American journal of preventive medicine
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Long COVID encompasses a wide range of health problems that emerge, persist, or recur following acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) illness. Given that the prevalence of self-reported Long COVID is highest among U.S. adults in their prime working years, it is important to identify unmet needs and gaps in healthcare access and coverage among working-age adults. ⋯ These findings may be used to inform healthcare planning for adults experiencing Long COVID and highlight the ongoing need to improve access and affordability of quality and comprehensive care.
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The objective of this study is to determine the difference in rates of new-onset type 2 diabetes (T2D) for individuals who have had metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) and similar individuals who did not have MBS, and to determine whether differences in new-onset T2D differ depending on whether the individual had prediabetes at baseline. ⋯ This study demonstrated patients with obesity and without T2D who undergo MBS are significantly less likely to develop new-onset T2D compared to matched non-MBS patients.
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Review
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings: A Systematic Economic Review of Patient Navigation Services.
This paper examined the economic evidence of patient navigation services to increase breast and cervical cancer screenings among historically disadvantaged racial and ethnic populations and people with lower incomes. ⋯ All estimates of cost per QALY/LY saved for breast cancer screening were below a conservative threshold of $50,000 indicating that patient navigation services for breast cancer screening were cost-effective. There is limited evidence to determine cost-effectiveness of patient navigation services for cervical cancer screening.
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Discrimination in Medical Settings across Populations: Evidence from the All of Us Research Program.
Discrimination in medical settings (DMS) contributes to healthcare disparities in the United States, but few studies have determined the extent of DMS in a large national sample and across different populations. This study estimated the national prevalence of DMS and described demographic and health-related characteristics associated with experiencing DMS in seven different situations. ⋯ The findings indicate a high prevalence of DMS, particularly among some population groups. Characterizing DMS may be a valuable tool for identifying populations at risk within the healthcare system and optimizing the overall patient care experience. Implementing relevant policies remains an essential strategy for mitigating the prevalence of DMS and reducing healthcare disparities.
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Secondhand smoke exposure increases the risk of premature death and disease in children and non-smoking adults. As a result, many U.S. states and local jurisdictions have enacted comprehensive indoor smoking restrictions (ISR). Indoor vaping restrictions (IVR) have also been adopted to protect against exposure to secondhand e-cigarette aerosol. This study aimed to quantify state and national U.S. coverage of policies restricting indoor cigarette and e-cigarette use over time. ⋯ The percentage of the U.S. population protected by ISR and IVR has increased over time. However, gaps in coverage remain, which may contribute to disparities in tobacco-related disease and death.