American journal of preventive medicine
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Smoking has been linked with depressive symptoms in adolescents, but data on secondhand smoking and depressive symptoms in low- and middle-income countries are scarce. Thus, this study analyzes the association between secondhand smoking and depressive symptoms among in-school adolescents from 22 low- and middle-income countries. ⋯ There was a positive association between secondhand smoking and depressive symptoms among in-school adolescents from low- and middle-income countries. Further research should investigate causality and assess whether prevention of exposure to secondhand smoke can have a positive effect on the mental well-being of adolescents.
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Individuals with intellectual disability have a high prevalence of obesity and low physical activity levels, which are risk factors for hypertension. This study estimated the prevalence of hypertension in a global data set of adults with intellectual disability participating in Special Olympics and investigated the role of physical activity and obesity in hypertension risk. ⋯ This study is the first to determine population-based prevalence rates of hypertension in individuals with intellectual disability. It highlights the similarity in prevalence to the general population. The results emphasize the importance of population-wide screening, increasing physical activity, and reducing obesity in decreasing cardiovascular risk in this population.
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Previous research has demonstrated an association between military sexual trauma and risk for suicide; however, risk for self-directed violence such as suicide attempt or nonsuicidal self-injury following military sexual trauma is understudied. This study examines the relationship between military sexual trauma and serious self-directed violence resulting in hospitalization, as well as whether this relationship differs by sex. ⋯ Military sexual trauma is associated with risk for serious self-directed violence for both men and women veterans, and the relationship may be pronounced among women. Results underscore the importance of incorporating military sexual trauma into treatment and preventative efforts for self-directed violence.
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The Affordable Care Act mandated that health plans cover preventive health services without patient cost sharing. A process, based on the analyses of medical claims data, is presented that allows companies to assess whether their healthcare plans are providing employees and dependents with age- and sex-appropriate high-priority preventive healthcare services. ⋯ Only a minority of individuals received a complete set of the defined high-priority preventive healthcare services. The process presented here allows employers to routinely analyze their medical claims data to assess the performance of their health and wellness plans in delivering these preventive services. The strengths and weaknesses of this approach are also described.
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With a rapid increase in prescription opioid overdose deaths and a proliferation of pain clinics in the mid-2000s, Florida emerged as an epicenter of the opioid overdose epidemic. In response, Florida implemented pain clinic laws and operationalized its Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. This study examines the effect of these policies on rates of inpatient stays and emergency department visits for opioid-related overdoses. ⋯ To address the opioid overdose epidemic, states have implemented policies such as Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs and pain clinic laws designed to reduce inappropriate opioid prescribing. Such laws may be effective in reducing prescription opioid-related overdoses.