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Introduction: Fresno, California, is home to more than 30,000 Hmong. The purpose of this research was to explore the utilization of Hmong shamans 40 years after the first Hmong immigrants arrived in the United States. Hmong shamanism is examined to identify and analyze changes to shamans' practices or patients. Methods: Using grounded theory, semistructured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 20 shamans in their homes. Transcribed data were qualitatively analyzed. Results: Shamans continue to train and practice in this community; utilization by older patients persists while young adult patients have become the fastest-growing group of users. Healing rituals have changed in response to the legalities of animal sacrifice in urban areas and the time demands of work schedules. Discussion: Nurses' awareness that the availability of biomedicine does not preclude the continuing or recurring utilization of traditional healers can facilitate understanding of culturally defined health care needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Mentholated cigarettes are at least as dangerous to an individual's health as non-mentholated varieties. The addition of menthol to cigarettes reduces perceived harshness of smoke, which can facilitate initiation. Here, we examine correlates of menthol use, national trends in smoking menthol and non-menthol cigarettes, and brand preferences over time. Methods We estimated menthol cigarette use during 2004-2010 using annual data on persons ≥12 years old from the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. We adjusted self-reported menthol status for selected brands that were either exclusively menthol or nonmenthol, based on sales data. Data were weighted to provide national estimates. Results Among cigarette smokers, menthol cigarette use was more common among 12-17 year olds (56.7%) and 18-25 year olds (45.0%) than among older persons (range 30.5% to 34.7%). In a multivariable analysis, menthol use was associated with being younger, female and of non-Caucasian race/ethnicity. Among all adolescents, the percentage who smoked non-menthol cigarettes decreased from 2004-2010, while menthol smoking rates remained constant; among all young adults, the percentage who smoked non-menthol cigarettes also declined, while menthol smoking rates increased. The use of Camel menthol and Marlboro menthol increased among adolescent and young adult smokers, particularly non-Hispanic Caucasians, during the study period. Conclusions Young people are heavy consumers of mentholated cigarettes. Progress in reducing youth smoking has likely been attenuated by the sale and marketing of mentholated cigarettes, including emerging varieties of established youth brands. This study should inform the Food and Drug Administration regarding the potential public health impact of a menthol ban. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this position paper, the American College of Physicians (ACP) examines the challenges women face in the U.S. health care system across their lifespans, including access to care; sex- and gender-specific health issues; variation in health outcomes compared with men; underrepresentation in research studies; and public policies that affect women, their families, and society. ACP puts forward several recommendations focused on policies that will improve the health outcomes of women and ensure a health care system that supports the needs of women and their families over the course of their lifespans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a method that uses observed data from an age-period table to set bounds on the age, period, and cohort effects in an age-period-cohort multiple classification (APCMC) model. The rationale is that with enough periods over a long time span the age distributions within periods on the dependent variable will be affected by different sets of cohorts for each of the periods. This is likely to result in different trends in these separate period age distributions such that the trends in the age distributions will encompass the trend in the age effects that generated the dependent variable values. This approach can help to identify bounds that likely encompass the age, period, cohort parameters that generated the data. The data used in this papers are estimated homicide arrests by single years for those aged 15–64 for the periods 1964 to 2019 in the United States. I utilize the observed trends in the age-distributions for each of the 56 periods as different constraints on the trends for the age effects in the APCMC fixed effects model. These estimates are used to form bounds on the age effects, period effects, and cohort effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of efficient and reliable online assessments has become increasingly important in the digital era. We developed a 10-min online word reading assessment of global English based on the existing paper-and-pencil version of our English silent word reading test. The test includes two parts, namely, random word recognition and contextual word reading. A total of 889 participants (437 children and 392 adults; 62.7% female) took part in the study. They were from various regions including mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Poland, the United States, and the Philippines. Reliability and validity analyses on various demographics samples (by age and country/region of origin) demonstrated that the WordSword Test is