American journal of preventive medicine
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Review Meta Analysis
Hot Food and Beverage Consumption and the Risk of Esophageal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.
Esophageal cancer is a neoplasm with a poor prognosis. Its two histologic subtypes, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), have been associated with different risk factors. The possibility of an association between the consumption of hot food and beverages and esophageal cancer, especially ESCC, has long been suspected, presenting a potentially modifiable risk factor. A meta-analysis of existing observational studies was performed to provide a quantitative estimate of the risk of esophageal cancer associated with the consumption of hot food and drink. ⋯ The consumption of hot food and beverages was associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer, particularly ESCC.
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Quitting smoking at any age confers health benefits. However, studies have suggested that quitting by age 35 years leads to mortality rates similar to never smokers. This study assessed whether the mean and median ages of past-year quitting and prevalence of past-year quit attempts and successful quitting by age group changed over time. ⋯ Although the average age of quitting did not change over time, increases in past-year quit attempts and successful quitting occurred among adults aged 25-44 years. Proven population-level interventions--including price increases, mass media campaigns, comprehensive smoke-free policies, and health systems interventions--should be continued to further increase cessation, particularly among younger adults.
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Reducing racial/ethnic disparities in immunization rates is a compelling public health goal. Disparities in childhood vaccination rates have not been observed in recent years for most vaccines. The objective of this study is to assess adult vaccination by race/ethnicity in the U.S. ⋯ Racial and ethnic differences in vaccination levels narrow when adjusting for socioeconomic factors analyzed in this survey, but are not eliminated, suggesting that other factors that are associated with vaccination disparities are not measured by the National Health Interview Survey and could also contribute to the differences in coverage. Additional efforts, including systems changes to ensure routine assessment and recommendations for needed vaccinations among adults for all racial/ethnic groups, are essential for improving vaccine coverage.
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Use of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines among children in the U. S. since 2000 has dramatically reduced pneumococcal disease burden among adults. Significant vaccine-preventable morbidity and mortality from pneumococcal infections still remains, especially among older adults. ⋯ These recommendations were based on the remaining burden of illness among adults and the importance of non-bacteremic pneumonia prevention in light of new evidence confirming the efficacy of PCV13 to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia among older adults. This paper reviews the evidence that led ACIP to make recommendations for PCV13 and PPSV23 use among adults, and highlights potential gaps to be addressed by future studies to inform adult vaccination policy. The changing epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia should be closely monitored to evaluate the effectiveness and continued utility of the current vaccination strategy, and to identify future directions for pneumococcal disease prevention among older adults.
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Although patients who experience health-related social problems such as food insecurity are at increased risk for negative health outcomes, there are few systems for screening and intervention. The study aimed to determine whether a web-based intervention can (1) connect youth to services to address these problems and (2) increase their resolution. ⋯ When provided with services to address health-related social problems, the majority of youth choose to receive help, with nearly half successfully addressing their priority concern. Further research to understand the barriers to contacting and utilizing services is needed. A technology-based patient-centered feedback and referral system for social determinants of health can facilitate screening and connect patients with resources to address these problems.