American journal of preventive medicine
-
Federal, state, and private-sector investments in vaccine purchases and immunization programs are lagging behind emerging opportunities to reduce the risks of vaccine-preventable disease. Although federal assistance to the states for immunization programs and data collection efforts rapidly expanded in the early part of the 1990s, significant cutbacks have occurred in the last 5 years that have reduced the size of state grant awards by more than 50% from their highest point. During this same period, the vaccine delivery system for children and adults has become more complex and fragmented. ⋯ The committee also recommends that the Congress replace the current discretionary Section 317 grants with a formula approach for state immunization grant awards to improve the targeting and stability of federal immunization grants. The formula should provide a base level of support to all states, as well as additional amounts related to each state's need, capacity, and performance. The committee further recommends that Congress introduce a state match requirement for the receipt of increased federal funds to help strengthen and stabilize the infrastructure that supports long-term public health assessment, assurance, and policy development efforts. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)
-
Biography Historical Article
Building a foundation for suicide prevention: the contributions of Jack C. Smith.
Among his many other accomplishments, Jack C. Smith nurtured the early development of efforts by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to address suicide as a public health problem. Smith's vision was to achieve suicide prevention through epidemiology, and his vision shaped the emergence of suicide as a public health issue. ⋯ In this paper we document Smith's role in the development of the public health approach to suicide prevention. We also articulate the conceptual basis for a public health approach to suicide and discuss future directions for public health in the prevention of suicide and suicidal behavior. While Smith also made important contributions to development of CDC efforts to address homicide, his special interest was suicide; therefore, this article will emphasize his contributions to this area.
-
Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Effects of a short-term health promotion intervention for a predominantly African-American group of stroke survivors.
The study examined the effects of a 12-week health promotion intervention for a predominantly urban African-American population of stroke survivors. ⋯ A short-term health promotion intervention for predominantly African-American stroke survivors was effective in improving several physiological and psychological health outcomes.
-
Comparative Study
Massachusetts' advertising against light cigarettes appears to change beliefs and behavior.
This study examined the effects of advertising directed against light cigarettes (lights). ⋯ Amidst extensive anti-smoking efforts, the MASS campaign to counter-market light cigarettes appears to promote smoking cessation and to inform smokers of the risks of light cigarettes. Further counter-marketing efforts should be encouraged.
-
The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of roll-over protection structures (ROPS) as an engineering control for prevention of fatalities from farm tractor roll-overs. ⋯ Future research efforts should include the development of collapsible and telescoping ROPS that can be used in low clearance areas such as dairy barns and fruit orchards. ROPS retrofits also need to be developed for many older tractor models. Effective educational and incentive programs need to be developed to increase the acceptance and use of ROPS among U.S. farmers. A national policy should be implemented to ensure that all tractors operated in the United States are equipped with ROPS or crush-proof cabs.