Last data update: May 13, 2024. (Total: 46773 publications since 2009)
Records 1-23 (of 23 Records) |
Query Trace: Mays D[original query] |
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Correction: Building capacity for injury prevention: a process evaluation of a replication of the Cardiff Violence Prevention Programme in the Southeastern USA
Mercer Kollar LM , Sumner SA , Bartholow B , Wu DT , More JC , Mays EW , Atkins EV , Fraser DA , Flood CE , Shepherd JP . Inj Prev 2021 27 (1) 101 The article is previously published with incorrect and missing information. The updates are as follows: | | The last sentence in the third paragraph of ‘Building hospital capacity for data collection’ in ‘Results’ section has been updated as ‘A one-way ANOVA revealed a significant difference between April 2015 and April 2016 triage times, F(1,2734)=5.33, p=0.02. Triage times were on average 16.2 s longer in April 2016 compared with April 2015. No post-hoc analyses were done to control for other, non-CMST-related changes that occurred during the triage process (eg, additional triage screen) from April 2015 to April 2016.’ | Below statement has been added in the sixth paragraph of the ‘Discussion’ section after ‘Nurse participation in the satisfaction … a different US hospital.’ | The statistically significant increase in triage time of 16.2 s, which is unlikely to be clinically significant, may reflect other non-CMST-related triage process changes - such as addition of another triage screen - that were not accounted for in the analyses. |
Proceedings From a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Workshop to control hypertension
Commodore-Mensah Y , Loustalot F , Himmelfarb CD , Desvigne-Nickens P , Sachdev V , Bibbins-Domingo K , Clauser SB , Cohen DJ , Egan BM , Fendrick AM , Ferdinand KC , Goodman C , Graham GN , Jaffe MG , Krumholz HM , Levy PD , Mays GP , McNellis R , Muntner P , Ogedegbe G , Milani RV , Polgreen LA , Reisman L , Sanchez EJ , Sperling LS , Wall HK , Whitten L , Wright JT , Wright JS , Fine LJ . Am J Hypertens 2022 35 (3) 232-243 Hypertension treatment and control prevent more cardiovascular events than management of other modifiable risk factors. Although the age-adjusted proportion of US adults with controlled blood pressure (BP) defined as <140/90 mm Hg, improved from 31.8% in 1999-2000 to 48.5% in 2007-2008, it remained stable through 2013-2014 and declined to 43.7% in 2017-2018. To address the rapid decline in hypertension control, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention convened a virtual workshop with multidisciplinary national experts. Also, the group sought to identify opportunities to reverse the adverse trend and further improve hypertension control. The workshop immediately preceded the Surgeon General's Call to Action to Control Hypertension, which recognized a stagnation in progress with hypertension control. The presentations and discussions included potential reasons for the decline and challenges in hypertension control, possible "big ideas," and multisector approaches that could reverse the current trend while addressing knowledge gaps and research priorities. The broad set of "big ideas" was comprised of various activities that may improve hypertension control, including: interventions to engage patients, promotion of self-measured BP monitoring with clinical support, supporting team-based care, implementing telehealth, enhancing community-clinical linkages, advancing precision population health, developing tailored public health messaging, simplifying hypertension treatment, using process and outcomes quality metrics to foster accountability and efficiency, improving access to high-quality health care, addressing social determinants of health, supporting cardiovascular public health and research, and lowering financial barriers to hypertension control. |
Characteristics and Risk Factors of Hospitalized and Nonhospitalized COVID-19 Patients, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, March-April 2020.
