American journal of preventive medicine
-
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest nutrition assistance program in the U.S. This study's objective was to examine the associations between SNAP participation and young children's health and development, caregiver health, and family economic hardships. ⋯ Participation in SNAP is associated with reduced household and child food insecurity, lower odds of poor health and growth and developmental risk among infants and toddlers, and reduced hardships because of healthcare costs for their families. Improved SNAP participation and increased SNAP benefits that match the regional cost of food may be effective preventive health strategies for promoting the well-being of families with young children.
-
A previous Minnesota SimSmoke tobacco control policy model is extended to more recent years and to include smokeless tobacco use. ⋯ As cigarettes remain the dominant form of nicotine delivery product, cigarette-oriented policies may be an effective means of reducing the use of all nicotine delivery products. However, noncigarette-oriented policies may also play an important role.
-
Research has linked educational risk to various risky health behaviors (e.g., drug use, violence, risky sexual behaviors). This study builds upon this research by examining the link between additional health lifestyle indicators-nutritional risk factors, low sleep quantity, and low exercise frequency-and academic risk factors among a recent, nationally representative sample of adolescents. ⋯ Findings suggest that activities that promote adolescent health across multiple dimensions (i.e., nutrition, physical exercise, and sleep) may also promote academic engagement and expectations for future academic achievements.
-
With the ongoing opioid overdose epidemic in the U.S., it is important to explore how prescription opioid misuse correlates with health behaviors that increase the risk for adverse health outcomes among adolescents. The objective of this study is to determine if lifetime nonmedical use of prescription opioids is associated with health risk behaviors among adolescents. ⋯ Nonmedical use of prescription opioids is associated with many health risk behaviors. Opportunities to reduce nonmedical use of prescription opioids include screening pediatric patients for opioid use disorder, improved prescribing practices, and, from a primary prevention perspective, integrated evidence-based health education programs in schools.
-
Variations exist in insurance coverage of smoking-cessation treatments and cigarette smokers' use of these treatments. Recent trends in cessation behaviors by health insurance status have not been reported. This study examines trends in quit attempts, provider advice to quit, and use of cessation counseling and/or medications among adult cigarette smokers by insurance status. Demographic correlates of these cessation behaviors are also identified. ⋯ Despite increased use of cessation treatments among Medicaid enrollees, disparities by insurance status persist in adult cessation behaviors. Opportunities exist to increase cessation by making comprehensive, barrier-free cessation coverage available to all smokers.