American journal of preventive medicine
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Hypertension and diabetes, both independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease, often coexist. The hypertension-increased medical expenditures by diabetes status is unclear, however. This study estimated annual total medical expenditures in U.S. adults by hypertension and diabetes status. ⋯ Hypertension-increased medical expenditures were substantial and varied by medical service type and payment sources. These findings may be useful as inputs for cost- effectiveness evaluations of hypertension interventions by diabetes status.
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Medical Expenditures Associated With Diabetes in Myocardial Infarction and Ischemic Stroke Patients.
The coexistence of diabetes among people with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is common. However, little is known about the extent of excess medical expenditures associated with having diabetes among AMI and AIS patients. ⋯ Excess expenditures associated with diabetes were substantial among both AMI and AIS patients. These results highlight the needs for both prevention and better management of diabetes among AMI and AIS patients, which in turn may lower the financial burden of treating these conditions.
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High sodium intake is a major risk factor for hypertension, but evidence is limited on which interventions are effective in reducing sodium consumption. This study examined the associations between frequent use of nutrition labels and daily sodium intake and the consumption of high-sodium foods in the U.S. ⋯ Frequent use of nutrition labels appears to be associated with lower consumption of sodium and high-sodium foods in the U.S. Given this small reduction, interventions such as enhancing nutrition label use could be less effective if implemented without other strategies.
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Approximately 40 million people in the U.S. identify as having a serious disability, and people with disabilities experience many health disparities compared with the general population. The Guide to Community Preventive Services (The Community Guide) identifies evidence-based programs and policies recommended by the Community Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) to promote health and prevent disease. The Community Guide was assessed to answer the questions: are Community Guide public health intervention recommendations applicable to people with disabilities, and are adaptations required? ⋯ As public health and healthcare systems implement Task Force recommendations, identifying and addressing barriers to full participation for people with disabilities is important so that interventions reach the entire population. With appropriate adaptations, implementation of recommendations from The Community Guide could be successfully expanded to address the needs of people with disabilities.
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Pregnant women are at risk for severe influenza-related complications; however, only 52% reported receiving an influenza vaccination during the 2013-2014 influenza season. Text4baby, a free national text service, provides influenza vaccination education and reminders to pregnant women. This study examined reported influenza vaccination during pregnancy among Text4baby participants who reported receiving influenza messages and women who reported never participating in Text4baby. ⋯ Text4baby status was associated with higher influenza vaccination, especially among women whose provider did not recommend or offer the vaccine. Encouraging Text4baby enrollment may help ensure influenza vaccination is given to protect mothers and infants.