Pettrone K , Burnett E , Link-Gelles R , Haight SC , Schrodt C , England L , Gomes DJ , Shamout M , O'Laughlin K , Kimball A , Blau EF , Ladva CN , Szablewski CM , Tobin-D'Angelo M , Oosmanally N , Drenzek C , Browning SD , Bruce BB , da Silva J , Gold JAW , Jackson BR , Morris SB , Natarajan P , Fanfair RN , Patel PR , Rogers-Brown J , Rossow J , Wong KK , Murphy DJ , Blum JM , Hollberg J , Lefkove B , Brown FW , Shimabukuro T , Midgley CM , Tate JE , Killerby ME . Emerg Infect Dis 2021 27 (4) 1164-1168 We compared the characteristics of hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients who had coronavirus disease in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. We found that risk for hospitalization increased with a patient's age and number of concurrent conditions. We also found a potential association between hospitalization and high hemoglobin A1c levels in persons with diabetes. |
COVID-19 intra-action reviews: potential for a sustained response plan.
Greiner AL , Nguyen L , Shamout M , Krishnan S , Stowell D . Lancet Glob Health 2021 9 (5) e594 We echo Landry Ndriko Mayigane and colleagues’ call (December, 2020)1 for countries to plan and conduct intra-action reviews regularly throughout the COVID-19 response. An intra-action review is a country-led process that reviews past response actions to identify crucial gaps and optimise response plans going forward. WHO guidance for conducting a country COVID-19 intra-action review includes more than 300 discussion questions that can be adapted to a country’s context.2 | | However, given that 26 of 33 countries that have already completed an intra-action review are experiencing ongoing SARS-CoV-2 transmission at the time of writing,3 the retrospective intra-action review process does not sufficiently address ongoing and protracted response planning. Within this context, we advocate for the inclusion of a prospective response examination in the intra-action review process—ie, examining how to sustain response measures to ensure resiliency and plan effectively for the future. |
Rationale for the essential components of physical education
Michael SL , Wright C , Mays Woods A , van der Mars H , Brusseau TA , Stodden DF , Burson SL , Fisher J , Killian CM , Mulhearn SC , Nesbitt DR , Pfledderer CD . Res Q Exerc Sport 2021 92 (2) 1-7 Purpose: This introductory article provides the context and rationale for conducting systematic literature reviews on each of the essential components of physical education, including policy and environment, curriculum, appropriate instruction, and student assessment. Methods: Four research teams from Doctoral Physical Education Teacher Education programs (D-PETE) conducted these systematic reviews using the PRISMA guidelines process. Results: This article explains the role of the national framework for increasing physical education and physical activity (i.e., Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program) in supporting the essential components of physical education. It also highlights the expectations for physical education and provides a brief history of these components. Lastly, this article highlights each of the articles presented in the special feature. Conclusion: Understanding the implementation of these components may be important for improving the physical education experience for all students and creating a foundation for lifelong physical activity and health. |
Estimated Community Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies - Two Georgia Counties, April 28-May 3, 2020.
Biggs HM , Harris JB , Breakwell L , Dahlgren FS , Abedi GR , Szablewski CM , Drobeniuc J , Bustamante ND , Almendares O , Schnall AH , Gilani Z , Smith T , Gieraltowski L , Johnson JA , Bajema KL , McDavid K , Schafer IJ , Sullivan V , Punkova L , Tejada-Strop A , Amiling R , Mattison CP , Cortese MM , Ford SE , Paxton LA , Drenzek C , Tate JE , CDC Field Surveyor Team , Brown Nicole , Chang Karen T , Deputy Nicholas P , Desamu-Thorpe Rodel , Gorishek Chase , Hanchey Arianna , Melgar Michael , Monroe Benjamin P , Nielsen Carrie F , Pellegrini Gerald JJr , Shamout Mays , Tison Laura I , Vagi Sara , Zacks Rachael . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020 69 (29) 965-970 Transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is ongoing in many communities throughout the United States. Although case-based and syndromic surveillance are critical for monitoring the pandemic, these systems rely on persons obtaining testing or reporting a COVID-19-like illness. Using serologic tests to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is an adjunctive strategy that estimates the prevalence of past infection in a population. During April 28-May 3, 2020, coinciding with the end of a statewide shelter-in-place order, CDC and the Georgia Department of Public Health conducted a serologic survey in DeKalb and Fulton counties in metropolitan Atlanta to estimate SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in the population. A two-stage cluster sampling design was used to randomly select 30 census blocks in each county, with a target of seven participating households per census block. Weighted estimates were calculated to account for the probability of selection and adjusted for age group, sex, and race/ethnicity. A total of 394 households and 696 persons participated and had a serology result; 19 (2.7%) of 696 persons had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detected. The estimated weighted seroprevalence across these two metropolitan Atlanta counties was 2.