American journal of preventive medicine
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Susceptibility, or openness to smoking, is a predictor of future smoking. This study examines within-gender racial/ethnic differences in smoking susceptibility over historical time (1999-2018) and developmental age (11-18 years). ⋯ Twenty-year racial/ethnic differences in smoking susceptibility were evident, particularly among girls, but were mostly equivalent between genders over developmental age. Targeting susceptible adolescents with gender-, race/ethnic-, and age-tailored prevention efforts may prevent or delay adolescents' transition to tobacco use and reduce tobacco-related disparities.
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Low levels of physical activity are associated with several noncommunicable diseases. In Mexico, 39.5% of adolescents do not meet WHO physical activity guidelines. Previous literature suggests an association between perception of safety and physical activity. This paper examines the association between perceived crime and pedestrian safety and physical activity in Mexican adolescents. ⋯ Pedestrian safety was negatively associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sports participation in female youth. Environments with better lighting, crosswalks, and walking/cycle trails could increase physical activity in female youth.
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Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury death in the U.S. Restrictive alcohol policies protect against crashes involving alcohol above the legal blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%. Characteristics of motor vehicle crash fatalities involving blood alcohol concentrations below the limit and their relationships to alcohol control policies have not been well characterized. ⋯ The number of lower blood alcohol concentration fatalities is substantial. States with more restrictive alcohol policies tend to have reduced odds of lower blood alcohol concentration motor vehicle crashes than states with weaker policies.
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Exposure to violence victimization may help explain disparities of substance use among gender-nonconforming youth (i.e., those whose gender expression differs from societal expectations). ⋯ School-based substance use prevention programs may benefit from strategies that support gender diversity and reduce violence victimizations experienced by gender-nonconforming students, by providing a safe and supportive school environment.