American journal of preventive medicine
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Research has linked youth exposure and engagement with tobacco-related content on social media to behavioral changes; however, there is a lack of studies exploring the source and types of such content and their impact on youth's susceptibility to tobacco use. This study examined the association between the type and source of content posted on social media and susceptibility to tobacco use, defined as curiosity or intention to use tobacco or e-cigarettes. ⋯ Regular exposure to tobacco-related content on social media, particularly content shared by celebrities and social media influencers, was associated with susceptibility to tobacco use. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the effects of social media influencers on youth.
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This is a retrospective study that examines the risk of non-COVID-19 respiratory infection (RI)-related emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations among autistic adults. The study compares these findings to non-autistic adults using the 2018 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Emergency Department Sample. ⋯ Individuals with autism were more likely to experience emergency department visits and hospitalizations because of respiratory infections than individuals without autism. Amid growing evidence of the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the autistic population, the study findings highlight a broader, pre-existing burden of respiratory infections among adults with autism in the U.S. that extend beyond the recent pandemic.
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Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with increased mortality. AKI-related mortality trends by U.S. urban and rural counties were assessed. ⋯ Multidisciplinary efforts are needed to increase AKI awareness and implement strategies to reduce AKI-related mortality in rural and high-risk populations.
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Tobacco cessation remains a critical challenge in healthcare, with evidence-based interventions often underutilized due to misaligned economic incentives and inadequate training. This study aims to quantify the economic impact of missed billing opportunities for tobacco cessation in a healthcare system, thereby assessing potential revenue loss and evaluating the effectiveness of systems-based approaches to enhancing tobacco cessation efforts. ⋯ The study reveals a significant gap between the potential and actual billing for tobacco cessation services, highlighting not only the financial implications of missed opportunities but also a validation of a health system's public health impact. Underbilling contributes to considerable annual revenue loss and undermines primary prevention efforts against tobacco-related diseases. The findings illuminate the need for enhanced billing practices and systemic changes, including policy improvements that influence proper billing to promote public health benefits through improved tobacco cessation interventions.
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Universal Basic Income (UBI) policies have the potential to promote a wide range of public health objectives by providing those who qualify with direct cash payments. One overlooked mechanism of particular importance to health researchers is the possibility that guaranteed income might increase consultation of primary and preventive care (e.g., annual doctors' visits; regular vaccination against infectious disease) by providing people with both the time and monetary resources to do so, thereby improving general health. ⋯ Enhanced UBI payments ought to be thought about as a form of health policy, as they have the potential to advance a wide range of health objectives related to preventive care.