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4-4.5). Non-Hispanic black participants more commonly had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies than did participants of other racial/ethnic groups (p<0.01). Among persons with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, 13 (weighted % = 49.9; 95% CI = 24.4-75.5) reported a COVID-19-compatible illness,* six (weighted % = 28.2; 95% CI = 11.9-53.3) sought medical care for a COVID-19-compatible illness, and five (weighted % = 15.7; 95% CI = 5.1-39.4) had been tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection, demonstrating that many of these infections would not have been identified through case-based or syndromic surveillance. The relatively low seroprevalence estimate in this report indicates that most persons in the catchment area had not been infected with SARS-CoV-2 at the time of the survey. Continued preventive measures, including social distancing, consistent and correct use of face coverings, and hand hygiene, remain critical in controlling community spread of SARS-CoV-2. |
Characteristics Associated with Hospitalization Among Patients with COVID-19 - Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, March-April 2020.
Killerby ME , Link-Gelles R , Haight SC , Schrodt CA , England L , Gomes DJ , Shamout M , Pettrone K , O'Laughlin K , Kimball A , Blau EF , Burnett E , Ladva CN , Szablewski CM , Tobin-D'Angelo M , Oosmanally N , Drenzek C , Murphy DJ , Blum JM , Hollberg J , Lefkove B , Brown FW , Shimabukuro T , Midgley CM , Tate JE , CDC COVID-19 Response Clinical Team , Browning Sean D , Bruce Beau B , da Silva Juliana , Gold Jeremy AW , Jackson Brendan R , Bamrah Morris Sapna , Natarajan Pavithra , Neblett Fanfair Robyn , Patel Priti R , Rogers-Brown Jessica , Rossow John , Wong Karen K . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020 69 (25) 790-794 The first reported U.S. case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was detected in January 2020 (1). As of June 15, 2020, approximately 2 million cases and 115,000 COVID-19-associated deaths have been reported in the United States.* Reports of U.S. patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infection (the virus that causes COVID-19) describe high proportions of older, male, and black persons (2-4). Similarly, when comparing hospitalized patients with catchment area populations or nonhospitalized COVID-19 patients, high proportions have underlying conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, or chronic respiratory disease (3,4). For this report, data were abstracted from the medical records of 220 hospitalized and 311 nonhospitalized patients aged >/=18 years with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from six acute care hospitals and associated outpatient clinics in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. Multivariable analyses were performed to identify patient characteristics associated with hospitalization. The following characteristics were independently associated with hospitalization: age >/=65 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.4), black race (aOR = 3.2), having diabetes mellitus (aOR = 3.1), lack of insurance (aOR = 2.8), male sex (aOR = 2.4), smoking (aOR = 2.3), and obesity (aOR = 1.9). Infection with SARS-CoV-2 can lead to severe outcomes, including death, and measures to protect persons from infection, such as staying at home, social distancing (5), and awareness and management of underlying conditions should be emphasized for those at highest risk for hospitalization with COVID-19. Measures that prevent the spread of infection to others, such as wearing cloth face coverings (6), should be used whenever possible to protect groups at high risk. Potential barriers to the ability to adhere to these measures need to be addressed. |
Building capacity for injury prevention: a process evaluation of a replication of the Cardiff Violence Prevention Programme in the Southeastern USA
