American journal of preventive medicine
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Pre-pandemic data suggests that methamphetamine-related mortality and opioid co-involvement have been increasing in the United States (US). However, there was a staggering number of US drug overdose deaths in 2020 and 2021, particularly among males. An updated examination of sex-specific trends in methamphetamine-related mortality, the extent to which these deaths may be driven by the heroin and fentanyl co-involvement, and whether this co-involvement might explain the disproportionate number of male methamphetamine deaths is warranted. ⋯ Increasing methamphetamine-related mortality among males and females has been accompanied by a dramatic increase in the proportion of heroin and/or synthetic opioid co-involvement among both sexes. Robust harm reduction efforts are needed to mitigate these increases, particularly for people who co-use stimulants and opioids.
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Chain restaurants are ubiquitous in the United States. While restaurants are increasingly promoting health- and climate-conscious menu options, few studies have examined whether restaurants are increasing availability of menu items with lower climate impact and whether these offerings are healthier. This study examines trends in the availability and nutritional profile of food items featuring different meat sources on menus at 75 large chain restaurants in the US from 2013-2021. ⋯ While meat-free items had fewer calories and some aspects of nutritional profile were more favorable, the availability of meat-free menu items has not increased in large chain restaurants, suggesting limited improvement on reducing climate impact.
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2021 had the highest number firearm suicide deaths in U.S. history, with veterans representing 62.4% of firearm suicide deaths. The study objective is to understand motivations for firearm ownership, storage practices, history of mental health disorders and suicide risk in servicemembers, as reported by family members. ⋯ Ownership for safety/protection and the presence of clinically significant anxiety predicted unsecure firearm storage practices. Future research examining motivations for gun ownership for safety/protection, anxiety, and unsecure storage practices may help target interventions to prevent suicide.
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In 2016, Oregon developed an innovative policy to improve care for Medicaid patients with back pain. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with dose reduction and discontinuation among Medicaid patients using chronic opioid therapy following implementation of this policy. ⋯ Most Medicaid beneficiaries had a dose reduction following implementation of Oregon's back pain policy. Opioid discontinuation was associated with factors that suggest providers pursue this strategy for patients at higher overdose risk.