American journal of preventive medicine
-
More than 200 million children fail to reach their full developmental potential in low- and middle-income countries. Adverse childhood experiences, maternal mental health, and intimate partner violence are negatively associated with child development outcomes. The relationship of these risk factors with child communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social development scores in Brazil are assessed. ⋯ Adverse childhood experiences were independently associated with developmental outcomes in Brazilian children. Community-based interventions to reduce the impact of adverse childhood experiences, intimate partner violence, and maternal mental health may benefits child development outcomes.
-
Publicly funded family planning clinics provide preventive health services to low-income populations in the U.S. In recent years, several states, including Ohio, have restricted public funds for organizations that provide or refer patients to abortion care, often resulting in clinic closures. This research evaluates the effects of such closures on preventive service use and access to care among female adults in Ohio. ⋯ Reduced access to family planning clinics was associated with unmet care due to cost and a reduction in preventive service use among low-income, reproductive-aged females.
-
Health literacy is a critical determinant of health. However, the association between health literacy and outcomes among Chinese residents has not been studied using nationally representative data. This study examines the association between health literacy and self-rated health among Chinese residents based on the 2017 China Health Literacy Survey. ⋯ Using nationally representative data collected in 2017, this study found that self-rated health is associated with health literacy among Chinese residents aged 15-69 years. The promotion of health literacy should be an important component of health education, patient management, and health promotion.
-
Medical abortion is a safe, effective, and often preferred method of terminating an unintended pregnancy, but access can be made difficult by the laws of a state. Despite modern efforts to prevent unintended pregnancies in the U.S., they comprise almost half of pregnancies and 95% of abortions, signifying that abortion is a necessary and desired healthcare service. This study's purpose is to describe the proliferation of American medical abortion access laws between 2000 and 2018. ⋯ Although evidence demonstrates medical abortion's safety and efficacy, its access is increasingly limited by law in many states. Further research examining the impacts of these laws on women's health and the consequences of unintended births on women, children, families, and society is needed.
-
Diabetes incidence differs by race in the U.S., with a persistent reported Black-White disparity. However, the factors that contribute to this excess risk in middle-aged and older adults are unclear. ⋯ The racial disparity in diabetes incidence remained after accounting for individual and neighborhood factors. Further investigation of additional factors underlying this racial disparity is needed to inform multilevel strategies for diabetes prevention.