American journal of preventive medicine
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Local, state, and national policies that limit the hours that alcoholic beverages may be available for sale might be a means of reducing excessive alcohol consumption and related harms. The methods of the Guide to Community Preventive Services were used to synthesize scientific evidence on the effectiveness of such policies. All of the studies included in this review assessed the effects of increasing hours of sale in on-premises settings (in which alcoholic beverages are consumed where purchased) in high-income nations. ⋯ There was sufficient evidence in ten qualifying studies to conclude that increasing hours of sale by 2 or more hours increases alcohol-related harms. Thus, disallowing extensions of hours of alcohol sales by 2 or more should be expected to prevent alcohol-related harms, while policies decreasing hours of sale by 2 hours or more at on-premises alcohol outlets may be an effective strategy for preventing alcohol-related harms. The evidence from six qualifying studies was insufficient to determine whether increasing hours of sale by less than 2 hours increases excessive alcohol consumption and related harms.
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Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) is a contributor to the increased morbidity and mortality experienced by inner-city African-American children. Limited evidence-based programming exists regarding how to address the negative effects of SHS in this community. ⋯ Exposure to SHS was common for children in this study. These findings, if supported by additional research, can be used to develop and disseminate targeted health messages about childhood SHS sources/negative effects and strategies to reduce exposure.
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Previous studies have shown that exposure to truth® and similar countermarketing campaigns is associated with an increase in anti-smoking attitudes and beliefs in those aged 12-17 years and a decrease in youth smoking. However, it is unclear how such campaigns influence young adults aged 18-24 years. ⋯ Messages contained in youth-focused anti-smoking campaigns may promote attitudinal and behavioral change in young adults. Young adults are at risk for both initiation and establishment of smoking, while also being targeted specifically by the tobacco industry, so it is critical to consider this audience when developing and implementing anti-smoking interventions.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Alcohol risk management in college settings: the safer California universities randomized trial.
Potentially effective environmental strategies have been recommended to reduce heavy alcohol use among college students. However, studies to date on environmental prevention strategies are few in number and have been limited by their nonexperimental designs, inadequate sample sizes, and lack of attention to settings where the majority of heavy drinking events occur. ⋯ Environmental prevention strategies targeting settings where the majority of heavy drinking events occur appear to be effective in reducing the incidence and likelihood of intoxication among college students.
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No high-quality study to date has shown that screening reduces lung cancer mortality, and expert groups do not recommend screening for asymptomatic individuals. Nevertheless, lung cancer screening tests are available in the U.S., and primary care physicians (PCPs) may have a role in recommending them to patients. ⋯ Many PCPs' lung cancer screening beliefs and recommendations are inconsistent with current evidence and guidelines. Provider education regarding the evidence base and guideline content of lung cancer screening is indicated.