bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Socioeconomic Status and Dissatisfaction With Health Care Among Chronically Ill African Americans
Authors: Becker Gay , Newsom Edwina 
Published: December 2008

Addressing differences in social class is critical to an examination of racial disparities in health care. Low socioeconomic status is an important determinant of access to health care. Results from a qualitative, in-depth interview study of 60 African Americans who had one or more chronic illnesses found that low-income respondents expressed much greater dissatisfaction with health care than did middle-income respondents. Low socioeconomic status has potentially deadly consequences for several reasons: its associations with other determinants of health status, its relationship to health insurance or the absence thereof, and the constraints on care at sites serving people who have low incomes.
A Decade of Research on Disparities in Medicare Utilization: Lessons for the Health and Health Care of Vulnerable Men
Authors: Gornick Marian E. 
Published: December 2008

Medicare research has shown that there are substantial disparities by race and socioeconomic status in use of services. In this article, I review past research and discuss how findings apply specifically to vulnerable men aged 65 years or older. Six lessons from this review are identified and illustrated here. Disparities in certain measures of health are growing; to reverse this trend, substantial efforts are needed, including dissemination of information about disparities as well as testing of hypotheses regarding underlying causes.
Association of Co-Occurring Psychosocial Health Problems and Increased Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS Among Urban Men Who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Stall Ron , Mills Thomas C. , Williamson John , Hart Trevor , Greenwood Greg , Paul Jay , Pollack Lance , Binson Diane , Osmond Dennis , Catania Joseph A. 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. We measured the extent to which a set of psychosocial health problems have an additive effect on increasing HIV risk among men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional household probability telephone sample of MSM in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. Results. Psychosocial health problems are highly intercorrelated among urban MSM. Greater numbers of health problems are significantly and positively associated with high-risk sexual behavior and HIV infection. Conclusions. AIDS prevention among MSM has overwhelmingly focused on sexual risk alone. Other health problems among MSM not only are important in their own right, but also may interact to increase HIV risk. HIV prevention might become more effective by addressing the broader health concerns of MSM while also focusing on sexual risks.
Cigarette Smoking and Cognitive Decline in Midlife: Evidence From a Prospective Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Richards Marcus , Jarvis Martin J. , Thompson Neil , Wadsworth Michael E. J. 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. The authors investigated the effects of cigarette smoking on midlife cognitive performance. Methods. Multiple regression was used to test the association between cigarette smoking and changes in cognitive test scores among male and female members of the British 1946 birth cohort aged between 43 and 53 years. Results. Smoking was associated with faster declines in verbal memory and with slower visual search speeds. These effects were largely accounted for by individuals who smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day and were independent of sex, socioeconomic status, previous (adolescent) cognitive ability, and a range of health indicators. Conclusions. The present results show that heavy smoking is associated with cognitive impairment and decline in midlife. Smokers who survive into later life may be at risk of clinically significant cognitive declines.
Risk Factors for Femicide in Abusive Relationships: Results From a Multisite Case Control Study
Authors: Campbell Jacquelyn C. , Webster Daniel , Koziol-McLain Jane , Block Carolyn , Campbell Doris , Curry Mary Ann , Gary Faye , Glass Nancy , McFarlane Judith , Sachs Carolyn , Sharps Phyllis , Ulrich Yvonne , Wilt Susan A. , Manganello Jennifer , Xu Xiao , Schollenberger Janet , Frye Victoria , Laughon Kathryn 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. This 11-city study sought to identify risk factors for femicide in abusive relationships. Methods. Proxies of 220 intimate partner femicide victims identified from police or medical examiner records were interviewed, along with 343 abused control women. Results. Preincident risk factors associated in multivariate analyses with increased risk of intimate partner femicide included perpetrator’s access to a gun and previous threat with a weapon, perpetrator’s stepchild in the home, and estrangement, especially from a controlling partner. Never living together and prior domestic violence arrest were associated with lowered risks. Significant incident factors included the victim having left for another partner and the perpetrator’s use of a gun. Other significant bivariate-level risks included stalking, forced sex, and abuse during pregnancy. Conclusions. There are identifiable risk factors for intimate partner femicides.
Underreporting of Justifiable Homicides Committed by Police Officers in the United States, 1976–1998
Authors: Loftin Colin , Wiersema Brian , McDowall David , Dobrin Adam 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. This study assessed the consistency of estimates of the number of justifiable homicides committed by US police officers and identified sources of underreporting. Methods. The number of justifiable homicides committed by police officers between 1976 and 1998 was estimated from supplementary homicide report (SHR) and National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) mortality data. Results. Nationally, the SHR estimate was 29% larger than the NVSS estimate. However, in most states this pattern was reversed, with more deaths reported in the NVSS. Conclusions. Both systems underreport, but for different reasons. The NVSS misclassifies cases as homicides, rather than justifiable homicides committed by police officers, because certifiers fail to mention police involvement. The SHR misses cases because some jurisdictions fail to file reports or omit justifiable homicides committed by police officers. (Am J Public Health. 2003;93:1117–1121)
Disasters and the Public Health Safety Net: Hurricane Floyd Hits the North Carolina Medicaid Program
Authors: Domino Marisa Elena , Fried Bruce , Moon Yoosun , Olinick Joshua , Yoon Jangho 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. We measured the effect of Hurricane Floyd on Medicaid enrollment and health services use in the most severely affected counties of North Carolina. Methods. We used differences-in-differences models on balanced panels of Medicaid claims and enrollment data. Results. Overall spending per enrollee showed little short-term effect but demonstrated a moderate increase 1 year after the storm. We found very modest short-term increases in Medicaid enrollment, a small long-term decrease in enrollment, and large increases in the long-term use of emergency room and outpatient services. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that hurricane victims experienced substantial changes in patterns of care that endured for much longer than the initial crisis period. These findings can have important implications for the management of disaster relief for this population.
Parent’s Socioeconomic Status, Adolescents’ Disposable Income, and Adolescents’ Smoking Status in Massachusetts
Authors: Soteriades Elpidoforos S. , DiFranza Joseph R. 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. This study examined the association between parental socioeconomic status (SES) and adolescent smoking. Methods. We conducted telephone interviews with a probability sample of 1308 Massachusetts adolescents aged 12 to 17 years. We used multiple-variable-adjusted logistic regression models. Results. The risk of adolescent smoking increased by 28% with each step down in parental education and increased by 30% for each step down in parental household income. These associations persisted after adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and adolescent disposable income. Parental smoking status was a mediator of these associations. Conclusions. Parental SES is inversely associated with adolescent smoking. Parental smoking is a mediator but does not fully explain the association.
The Road to Advocacy—Searching for the Rainbow
Authors: Avery Byllye , Bashir Samiya 
Published: December 2008

