American journal of preventive medicine
-
This study examines prenatal care adequacy among women with physical, sensory, and intellectual/developmental disabilities, compared with that among women without disabilities. ⋯ There are variations in prenatal care adequacy by maternal disability status. Disparities in prenatal care access for women with disabilities, particularly those with intellectual/developmental disabilities, need to be addressed.
-
Childhood physical, sexual, and emotional abuse are linked to adult obesity, and little is known about what protective factors might mitigate this association. ⋯ Factors previously found to promote resilience to mental health sequelae after abuse did not modify the association of severe child abuse with higher weight status.
-
Most previous studies on food insecurity and cardiovascular disease risk factors are cross-sectional. Without longitudinal data, it is unclear whether food insecurity precedes poor health and how exposure timing impacts these relationships. ⋯ After covariate adjustment, food insufficiency was associated with several cardiovascular disease risk factors. Findings from this study should be replicated in other settings and populations. If verified, this evidence could provide justification for intervening in food insecurity to reduce future cardiovascular disease risk.
-
The U.S. Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion, which allowed states to expand Medicaid coverage to low-income adults beginning in 2014, has reduced the risk factors for child neglect and physical abuse, including parental financial insecurity, substance use, and untreated mental illness. This study examines the associations between Medicaid expansion and the rates of overall, first-time, and repeat reports of child neglect and physical abuse incidents per 100,000 children aged 0-5, 6-12, and 13-17 years. ⋯ Insurance expansions for low-income adults may reduce child neglect.
-
Data from the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey indicated that cigars were the most commonly used combustible tobacco product in the past 30 days among youth. This study uses 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey data to report the prevalence estimates and characteristics of current cigar use, overall and by cigar type, among middle- and high-school students in the U.S. ⋯ Cigar smoking was highest among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic youth. More than half of youth cigar smokers reported using flavored cigars, and most were also currently using other tobacco products. Cigarillos were the most reported cigar type used by youth, followed by regular cigars. These findings highlight the continued importance of youth tobacco use reduction strategies and can inform policy development.