Mercer Kollar LM , Sumner SA , Bartholow B , Wu DT , Moore JC , Mays EW , Atkins EV , Fraser DA , Flood CE , Shepherd JP . Inj Prev 2019 26 (3) 221-228 OBJECTIVES: Violence is a major public health problem in the USA. In 2016, more than 1.6 million assault-related injuries were treated in US emergency departments (EDs). Unfortunately, information about the magnitude and patterns of violent incidents is often incomplete and underreported to law enforcement (LE). In an effort to identify more complete information on violence for the development of prevention programme, a cross-sectoral Cardiff Violence Prevention Programme (Cardiff Model) partnership was established at a large, urban ED with a level I trauma designation and local metropolitan LE agency in the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area. The Cardiff Model is a promising violence prevention approach that promotes combining injury data from hospitals and LE. The objective was to describe the Cardiff Model implementation and collaboration between hospital and LE partners. METHODS: The Cardiff Model was replicated in the USA. A process evaluation was conducted by reviewing project materials, nurse surveys and interviews and ED-LE records. RESULTS: Cardiff Model replication centred around four activities: (1) collaboration between the hospital and LE to form a community safety partnership locally called the US Injury Prevention Partnership; (2) building hospital capacity for data collection; (3) data aggregation and analysis and (4) developing and implementing violence prevention interventions based on the data. CONCLUSIONS: The Cardiff Model can be implemented in the USA for sustainable violent injury data surveillance and sharing. Key components include building a strong ED-LE partnership, communicating with each other and hospital staff, engaging in capacity building and sustainability planning. |
Proportion of violent injuries unreported to law enforcement
Wu DT , Moore JC , Bowen DA , Mercer Kollar LM , Mays EW , Simon TR , Sumner SA . JAMA Intern Med 2018 179 (1) 111-112 Interpersonal violence is a leading cause of death and injury in the United States.1 Although many cities rely on official law enforcement data to determine the magnitude, patterns, and prevention strategies for violence, data from the National Crime Victimization Survey conducted by the US Department of Justice indicates that a large number (52.6%) of violent crimes resulting in injury goes unreported to law enforcement.2 Consequently, because of incomplete data, cities are limited in their ability to effectively prevent and respond to violence. |
Ability of crime, demographic and business data to forecast areas of increased violence
Bowen DA , Mercer Kollar LM , Wu DT , Fraser DA , Flood CE , Moore JC , Mays EW , Sumner SA . Int J Inj Contr Saf Promot 2018 25 (4) 1-6 Identifying geographic areas and time periods of increased violence is of considerable importance in prevention planning. This study compared the performance of multiple data sources to prospectively forecast areas of increased interpersonal violence. We used 2011-2014 data from a large metropolitan county on interpersonal violence (homicide, assault, rape and robbery) and forecasted violence at the level of census block-groups and over a one-month moving time window. Inputs to a Random Forest model included historical crime records from the police department, demographic data from the US Census Bureau, and administrative data on licensed businesses. Among 279 block groups, a model utilizing all data sources was found to prospectively improve the identification of the top 5% most violent block-group months (positive predictive value = 52.1%; negative predictive value = 97.5%; sensitivity = 43.4%; specificity = 98.2%). Predictive modelling with simple inputs can help communities more efficiently focus violence prevention resources geographically. |
Openness to using non-cigarette tobacco products among U.S. young adults
Mays D , Arrazola RA , Tworek C , Rolle IV , Neff LJ , Portnoy DB . Am J Prev Med 2015 50 (4) 528-534 INTRODUCTION: National data indicate that the prevalence of non-cigarette tobacco product use is highest among young adults; however, little is known about their openness to use these products in the future and associated risk factors. This study sought to characterize openness to using non-cigarette tobacco products and associated factors among U.S. young adults. METHODS: In 2014, National Adult Tobacco Survey data (2012-2013) were analyzed to characterize openness to using the following tobacco products among all young adults aged 18-29 years (N=5,985): cigars; electronic cigarettes ("e-cigarettes"); hookah; pipe tobacco; chew, snuff, or dip; snus; and dissolvables. Among those who were not current users of each product, multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations between demographics, cigarette smoking status, lifetime use of other non-cigarette products, perceived harm and addictiveness of smoking, and receipt of tobacco industry promotions and openness to using each product. RESULTS: Among all young adults, openness to using non-cigarette tobacco products was greatest for hookah (28.2%); e-cigarettes (25.5%); and cigars (19.1%). In multivariable analyses, which included non-current users of each product, non-current ever, current, and former smokers were more likely than never smokers to be open to using most examined products, as were men and adults aged 18-24 years. Receipt of tobacco industry promotions was associated with openness to using e-cigarettes; chew, snuff, or dip; and snus. CONCLUSIONS: There is substantial openness to trying non-cigarette tobacco products among U.S. young adults. Young adults are an important population to consider for interventions targeting non-cigarette tobacco product use. |
Charting a future for epidemiologic training.
