American journal of preventive medicine
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Most cancers associated with the human papillomavirus are preventable through vaccination. However, adolescent series completion rates are at 75.8%. Two vaccine doses are recommended for adolescents, but factors influencing 2-dose series completion are not well explored. The purpose of this study is to examine individual-level and community-level factors associated with timely human papillomavirus vaccine series completion among adolescents in the Southeastern U.S. ⋯ Individual-level and community-level factors continue to influence adolescent series completion, despite a reduction in doses. Future research is needed to understand racial/ethnic and regional disparities in human papillomavirus vaccine series completion and to develop interventions to promote series completion.
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Routine adolescent physical activity is a well-established predictor of positive health across the lifespan, although wide disparities in youth physical activity engagement persist across sex and race/ethnicity. Transportation barriers may be related to adolescents' ability to access physical activity opportunities. This study examines the association between neighborhood public transportation usage and adolescent physical activity using a national sample. ⋯ This study found an association between neighborhood public transportation usage and adolescent moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, particularly among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic adolescent girls. Findings from this research have the potential to inform targeted interventions for promoting adolescent physical activity to ultimately reduce chronic health disparities across the lifespan.
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Although risk factors often co-occur, previous studies examining lifestyle or psychosocial factors often treat these factors as individual predictors of health. This study aims to identify the underlying subgroups of women characterized by distinct lifestyle and psychosocial risk patterns and to investigate the prospective associations between risk patterns and mortality among postmenopausal women. ⋯ The class with concurrent risky lifestyle and psychosocial factors conveyed the greatest risk of all types of mortality than a low-risk ref group. Health promotion should address both behavioral and psychosocial risks concurrently.
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Interventions that increase physical activity behavior can reduce morbidity and prolong life, but long-term effects in large populations are unproven. This study investigates the association of medical fitness facility membership and frequency of attendance with all-cause mortality and rate of hospitalization. ⋯ Membership at a medical fitness facility was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality and hospitalizations. Healthcare systems should consider the medical fitness model as a preventative public health strategy to encourage physical activity participation.
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The Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. initiative considers cluster and outbreak response essential. This article describes the design, implementation, and early findings of a Philadelphia-based project to systematically assess sentinel cases among priority populations for improving public health infrastructure and preventing future outbreaks. ⋯ HIV sentinel case review is a model for health departments to rapidly respond to recent transmission, identify missed HIV prevention opportunities, strengthen community partnerships, and implement programmatic and policy changes. Such efforts may prevent outbreaks and inform longer-term strategies.