American journal of preventive medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Nicotine replacement and behavioral therapy for smoking cessation in pregnancy.
This study examines whether adding nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for pregnant smokers increases rates of smoking cessation. ⋯ The addition of NRT to CBT promoted smoking cessation in pregnant women. This effect did not persist postpartum. More data are needed to determine safety parameters and to confirm the efficacy of NRT use during pregnancy.
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Influenza surveillance is valuable for monitoring trends in influenza-related morbidity and mortality. Using the 2005-2006 influenza season as an example, this paper describes a comprehensive influenza surveillance program used by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). ⋯ By using multiple, complementary surveillance methods coupled with a strong laboratory component, the CDPH has developed a simple, flexible, stable, and widely accepted influenza surveillance system that can monitor trends in statewide influenza activity, ascertain the correlation between circulating strains with vaccine strains, and assist with detection of new strain variants. The methods described can serve as a model for influenza surveillance in other states.
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Accidents (including motor vehicle injuries) are a leading cause of death among American Indians/Alaskan Natives (AI/AN). The purpose of this study was to examine geographic variation and the existence of a seat belt law on seat belt use among AI/AN and non-Hispanic whites (NHW). ⋯ Seat belt use among AI/AN and NHW varied significantly by region and urban-rural residency in 2002. Primary seat belt laws appear to help reduce regional and racial disparities in seat belt non-use.
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To present recommendations for community-based treatment of late-life depression to public health and aging networks. ⋯ This interdisciplinary expert panel determined that recommended interventions should be disseminated throughout the public health and aging networks, while acknowledging the challenges and obstacles involved. Interventions that were not recommended or had insufficient evidence often did not treat depression primarily and/or did not include a clinically depressed sample while attempting to establish efficacy. These interventions may provide other benefits, but should not be presumed to effectively treat depression by themselves. Panelists also identified primary prevention of depression as a much under-studied area. These findings should aid individual clinicians as well as public health decision makers in the delivery of population-based mental health services in diverse community settings.