bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Association of Race, Socioeconomic Status, and Health Insurance Status With the Prevalence of Overweight Among Children and Adolescents
Authors: Haas Jennifer S. , Lee Lisa B. , Kaplan Celia P. , Sonneborn Dean , Phillips Kathryn A. , Liang Su-Ying 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. We examined the effect of race, socioeconomic status, and health insurance status on the prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents. Methods. We studied an observational cohort from the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component. Results. In the younger group, both Black and Latino children had a greater likelihood of being overweight compared with White children. Among the adolescent group, Latinos and Asian/Pacific Islanders were more likely to be overweight. Among adolescents, lacking health insurance and having public insurance were both positively associated with the prevalence of overweight. A relationship between insurance status and overweight was not observed for younger children. Conclusions. There are substantial racial differences in the prevalence of overweight for children and adolescents. Health insurance status is associated with the prevalence of overweight among adolescents. (Am J Public Health. 2003;93:2105–2110)
Environmental Equity and Health: Understanding Complexity and Moving Forward
Authors: Northridge Mary E. , Stover Gabriel N. , Rosenthal Joyce E. , Sherard Donna 
Published: December 2008

The authors invoke a population health perspective to assess the distribution of environmental hazards according to race/ethnicity, social class, age, gender, and sexuality and the implications of these hazards for health. The unequal burden of environmental hazards borne by African American, Native American, Latino, and Asian American/Pacific Islander communities and their relationship to welldocumented racial/ethnic disparities in health have not been critically examined across all population groups, regions of the United States, and ages. The determinants of existing environmental inequities also require critical research attention. To ensure inclusiveness and fill important gaps, scientific evidence is needed on the health effects of the built environment as well as the natural environment, cities and suburbs as well as rural areas, and indoor as well as outdoor pollutants.
Bias in Mental Health Assessment and Intervention: Theory and Evidence
Authors: Snowden Lonnie R. 
Published: December 2008

A recent surgeon general’s report and various studies document racial and ethnic disparities in mental health care, including gaps in access, questionable diagnostic practices, and limited provision of optimum treatments. Bias is a little studied but viable explanation for these disparities. It is important to isolate bias from other barriers to high-quality mental health care and to understand bias at several levels (practitioner, practice network or program, and community). More research is needed that directly evaluates the contribution of particular forms of bias to disparities in the area of mental health care.
Physiological Responses to Racism and Discrimination: An Assessment of the Evidence
Authors: Harrell Jules P. , Hall Sadiki , Taliaferro James 
Published: December 2008

A growing body of research explores the impact of encounters with racism or discrimination on physiological activity. Investigators have collected these data in laboratories and in controlled clinical settings. Several but not all of the studies suggest that higher blood pressure levels are associated with the tendency not to recall or report occurrences identified as racist and discriminatory. Investigators have reported that physiological arousal is associated with laboratory analogues of ethnic discrimination and mistreatment. Evidence from survey and laboratory studies suggests that personality variables and cultural orientation moderate the impact of racial discrimination. The neural pathways that mediate these physiological reactions are not known. The evidence supports the notion that direct encounters with discriminatory events contribute to negative health outcomes.
Paved With Good Intentions: Do Public Health and Human Service Providers Contribute to Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Health?
Authors: van Ryn Michelle , Fu Steven S. 
Published: December 2008

There is extensive evidence of racial/ethnic disparities in receipt of health care. The potential contribution of provider behavior to such disparities has remained largely unexplored. Do health and human service providers behave in ways that contribute to systematic inequities in care and outcomes? If so, why does this occur? The authors build on existing evidence to provide an integrated, coherent, and sound approach to research on providers’ contributions to racial/ethnic disparities. They review the evidence regarding provider contributions to disparities in outcomes and describe a causal model representing an integrated set of hypothesized mechanisms through which health care providers’ behaviors may contribute to these disparities.
Smoking and Ill Health: Does Lay Epidemiology Explain the Failure of Smoking Cessation Programs Among Deprived Populations?
Authors: Lawlor Debbie A , Frankel Stephen , Shaw Mary , Ebrahim Shah , Smith George Davey 
Published: December 2008