The essence of public health advocacy is spreading the word—spreading the word to members of one’s community about ways to protect and promote health, and spreading the word to decisionmakers about health policies that need to be enacted. The authors profile 2 women who spread the word—one who focuses on breast cancer in the Asian American community and one who works in cooperation with churches in the fight against HIV/AIDS in African and African American communities—and discuss the importance of “creating shoulders for others to stand on” in the fight for social change.
Innovative Surveillance Methods for Rapid Detection of Disease Outbreaks and Bioterrorism: Results of an Interagency Workshop on Health Indicator Surveillance
Authors: Pavlin Julie A. , Mostashari Farzad , Kortepeter Mark G. , Hynes Noreen A. , Chotani Rashid A. , Mikol Yves B. , Ryan Margaret A. K. , Neville James S. , Gantz Donald T. , Writer James V. , Florance Jared E. , Culpepper Randall C. , Henretig Fred M. , Kelley Patrick W. 
Published: December 2008

A system designed to rapidly identify an infectious disease outbreak or bioterrorism attack and provide important demographic and geographic information is lacking in most health departments nationwide. The Department of Defense Global Emerging Infections System sponsored a meeting and workshop in May 2000 in which participants discussed prototype systems and developed recommendations for new surveillance systems. The authors provide a summary of the group’s findings, including expectations and recommendations for new surveillance systems. The consensus of the group was that a nationally led effort in developing health indicator surveillance methods is needed to promote effective, innovative systems.
Childhood Pesticide Exposures on the Texas–Mexico Border: Clinical Manifestations and Poison Center Use
Authors: Belson Martin , Kieszak Stephanie , Watson William , Blindauer Kim M. , Phan Kathy , Backer Lorrie , Rubin Carol 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to describe differences in childhood pesticide exposures between counties on the Texas–Mexico border and nonborder counties. Method. The authors reviewed all pesticide exposures among children younger than 6 years reported to the South Texas Poison Center during 1997 through 2000. Results. Nonborder counties had twice the reported exposure rate of border counties. Parents of border children were significantly less likely to contact the poison center after an exposure and more likely to have their children evaluated in a health care facility. Conclusions. Increasing residents’ awareness of the poison center and identifying potential barriers to its use among residents of Texas–Mexico border communities may prevent unnecessary visits to health care facilities.
The Built Environment and Its Relationship to the Public’s Health: The Legal Framework
Authors: Perdue Wendy Collins , Stone Lesley A. , Gostin Lawrence O. 
Published: December 2008

