American journal of preventive medicine
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Allostatic load (AL) is a significant marker of aging, associated with disease and mortality. Research has elucidated the impact of education and income on AL. However, the roles of wealth and discrimination in contributing to AL and shaping AL disparities remain underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the association between wealth and AL, while also examining the independent contributions of education, income, wealth, and everyday discrimination in shaping AL disparities. ⋯ Education, income, wealth, and experiences of discrimination may independently contribute to AL and partially explain Black-White disparities in AL. There is a need to elucidate the underlying mechanisms governing these relationships, particularly wealth, and extend the research to additional social determinants of racial health disparities.
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The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all adults be screened for alcohol use and those with hazardous use be provided a brief discussion. However, it is unclear to what extent healthcare providers screen for and discuss alcohol use with cancer survivors. ⋯ Cancer survivors are being screened for alcohol use, but heavier users are infrequently advised by healthcare providers to reduce their consumption.
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This study analyzed the contribution of firearms to pregnancy-associated mortality from homicide and suicide. ⋯ Although there are differences in demographic characteristics between victims, interpersonal violence is associated with both pregnancy-associated homicides and suicides where a firearm was involved.
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The U.S. age-adjusted suicide rate is 35% higher than two decades ago and the COVID-19 pandemic era highlighted the urgent need to address nonfatal self-harm, particularly among youth. This study aimed to report the estimated annual economic cost of U.S. suicide and nonfatal self-harm. ⋯ Suicide and self-harm have substantial societal costs. Measuring the consequences in terms of comprehensive economic cost can inform investments in suicide prevention strategies.
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Higher levels of perceived stress are associated with adverse cardiovascular health. It is plausible that these associations are attenuated among individuals with positive psychological factors such as social support and health-enhancing behaviors. Therefore, this study examined longitudinal associations of chronic stress with cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, and whether social support and physical activity (PA) modify these associations. ⋯ Chronic stress was associated with the risk of having a CVD event among middle-aged adults, due at least in part to clinical mediators. Studies should continue exploring positive psychosocial and behavioral factors that may modify this association.