American journal of preventive medicine
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Lower use of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening has been suggested as a factor in higher rates of CRC incidence and mortality among African Americans. Racial differences in colorectal cancer test use are not well understood. ⋯ The type of test used to screen for colorectal cancer has important implications for compliance with recommended screening intervals. Understanding reasons for racial differences in CRC test use may help identify approaches to increasing test use in the Medicare population.
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This national study assessed police chiefs' support for various types of firearm control measures, perceptions regarding firearms as a public health problem, and the likelihood of initiating firearm control advocacy activities. ⋯ Police chiefs support several potentially important firearm control policies. This suggests the need to evaluate interventions aimed at increasing their role in shaping policy on this important public health issue.
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African Americans have lower rates of physical activity (PA) than Caucasians. Although correlates of PA have been studied in many populations, little is known about the influences on physical activity for African Americans, particularly African-American men. ⋯ Various factors influenced PA in men and women, suggesting a need for gender targeting in addition to cultural adaptations in PA interventions for African Americans.
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Promotional offers on cigarettes (e.g., dollar-off, multipack discounts) composed the largest share of tobacco industry marketing expenditures, totaling $8.9 billion, or 72% of the total budget in 2002. Internal industry documents indicate that young adults, potential quitters, and other price-sensitive groups are the targets of these marketing tactics. How effective they are in actually reaching these groups in the general population of smokers has not yet been investigated. ⋯ With the exception of smokers intending to quit, cigarette promotional offers are effectively reaching most industry-targeted groups. Importantly, young adults, who have the greatest long-term customer potential, are responding.
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The goal of the National Smallpox Vaccination Program was to vaccinate a cadre of healthcare workers and first responders who could care for smallpox patients in the event of an attack. ⋯ Many people who chose not to receive smallpox vaccine perceived their personal risk-benefit balance as not favoring vaccination. The success of future smallpox vaccination efforts or vaccination against other bioterrorist health threats depends on addressing potential barriers to participation including compensation and liability issues, in addition to clearly communicating risks and benefits.