Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Mar 2005
Clinical TrialHow many days of pedometer monitoring predict weekly physical activity in adults?
The study purpose was to establish the number (and type) of days needed to estimate mean pedometer-determined steps/day in a field setting. ⋯ Although there is a statistical difference between days, there is little practical difference, and the primary distinction appears limited to Sunday. Although a single day of collection is not acceptable, any 3 days can provide a sufficient estimate.
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Preventive medicine · Mar 2005
Comparative StudyGlobal initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: GOLD opportunity for lung disorders.
The purpose of this study was to assess the agreement of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment prescribed by physicians and pulmonologists in comparison to asthma and COPD guidelines and the need of the implementation of COPD guidelines in primary health care physicians. ⋯ COPD patients mainly are undertreated by primary health care physicians when they are in the primary stages of the disease. The overtreatment of some patients consists of high doses of inhaled steroids prescribed by both pulmonologists, and mainly, primary health care physicians. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is the need of the implementation of COPD guideline by primary health care physicians and the need of COPD patients to be diagnosed in early stages by performing spirometry.
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Preventive medicine · Mar 2005
Community level alcohol availability and enforcement of possession laws as predictors of youth drinking.
Despite a minimum legal drinking age, many young people use alcohol. Environmental strategies to control youth drinking focus on restricting access and the enforcement of possession laws. This study examines the relationship between use of these strategies and the frequency of youth alcohol use and related problems. ⋯ This evidence provides empirical support for the potential utility of local efforts to maintain or increase alcohol access control and possession enforcement.
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Preventive medicine · Feb 2005
The AMA proposal to mandate nicotine reduction in cigarettes: a simulation of the population health impacts.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has advocated gradually reducing the nicotine content of cigarettes to decrease smoking prevalence. Some experts have voiced concerns that smokers may "compensate" by smoking more cigarettes or inhaling more deeply. Further, a black market may emerge, perpetuating cigarette availability. Thus, it is unclear whether a federal mandate would result in a net increase or decrease in population health. The purpose of this research is to estimate the long-term health gains or losses that are likely to accrue to the US population if the nicotine content of cigarettes is gradually reduced to trace levels over a 6-year period. ⋯ Despite any mortality increases due to compensatory smoking or the emergence of a black market, implementation of the AMA proposal would likely prevent the addiction of scores of new smokers and result in important gains to the nation's health. This research should prove useful to Congress as they contemplate giving the FDA the authority to regulate tobacco.
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Preventive medicine · Feb 2005
Comparative StudyComparison of the factors that influence obesity prevalence in three district municipalities of the same city with different socioeconomical status: a survey analysis in an urban Turkish population.
To evaluate the obesity status, factors and comorbidities related to it in three district municipalities (DM) that compose city center of Bursa with inhabitants of different socioeconomic status. ⋯ The prevalence of obesity in Bursa is increasing although inhabitants are taking some precautions parallel to their socioeconomical and educational levels. Obesity is becoming a more alarming public health problem in Bursa and Turkey like in most other parts of the world, which forces us to invent new prevention policies. Besides, the results of our study highlight the fact that especially female education requires more attention for decreasing obesity prevalence in coming generations.