American journal of preventive medicine
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The evidence hierarchy in public health emphasizes longitudinal studies, whereas social media monitoring relies on aggregate analyses. Authors propose integrating longitudinal analyses into social media monitoring by creating a digital cohort of individual account holders, as demonstrated by a case study analysis of people who vape. ⋯ By aligning with standard epidemiologic surveillance practices, this approach can greatly enhance the usefulness of social media monitoring in informing public health decision making, such as yielding insights into the timing of cessation behaviors among people who vape.
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Food insecurity is associated with the development of substance misuse and use disorders (SUD). This study sought to estimate associations between state Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility policies and substance-related outcomes. ⋯ Expanded SNAP eligibility could help reduce rates of substance misuse and SUD. Opting out of the federal disqualification on SNAP participation for those with felony drug convictions may be particularly beneficial.
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Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death among women of reproductive age (women aged 18-44 years). This study estimated hypertension prevalence and control among women of reproductive age at the national and state levels using electronic health record data. ⋯ This study provides the first state-level estimates of hypertension control among women of reproductive age. Electronic health record data complements traditional hypertension surveillance data and provides further information for efforts to prevent and manage hypertension among women of reproductive age.
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This study documents cost trends in oral anticoagulants (OAC) in patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation. ⋯ There was a substantial increase in the overall cost burden of OACs and OAC initiation rates in patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in 2014-2021; these findings provide insights into the current and anticipated impact of rising drug prices on patients' and payers' financial burden.
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Observational Study
Gaps in U.S. Public Health Monitoring and Surveillance Systems in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico (PR) has an ambiguous status within Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) public health monitoring and surveillance systems. However, as a U.S. territory, PR relies on federal health resource allocation processes that are informed by these data sources. This study sought to quantify the coverage of PR within CDC-supported systems compared with the 50 states, describe coverage across critical system-types, and assess the availability of data collection instruments in Spanish. ⋯ There are significant gaps in the coverage of PR within CDC-supported systems. Future efforts must be made to identify the reasons for this exclusion and increase the territory's representation within these essential public health data systems.