highly reliable and valid (e.g., the correlation of this test with other English reading measures were above.80). Education level was positively correlated with test performance, while the correlations between age and test performance were not consistent. Ninety-seven children participants also took the paper-and-pencil version of the WordSword Test. The correlation between performances on the online and paper-and-pencil versions of the test was.879, one year apart. With more children and adults taking the WordSword Test, we ultimately hope to establish norms by area, grade level, and age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural injuries remain a major concern in North America, with a fatal injury rate of 19.5 deaths per 100,000 workers in the United States. Numerous research efforts have sought to compile and analyze records of agricultural-related injuries and fatalities at a national level, utilizing resources, ranging from newspaper clippings and hospital records to Emergency Medical System (EMS) data, death certifications, surveys, and other multiple sources. Despite these extensive efforts, a comprehensive understanding of injury trends over extended time periods and across diverse types of data sources remains elusive, primarily due to the duration of data collection and the focus on specific subsets. This systematic review, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, consolidates and analyzes agricultural injury surveillance data from 48 eligible papers published between 1985 and 2022 to offer a holistic understanding of trends and challenges. These papers, reporting an average of 25,000 injuries each, were analyzed by database source type, injury severity, nature of injury, body part, source of injury, event/exposure, and age. One key finding is that the top source of injury or event/exposure depends on the chosen surveillance system and injury severity, underscoring the need of diverse data sources for a nuanced understanding of agricultural injuries. This study provides policymakers, researchers, and practitioners with crucial insights to bolster the development and analysis of surveillance systems in agricultural safety. The overarching aim is to address the pressing issue of agricultural injuries, contributing to a safer work environment and ultimately enhancing the overall well-being of individuals engaged in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the nationwide incidence of ear foreign body (FB) presentations to the emergency department (ED) and analyze the most common FB consumer products encountered. Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was evaluated for ED visits that included "ear foreign bodies" from 2010 through 2019. The most frequent foreign bodies were identified and organized by demographics. Results: A total of 20,545 ear FB cases were found, with an estimated 608,860 ED visits nationwide. Female patients (56%) were more likely to have jewelry and first aid equipment FBs. Males between the ages of 5 and 15 years were significantly (P < 0.05) more likely to have paper products, pens/pencils, and desk supplies in their ears. Conclusion: Ear FBs represent a substantial proportion of healthcare expenditures. Although children are the most commonly affected individuals, all ages require further education and preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As delays or disorders in early language and communication are the most prevalent symptom in children with disabilities, early screening is crucial to promote prevention, early diagnosis, and intervention. However, to the best of our knowledge, no screening tool is available for the joint assessment of early language and social communication skills in European Portuguese (EP)‐learning children, which is critical for screening, monitoring and enrolment in appropriate early intervention services. Aims: (1) To adapt and validate the EP version of the Communication and Symbolic Behaviour Scales Developmental Profile™ (CSBS DP™) Infant–Toddler Checklist, a parental report for the screening of early language and social communication skills. (2) To conduct a cross‐cultural comparison between the EP adaptation and the original US version. Methods & Procedures: A total of 611 EP‐learning children (ages 6–24 months) were assessed on the CSBS DP Infant–Toddler Checklist. Normative data, psychometric characteristics (i.e., internal consistency and test–retest reliability), and cross‐cultural comparison between the EP and the original version were explored. Outcomes & Results: Internal consistency ranged from good to excellent and the test–retest reliability was excellent. The performance of the EP and US samples matched on almost all scores. However, EP children performed significantly better than their American peers in the Social compositive at 22 months and in the Symbolic composite at 20 months. No further differences were found. Conclusions & Implications: These findings showed that the EP CSBS DP Infant–Toddler Checklist seems to be a reliable screening tool of communicative and symbolic behaviours for EP‐learning children, which can be particularly relevant for decision‐making in clinical practice. