Public health reports
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Public health reports · Sep 2014
Disparities in influenza vaccination coverage among women with live-born infants: PRAMS surveillance during the 2009-2010 influenza season.
Vaccination during pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of influenza illness among pregnant women and their infants up to 6 months of age; however, many women do not get vaccinated. We examined disparities in vaccination coverage among women who delivered a live-born infant during the 2009-2010 influenza season, when two separate influenza vaccinations were recommended. ⋯ To reduce disparities in influenza vaccination uptake by pregnant women, targeted efforts toward providers and interventions focusing on pregnant and postpartum women may be needed.
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Public health reports · Sep 2014
Development and validation of an instrument to assess imminent risk of homelessness among veterans.
Veterans are overrepresented within the homeless population compared with their non-veteran counterparts, particularly when controlling for poverty. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) aims to prevent new episodes of homelessness by targeting households at greatest risk; however, there are no instruments that systematically assess veterans' risk of homelessness. We developed and tested a brief screening instrument to identify imminent risk of homelessness among veterans accessing VA health care. ⋯ This study provides the field with an instrument to identify individuals and households at risk of or experiencing homelessness, which is necessary to prevent and end homelessness. In addition, it supports VA's investment in homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing services for veterans who are experiencing or are at risk for homelessness.