American journal of preventive medicine
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People with serious mental illness experience substantially reduced life expectancy, likely due in part to their higher smoking rates relative to the general population. However, the extent to which smoking affects their life expectancy, independent of mental illness, is unknown. This study quantifies the potential contribution of smoking to reduced life expectancy among individuals with serious psychological distress (SPD), a measure that screens for serious mental illness in national surveys. ⋯ The life expectancy difference between current smokers with SPD and never smokers without SPD is primarily due to smoking. Aiding individuals with serious mental illness to avoid smoking will translate into sizeable gains in life expectancy.
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Routine influenza vaccination of healthcare personnel (HCP) can reduce influenza-related illness and its potentially serious consequences among HCP and their patients. Influenza vaccination has been routinely recommended for HCP since 1984. ⋯ Influenza vaccination coverage was higher among HCP than non-HCP, but still below the national target of 90%. Vaccination coverage varied widely by occupation type, work settings, and demographic characteristics. Evidence-based interventions, such as making vaccine available at no cost in the workplace and active promotion of vaccination, are needed to increase influenza vaccination among HCP in all healthcare settings.
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The objective of this study was to assess dental service utilization across different Asian immigrant groups and to examine the relationship between acculturation and dental service utilization among Asian immigrants in the U.S. ⋯ Length of stay in the U.S. is a significant factor affecting dental service utilization among Asian immigrants.
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To be suitable for informing digital behavior change interventions, theories and models of behavior change need to capture individual variation and changes over time. The aim of this paper is to provide recommendations for development of models and theories that are informed by, and can inform, digital behavior change interventions based on discussions by international experts, including behavioral, computer, and health scientists and engineers. ⋯ The "state" is that of the individual based on multiple variables that define the "space" when a mechanism of action may produce the effect. A state-space representation can be used to help guide theorizing and identify crossdisciplinary methodologic strategies for improving measurement, experimental design, and analysis that can feasibly match the complexity of real-world behavior change via digital behavior change interventions.
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The onset of cigarette smoking typically occurs during childhood or early adolescence. Nicotine dependence symptoms can manifest soon after onset, contributing to sustained, long-term smoking. Previous reviews have not clarified the determinants of onset. ⋯ Predictors of smoking onset for which there is robust evidence should be considered in the design of interventions to prevent first puff in order to optimize their effectiveness. Future research should seek to define onset clearly as the transition from never use to first use (e.g., first few puffs).