Brownson RC , Samet JM , Chavez GF , Davies MM , Galea S , Hiatt RA , Hornung CA , Khoury MJ , Koo D , Mays VM , Remington P , Yarber L . Ann Epidemiol 2015 25 (6) 458-65 PURPOSE: To identify macro-level trends that are changing the needs of epidemiologic research and practice and to develop and disseminate a set of competencies and recommendations for epidemiologic training that will be responsive to these changing needs. METHODS: There were three stages to the project: (1) assembling of a working group of senior epidemiologists from multiple sectors, (2) identifying relevant literature, and (3) conducting key informant interviews with 15 experienced epidemiologists. RESULTS: Twelve macro trends were identified along with associated actions for the field and educational competencies. The macro trends include the following: (1) "Big Data" or informatics, (2) the changing health communication environment, (3) the Affordable Care Act or health care system reform, (4) shifting demographics, (5) globalization, (6) emerging high-throughput technologies (omics), (7) a greater focus on accountability, (8) privacy changes, (9) a greater focus on "upstream" causes of disease, (10) the emergence of translational sciences, (11) the growing centrality of team and transdisciplinary science, and (12) the evolving funding environment. CONCLUSIONS: Addressing these issues through curricular change is needed to allow the field of epidemiology to more fully reach and sustain its full potential to benefit population health and remain a scientific discipline that makes critical contributions toward ensuring clinical, social, and population health. |
Notes from the field: atypical pneumonia in three members of an extended family - South Carolina and north Carolina, July-August 2013
Rhea SK , Cox SW , Moore ZS , Mays ER , Benitez AJ , Diaz MH , Winchell JM . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2014 63 (33) 734-5 On August 5, 2013, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control was notified of a case of acute respiratory failure in a previously healthy woman. A family interview revealed the patient's uncle and cousin had also been hospitalized with similar symptoms in North Carolina. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and the North Carolina Division of Public Health collaborated to identify the cause of the respiratory illness cluster and to prevent additional illnesses. |
Epidemiology, policy, and racial/ethnic minority health disparities
Carter-Pokras OD , Offutt-Powell TN , Kaufman JS , Giles WH , Mays VM . Ann Epidemiol 2012 22 (6) 446-55 PURPOSE: Epidemiologists have long contributed to policy efforts to address health disparities. Three examples illustrate how epidemiologists have addressed health disparities in the United States and abroad through a "social determinants of health" lens. METHODS: To identify examples of how epidemiologic research has been applied to reduce health disparities, we queried epidemiologists engaged in disparities research in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand, and drew upon the scientific literature. RESULTS: Resulting examples covered a wide range of topic areas. Three areas selected for their contributions to policy were: (1) epidemiology's role in definition and measurement, (2) the study of housing and asthma, and (3) the study of food policy strategies to reduce health disparities. Although epidemiologic research has done much to define and quantify health inequalities, it has generally been less successful at producing evidence that would identify targets for health equity intervention. Epidemiologists have a role to play in measurement and basic surveillance, etiologic research, intervention research, and evaluation research. However, our training and funding sources generally place greatest emphasis on surveillance and etiologic research. CONCLUSIONS: The complexity of health disparities requires better training for epidemiologists to effectively work in multidisciplinary teams. Together we can evaluate contextual and multilevel contributions to disease and study intervention programs to gain better insights into evidenced-based health equity strategies. |
New public health services and systems research agenda: directions for the next decade