The built environment significantly affects the public’s health. This was most obvious when infectious disease was the primary public health threat during the industrial revolution; unsanitary conditions and overcrowded urban areas facilitated the spread of infection. However, even today in the age of chronic diseases there remains an important connection between population health and the built environment. Physical spaces can expose people to toxins or pollutants and influence lifestyles that contribute to diabetes, coronary vascular disease, and asthma. Public health advocates can help shape the design of cities and suburbs in ways that improve public health, but to do so effectively they need to understand the legal framework. This article reviews the connection between public health and the built environment and then describes the legal pathways for improving the design of our built environment.
Land Use Planning and the Control of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Fast Food Restaurants
Authors: Ashe Marice , Jernigan David , Kline Randolph , Galaz Rhonda 
Published: December 2008

We desired to understand how legal tools protect public health by regulating the location and density of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and fast food retail outlets. We reviewed the literature to determine how land use regulations can function as control tools for public health advocates. We found that land use regulations are a public health advocacy tool that has been successfully used to lessen the negative effects of alcohol retail outlets in neighborhoods. More research is needed to determine whether such regulations are successful in reducing the negative effects of other retail outlets on community health.
Zoning Out Crime and Improving Community Health in Sarasota, Florida: “Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design”
Authors: Carter Sherry Plaster , Carter Stanley L. , Dannenberg Andrew L. 
Published: December 2008

Sarasota, Fla, used Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles to guide revitalization efforts in its crime-ridden North Trail area. A team of city planners, police officers, and architects examined land use and crime data and sought input from local businesses, residents, and community leaders. Beginning in 1990, interventions included increased police patrols to reduce prostitution and the creation of a new zoning district to encourage area redevelopment based on CPTED principles. Compared with the rest of Sarasota, from 1990 to 1998 the North Trail Corridor experienced decreases in calls for police service (P < .005), crimes against persons and property (P = not significant), and prostitution (P < .05). These results suggest that community design may be a useful tool for decreasing crime and improving community health.
Walking, Bicycling, and Urban Landscapes: Evidence From the San Francisco Bay Area
Authors: Cervero Robert , Duncan Michael 
Published: December 2008

Some claim that cardependent cities contribute to obesity by discouraging walking and bicycling. In this article, we use household activity data from the San Francisco region to study the links between urban environments and nonmotorized travel. We used factor analysis to represent the urban design and land-use diversity dimensions of built environments. Combining factor scores with control variables, like steep terrain, that gauge impediments to walking and bicycling, we estimated discrete-choice models. Builtenvironment factors exerted far weaker, although not inconsequential, influences on walking and bicycling than control variables. Stronger evidence on the importance of urban landscapes in shaping foot and bicycle travel is needed if the urban planning and public health professions are to forge an effective alliance against cardependent sprawl.
The Impact of Community Design and Land-Use Choices on Public Health: A Scientific Research Agenda
Authors: Dannenberg Andrew L. , Jackson Richard J. , Frumkin Howard , Schieber Richard A. , Pratt Michael , Kochtitzky Chris , Tilson Hugh H. 
Published: December 2008

