American journal of preventive medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Improving Colorectal Cancer Screening in a Rural Setting: A Randomized Study.
Colorectal cancer screening has been shown to prevent or detect early colorectal cancer and reduce mortality; yet, adherence to screening recommendations remains low, particularly in rural settings. ⋯ A mailed motivational messaging letter with a low-cost screening alternative increased colorectal cancer screening in this largely rural community with generally poor adherence to screening recommendations. Mailed colorectal cancer screening reminders using motivational messaging may be an effective method for increasing screening and reducing rural colorectal cancer disparities.
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Alcohol use and suicidality remain serious risks for U.S. youth. Research has established that disparities exist in these outcomes between heterosexual and sexual minority youth. However, research into the associations between alcohol use and suicidality has yet to consider the differential role of sexual orientation. ⋯ These results emphasize the need for additional research into the relationship between contemporaneous alcohol use and suicidality, with attention to differences based on sex, sexual orientation, and other factors that may impact these relationships. There is a particular need for research to examine the temporal nature of the association such that evidence-informed, high-impact interventions can be developed to improve suicidality outcomes among sexual minority youth.
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This study assesses the following among primary care physicians: (1) the use of evidence-based strategies to improve adult vaccination rates, (2) the number of strategies employed simultaneously, and (3) characteristics associated with assessing adult vaccinations at each visit. ⋯ Several strategies are being used to increase adult vaccination, particularly for the influenza vaccine. Investment in implementing standing orders and electronic clinical decision support for all routine adult vaccinations could help facilitate assessment of adult vaccinations at each visit and potentially improve adult vaccination rates.
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Sugar-sweetened beverages are a key driver of obesity. Portion-size regulations typically limit the volume of unsealed sugar-sweetened beverage containers to 16 fluid ounces. These regulations could reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, but whom these policies would affect remains unknown. This study evaluates demographic groups likely affected by hypothetical national portion-size regulations modeled on policy language and scopes from New York City and California. ⋯ Portion-size regulations would likely have a greater effect on younger, male, and less-educated adults. Policy effects would likely be larger if these regulations are written to encompass more food sources.
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Sexual orientation‒related disparities in alcohol use disorder are well-established. Yet, the degree to which sexual orientation differences in alcohol use disorder vary across the life course is poorly understood. There is also a limited understanding of how exposure to minority stressors and their relationship with alcohol use disorder vary as a function of age. ⋯ Sexual orientation-related disparities in alcohol use disorder are dynamic across the life course and point to critical times for screening and intervention. Developmental perspectives of sexual minority health inequities demand focused research attention as findings will help to identify strategies for promoting sexual minority health at distinct points in the life course.