American journal of preventive medicine
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In 2011, Boston restricted cigar sales to packages of at least 4 cigars unless sold at a minimum of $2.50 per cigar. Nearly 200 localities in Massachusetts have since adopted policies establishing minimum pack quantities of 2-5 or minimum prices of $2.50-5.00 per cigar. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of these policies on youth cigar use. ⋯ These findings indicate small increases in the quantity and price of cigar packs could discourage young people from purchasing and using cigars, providing significant benefits for local tobacco control efforts.
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Amid the successes of local sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes, interest in state-wide policies has grown. This study evaluated the cost effectiveness of a hypothetical 2-cent-per-ounce excise tax in California and its implications for population health and health equity. ⋯ A state-wide SSB tax in California would be cost saving, lead to reductions in obesity and improvement in SSB-related health equity, and lead to overall improvements in population health. The policy would generate more than $1.6 billion in state tax revenue annually that can also be used to improve health equity.
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In 2020, Google took voluntary action to restrict food and beverage advertising through its online channels in the European Union/United Kingdom using Google's own nutrient profiling model to identify products eligible to be marketed to children through its Google Display Network. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential impact of the Google policy, if applied to the U.S. market, on restricting online advertising of the top-selling packaged foods and beverages in the U.S. ⋯ U.S. children engage extensively with online media. In place of government regulation, the Google advertising policy and related nutrient profiling model would limit online advertising of the most unhealthful products to children, if the policy were to be applied to the U.S. market. The effectiveness of the policy would be strengthened by refining the Google nutrient profiling model to better align with nutrient profiling models developed by authoritative health agencies, including the WHO.
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Improving hypertension control is a national priority. Electronic health record data have the potential to augment traditional surveillance systems. This study aimed to assess hypertension prevalence and control at the state level using a previously established electronic health record-based phenotype for hypertension. ⋯ This study provided the first-ever estimates of hypertension control for all states and Washington DC. Electronic health record-based surveillance could support hypertension prevention and control efforts at the state level.