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject: Early communication skills are known to be related to later language outcomes. Thus, screening tools for the early identification of children at risk for language and communication impairments, which may lead to monitoring and early intervention, have the potential to promote better outcomes. However, to the best of our knowledge, no screening tool is available for the assessment of early communication abilities in EP‐learning children. What this paper adds to existing knowledge: This study adapted and validated the EP CSBS DP Infant–Toddler Checklist, the first published parental report checklist for the assessment of early communication skills in EP. It described the psychometric characteristics of the adapted checklist, summarized the newly available normative data for EP‐learning infants and toddlers, and compared the performance of EP‐learning children with the original standardization sample reported for American English. The results demonstrated that this tool is a reliable instrument for the early screening of language, communicative and symbolic behaviours for EP‐learning children between 6 and 24 months of age. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?: Given that early screening is crucial to promote prevention, early diagnosis and intervention, the availability of this tool is particularly relevant for children monitoring and their enrolment in appropriate early intervention services, helping decision‐making in clinical practice, in line with current guidelines regarding early monitoring and intervention to promote and support better outcomes. Thus, the tool and related normative data will be useful for paediatricians, family doctors, primary healthcare providers, developmental psychologists and speech–language therapists, among other professionals in the healthcare and educational fields, concerned with speech, language, and communication development and impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores racial differences in maternal risk factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes across urban and rural geographies using 2019 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Bivariate chi-square tests and logistic regression were performed which showed statistically significant geographical differences among Non-Hispanic (NH) Black pregnant women across income levels (p =.016) and perceived health status (p =.003). Regression analyses indicated an increased racial gap between NH White pregnant women and other racial/ethnic groups. The findings support that there are statistically significant racial differences in maternal risk factors across urban and rural geographies for NH Black and Hispanic pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statistical body shape models (SBSM) provide compact, flexible representations of body shape that can be implemented in design software. However, few SBSMs have been created to represent adults in supported seated postures that are relevant for the design of seated environments, and none has incorporated the effects of age. This paper presents an SBSM based on surface laser-scan data from 155 U.S. adults. The data were processed to obtain homologous mesh structure and symmetric geometry, and the processed data were statistically analysed using principal component analysis to obtain a compact representation of the data variance. Regression analysis was conducted to predict body size and shape from stature, body mass index, ratio of sitting height to stature, sex, and age. The resulting model allows rapid generation of realistic body models for applications, including product design, accommodation assessment, and safety system optimisation. The model is publicly accessible at HumanShape.org. Practitioner summary: This paper presents a statistical model that represents adult body shapes in a supported seated posture based on 3 D anthropometric measurements. This model is the first whole-body parametric model known to incorporate age effects based on data extending beyond 65 years of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: COVID-19 has devastated the United States (U.S.). One of the more notably impacted areas is the South. Compared to the rest of the U.S., the South is characterized by increased rurality, lowered access to healthcare, older populations, and higher religiosity, all of which might predispose its residents to more detrimental effects of COVID-19, including COVID-related fatalities. As such, this paper provides important considerations for individuals engaging in work with Southern, rural Americans dealing with COVID-related grief and loss. Methods: A review of the literature addressing the impact of Southern legislature, rurality, cross-country factors, and faith on COVID-related grief among Southerners was conducted, with applicable considerations expressed. Conclusions: Care should be taken by providers working with rural, Southern residents to attend to tangible and intangible losses experienced as a result of COVID-19. These considerations can help inform work with rural Southerners dealing with grief during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has found that music brings back more vivid and emotional autobiographical memories than various other retrieval cues. However, such studies have often been low in ecological validity and constrained by relatively limited cue selection and predominantly young adult samples. Here, we compared music to food as cues for autobiographical memories in everyday life in young and older adults. In two separate four‐day periods, 39 younger (ages 18–34) and 39 older (ages 60–77) adults recorded their music‐ and food‐evoked autobiographical memories in paper diaries. Across both age groups, music triggered more frequent