The design of a community’s built environment influences the physical and mental health of its residents. Because few studies have investigated this relationship, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hosted a workshop in May 2002 to help develop a scientific research agenda on these issues. Workshop participants’ areas of expertise included physical activity, injury prevention, air pollution, water quality, urban planning, transportation, architecture, epidemiology, land use, mental health, social capital, housing, and social marketing. This report describes the 37 questions in the resulting research agenda. The next steps are to define priorities and obtain resources. The proposed research will help identify the best practices for designing new communities and revitalizing old ones in ways that promote physical and mental health.
Reestablishing Public Health and Land Use Planning to Protect Public Water Supplies
Authors: Greenberg Michael , Mayer Henry , Miller K. Tyler , Hordon Robert , Knee Daniel 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. This study measured the extent to which land use, design, and engineering practices could reduce contamination of major public water supplies. Methods. Key parcels of land were identified in New Jersey, and the potential uncontrolled loading of contaminants was estimated with the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment model for a variety of land use, design, and engineering scenarios. Results. High-density per-acre development and engineering controls, along with housing and light commercial activity near main railroads, would substantially reduce runoff. Conclusions. In New Jersey, government and purveyor action is being taken as a result of, and in support of, these findings.
Social Capital and the Built Environment: The Importance of Walkable Neighborhoods
Authors: Leyden Kevin M. 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. I sought to examine whether pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use neighborhoods encourage enhanced levels of social and community engagement (i.e., social capital). Methods. The study investigated the relationship between neighborhood design and individual levels of social capital. Data were obtained from a household survey that measured the social capital of citizens living in neighborhoods that ranged from traditional, mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented designs to modern, car-dependent suburban subdivisions in Galway, Ireland. Results. The analyses indicate that persons living in walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods have higher levels of social capital compared with those living in car-oriented suburbs. Respondents living in walkable neighborhoods were more likely to know their neighbors, participate politically, trust others, and be socially engaged. Conclusions. Walkable, mixed-use neighborhood designs can encourage the development of social capital.
Effectiveness of Individually Tailored Calendars in Promoting Childhood Immunization in Urban Public Health Centers
Authors: Kreuter Matthew W. , Caburnay Charlene A. , Chen John J. , Donlin Maureen J. 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. We examined the effectiveness of tailored calendars in increasing childhood immunization rates. Methods. Parents of babies aged birth to 1 year (n = 321) received individually tailored calendars promoting immunization from 2 urban public health centers. For each baby, an age- and sex-matched control was selected from the same center. Immunization status was tracked through age 24 months. Results. A higher proportion of intervention than of control babies were up to date at the end of a 9-month enrollment period (82% vs 65%, P < .001) and at age 24 months (66% vs 47%, P < .001). The younger the baby’s age at enrollment in the program, the greater was the intervention effect. Conclusions. Tailored immunization calendars can help increase child immunization rates.
Measuring the Quality of Diabetes Care for Older American Indians and Alaska Natives
Authors: Roubideaux Yvette , Buchwald Dedra , Beals Janette , Middlebrook Denise , Manson Spero , Muneta Ben , Rith-Najarian Steve , Shields Ray , Acton Kelly 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. This study evaluated the quality of diabetes care for older American Indians and Alaska Natives. Methods. We analyzed the Indian Health Service Diabetes Care and Outcomes Audit to determine whether completion of indicators of diabetes care differed as a function of age and whether additional patient and program factors were also associated with completion of the majority of the indicators. Results. Completion rates varied by age group, with significantly lower rates seen among the youngest and oldest. Patient diabetes education and duration of diabetes were most strongly associated with the completion of the majority of these indicators. Conclusions. Further studies are needed to determine effective interventions, including diabetes education, to improve the quality of diabetes care in the youngest and oldest age groups.
Implementing the Institute of Medicine’s Recommended Curriculum Content in Schools of Public Health: A Baseline Assessment
Authors: Shortell Stephen M. , Weist Elizabeth M. , Sow Mah-Sere Keita , Foster Allison , Tahir Ramika 
Published: December 2008

In September 2003, the Association of Schools of Public Health administered an online survey to representatives of all 33 accredited US schools of public health. The survey assessed the extent to which the schools were offering curriculum content in the 8 areas recommended by the Institute of Medicine: communication, community-based participatory research, cultural competence, ethics, genomics, global health, informatics, and law/policy. Findings indicated that, for the most part, schools of public health are offering content in these areas through many approaches and have incorporated various aspects of a broad-based ecological approach to public health education and training. The findings also suggested the possible need for greater content in genomics, informatics, community-based participatory research, and cultural competence.
Results From a Lay Health Advisor Intervention to Prevent Lead Poisoning Among Rural Native American Children
Authors: Kegler Michelle Crozier , Malcoe Lorraine Halinka 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. We tested the effectiveness of a community-based lay health advisor intervention for primary prevention of lead poisoning among Native American children who lived in a former mining area. Methods. We conducted cross-sectional population-based blood lead assessments of Native American and White children aged 1 to 6 years and in-person caregiver interviews before (n=331) and after (n=387) a 2-year intervention. Results. Mean childhood blood lead levels decreased and selected preventive behaviors improved for both Native American and White (comparison) communities. Several short-term outcomes also improved from pre- to postintervention, but only knowledge and hand-washing self-efficacy increased more among Native Americans than among Whites. Conclusions. Our findings provide limited support for the effectiveness of lay health advisor interventions as a primary lead poisoning prevention strategy for Native American communities.
Impact of a National Rural Youth Health and Safety Initiative: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lee Barbara C. , Westaby James D. , Berg Richard L. 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of a rural youth health and safety initiative implemented in 4000 National FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) chapters across the United States. Methods. Data were collected from high school students and their FFA advisers at 3 time intervals (preintervention, immediate postintervention, and 1 year postintervention) with a 3-group (standard, enhanced, and control), cluster-randomized, controlled trial design. Results. Matched data from 3081 students and 81 advisers revealed no significant effect of this initiative on agricultural health and safety knowledge, safety attitudes, leadership, self-concept, and self-reported injuries of project participants. Data from 30 public health nurses following the intervention confirmed the program’s failure to develop sustainable community partnerships. Conclusions. This nationally coordinated initiative was funded with more than $1 million donated by agribusinesses. Program implementation was inconsistent, and desired outcomes were not achieved. Future efforts should better guide effective use of private sector resources aimed at reducing agricultural disease and injury among rural youths.