American journal of preventive medicine
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Misuse of prescription medications has led to higher mortality and morbidity in the U.S. This study investigates medical and nonmedical use of prescription medications (prescription pain relievers, stimulants, prescription tranquilizers, and sedatives) among adults aged ≥50 years. ⋯ It is important to monitor medication misuse behaviors among older adults who may be living with several chronic conditions requiring pain management. The strong associations with serious psychological distress underscore the need for increased access to mental health services among this key population.
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This study aims to identify the trends in incidence and prevalence of untreated caries in permanent teeth in China during 1993-2017. ⋯ The increased burden of untreated caries in China after 2010 is driven by those aged <25 years. Untreated caries data from the Global Burden of Disease study are a valid complement to the data from the Chinese National Oral Health Epidemiology Surveys.
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Identifying patient populations most affected by adverse social determinants of health can direct epidemiologic investigation, guide development of tailored interventions, and improve clinical care and outcomes. This study explores how demographic characteristics are associated with specific types-and cumulative burden-of adverse social determinants of health among Veterans seeking Veterans Health Administration health care. ⋯ There is increasing and ongoing interest in ways to identify and respond to patients' experiences of or exposures to adverse social determinants of health. Demographic characteristics may signal the need to assess for adverse social determinants of health. Analyses exploring latent factors among these social determinants (e.g., poverty) may inform strategies to identify patients experiencing adverse social determinants of health and provide responsive interventions.
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This study examines the prevalence of risky cannabis use based on adherence to the Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines. ⋯ Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guideline adherence differed by jurisdiction and sociodemographic profile. As more jurisdictions legalize nonmedical cannabis, targeted interventions for key risk behaviors (e.g., using high-potency cannabis, early initiation age, driving after cannabis use) are warranted.
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This study seeks to describe the circumstances of fire deaths among children, identify deaths related to fireplay, and compare children whose deaths were related to fireplay with non-fireplay-related deaths. ⋯ This study provides data on supervision and the role of fireplay in fatal fires among young children, offering information for the development of innovative primary prevention strategies and future research.