The resistance of disadvantaged groups to anti-smoking advice is remarkable. In relation to the study of differing cultures, there is a long-standing academic tradition assuming that behavior that may otherwise be difficult to understand is indeed rational within particular cultural contexts. Persistent smoking among the most deprived members of society may represent a rational response to their life chances informed by a lay epidemiology. Health promotion initiatives designed to reduce smoking among members of these groups may continue to fail unless the general health and life chances of such individuals are first improved.
Onset of Natural Menopause in African American Women
Authors: Palmer Julie R. , Rosenberg Lynn , Wise Lauren A. , Horton Nicholas J. , Adams-Campbell Lucile L. 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. This study assessed predictors of the onset of natural menopause in African American women. Methods. We used mailed questionnaires to collect data at baseline in 1995 and during follow-up from Black Women’s Health Study participants. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess potential predictors—including experiences of racism—of the onset of natural menopause among 17 070 women aged 35 to 55 years and premenopausal in 1995. Results. The hazard ratio (HR) was 1.43 for current smokers (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.24, 1.66) and 1.21 (95% CI = 1.06, 1.38) for ex-smokers and significantly less for obese women and oral contraceptive users. Hazard ratios for most questions about racism were elevated by 10% to 30% but were not statistically significant. Conclusions.Earlier onset of natural menopause among African American women is strongly associated with smoking and inversely associated with body mass index and oral contraceptive use.
Consuming Research, Producing Policy?
Authors: Evans Robert G. , Stoddart Greg L. 
Published: December 2008

The authors’ 1990 article “Producing Health, Consuming Health Care” presented a conceptual framework for synthesizing a rapidly growing body of findings on the nonmedical determinants of health. The article received a very positive response, and here the authors reflect on what lessons might be learned from that response about the style or content of effective interdisciplinary communication. Much substantive knowledge has been accumulated since 1990, and a number of different frameworks have been developed before and since. The authors situate theirs within this literature and consider how they might have modified it if they “knew then what they know now.” They ask what impact this article, and the much broader stream of research on the determinants of health, has had on public policy?
The Contribution of the World Health Organization to a New Public Health and Health Promotion
Authors: Kickbusch Ilona 
Published: December 2008

The author traces the development of the concept of health promotion from 1980s policies of the World Health Organization. Two approaches that signify the modernization of public health are outlined in detail: the European Health for All targets and the settings approach. Both aim to reorient health policy priorities from a risk factor approach to strategies that address the determinants of health and empower people to participate in improving the health of their communities. These approaches combine classic public health dictums with “new” strategies, some setting explicit goals to integrate public health with general welfare policy. Health for All, health promotion, and population health have contributed to this reorientation in thinking and strategy, but the focus of health policy remains expenditure rather than investment.
African American Women and Smoking: Starting Later
Authors: Moon-Howard Joyce 
Published: December 2008

It is commonly accepted that adolescence is the period for initiation into smoking and other tobacco use behaviors. However, evidence is increasing that the set of presumptions about adolescent onset of tobacco use may not be true for all cultural or subpopulation groups. Secondary analysis of data from the 2000 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) was used to examine ethnic differences in smoking patterns among African American and White women. Results showed a striking racial/ethnic difference in age of onset; African American women initiate smoking later than White women at each age group. Prevention interventions need to continue beyond adolescence well into the adult years, especially for African American women. Late onset for these women represents an often missed window of opportunity for prevention.
Why Do WIC Participants Fail to Pick Up Their Checks? An Urban Study in the Wake of Welfare Reform
Authors: Rosenberg Terry J. , Alperen Julie K. , Chiasson Mary Ann 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. This study explored whether work or immigration concerns affect women’s participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Methods. The sample included women who had withdrawn from the WIC program and current WIC clients from 1 center in New York City. Logistic regression analyses were used to predict noncollection of checks; demographic characteristics, program participation, and problems with the WIC program were independent variables. Results. Strong predictors of noncollection of checks were job conflicts, transportation or illness problems, and WIC receipt by the woman herself (rather than by her children). Conclusions. Employment conflicts were related to failure to pick up WIC checks; immigration concerns were not. As a means of enhancing WIC participation, flexibility is recommended in terms of center hours, locations, and staffing and program check distribution policies.
Workers’ Liberty, Workers’ Welfare: The Supreme Court Speaks on the Rights of Disabled Employees
Authors: Bayer Ronald 
Published: December 2008

