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A study examined duty-specific risks of death from coronary heart disease among on-duty U.S. firefighters between 1994 and 2004. Results showed that certain emergency firefighting duties, particularly fire suppression, were associated with a risk of death from coronary heart disease that was significantly higher than the risk from non-emergency duties.

Planning for environmental health management of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games included assessment of the capacity and deficiencies of relevant public health agencies in Athens and the other four Olympic cities with 17 detailed questionnaires. Different estimates of the expected number of visitors were made on the basis of experience from previous Olympic Games. Potential public health risks were identified and prioritized. A number of deficiencies in personnel, resources, training, and coordination were identified in most agencies. One hundred and ninety-six environmental health inspectors were expected to work during the Olympic period. Around 18,000 athletes and escorts from 201 countries were expected to participate in the Olympic Games and 7,000 to participate in the Para-Olympic Games. Three different scenarios regarding the number of expected visitors were explored; the most probable estimate being 1,950,000 visitors. Foodborne diseases, waterborne diseases, and heat-related illnesses were considered of high priority during the Olympic period, as were traffic accidents. The Olympic Games are a difficult assignment that demands extensive planning, appropriate resources, and timely reporting and coordination among the various public health agencies., Introduction The Athens 2004 summer Olympic Games were expected to be the largest event in Greek and world sporting history and one of the greatest challenges the various public health [...]

Students who violate school smoking policies present a difficult health and disciplinary issue for school officials, Professionals know little about the characteristics of students who smoke at school. In a prospective study of 679 students in two cities in central Massachusetts, researchers examined how nicotine dependence contributes to the problem of smoking at school. After three years of follow up, smoking at school was reported by 10.3% of students. Among subjects who admitted to smoking at school, 63% reported that symptoms of nicotine dependence preceded their smoking at school. After adjusting for other variables, student smokers with symptoms of nicotine dependence were nine times more likely to report smoking in school (OR 9.1, 95% CI 2.9 - 28.5) than were student smokers without symptoms. Smoking at school was more common among daily smokers and those who paid for their own cigarettes. Age, gender, race, and parental smoking status were not significantly associated with students' reports of smoking at school. These data suggest nicotine dependence as an important contributor to the problem of smoking at school, but not the only reason why students violate school smoking policies. Disciplinary action against students caught violating school smoking policies should be supplemented with an offer of treatment for nicotine dependence. (J Sch Health. 2003;73(4): 154-158), With 31% of high school seniors reporting tobacco use within the previous 30 days, adolescent smoking represents a serious problem. (1) Since four of five persons who use tobacco begin [...]

The prognosis of fainting episodes differs depending on what caused the person to faint. The most serious causes are a heart condition and fainting that cannot be attributed to any known cause. According to a study of 822 people, those with these diagnoses had a higher risk of death than those who fainted for other reasons.