autobiographical memories, a greater proportion of involuntary memories, and memories rated as more personally important in comparison to food cues. Age differences impacted music‐ and food‐evoked memories similarly, with older adults consistently recalling older and less specific memories, which they rated as more positive, vivid, and rehearsed. However, young and older adults did not differ in the number or involuntary nature of their recorded memories. This work represents an important step in understanding the phenomenology of naturally occurring music‐evoked autobiographical memories across adulthood and provides new insights into how and why music may be a more effective trigger for personally valued memories than certain other everyday cues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legal and relational permanence have long been viewed as a central outcome of child welfare services. Timely termination of parental rights (TPR) has been a cornerstone of these permanency efforts because TPRs facilitate permanency through adoption. Yet the number of adoption plans that are not finalized or sustained are not trivial. Over 2,000 youth emancipate from foster care each year and many more leave earlier but not before a TPR has occurred. Some states have passed legislation to allow reinstatements of parental rights. This paper reviews the range of factors state legislation includes, reviews scant existing literature on how TPRs may effect youth, and proposes several options for ways that unproductive TPRs can be reduced, and timely reinstatements increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, 12 states banned or restricted abortion access under elective-procedure restrictions. The rationale was preserving hospital capacity and personal protective equipment (PPE); however, abortions commonly take place in clinics and use less PPE than childbirth. This paper investigates the discursive construction of abortions, the people who get them, and the fetuses in this legislation. The authors analyzed 13 antiabortion documents using an iterative process of thematic coding and memo writing. Twenty-three percent of the legislation listed abortion as banned, whereas the remaining laws implied abortion within the terms "elective" or "nonessential." Legislation used common antiabortion tactics, such as the trivialization of abortion, risk discourses, and constructions of motherhood and fetal personhood. Discourses delegitimized abortion providers and used quasi-medical justifications for banning abortion. Finally, legislation constructed abortion clinics as sites of contagion and waste and consequently as risks to public health. The results highlight the vulnerability of abortion and the connection between abortion policy and other conservative policies, and they gesture toward a strategic attempt to ban abortion federally. These findings have several implications for a post-Roe United States and for stakeholders wishing to increase abortion access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-rated health (SRH) is a salient outcome for cancer survivors. Although depression is a well-studied correlate with SRH, few studies have focused on the role of cancer survivors' age on the association between depression and SRH. This study evaluates demographic and psychosocial factors associated with cancer survivors' SRH. We also assess the moderating role of age to the association between depression and SRH. This paper analyzed 2,470 U.S. cancer survivors from the 2019 National Health Interview Survey. Two ordered logistic regression models with complex survey weights were used for analyses. Missing data was addressed using multiple imputations by chained equations. Being female, higher education and higher income were positively associated with better SRH. While the relationship between higher education and higher income was consistent with previous findings, the positive association between being female and SRH was different from previous studies. Age significantly moderated the association between depression and SRH, evidenced by results of the joint tests of all interaction term coefficients being statistically significant, F(2, 544.6) = 5.13, p < 0.01. The findings of the study highlighted the significance of screening for social determinants of health and health disparity when supporting cancer survivors. Additionally, findings of this study emphasized the significance of adopting an age-specific approach when evaluating and addressing depression across different age groups of cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper examines the prevalence of long COVID across different demographic groups in the US and the extent to which workers with impairments associated with long COVID have engaged in pandemic-related remote work. Methods: We use the US Household Pulse Survey to evaluate the proportion of all adults who self-reported to (1) have had long COVID, and (2) have activity limitations due to long COVID. We also use data from the US Current Population Survey to estimate linear probability regressions for the likelihood of pandemic-related remote work among workers with and without disabilities. Results: Findings indicate that women, Hispanic people, sexual and gender minorities, individuals without 4-year college degrees, and people with preexisting disabilities are more likely to have long COVID and to have activity limitations from long COVID. Remote work is a reasonable arrangement for people with such activity limitations