On June 10, 2002, a unanimous US Supreme Court rejected the claim by Mario Echazabal that he had been denied his rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act when Chevron USA had refused to employ him because he had hepatitis C. Chevron believed that Echazabal’s exposure to hepatotoxic chemicals in its refinery would pose a grave risk to his health. This case poses critical questions about the ethics of public health: When, if ever, is paternalism justified? Must choice always trump other values? What ought to be the balance between welfare and liberty? Strikingly, the groups that came to Echazabal’s defense adopted an antipaternalistic posture fundamentally at odds with the ethical foundations of occupational health and safety policy.
Tobacco Industry Efforts to Defeat the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Indoor Air Quality Rule
Authors: Bryan-Jones Katherine , Bero Lisa A. 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. We describe tobacco industry strategies to defeat the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Indoor Air Quality rule and the implementation of those strategies. Methods. We analyzed tobacco industry documents, public commentary on, and media coverage of the OSHA rule. Results. The tobacco industry had 5 strategies: (1) maintain scientific debate about the basis of the rule, (2) delay deliberation on the rule, (3) redefine the scope of the rule, (4) recruit and assist labor and business organizations in opposing the rule, and (5) increase media coverage of the tobacco industry position. The tobacco industry successfully implemented all 5 strategies. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that regulatory authorities must take into account the source, motivation, and validity of arguments used in the regulatory process in order to make accurately informed decisions.
Occupational Health of Southeast Asian Immigrants in a US City: A Comparison of Data Sources
Authors: Azaroff Lenore S. , Levenstein Charles , Wegman David H. 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. This study sought to characterize occupational injury and illness cases identified through 3 different sources of data on a population of immigrant workers. Methods. Participants were Cambodian and Lao workers living in Lowell, Mass. A household survey allowed comparisons between characteristics of work-related cases documented in workers’ compensation wage replacement records and hospital records and characteristics of self-reported cases. Results. The household survey captured types of cases missing from existing data, particularly illnesses self-reported to be associated with chemical exposures. Injuries and illnesses affecting the study population appeared to be significantly underrepresented in workers’ compensation wage replacement data. Conclusions. Community-based methods can supplement available occupational health data sources.
Acute Pesticide-Related Illnesses Among Working Youths, 1988–1999
Authors: Calvert Geoffrey M. , Mehler Louise N. , Rosales Rachel , Baum Lynden , Thomsen Catherine , Male Dorilee , Shafey Omar , Das Rupali , Lackovic Michelle , Arvizu Ernest 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. The goal of this study was to describe acute occupational pesticide-related illnesses among youths and to provide prevention recommendations. Methods. Survey data from 8 states and from poison control center data were analyzed. Illness incidence rates and incidence rate ratios were calculated. Results. A total of 531 youths were identified with acute occupational pesticide-related illnesses. Insecticides were responsible for most of these illnesses (68%), most of which were of minor severity (79%). The average annual incidence rate among youths aged 15 to 17 years was 20.4 per billion hours worked, and the incidence rate ratio among youths vs adults was 1.71 (95% confidence interval = 1.53, 1.91). Conclusions. The present findings suggest the need for greater efforts to prevent acute occupational pesticide-related illnesses among adolescents.
Magnitude of Maternal Morbidity During Labor and Delivery: United States, 1993–1997
Authors: Danel Isabella , Berg Cynthia , Johnson Christopher H. , Atrash Hani 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. This study sought to determine the prevalence of maternal morbidity during labor and delivery in the United States. Methods. Analyses focused on National Hospital Discharge Survey data available for women giving birth between 1993 and 1997. Results. The prevalence of specific types of maternal morbidity was low, but the burden of overall morbidity was high. Forty-three percent of women experienced some type of morbidity during their delivery hospitalization. Thirty-one percent (1.2 million women) had at least 1 obstetric complication or at least 1 preexisting medical condition. Conclusions. Maternal morbidity during delivery is frequent and often preventable. Reducing maternal morbidity is a national health objective, and its monitoring is key to improving maternal health.
Health Policy and the Coloring of an American Male Crisis: A Perspective on Community-Based Health Services
Authors: Smith Amos L. 
Published: December 2008

