Preventive medicine
-
Preventive medicine · Nov 2002
Reporting medical information: effects of press releases and newsworthiness on medical journal articles' visibility in the news media.
Characteristics defining newsworthiness of journal articles appearing in JAMA and NEJM were examined to determine if they affect visibility in the news media. It was also hypothesized that press releases affected the amount of news coverage of a journal article due to the fact that the most newsworthy journal articles are selected for press releases. ⋯ Journalists report on medical information that is topical, stratifies risk based on demographic and lifestyle variables, and has lifestyle rather than medical implications. Medical journals issue press releases for articles that possess the characteristics journalists are looking for, thereby further highlighting their importance.
-
Preventive medicine · Oct 2002
Comparative StudyNaturalistic changes in the readiness to quit tobacco smoking in a German general population sample.
This study examines naturalistic changes, i.e., changes that occur without formal interventions, in the motivational readiness to quit tobacco smoking. The transtheoretical model (TTM) with the proposed five stages of change (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance) is used as the theoretical framework. ⋯ In a German representative population of smokers, smoking behavior change toward abstinence does not occur naturally in a substantial amount over the 6-month period without intervention. Differing findings in studies for populations in the United States could be due to methodological differences or differences in tobacco-control conditions.
-
Preventive medicine · Oct 2002
Subjective health of male ex-smokers: relationship with time since smoking cessation, intensity and duration of tobacco consumption.
To examine the relationship of subjective health with time since smoking cessation and amount and duration of tobacco consumption among male ex-smokers. ⋯ Suboptimal health declined with time since smoking cessation, to reach the frequency of never-smokers. Longer duration of tobacco consumption is associated with worse subjective health.
-
Preventive medicine · Oct 2002
Comparative StudyPositive changes in sun-related behavior in Israel (1994-1998).
Current preventive measures against skin cancer focus on individual sun protection and early detection. Solar radiation in Israel is powerful, and about one-half of its population is fair skinned. We investigated whether public awareness efforts yielded changes in sun-related behaviors in Israel from 1994 to 1998. ⋯ There were positive changes in sun-related awareness and behaviors in Israel between 1994 and 1998. These findings support the conclusion that positive gains were associated with the health promotion efforts conducted by the Israel Cancer Society, Ministry of Health, and other Israeli organizations throughout these years.
-
Preventive medicine · Oct 2002
Comparative StudyRelationship of satisfaction with body size and trying to lose weight in a national survey of overweight and obese women aged 40 and older, United States.
Despite the potential benefits of weight loss, the factors associated with weight loss behavior are only beginning to be identified. We examined the association between sociodemographic factors, perceived health, satisfaction with body size, and trying to lose weight. ⋯ Our findings should serve as the impetus for the inclusion of measures of body image in surveillance and intervention studies of weight loss and control.