Scutchfield FD , Perez DJ , Monroe JA , Howard AF . Am J Prev Med 2012 42 S1-5 For years we have known the value of assessing the delivery and effectiveness of individual clinical services and how factors such as structure, organization, and finance influence the quality and quantity of clinical care. There is a comparable field in public health called public health services and systems research (PHSSR) that studies system-level factors and their association to public health delivery and the health of populations. Mays and colleagues1 have defined public health services and systems research as a field of study that examines the organization, finance, and delivery of public health services in communities and the impact of these services on public health. | Two more recent efforts2, 3 have focused on expanding and further enhancing that early definition. Scutchfield et al.2 suggested that PHSSR would benefit from an enhanced definition that emphasized the following: | • | PHSSR is closely related to its parent discipline of health services research. | • | Health services provided by categorical public health programs can be strengthened by an understanding of PHSSR. In a similar way, the understanding of public health infrastructure could be enhanced by an understanding of principles that can be learned from categorical public health programs and the direct patient care they deliver. | • | The nexus of clinical care and public health in an era where there is a renewed call for bridging public health and primary care, particularly in the wake of population health having become a component of health system reform. |
Public health department accreditation: setting the research agenda
Riley WJ , Lownik EM , Scutchfield FD , Mays GP , Corso LC , Beitsch LM . Am J Prev Med 2012 42 (3) 263-71 Health department accreditation is one of the most important initiatives in the field of public health today. The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) is establishing a voluntary accreditation system for more than 3000 state, tribal, territorial, and local health departments using domains, standards, and measures with which to evaluate public health department performance. In addition, public health department accreditation has a focus on continuous quality improvement to enhance capacity and performance of health departments in order to advance the health of the population. In the accreditation effort, a practice-based research agenda is essential to build the scientific base and advance public health department accreditation as well as health department effectiveness. This paper provides an overview of public health accreditation and identifies the research questions raised by this accreditation initiative, including how the research agenda will contribute to better understanding of processes underlying the delivery of services by public health departments and how voluntary accreditation may help improve performance of public health departments. |
Mental- and physical-health indicators and sexually explicit media use behavior by adults
Weaver III JB , Weaver SS , Mays D , Hopkins GL , Kannenberg W , McBride D . J Sex Med 2010 8 (3) 764-72 INTRODUCTION: Converging evidence from culturally diverse contexts indicates that sexually explicit media use behavior (SEMB; i.e., pornography consumption) is associated with risky sexual health perceptions and behaviors, many that involve high risks of HIV/STD transmission. AIM: Essentially unexplored, and the focus here, are potential relationships between SEMB and nonsexual mental- and physical-health indicators. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Variability in six continuously measured health indicators (depressive symptoms, mental- and physical-health diminished days, health status, quality of life, and body mass index) was examined across two levels (users, nonusers) of SEMB. METHODS: A sample of 559 Seattle-Tacoma Internet-using adults was surveyed in 2006. Multivariate general linear models parameterized in a SEMB by respondent gender (2 x 2) factorial design were computed incorporating adjustments for several demographics. RESULTS: SEMB was reported by 36.7% (n = 205) of the sample. Most SEMB users (78%) were men. After adjusting for demographics, SEMB users, compared to nonusers, reported greater depressive symptoms, poorer quality of life, more mental- and physical-health diminished days, and lower health status. CONCLUSIONS: The findings show that mental- and physical-health indicators vary significantly across SEMB, suggesting the value of incorporating these factors in future research and programmatic endeavors. In particular, the findings suggest that evidence-based sexual health promotion strategies simultaneously addressing individuals' SEMB and their mental health needs might be a useful approach to improve mental health and address preventable sexual health outcomes associated with SEMB. |
Health information-seeking behaviors, health indicators, and health risks
