American journal of preventive medicine
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The Veterans Health Administration (VA) provides low- to no-cost care to enrolled veterans with low incomes. This study assessed the associations between VA coverage and medical financial hardship among U.S. veterans with low incomes. ⋯ VA coverage was associated with protection against four types of medical financial hardship among veterans with low incomes, yet many are not enrolled. Research is needed to understand reasons these veterans lack VA coverage and to identify strategies to address medical financial hardship.
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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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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.