American journal of preventive medicine
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Acute alcohol intoxication is a contributing factor in firearm-involved suicides. However, knowledge of the relationship between alcohol intoxication and firearm-involved suicide by age and sex (defined herein as the biological sex of the decedent) is limited. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the sex- and age group-specific relationship between alcohol intoxication and firearm-involved suicide. ⋯ Among males of all ages and young and middle-aged females, alcohol intoxication was associated with increased risk of suicide by firearm-an extremely lethal method that accounts for a majority of suicides in the U.S.-compared to their non-intoxicated counterparts. Interventions targeting excessive alcohol consumption may be effective in reducing suicide mortality rates.
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Ambient heat exposure is a risk factor for suicide in many regions of the world. However, little is known about the extent to which life expectancy has been shortened by heat-related suicide deaths. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of heat on suicide mortality and quantify the reduced life expectancy associated with heat in China. ⋯ Heat exposure was associated with an increased risk of suicide and reduced life expectancy. However, further prospective studies are required to confirm this relationship.
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Approximately 7.2% of individuals in the U.S. smoke during pregnancy, and cessation is associated with excessive gestational weight gain (GWG). Weight gain is a common reason for not quitting smoking or relapsing. The current study aimed to characterize who is at risk for excessive GWG and determine the moderating effect of rurality given the higher smoking rates and lower access to healthcare services in these areas. ⋯ Smoking cessation and weight management during pregnancy are critical to promoting infant and maternal health. Targeted interventions combining weight management and smoking cessation have been successful among the general population and could be adapted for pregnant individuals who smoke to facilitate cessation and healthy GWG in both urban and rural areas.
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Few studies have evaluated the global burden of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in adolescents and young adults (AYAs). ⋯ The burden of IHD in AYAs remains high globally, and varies by age, sex, (male/female), region, and country. Targeted measures are needed to address the rising burden of IHD in AYAs, focusing on prevention, early diagnosis, and reduction in disparities.
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The prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is rapidly increasing throughout the world. T2DM is primarily a self-managed disease yet clinical studies indicate that a large proportion of adults with T2DM struggle to self-manage their diabetes. This puts them at high risk of developing diabetes-related complications. This study presents Diabetes Cam, a new methodology to objectively study T2DM self-management and identify its barriers and facilitators. ⋯ The Diabetes Cam methodology enabled automated, objective observation of participants' T2DM self-management and their perspectives on self-management. It provides unique insights into diabetes self-management and ways to improve diabetes self-management. It provides valuable data to develop strategies to enhance diabetes self-management for people living with diabetes, their families, the wider community, health professionals, and policymakers.