American journal of preventive medicine
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Menu calorie labeling has been implemented in food service businesses to promote healthy food choices; however, evidence is limited on whether label use is associated with healthier dietary intake. This study examined the association between menu calorie label use and diet quality and whether it varied by weight status. ⋯ Using menu calorie labels was associated with modestly healthier diet quality than not noticing labels, regardless of weight status. This suggests that providing caloric information may help some adults with food decisions.
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Concerns about the opportunity costs of social screening initiatives have led some healthcare organizations to consider using social deprivation indices (area-level social risks) as proxies for self-reported needs (individual-level social risks). Yet, little is known about the effectiveness of such substitutions across different populations. ⋯ These findings provide additional evidence that area-level deprivation indices may be inconsistent indicators of individual-level social risks, supporting policy efforts to promote individual-level social screening programs in healthcare settings.
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Young adults' cannabis and alcohol use patterns have changed after state recreational cannabis legalization according to studies based on college samples but not nationally representative samples. Associations between recreational cannabis legalization and changes in cannabis and alcohol use outcomes among young adults were examined, including differences by college enrollment and minor status (ages 18-20 vs 21-23 years). ⋯ Some young adults appear sensitive to state recreational cannabis legalization, including in terms of cannabis use disorder risk. Additional prevention efforts should be directed to young adults who are not in college and timed to occur before age 21 years.
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Cigarette packaging is designed to increase consumer appeal and remains a primary promotional tool in many countries, including the U.S. This study documented changes in the prevalence of pack characteristics among the top-selling cigarette products in the U.S. in 2018 and 2021. ⋯ The use of visual and named colors remains common, which can implicitly communicate sensory or health-related attributes. Moreover, promotions may help recruit and retain consumers in the context of more restrictive tobacco control policies and price increases. Given the strong influence that cigarette packaging exerts on consumers, packaging-focused policies, such as plain packaging laws, may reduce appeal and accelerate declines in cigarette use.
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This study examined national trends in age, sex, racial and ethnic, and socioeconomic inequalities for diagnosed diabetes prevalence and incidence among U.S. adults from 2008 to 2021. ⋯ From 2008 to 2021, age, sex, racial and ethnic, and education inequalities in the incidence of diagnosed diabetes improved but persisted. Income-related diabetes prevalence inequalities worsened over time. To close these gaps, future research could focus on identifying the factors driving these trends, including the contribution of morbidity and mortality.