Weaver JB , Mays D , Weaver SS , Hopkins GL , Eroglu D , Bernhardt JM . Am J Public Health 2010 100 (8) 1520-5 OBJECTIVES: We examined how different types of health information-seeking behaviors (HISBs)-no use, illness information only, wellness information only, and illness and wellness information combined-are associated with health risk factors and health indicators to determine possible motives for health information seeking. METHODS: A sample of 559 Seattle-Tacoma area adults completed an Internet-based survey in summer 2006. The survey assessed types of HISB, physical and mental health indicators, health risks, and several covariates. Covariate-adjusted linear and logistic regression models were computed. RESULTS: Almost half (49.4%) of the sample reported HISBs. Most HISBs (40.6%) involved seeking a combination of illness and wellness information, but both illness-only (28.6%) and wellness-only (30.8%) HISBs were also widespread. Wellness-only information seekers reported the most positive health assessments and the lowest occurrence of health risk factors. An opposite pattern emerged for illness-only information seekers. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal a unique pattern of linkages between the type of health information sought (wellness, illness, and so on) and health self-assessment among adult Internet users in western Washington State. These associations suggest that distinct health motives may underlie HISB, a phenomenon frequently overlooked in previous research. |
Eliminating health disparities through transdisciplinary research, cross-agency collaboration, and public participation
Rashid JR , Spengler RF , Wagner RM , Melanson C , Skillen EL , Mays RA Jr , Heurtin-Roberts S , Long JA . Am J Public Health 2009 99 (11) 1955-61 Despite efforts to the contrary, disparities in health and health care persist in the United States. To solve this problem, federal agencies representing different disciplines and perspectives are collaborating on a variety of transdisciplinary research initiatives. The most recent of these initiatives was launched in 2006 when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office of Public Health Research and the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health brought together federal partners representing a variety of disciplines to form the Federal Collaboration on Health Disparities Research (FCHDR). FCHDR collaborates with a wide variety of federal and nonfederal partners to support and disseminate research that aims to reduce or eliminate disparities in health and health care. Given the complexity involved in eliminating health disparities, there is a need for more transdisciplinary, collaborative research, and facilitating that research is FCHDR's mission. |
Mental health disparities
Safran MA , Mays RA Jr , Huang LN , McCuan R , Pham PK , Fisher SK , McDuffie KY , Trachtenberg A . Am J Public Health 2009 99 (11) 1962-6 Mental health disparities have received increased attention in the literature in recent years. After considering 165 different health disparity conditions, the Federal Collaborative for Health Disparities Research chose mental health disparity as one of four topics warranting its immediate national research attention. In this essay, we describe the challenges and opportunities encountered in developing a research agenda to address mental health disparities in the United States. Varying definitions of mental health disparity, the heterogeneity of populations facing such disparity, and the power, complexity, and intertwined nature of contributing factors are among the many challenges. We convey an evolving interagency approach to mental health disparities research and guidance for further work in the field. |
Profiling characteristics of internet medical information users
Weaver JB 3rd , Mays D , Lindner G , Eroglu D , Fridinger F , Bernhardt JM . J Am Med Inform Assoc 2009 16 (5) 714-22 OBJECTIVE: The Internet's potential to bolster health promotion and disease prevention efforts has attracted considerable attention. Existing research leaves two things unclear, however: the prevalence of online health and medical information seeking and the distinguishing characteristics of individuals who seek that information. DESIGN: This study seeks to clarify and extend the knowledge base concerning health and medical information use online by profiling adults using Internet medical information (IMI). Secondary analysis of survey data from a large sample (n = 6,119) representative of the Atlanta, GA, area informed this investigation. MEASUREMENTS: Five survey questions were used to assess IMI use and general computer and Internet use during the 30 days before the survey was administered. Five questions were also used to assess respondents' health care system use. Several demographic characteristics were measured. RESULTS: Contrary to most prior research, this study found relatively low prevalence of IMI-seeking behavior. Specifically, IMI use was reported by 13.2% of all respondents (n = 6,119) and by 21.1% of respondents with Internet access (n = 3,829). Logistic regression models conducted among respondents accessing the Internet in the previous 30 days revealed that, when controlling for several sociodemographic characteristics, home computer ownership, online time per week, and health care system use are all positively linked with IMI-seeking behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest it may be premature to embrace unilaterally the Internet as an effective asset for health promotion and disease prevention efforts that target the public. |