and may be an unintentional accommodation for some people who have undisclosed disabilities. However, this study shows that people with disabilities were less likely than people without disabilities to perform pandemic-related remote work. Conclusion: The data suggest this disparity persists because people with disabilities are clustered in jobs that are not amenable to remote work. Employers need to consider other accommodations, especially shorter workdays and flexible scheduling, to hire and retain employees who are struggling with the impacts of long COVID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors report on the annual incidence of sharps injuries in the U.S. with nationally weighted data. While most needlestick and sharps injury papers focus on healthcare workers, this paper also seeks to understand reported exposures to sharps across industries. Objective: To examine sharps injury (SI) rates among US workers treated in hospital emergency departments. Methods: A national probability-based sample of approximately 67 US hospital emergency departments from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System—Occupational Supplement was used to examine annual national estimates of SI rates (number of injuries/10,000 full-time equivalents) for US workers from 2006 to 2020. Results: Among the general US worker population, the 25- to 34-year age group experienced the highest annual SI rate. Health care industry workers experienced SI rates up to 16 times the rate of all US workers. Conclusion: Younger age (≤34 years) is associated with increased SI risk. Tailored prevention efforts should be developed to address the specific needs of these workers, especially among health care workers. Continual occupational surveillance will maximize the health and safety of US workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This paper examined the gap between obesity and its diagnosis for cohorts of patients with overweight, obesity, and morbid obesity in the Veterans Administration (VA) population. Using the risk adjustment models, it also identified factors associated with the underdiagnosis of obesity. Methods: Analysis was performed on a VA data set. We identified diagnosed patients and undiagnosed patients (identified through BMI but not diagnosed using ICD-10 codes). The groups' demographics were compared using nonparametric chi-square tests. We used logistic regression analysis to predict the likelihood of the omission of diagnosis. Results: Of the 2,900,067 veterans with excess weight, 46% were overweight, 46% had obesity, and 8% of them had morbid obesity. The overweight patients were the most underdiagnosed (96%), followed by the obese (75%) and morbidly obese cohorts (69%). Older, male, and White patients were more likely to be undiagnosed as overweight and obese; younger males were more likely to be undiagnosed as morbidly obese. (p < 0.05) Comorbidities significantly contributed to diagnosis. Conclusions: The underdiagnosis of obesity continues to be a significant problem despite its prevalence. Diagnosing obesity accurately is necessary to provide effective management and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States occupies a unique position among OECD countries because the US provides little policy support for working parents. Despite the resulting extreme time scarcity, US fathers perform similar amounts of child care as European fathers under more family-friendly policy conditions. Using recent national time use survey data, this paper examines whether time scarcity among American working parents, coupled with limited access to affordable child care and traditional masculine identity ideas, is associated with American fathers' involvement in the daily care of their young children. Results show that fathers do one third of all care activities, contribute one third of the care time, and perform over one half of the 10 activities analyzed here daily. Multivariate analysis indicates that time scarcity, lack of alternative child care options, and traditional masculine identity affect the degree of fathers' involvement in daily care activities with their under five year olds. Implications for the development of caring masculinities are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annual turnover of home care workers represents a huge loss of revenue and is a key source of inefficiency in the home health care industry. In this article, we propose a data-driven approach to monitor employee churn and to capture the evolution of employee intent to leave. Unlike most papers in the literature, we use machine learning techniques to analyze over 2 million visits in the US, Canada, and Australia between 2016 and 2019. Results show that the gap between the number of hours worked and in the contract is the most important factor to predict employee intent to leave, which means an employee should be given as many hours as requested in the contract to improve retention. Secondary results show that having diverse shift lengths and continuity in services and patients seem to be associated with less turnover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many transgender people enjoy positive intimate relationships, however such relationships exist within a context of broader discrimination, specifically cisgenderism. The present study sought to investigate the relationships between demographic variables, significant other support, relationship satisfaction, resiliency, past relationship experiences and future relationship expectations, and gender-related discrimination amongst a convenience sample of transgender people living in the United States. 