Scandinavian journal of public health
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Scand J Public Health · Jan 2007
Patient, clinician, and general practice factors in long-term certified sickness.
To investigate the association of patient, clinician, and general practice factors with long-term certified sickness absence. ⋯ The study results imply that, rather than basing 'return to work' interventions on identification of individual patient/claimant characteristics or on GP training initiatives, it may be more productive to focus upon a more diagnosis-based approach within primary care itself. Interventions aiming to reduce mild mental disorder-related work incapacity should be given priority.
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Scand J Public Health · Jan 2007
Socioeconomic determinants of infant mortality: a worldwide study of 152 low-, middle-, and high-income countries.
To reach the Millennium Development Goals for health, influential international bodies advocate for more resources to be directed to the health sector, in particular medical treatment. Yet, health has many determinants beyond the health sector that are less evident than proximate predictors. ⋯ The relative importance of major health determinants varies between income levels, thus extrapolating health policies from high- to low-income countries is problematic. Since the size, per se, of public health spending does not independently predict health outcomes, functioning health systems are necessary to make health investments efficient. Potential health gains from improved female education and economic growth should be considered in low- and middle-income countries.
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Scand J Public Health · Jan 2006
Contribution of Swedish moist snuff to the metabolic syndrome: a wolf in sheep's clothing?
Combined effects of genetic and environmental factors underlie the clustering of cardiovascular risk factors in the metabolic syndrome (MetSy). The aim was to investigate associations between several lifestyle factors and MetSy, with a focus on the possible role of smokeless tobacco in the form of Swedish moist snuff (snus). ⋯ MetSy is independently associated with high consumption of snus, even when controlling for smoking status. The finding is of public health interest in societies with widespread use of snus. More research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying this effect.
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Scand J Public Health · Jan 2006
Risk-factor profile for the incidence of subarachnoid and intracerebral haemorrhage, cerebral infarction, and unspecified stroke during 21 years' follow-up in men.
To study the risk-factor profile for the incidence of non-fatal and fatal stroke among middle-aged men according to the stroke subtypes subarachnoid or intracerebral haemorrhage, cerebral infarction, and unspecified stroke. ⋯ The risk-factor profile differed according to the underlying subtype of stroke. Cerebral infarction clearly shared with myocardial infarction the classical risk factors, including non-fasting glucose concentration.
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The authors examined causes of death contributing to the relatively high mortality of Danish women born 1915-45, and evaluated the impact of smoking related causes of death. ⋯ The results indicate a high smoking prevalence to be the main explanation behind the relatively low life expectancy of Danish women born 1915-45.