies as an independent predictor of the public's opinions.
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Preventive medicine · Jun 2014
Per-pack price reductions available from different cigarette purchasing strategies: United States, 2009-2010.
Following cigarette excise tax increases, smokers may use cigarette price minimization strategies to continue their usual cigarette consumption rather than reducing consumption or quitting. This reduces the public health benefits of the tax increase. This paper estimates the price reductions for a wide-range of strategies, compensating for overlapping strategies. ⋯ Smokers can realize large price reductions from price minimization strategies, and there are many strategies available. Policymakers and public health officials should be aware of the extent that these strategies can reduce cigarette prices.
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Preventive medicine · Jun 2014
Improving medicaid health incentives programs: lessons from substance abuse treatment research.
This commentary addresses the efforts of Medicaid programs in several US states to employ financial incentives to increase healthy behavior among their beneficiaries. While these Medicaid incentive programs have been successful at boosting rates of less effortful behaviors, like semiannual dental visits, they have fallen short in promoting more complex behaviors, like smoking cessation, drug abstinence, and weight management. ⋯ We also offer some guidance on how these moderating variables could be addressed within Medicaid programs. This is a critical time for such analysis, as more than 10 states are employing incentives in their Medicaid programs, and some are currently reevaluating their incentive strategies.