American journal of preventive medicine
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Observational Study
Cancer Evaluations During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Observational Study Using National Veterans Affairs Data.
Fewer cancer diagnoses have been made during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pandemic-related delays in cancer diagnosis could occur from limited access to care or patient evaluation delays (e.g., delayed testing after abnormal results). Follow-up of abnormal test results warranting evaluation for cancer was examined before and during the pandemic. ⋯ Although early pandemic delays in follow-up may have led to reduced cancer rates, the significant decrease in tests performed is likely a large driver of these reductions. Future emergency preparedness efforts should bolster essential follow-up and testing procedures to facilitate timely cancer diagnosis.
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This study investigated the association between longitudinal smoking habit changes and cancer risk in a cohort of Korean women. ⋯ This study found a significant association between changes in smoking behavior and cancer risk. These findings suggest that smoking cessation is critical for cancer prevention in women.
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There is substantial debate concerning the impact of cannabis decriminalization and legalization on road safety outcomes. ⋯ Increased cannabis positivity may reflect changes in cannabis use; however, it does not in itself indicate increased impaired driving. Subgroups impacted by medical and recreational legalization, respectively, likely explain opposing findings for fatal collisions. More research is needed concerning cannabis decriminalization; the impacts of decriminalization and legalization on nonfatal injuries, alcohol and other drugs; and the mechanisms by which legalization impacts road safety outcomes.
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This study aimed to examine the heterogeneity of the associations between social determinants and COVID-19 fully vaccinated rate. ⋯ The findings challenge the 1-size-fits-all approach to designing interventions promoting COVID-19 vaccination and highlight the importance of a place-based perspective in ecological health research.
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The expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act increased access to health care for millions of low-income Americans. However, the longer-term impacts of the policy on cancer outcomes remain unknown. This study examined the impact of Medicaid expansion on early- and late-stage diagnosis for 4 common cancers (breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung) using 4 full years of postpolicy data. ⋯ Study results highlight the positive impacts of Medicaid expansion on earlier diagnosis of several cancers for which screening and early detection exist, and subgroup analyses revealed greater positive effects among Medicaid-insured patients most targeted by the policy.