American journal of preventive medicine
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U. S. smoking-related disparities persist, but data evaluating how smoking patterns across diverse populations have changed by birth cohort are lacking. Worldwide, smoking continues to exact harm, especially to low- and middle-income nations with less historical data for smoking analyses. ⋯ Collectively, these data aim to offer insight into future U. S. and global smoking disparities and accelerate research on tobacco control policies that advance health equity. This effort will allow tobacco simulation models to account comprehensively for population diversity, thereby enabling researchers to develop more sophisticated analyses of tobacco use and control interventions.
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Selective utilization of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping in cervical cancer screening can accelerate clinical management, leading to earlier identification and treatment of precancerous lesions and cancer. Specifically, immediate colposcopy (instead of 1-year return) is recommended in persons with normal cytology and HPV genotypes 16 and/or 18, and expedited treatment (instead of colposcopy) is recommended in persons with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) cytology and HPV genotype 16. The effects of implementing HPV testing and genotyping into a screening program are largely unknown. ⋯ HPV genotyping in human papillomavirus‒positive persons with normal or HSIL cytology could accelerate management in a sizable percentage of persons with abnormal test results and may be particularly useful in populations with challenges adhering to longitudinal follow-up.
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Many in the U.S. are not up to date with cancer screening. This systematic review examined the effectiveness of interventions engaging community health workers to increase breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. ⋯ Interventions engaging community health workers are recommended by the Community Preventive Services Task Force to increase cancer screening. These interventions are typically implemented in communities where people are underserved to improve health and can enhance health equity. Further training and financial support for community health workers should be considered to increase cancer screening uptake.
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E-cigarette use is associated with pulmonary inflammation, functional respiratory changes, and chronic lung disease. Most population-level E-cigarette research has utilized point-in-time measures of E-cigarette exposures, which may not generalize to adults who transition between cigarettes and E-cigarettes. ⋯ E-cigarette initiation among nonusers is associated with increased respiratory morbidity. Further research should assess the risks and benefits of E-cigarette‒assisted cigarette cessation given the reduction in symptom development rates among dual use to E-cigarette switchers.