Public health reports
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This study is a follow-up to an examination of the racial/ethnic composition of public health students (1996) and faculty (1997) at schools of public health that was conducted 20 years ago. We examined data on the race/ethnicity of students, graduates, and faculty among Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH)-member institutions during 2016-2017 and how these data have changed in the past 20 years. ⋯ The increasing racial/ethnic diversity among students, graduates, and faculty in schools and programs of public health contributes to parallel increases in racial/ethnic diversity in the public health workforce. Schools and programs of public health should recruit clusters of racial/ethnic minority students using holistic application review processes, provide enrolled students with racially/ethnically diverse role models and mentors, and dedicate staffing to ensure a student-centered approach. In addition, those who mentor racially/ethnically diverse students and junior faculty should be rewarded.
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Public health reports · Jan 2020
Age Differences in Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Preventable Hospitalizations for Heart Failure in Connecticut, 2009-2015: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study.
Preventable hospitalizations for heart failure result in a large proportion of hospitalizations. The primary objective of this study was to describe longitudinal trends in the association of race/ethnicity with preventable hospitalizations for heart failure in Connecticut and differences in disparities by age. ⋯ This research provides information for clinical and population-based interventions targeting racial/ethnic gaps in heart failure hospitalizations. Demonstrating the persistent black-white disparity and age differences in racial/ethnic disparities, this study emphasizes the need for focused prevention among vulnerable populations. Raking methodology is an innovative approach to eliminating selection bias in hospital discharge data.
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Public health reports · Nov 2019
The Contribution of Prescribed and Illicit Opioids to Fatal Overdoses in Massachusetts, 2013-2015.
Opioid-related overdoses are commonly attributed to prescription opioids. We examined data on opioid-related overdose decedents in Massachusetts. For each decedent, we determined which opioid medications had been prescribed and dispensed and which opioids were detected in postmortem medical examiner toxicology specimens. ⋯ Linking overdose toxicology reports to prescription drug monitoring program records can help attribute overdoses to prescribed opioids, diverted prescription opioids, heroin, and illicitly made fentanyl.
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Public health reports · Sep 2019
E-Cigarette Use and Future Cigarette Initiation Among Never Smokers and Relapse Among Former Smokers in the PATH Study.
Any potential harm-reduction benefit of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) could be offset by nonsmokers who initiate e-cigarette use and then smoke combustible cigarettes. We examined correlates of e-cigarette use at baseline with combustible cigarette smoking at 1-year follow-up among adult distant former combustible cigarette smokers (ie, quit smoking ≥5 years ago) and never smokers. ⋯ Policies and counseling should consider the increased risk for nonsmokers of future combustible cigarette smoking use as a result of using e-cigarettes and any potential harm-reduction benefits e-cigarettes might bring to current combustible cigarette smokers.