Health-risk correlates of video-game playing among adults
Weaver JB 3rd , Mays D , Sargent Weaver S , Kannenberg W , Hopkins GL , Eroglu D , Bernhardt JM . Am J Prev Med 2009 37 (4) 299-305 BACKGROUND: Although considerable research suggests that health-risk factors vary as a function of video-game playing among young people, direct evidence of such linkages among adults is lacking. PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to distinguish adult video-game players from nonplayers on the basis of personal and environmental factors. It was hypothesized that adults who play video games, compared to nonplayers, would evidence poorer perceptions of their health, greater reliance on Internet-facilitated social support, more extensive media use, and higher BMI. It was further hypothesized that different patterns of linkages between video-game playing and health-risk factors would emerge by gender. METHODS: A cross-sectional, Internet-based survey was conducted in 2006 with a sample of adults from the Seattle-Tacoma area (n=562), examining health risks; media use behaviors and perceptions, including those related to video-game playing; and demographics. Statistical analyses conducted in 2008 to compare video-game players and nonplayers included bivariate descriptive statistics, stepwise discriminant analysis, and ANOVA. RESULTS: A total of 45.1% of respondents reported playing video games. Female video-game players reported greater depression (M=1.57) and poorer health status (M=3.90) than female nonplayers (depression, M=1.13; health status, M=3.57). Male video-game players reported higher BMI (M=5.31) and more Internet use time (M=2.55) than male nonplayers (BMI, M=5.19; Internet use, M=2.36). The only determinant common to female and male video-game players was greater reliance on the Internet for social support. CONCLUSIONS: A number of determinants distinguished video-game players from nonplayers, and these factors differed substantially between men and women. The data illustrate the need for further research among adults to clarify how to use digital opportunities more effectively to promote health and prevent disease. |
Alcohol assessment among college students using wireless mobile technology
Bernhardt JM , Usdan S , Mays D , Martin R , Cremeens J , Arriola KJ . J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2009 70 (5) 771-5 OBJECTIVE: This study used a two-group randomized design to assess the validity of measuring self-reported alcohol consumption among college students using the Handheld Assisted Network Diary (HAND), a daily diary assessment administered using wireless mobile devices. METHOD: A convenience sample of college students was recruited at a large, public university in the southeastern United States and randomized into two groups. A randomly assigned group of 86 students completed the daily HAND assessment during the 30-day study and a Timeline Followback (TLFB) at 30-day follow-up. A randomly assigned group of 82 students completed the paper-and-pencil Daily Social Diary (DSD) over the same study period. Data from the daily HAND assessment were compared with the TLFB completed at follow-up by participants who completed the HAND using 95% limits of agreement analysis. Furthermore, individual growth models were used to examine differences between the HAND and DSD by comparing the total drinks, drinking days, and drinks per drinking day captured by the two assessments over the study period. RESULTS: Results suggest that the HAND captured similar levels of alcohol use compared with the TLFB completed at follow-up by the same participants. In addition, comparisons of the two study groups suggest that, controlling for baseline alcohol use and demographics, the HAND assessment captured similar levels of total drinks, drinking days, and drinks per drinking day as the paper-and-pencil DSD. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings support the validity of wireless mobile devices as a daily assessment of alcohol use among college students. |
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