American journal of preventive medicine
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Food insecurity is associated with poorer health, but the adverse consequences of food insecurity may extend beyond just health outcomes. Thus, this study examined the association between food insecurity and health insurance coverage, access to care, healthcare utilization, and financial hardships among U.S. adults. ⋯ These findings highlight the adverse consequences of food insecurity on access to and affordability of care for U.S. adults and families. Food insecurity can have far-reaching implications for the well-being of individuals and families.
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The proliferation of fentanyl and its analogs in illegal, unregulated drug markets remains a major driver of the overdose crisis in North America. Drug checking services have been implemented as a harm reduction strategy to address the crisis. However, little is known about their potential utility as a mechanism for monitoring population-level risk of overdose stemming from changing fentanyl concentration in unregulated drugs over time. Therefore, this study assessed the relationship between median fentanyl concentration in expected opioid drug checking samples and the death rate due to illicit drug toxicity over time in Vancouver, Canada. ⋯ Findings suggest a role for point-of-care drug checking as a tool for monitoring evolving overdose risk at the population level.
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Coprescribing naloxone with opioids could reduce the risk of overdose. By the end of 2020, 8 U.S. states implemented coprescribing laws requiring the prescription of naloxone alongside certain opioid prescriptions. This study examined the impacts of state laws that require coprescribing opioids and naloxone on codispensing practices. ⋯ Laws requiring coprescribing naloxone with certain opioid prescriptions are associated with small-in-magnitude increases in codispensing in some states. Broadening the categories of opioid prescriptions covered in naloxone coprescribing requirement laws and implementing health system strategies to encourage providers to coprescribe naloxone could help to magnify the impacts of these laws.
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Firearm injury-related hospitalizations in the U.S. cost $900 million annually. Before the Affordable Care Act, government insurance programs covered 41% of the costs. This study describes the impact of Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion and state-level firearm legislation on coverage and costs for firearm injuries. ⋯ Affordable Care Act expansion increased government coverage of hospitalizations for firearm injuries. Unintentional and self-harm costs were significantly higher for states with weak firearm legislation. States with weak firearm legislation that did not expand Medicaid had the highest proportion of uninsured/self-pay patients.
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Despite a gradual decline in cervical cancer mortality because of greater use of screening, including Pap and human papillomavirus (HPV) tests, disparities in screening among adult women by disability type have not been examined. This study aims to assess the odds of cervical cancer screening using HPV tests by disability type among U.S. women aged 25-64 years. ⋯ Disparities in screening with HPV tests among women with physical and ≥2 disabilities suggest the need for a targeted approach to improve prevention screening awareness, access, and availability in this population.