American journal of preventive medicine
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Investments in historically oppressed neighborhoods through food retail, housing, and commercial development are hypothesized to improve residents' health, nutrition, and perceptions of their neighborhood as a place to live. Although place-based development (e.g., housing, retail, business assistance) is happening in many communities, there is little evidence of the long-term correlates of multiple investments such as health and nutrition among residents. ⋯ Multiple place-based investments in neighborhoods can potentially induce positive change for residents in health and nutrition outcomes.
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The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in changes in prescription patterns and fillings for certain medications, but little is known about its impact on the dispensing of cardiovascular drugs. ⋯ Although the COVID-19 pandemic did not appear to result in significant changes in patterns of cardiovascular drug dispensing in Norway, continued access to cardiovascular drugs remains important to prevent further related morbidity.
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Exclusive breastfeeding is advantageous for infant neurodevelopment. Nevertheless, insufficient human milk supply in exclusively breastfed infants may elevate the risk of neonatal jaundice, which can potentially result in neurological harm. Whether mothers should adhere to exclusive breastfeeding in infants with neonatal jaundice remains unclear. ⋯ Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months is beneficial to the neurodevelopment of infants, especially in those with severe neonatal jaundice.
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This study assesses disparities in medications for opioid use disorder in adults with opioid use disorder and examines the associations between state-level COVID-19 lockdown and telehealth policies and medications for opioid use disorder utilization rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ Monthly medications for opioid use disorder rates increased during the pandemic, with higher rates in men, White individuals, and residents of the Northeast region. States with policies permitting telehealth prescribing of controlled substances also had higher medications for opioid use disorder rates, supporting a future expansion of medications for opioid use disorder-related telehealth to improve access to care.
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Excise taxes on unhealthy products like sugary drinks and tobacco can reduce purchases of these products. However, little research has investigated whether messages at the point of purchase, such as enhanced price tags, can increase the effects of taxes by heightening psychological reactions. This study aimed to examine whether including messages about taxes on price tags could amplify the benefits of excise taxes on unhealthy products. ⋯ Messaging on price tags could make excise taxes more effective. Policymakers should consider requiring messaging on price tags when implementing taxes.