The West Virginia medical journal
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Sudden death, particularly when occurring in children and adolescents, is a traumatic event not only for the victim's family, but for the entire community. It has been shown that school-based automated external defibrillator (AED) programs provide a high survival rate for both students and nonstudents who suffer sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) on school grounds. The use of AEDs is becoming increasingly more common in schools in the United States. In West Virginia middle and high schools, we analyzed the prevalence and use of AEDs, barriers to obtaining a device, and cases of sudden death on school grounds. ⋯ Over two thirds of West Virginia middle schools and high schools currently have at least one AED on their premises. An AED is an effective way of preventing death following sudden cardiac arrest, and has saved at least one life in a West Virginia school. While most schools without AEDs cite cost as the main deterrent, the majority of schools with a device received them via donation or grant. We submit that a number of sudden deaths on West Virginia school grounds could possibly have been averted by use of an AED.
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Comparative Study
Injury prevention and recreational all-terrain vehicle use: the impact of helmet use in West Virginia.
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are a popular source of outdoor activity in the United States, particularly in West Virginia. During the period of time from 1999 to 2007, deaths associated with ATVs in West Virginia increased by 28%. Helmet use among bicycle and motorcycle riders has been shown to decrease morbidity and mortality following trauma. ⋯ Efforts that focus on increased helmet use have the potential to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality following ATV trauma. Enforcement of the current West Virginia ATV Law should be encouraged. Legislation expanding the mandatory use of safety equipment and rider training should be enacted in West Virginia.
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Exercise and physical activity have been linked to the prevention of certain types of cancer such as colon and breast. As prostate cancer is the most common malignancy diagnosed in the male population, there is obvious interest in determining a possible effect of exercise on disease prevention and improvement of disease-related outcomes. ⋯ However, as prostate cancer treatment carries many side effects which may be bothersome and health-threatening, researchers have examined the effects of exercise training on reducing treatment-related complications and improving outcomes and quality of life (QOL). In this review, we discuss the impact of exercise on reducing side effects of prostate cancer treatment and improving cancer-specific and overall survival outcomes, as well as improving QOL in prostate cancer patients.