345 participants completed an online questionnaire designed by the authors assessing psychological distress, relationships with partners, and partner support. Findings suggest that participants had some difficulties in negotiating past relationships, though remained hopeful about future relationships. This was especially true for those who lived with animal companions and who reported higher levels of resiliency. Participants currently in relationships reported relatively high levels of significant other support (and this was especially true for participants in relationships with other transgender people), and such support was related to lower levels of psychological distress, though this was less true for older and/or agender participants. Participants were on average satisfied with their current relationships, though this was particularly true for participants with higher incomes. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of the findings for clinicians who work with transgender people and their partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past two decades, major breakthroughs that improve our understanding of the pathophysiology and therapy of kidney stones (KS) have been lacking. The disease continues to be challenging for patients, physicians, and healthcare systems alike. In this context, epidemiological studies are striving to elucidate the worldwide changes in the patterns and the burden of the disease and identify modifiable risk factors that contribute to the development of kidney stones. Our expanding knowledge of the epidemiology of kidney stones is of paramount importance and largely upgrades the modern management of the disease. In this paper, we review the variables affecting prevalence and incidence, including age, gender, race, ethnicity, occupation, climate, geography, systemic diseases, diabetes, vascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and dietary risk factors relevant to kidney stones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The age distribution of a population is a product of a century of demographic history. This paper describes how the history of births, deaths, and migrations has fashioned the US age distribution in 2018. It also shows how that history, combined with contemporary processes, was actively producing changes in the age distribution between 2013 and 2018. Changes in survivorship, migration, and births all contributed to population aging during this period, with a declining growth rate of births the leading contributor. Using a novel approach, the paper demonstrates how the inertia reflected in changing age distributions sheds light on the future population of the United States. Massive growth in the population above age 70 will occur by 2033 if recent age patterns of age‐specific mortality and migration are maintained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Using a minority stress paradigm, this paper examines the relationship between anti-transgender discrimination, harassment, and violence among transgender adults. Methods: Data from the 2015 U.S. National Transgender Survey were used to examine twenty types of anti-transgender experiences/problems (e.g., harassment at work, problems with police officials, verbal and physical assaults) in a sample of 27,715 transgender Americans aged 18 or older. Binge drinking during the previous month was the dependent variable, and eight control measures were examined in the multivariate analysis. Results: Experiencing any of the twenty types of anti-transgender discrimination, harassment, or violence increased the odds of binge drinking by 48%. Experiencing many such problems increased the odds of binge drinking by 104%. Multivariate analysis showed that anti-transgender discrimination, harassment, and violence remains a predictor of binge drinking even when other key measures are taken into account. Younger people, racial minority group members, and persons who were not married or "involved" were at particularly great risk. Conclusions: Consistent with the minority stress paradigm, the more different types of anti-transgender experiences people had, the more likely they were to engage in binge drinking. Targeted intervention needs to help transgender persons to avoid anti-transgender discrimination, harassment, and violence to the greatest extent possible, and to develop resiliency skills whenever they are victimized. This is particularly true for transgender persons who are younger, minority, and not "involved" in a relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate the change in body dimensions over time in both Western (US) and Eastern (Korea) populations. In order to analyse the change of body dimension between the past and present and between western and eastern population, 13 body dimensions relating to automobile driver seat design were extracted from the ANSUR and Size Korea datasets at two time points, the past (ANSUR I: 1988, Size Korea: 1992) and the present (ANSUR II: 2012, Size Korea: 2012). Most of the dimensions differed significantly between past and present, as well as between the US and Korea. Overall, the data show an increasing trend of body dimensions over time for both genders. Based on the results, all countries should be encouraged to conduct periodic and national anthropometric research because body dimensions are continuously changing