American journal of preventive medicine
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Historically, foreign-born women in the U.S. are less likely to be screened and are more likely to die from cervical cancer when compared with their U.S.-born counterparts. In order to inform prevention efforts and reduce this health disparity, mortality data were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics to describe cervical cancer mortality among U.S.- and foreign-born women. ⋯ Efforts that work to increase cervical cancer screening access and guideline compliance might further reduce the cervical cancer deaths in the U.S., and the excess burden observed among older foreign-born women.
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This study aims to assess the effect of individual and geographic-level social determinants of health on risk of hospitalization in the Veterans Health Administration primary care clinics known as the Patient Aligned Care Team. ⋯ By linking patient and population-level data at a geographic level, social determinants of health assessments can help with designing population health interventions and identifying features leading to potentially unnecessary hospitalization in selected geographic areas that appear to be outliers.
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The relationship of health risk behavior and disease in adulthood to the breadth of exposure to childhood emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, and household dysfunction during childhood has not previously been described. ⋯ We found a strong graded relationship between the breadth of exposure to abuse or household dysfunction during childhood and multiple risk factors for several of the leading causes of death in adults.
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Energy drinks refer to non-alcoholic beverages that contain caffeine, amino acids, herbs, and vitamins. Although energy drinks are marketed to reduce fatigue and improve physical/mental performance, frequent consumption of these beverages has been linked to negative health consequences. The purpose of this study is to provide timely, national estimates of the percentage of energy drink consumers in the U.S. and to analyze trends in energy drink intake between 2003 and 2016. ⋯ These findings indicate that consumption of energy drinks has grown substantially and that these drinks are a major source of caffeine among those who consume them.
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The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a food assistance program that helps Americans afford a healthy diet. However, its influence on children's weight status is unclear. This review examined the evidence of the relationship between SNAP participation and child weight. ⋯ SNAP participation may help boys maintain a healthy body weight but can be a contributing factor in being overweight or obese in girls who are long-term participants, or who are already overweight. Food security and participation in multiple food assistance programs may be important modifiers. These findings are relevant to policymakers who are considering reducing SNAP funding or restructuring the program. Further research that utilizes strong designs is needed.