American journal of preventive medicine
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Herpes zoster increases stroke and myocardial infarction risk. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of live attenuated zoster vaccination on stroke and myocardial infarction risk in patients at risk of zoster, including those with hypertension, diabetes mellites, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, asthma, and chronic liver disease. ⋯ Live attenuated zoster vaccination is associated with lower risk of stroke and myocardial infarction in adults with at-risk comorbidities, controlling for age and sex. Vaccination may provide cardiovascular benefits beyond zoster prevention.
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The number of U.S. adults who own and carry a firearm for self-defense is rising. Research has established that owning or carrying a firearm increases the risk of injury and death for firearm owners and the people in their lives. This study sought to better understand this paradox by estimating associations of perceived specific and diffuse threats with firearm behaviors among U.S. adults. ⋯ Perceived threats are associated with firearm behaviors among U.S. men, even after accounting for the actual violence they report experiencing or witnessing.
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Youth experience significant mental health (MH) needs, and gender- and racially/ethnically-diverse youth are less likely than peers to receive care. School-based health centers (SBHCs) are a healthcare delivery model that may decrease disparities. This study examined the role of SBHCs in reducing disparities in MH care receipt among SBHC clients. ⋯ SBHCs may reach youth who are traditionally less likely to seek care in other settings, including racially/ethnically- and gender-diverse youth. As in other settings, engaging males in healthcare is an area for improvement. These findings help to demonstrate the potential of SBHCs for decreasing disparities in mental health care.
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Successful delivery of the virtual Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) is influenced by a beneficiary's access to a computer and use of the Internet. ⋯ Approximately 30% of potentially MDPP-eligible beneficiaries (representing ∼6 million beneficiaries) lacked full digital access. Efforts to encourage enrollment in the virtual MDPP must address digital disparities for beneficiaries at-risk for type 2 diabetes.
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Gynecological diseases ranked second among new cases of noncommunicable diseases in women of reproductive age in 1990 and 2019 globally. The aim of this study was to estimate the disease burden of gynecological diseases and describe their trends in women of all ages from 1990 to 2019. ⋯ Although the disease burden of gynecological diseases decreased slightly between 1990 and 2019 globally, it remained highest in low socioeconomic development index countries. The disease burden in 20-24-year age group exhibited the fastest growth, with polycystic ovary syndrome and other types of benign disorders playing a significant role. Urgent and effective measures should be taken to target different age groups, types of gynecological disease, and regions with high disease burdens.