over time worldwide. Practitioner summary: This paper describes a study that investigates the changes in body dimensions over time in Western (US) and Eastern (Korean) populations. Findings indicate increasing trends in most dimensions for both populations, crucial for user-friendly product design and preventing hazards caused by faulty products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed analysis of a paper by William Gale and Karen Pence, which focused on research concerning wealth accumulation in different households in the United States between 1989 and 2001, is given. The analysis is given by Alan Blinder and John Sebelhaus. The research found that the change in household wealth in that period was concentrated in the upper age groups, such as those 55 and older. The research also found that these older groups did better because they improved their demographics, not because of other factors such as the stock market. Sebelhaus and Blinder use statistical analysis to check the paper's accuracy.

Simple Summary: HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is unique amongst oropharyngeal cancers in its high responsiveness to treatment and its lower mortality rate. As a result, numerous clinical trials have been conducted to identify treatment modalities and protocols. In order for these trials to have meaningful impact on HPV-associated OPSCC patients, proper demographic representation by trial participants is essential. The aim of our systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the demographics of trial participants for HPV-associated OPSCC clinical trials and compare them with those reported by national databases. We determined that clinical-trial participants were predominately non-smoking white men, with tonsils as the primary tumor site. These findings reflect the demographics reported by the National Cancer Database. Our results imply that HPV-associated OPSCC clinical trials appropriately represent the target population and offer immense benefit. The objective of our paper was to answer the following question: how do patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma OPSCC (Population) enrolled in clinical trials (Intervention), compared with national database reports of HPV-associated OPSCC patients (Comparison), present demographically (Outcome)? We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies pertaining to clinical trials of HPV-associated OPSCC and participant demographics in the United States. PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to 2 February 2022. Studies of overlapping participant cohorts and/or studies conducted outside of the United States were excluded. Primary outcomes were patient age, sex, and race. Secondary outcomes were smoking history, alcohol history, history of prior cancer, and tumor origin site. Meta-analysis of single means (mean, N for each study, and standard deviation) for age, pack years, and smoking years was performed. Pooled prevalence rates of gender, race, alcohol history, tobacco history, and tumor origin site were expressed as a percentage, with 95% confidence intervals. Meta-analysis found patients to be predominately non-smoking white males, with tumors originating from the tonsil. Our findings reflected the demographics reported by the National Cancer Database (NCDB) for HPV-associated OPSCC. This indicates that HPV-associated OPSCC patients are appropriately represented in clinical trial demographics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Little is known about the length of working life, even though it is a key indicator for policy-makers. In this paper, we study how the length of working life at age 50 has developed in the United States from a cohort perspective. Methods We use a large longitudinal sample of U.S. Social Security register data that covers close to 1.7 million individuals of the cohorts born from 1920 to 1965. For all of these cohorts, we study the employment trajectories and working life expectancy (WLE) at age 50 by gender and nativity (native-born/foreign-born). For the cohorts with employment trajectories that are only incompletely observed, we borrow information from older cohorts to predict their WLE. Results The length of working life has been increasing for the native-born males and females, and the younger cohorts worked longer than the older cohorts. However, WLE might soon peak, and then stall. The gap in WLE between the native-born and the foreign-born has increased over time, although latter group might be able to catch up in the coming years. Discussion Our findings show that studying employment from a cohort perspective reveals crucial information about patterns of working life. The future development of the length of working life should be a major concern for policy-makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports results from a second study which examines the knowledge and training of child welfare professionals with regard to risk factors for fatal child maltreatment. This multi-state, online study (n = 619) shows that workers have gaps in their knowledge of risk factors for maltreatment-related deaths. The majority of workers had received training, but it had little impact on worker knowledge. Workers reported receiving a variety of trainings on risks for fatalities, with different sources, length of training, and foci. Workers who received training that focused on research-based risk factors had higher levels of knowledge than other workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to