Health services at the community level are organized and financed in such a way that men need access but encounter barriers to care such as poor service design, lack of insurance, and the absence of health literacy. Community health delivery systems may not be appropriate, effective, fit, or able to meet the needs they are charged to fill. Community-based health services, including health departments, are underfunded, understaffed, and unable to carry out their mission in a way that protects the health of the community. The current design for funding and delivering health care services excludes poor men, particularly men of color. Improving the health of men requires modifications in the way health care is financed, delivered, and managed.
Informed Consent for Cancer Screening With Prostate-Specific Antigen: How Well Are Men Getting the Message?
Authors: Chan Evelyn C. Y. , Vernon Sally W. , O’Donnell Frederick T. , Ahn Chul , Greisinger Anthony , Aga Donnie W. 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. This study examined knowledge about prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening among African Americans and Whites. Because PSA screening for prostate cancer is controversial, professional organizations recommend informed consent for screening. Methods. Men (n = 304) attending outpatient clinics were surveyed for their knowledge about and experience with screening. Results. Most men did not know the key facts about screening with PSA. African Americans appeared less knowledgeable than Whites, but these differences were mediated by differences in educational level and experience with prostate cancer screening. Conclusions. Public health efforts to improve informed consent for prostate cancer screening should focus on highlighting the key facts and developing different approaches for men at different levels of formal education and prior experience with screening.
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the Use of Mental Health Services in Poverty Areas
Authors: Chow Julian Chun-Chung , Jaffee Kim , Snowden Lonnie 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. This study examined racial/ethnic disparities in mental health service access and use at different poverty levels. Methods. We compared demographic and clinical characteristics and service use patterns of Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians living in low-poverty and high-poverty areas. Logistic regression models were used to assess service use patterns of minority racial/ethnic groups compared with Whites in different poverty areas. Results. Residence in a poverty neighborhood moderates the relationship between race/ethnicity and mental health service access and use. Disparities in using emergency and inpatient services and having coercive referrals were more evident in low-poverty than in high-poverty areas. Conclusions. Neighborhood poverty is a key to understanding racial/ethnic disparities in the use of mental health services.
Migration and HIV Risk Behaviors: Puerto Rican Drug Injectors in New York City and Puerto Rico
Authors: Deren Sherry , Kang Sung-Yeon , Colón Hector M. , Andia Jonny F. , Robles Rafaela R. , Oliver-Velez Denise , Finlinson Ann 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. We compared injection-related HIV risk behaviors of Puerto Rican current injection drug users (IDUs) living in New York City and in Puerto Rico who also had injected in the other location with those who had not. Methods. We recruited Puerto Rican IDUs in New York City (n = 561) and in Puerto Rico (n = 312). Of the former, 39% were “newcomers,” having previously injected in Puerto Rico; of the latter, 14% were “returnees,” having previously injected in New York. We compared risk behaviors within each sample between those with and without experience injecting in the other location. Results. Newcomers reported higher levels of risk behaviors than other New York IDUs. Newcomer status (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.62) and homelessness (adjusted OR = 2.52) were significant predictors of “shooting gallery” use; newcomer status also predicted paraphernalia sharing (adjusted OR = 1.67). Returnee status was not related to these variables. Conclusions. Intervention services are needed that target mobile populations who are coming from an environment of high-risk behavior to one of low-risk behavior.
Rethinking the Socioeconomics and Geography of Tuberculosis Among Foreign-Born Residents of New Jersey, 1994–1999
Authors: Davidow Amy L. , Mangura Bonita T. , Napolitano Eileen C. , Reichman Lee B. 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. This study investigated the socioeconomic profile of foreign-born tuberculosis patients in New Jersey. Methods. Foreign- and US-born tuberculosis patients in 1994–1999 were compared using various measures of socioeconomic status. Results. Out of 4295 tuberculosis patients, 2005 (47%) were foreign-born. Foreign-born patients resided in more affluent, more educated, and less crowded areas than did US-born patients (P < .005). They were also more likely to have been employed during the 2 years before diagnosis (62% vs 41%, P < .001). Private physicians treated the majority of South Asian–born patients. Conclusions. Substantial numbers of employed foreign-born tuberculosis patients now reside in affluent New Jersey locations. Changes in tuberculosis control programs may be required when the socioeconomic status and place of residence of foreign-born populations diverge from traditional assumptions linking poverty with tuberculosis.
Field-Delivered Therapy Increases Treatment for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
Authors: Steiner Katherine C. , Davila Veronica , Kent Charlotte K. , Chaw Janice K. , Fischer Lyn , Klausner Jeffrey D. 
Published: December 2008

In 1998, treatment completion was low among chlamydia and gonorrhea cases reported to the San Francisco Department of Public Health and assigned for treatment follow-up. To improve treatment completion among growing numbers of chlamydia and gonorrhea cases, the department implemented field-delivered therapy (FDT), a single-dose, directly observed therapy protocol for uncomplicated chlamydial and gonococcal infections. After the protocol was implemented in March 1999, the proportion of cases completing treatment increased significantly, from 61.8% in 1998 to 81.0% in 2000. The greatest increases in treatment completion were observed for females and individuals younger than 20 years old. FDT is an effective, feasible, and convenient way to reach and treat individuals who are unlikely to return for chlamydia and gonorrhea treatment.
Characterizing a “New” Disease: Epizootic and Epidemic Anthrax, 1769–1780
Authors: Morens David M. 
Published: December 2008

In 1876, Robert Koch established anthrax as the first disease linked to a microbial agent. But Koch’s efforts had followed more than 150 years of scientific progress in characterizing anthrax as a specific human and veterinary disease. Focusing on France and the period between 1769 and 1780, this brief review examines noteworthy early events in the characterization of anthrax. It suggests that some “new” diseases like anthrax might be “discovered” not only by luck, brilliance, or new technologies, but by clinical/epidemiological “puzzle-fitting,” which can assemble a cohesive picture of a seemingly specific disease entity. If such processes have operated over 2 or more centuries, studying them may yield clues about desirable interactions between epidemiology/public health and experimental science in the characterization of new diseases.