American journal of preventive medicine
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Psychotropic drug-implicated (PDI) mortality-deaths in which psychotropic drugs were a contributing but not underlying cause of death-increased over two decades, with circulatory mortality as the primary cause leading to such deaths. Trends in PDI circulatory mortality over a 22-year period and its patterning in U.S. deaths are described. ⋯ Circulatory mortality with psychotropic drugs as a contributing cause escalated over 2 decades. Trends in PDI mortality are not evenly distributed across the population. Greater engagement with patients about their substance use is needed to intervene in cardiovascular deaths. Prevention and clinical intervention could contribute to reinvigorating previous trends of declining cardiovascular mortality.
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Cannabis use for medical purposes is legalized across 39 states and the District of Columbia in the U.S. The objective of this study was to evaluate temporal trends and correlates of cannabis use for medical purposes in the U.S. ⋯ The study documents a continued nationwide increase in the use of cannabis for diverse medical purposes between 2013 and 2020, two decades after the first state passed legalizing legislation.
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Healthcare personnel are at risk for acquiring and transmitting respiratory infections in the workplace. Paid sick leave benefits allow workers to stay home and visit a healthcare provider when ill. The objectives of this study were to quantify the percentage of healthcare personnel reporting paid sick leave, identify differences across occupations and settings, and determine the factors associated with having paid sick leave. ⋯ Most healthcare personnel from all occupational groups and healthcare settings reported having paid sick leave. However, differences by sex, occupation, type of work arrangement, and Census region exist and highlight disparities. Increasing healthcare personnel's access to paid sick leave may decrease presenteeism and subsequent transmission of infectious diseases in healthcare settings.
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Among U.S. high-school students, interpersonal violence and victimizations often occur on school property. The presence of a weapon can increase the potential for injury and death resulting from interpersonal conflict. This study examines the associations between exposure to school violence and weapon carrying on school property among U.S. high-school students. ⋯ Increased emphasis on safe and supportive school environments, where all types of interpersonal violence are less likely to occur, and increased access to programs and services to promote mental health, prevent violence, and deter weapon use are needed.
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In 2020, suicide was the 12th leading cause of death among adults in the U.S. Previous research has shown that one common precipitating circumstance among adult suicide decedents is experiencing intimate partner problems (IPPs), such as divorce, separation, romantic break-ups, arguments, conflicts, and intimate partner violence. This study examines how precipitating factors differ between IPP- and non-IPP-related suicides. ⋯ The findings can inform prevention strategies that build resiliency and problem-solving skills, strengthen economic support, and identify and assist people at risk for IPP-related suicides. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Suicide Resource for Action and Intimate Partner Violence Prevention resource packages highlight the best available evidence for policies, programs, and practices related to preventing suicides and IPP.