The American journal of the medical sciences
-
Although it has received little study, gender may significantly affect patients' attitudes about advance care planning. ⋯ Core cultural attitudes observed in both genders of 3 ethnic groups may extend to all Americans. Although core attitudes may support advance care planning for many Americans, health professionals should consider tailoring it to other, ethnic- and gender-specific attitudes.
-
Biography Historical Article
Presentation of the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation 2003 Founders' Medal to Dr. Jules B. Puschett.
-
Millions of American girls and women have been drawn to smoking by an industry that has been clearly and systematically targeting women of all ages and life circumstances. Big tobacco's well-timed marketing strategies skillfully link cigarette use to typical female values: independence, self-reliance, weight control, stress management, social progress and popularity, personal attractiveness, autonomy, self-fulfillment, youth, happiness, personal success, health, and active, vigorous, and strenuous lifestyles. Biologically speaking, women are especially vulnerable to the legion of health problems of tobacco use. ⋯ Women and girls who smoke represent diverse subgroups of the population with unique issues and needs. The 2001 Surgeon General's Report on Women and Smoking stresses the importance of multistrategy programs for treating female smokers. This approach includes antitobacco media campaigns, increases in tobacco prices, promotion of nonsmoking in public places, curbs on tobacco advertising and promotion, enforcement of legislation to reduce youth access to tobacco products, and effective tobacco use treatment programs.
-
The Public Health Service Guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, contains a wealth of information regarding current treatment practices. Unfortunately, guidance for tailoring standardized treatments to meet the needs of specific ethnic subgroups is limited. This article highlights features unique to African American smokers, a necessary precursor to developing intervention programs that hold promise for improving outcomes.
-
This review summarizes recent trends and current patterns of tobacco use in the United States. Although adult smoking dropped between 1965 and 1990, from 50% to 28% of men and from 35% to 23% of women, the past decade has seen little further progress. In 2000, 25.7% of US men and 21.0% of women were smokers. ⋯ Bidis and kreteks may be gaining popularity among young people, and more than 15% of adolescent smokers use these tobacco products. Despite recent progress, tobacco use remains prevalent in the United States. State and local governments need to invest adequate resources in the full range of tobacco control activities.