American journal of preventive medicine
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Healthcare systems are increasingly interested in identifying patients' housing-related risks, but minimal information exists to inform screening question selection. The primary study aim is to evaluate discordance among 5 housing-related screening questions used in health care. ⋯ The 5 housing questions captured different housing-related risks, contributed to different health consequences, and were relevant to different subpopulations. Before implementing housing-related screening initiatives, health systems should understand how specific measures surface distinct housing-related barriers. Measure selection should depend on program goals and intervention resources.
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The Veterans Choice Program expanded Veteran access to community care. The Veterans Choice Program may negatively impact the receipt of preventive care services owing to care fragmentation. This study assesses 10 measures of preventive care in Veterans with the Department of Veterans Affairs coverage before and after the Veterans Choice Program. ⋯ Veterans with Veterans Affairs coverage and diabetes had an increase in podiatry visits after Veterans Choice Program implementation. There was no evidence that Veterans Choice Program implementation had a negative impact on the receipt of preventive care services among Veterans with Veterans Affairs coverage.
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The response to the COVID-19 pandemic became increasingly politicized in the U.S., and the political affiliation of state leaders may contribute to policies affecting the spread of the disease. This study examines the differences in COVID-19 infection, death, and testing by governor party affiliation across the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. ⋯ Gubernatorial party affiliation may drive policy decisions that impact COVID-19 infections and deaths across the U.S. Future policy decisions should be guided by public health considerations rather than by political ideology.
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Use of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in nonimmunocompromised adults aged ≥65 years is controversial. Higher-valency conjugate vaccines (15-valent and 20-valent ) are under development; their potential cost effectiveness in older adults is unknown, particularly when potential indirect (herd immunity) effects from childhood vaccination are considered. ⋯ In-development pneumococcal conjugate vaccines may be economically unreasonable in older adults, regardless of serotype effectiveness assumptions, particularly when considering potential indirect effects from use of those vaccines in children. Adult vaccines containing high-risk serotypes not contained in childhood vaccines may be more promising.