American journal of preventive medicine
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Few population-based studies have assessed the physical and mental health consequences of both psychological and physical intimate partner violence (IPV) among women or men victims. This study estimated IPV prevalence by type (physical, sexual, and psychological) and associated physical and mental health consequences among women and men. ⋯ Both physical and psychological IPV are associated with significant physical and mental health consequences for both male and female victims.
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Since the measles resurgence of 1989-1991, which affected predominantly inner-city preschoolers, national vaccination rates have risen to record-high levels, but rates among inner-city, preschool-aged, African-American children lag behind national rates. The threat of measles importations from abroad exists and may be particularly important in large U.S. cities. To stop epidemic transmission, measles vaccination coverage should be at least 80%. ⋯ Optimistically assuming that children without immunization histories are as well immunized as children with immunization histories, the measles vaccination rate among Englewood's children aged 19 to 35 months is too low to maintain immunity (74%). Measles coverage levels lagged behind coverage reported in a national survey in Chicago (86%) and the nation as a whole (92%). Efforts to raise and sustain coverage should be undertaken.
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Compared with white women, Vietnamese women in the United States have a higher rate of cervical cancer and lower Papanicolau (Pap) test utilization. We evaluated factors associated with awareness of the Pap test, intention to obtain it, and its receipt in Vietnamese-American women. ⋯ Vietnamese-American women have low rates of Pap test awareness, intention, and receipt. The patient-doctor interaction is an important determinant. Efforts to increase Pap test utilization in this population need to be directed at encouraging physicians to offer the Pap test and empowering women to ask for the test.
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Prices for prescription drugs vary widely in the United States, from the prices charged by retail pharmacies to 50% below average wholesale prices (AWP), depending on the purchaser's bargaining power. At higher drug prices, expenditures for essential preventive interventions, such as those aimed at hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, buy less health for the elderly. The magnitude of this effect, however, is unknown. ⋯ A Medicare drug benefit program that supports prices at the high end of the current range could yield substantially less health for the elderly, and one that promotes differential pricing could promote unequal access to preventive medications--and thus to health--by Medicare beneficiaries across the country.
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Reports on prevalence estimates and risk factors of intimate partner violence (IPV) are limited in that they (1) focus on specific subgroup populations that are not representative of all women or (2) involve long questionnaires that are not useful as surveillance tools. ⋯ This study provides population-based estimates of IPV prevalence and factors associated with IPV using surveillance data. By pooling BRFSS data from individual states, the resulting large sample has adequate power to detect significant associations and has increased precision in the estimates of IPV risk. In addition, this study identifies high-risk populations to target for education and intervention programs and demonstrates the need for improved IPV surveillance.