American journal of preventive medicine
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This study connects the aggregate strength of public health policies taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. states to the governors' party affiliations and to state-level outcomes. Understanding the relationship between politics and public health measures can better prepare American communities for what to expect from their governments in a future crisis and encourage advocacy for delegating public health decisions to medical professionals. ⋯ Public health measures were stricter in the Democrat-led states, and stricter public health measures were associated with a slower growth of COVID-19 cases. The apparent politicization of public health measures suggests that public health decision making by health professionals rather than by political incumbents could be beneficial.
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Adherence to medications for cardiovascular disease and its risk factors is less than optimal, although greater adherence to medication has been shown to reduce the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This paper examines the economics of tailored pharmacy interventions to improve medication adherence for cardiovascular disease prevention and management. ⋯ The evidence shows that tailored pharmacy-based interventions to improve medication adherence are cost effective for cardiovascular disease prevention. For cardiovascular disease management, healthcare cost averted exceeds the cost of implementation for a favorable return on investment from a healthcare systems perspective.
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E-cigarette use may be associated prospectively with subsequent cannabis use among U.S. adolescents. However, it remains unclear whether this association differs by individual mental health status. This longitudinal study examines effect modifications by mental health status. ⋯ Baseline e-cigarette use and endorsement of severe internalizing mental health/externalizing mental health problems were significantly associated with subsequent cannabis use among U.S. adolescents. Efforts to reduce youth vaping and improve youth mental health could help curb cannabis initiation. Tailored interventions may be warranted for e-cigarette‒using adolescents with internalizing mental health problems.
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In response to the opioid overdose crisis, providers were urged to taper and discontinue patients from long-term opioid therapy; however, abrupt discontinuation may lead to poor health outcomes. This study aims to determine abrupt and tapered discontinuation rates and identify the patient and provider characteristics associated with abrupt discontinuation. ⋯ Among all long-term opioid therapy discontinuations, abrupt discontinuation is increasing. Evidence-based approaches to managing and tapering long-term opioid therapy are urgently needed.