American journal of preventive medicine
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Multicenter Study
Prenatal Drinking in the Northern Plains: Differences Between American Indian and Caucasian Mothers.
Prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The study characterizes the pattern and risk factors of alcohol use during pregnancy for American Indian and Caucasian mothers in the Northern Plains. ⋯ Alcohol use was more prevalent among Caucasian mothers. Among those who consumed alcohol during pregnancy, American Indian mothers consumed larger quantities. Change of residence was found to be the sole risk factor for prenatal drinking among American Indian mothers, whereas different and multiple risk factors were found for Caucasian mothers.
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Comparative Study
Measuring the Incidence of Child Maltreatment Using Linked Data: A Two-State Comparison.
Measuring and comparing the incidence of child maltreatment is challenging. Linkage of statewide birth cohorts with Child Protective Services reports to study incident child maltreatment over the life course are becoming more common. This study compares the reported incidence between 2 states derived from population-based administrative data linkages. ⋯ Much of the difference in risk for child maltreatment observed between Alaska and California is most likely due to variation in the population structure by race as opposed to modifiable factors. Standardization is a simple method to adjust for population structure differences. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge regarding the use of linked administrative data to study maltreatment and provides insights into considerations for making comparisons or conducting cross-jurisdictional analyses based on commonly aligned data sets.
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The objective of this study is to assess the changes in rates of juvenile cannabis criminal allegations and racial disparities in Oregon after legalization of cannabis (July 2015) for adults. ⋯ Adult cannabis legalization in Oregon was associated with increased juvenile cannabis allegations; increases are not explained by changes in underage cannabis use. Relative disparities decreased for black youth but remained unchanged for American Indian/Alaska Native youth. Changing regulations following adult cannabis legalization could have unintended negative impacts on youth.
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Physical activity is known to be inversely associated with cigarette smoking among young people. However, evidence is not clear about the association between physical activity and e-cigarette use. Young people who otherwise lead a healthy lifestyle are attracted to e-cigarettes for nicotine or flavor consumption given the low harm perceptions associated with e-cigarette use. This is of concern given the potentially serious adverse health consequences of some forms of e-cigarette use. This study tested the hypotheses that increased physical activity is associated with lower levels of cigarette and e-cigarette use, both cross-sectionally and prospectively. ⋯ The prospective association between increased physical activity at baseline and higher e-cigarette use 6 months later is of concern. More research is needed to determine if this finding is replicable. Some plausible reasons for the observed associations are discussed.
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Progress in U.S. 5-year survival trends for all cancers combined was assessed using the North American Cancer Survival Index, a sum of age-, sex-, and cancer site-standardized relative survival ratios. ⋯ Cancer Survival Index survival estimates increased among all race and sex subpopulations during 2005-2014. A substantial but decreasing survival gap persisted between blacks and whites. The Cancer Survival Index can assist decision makers and others in comparing cancer survival among populations and over time and in monitoring progress toward national cancer surveillance objectives.