perform a critical reflection about intervention options for bruxism reduction in children and adolescents. Search was conducted based on the PICO-structured question: "What are the intervention options to reduce bruxism in children/adolescents?". No language, year, or study design restrictions were imposed. Studies reporting interventions to reduce bruxism in children (< 10) and adolescents (10 to 19 years old) were included. Reviews and letters to editors were not included. From 2723 records, 17 papers were included. Included studies were primarily randomized clinical trials performed in Brazil (35.3%) and using different criteria for the diagnosis of bruxism. Reduction in self-reported bruxism and headaches associated with bruxism were observed in studies that used medications (hydroxyzine/trazodone/flurazepam), occlusal splints, orthodontic interventions, and psychological and physical therapy interventions. Reduction in Rhythmic Masticatory Muscle Activity was observed with the use of the occlusal splint and in orthodontic interventions. Alternative treatments (medicinal extracts such as Melissa officinalis-L) have shown inconclusive results.Conclusions: Several intervention options are available to inhibit or reduce bruxism activity. The respective indication, contraindications, and side effects of each treatment option must be assessed individually and carefully, taking into account that bruxism is not considered a disorder in otherwise healthy individuals.What is known• Biological and psychological factors have been strongly correlated to the development of bruxism• Bruxism prevalence ranging from 6 to 50% in childrenWhat is new• Reduction in self-reported bruxism and headaches associated with bruxism were observed in studies that used medication (Hydroxyzine/ Trazodone/ Flurazepam), occlusal splints, orthodontic interventions, psychological, and physical therapy interventions• A reduction in Rhythmic Masticatory Muscle Activity was observed with the use of the occlusal splint and orthodontic interventions. Alternative treatments (medicinal extracts such as Melissa officinalis L) show inconclusive results in respect of the reduction in bruxism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores how paid and unpaid labor history over the life course influence women's cardiovascular disease. U.S. women comprise about 50% of the paid workforce and perform the majority of unpaid labor. However, the influence of women's work on their health is under-researched. Our sample was drawn from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study, a cohort of post-menopausal women in the U.S. aged 50–79 at recruitment. Women were categorized into five groups according to paid labor history: worked in paid jobs consistently throughout adult life; left the workforce early; entered the workforce later; discontinuous work history; never worked outside the home. Live birth history (none, at least one, missing) served as a proxy for unpaid labor in prime age. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratio of CVD associated with different paid work histories. We then assessed the effect of unpaid labor on the relation between paid labor and CVD. Paid labor participation was not associated with CVD risk among women without unpaid labor after adjusting for age, education, and birth cohort. Among those with unpaid demands, leaving the workforce early or having discontinuous work history was protective. In this U.S. sample, the association between paid work participation history and CVD risk depends on the presence of unpaid labor. Our results demonstrate the necessity of including work – paid and unpaid – in consideration of women's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth utilization was growing slowly and steadily, although differentially across medical specialties in the United States. The pandemic dramatically expanded physician use of telehealth, but our understanding of how much telehealth use has changed in primary care in the United States, the correlates of physician telehealth uptake, and the frequency with which primary care physicians intend to use telehealth after the pandemic are unknown. This paper is designed to assess these important questions. Methods: Using data from an original national survey of 625 primary care physicians conducted from May 14 to May 25, 2021, we investigate the frequency of physician telehealth use before and during the pandemic and intended use after the pandemic. We also assess the correlates of changes in telehealth use by physicians, comparing telehealth use before the pandemic to use during and after the pandemic. Results: The proportion of primary care physicians using telehealth often, jumped from 5.3% (95% CI 3.5, 7.0) before the pandemic to 46.2% (95% CI 42.3, 50.2) during the pandemic. More importantly, over 70% of physicians intended to use telehealth at least occasionally after the pandemic compared to just 18.7% before, with younger physicians, physicians without telehealth training in medical school, and Asian physicians most likely to increase their telehealth use long-term. Discussion: The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred expansion in telehealth use by primary care physicians that will continue to shape care delivery well beyond the pandemic. Policy change could be needed to facilitate this growth of telehealth long-term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The overall prevalence of U.S. young adult alcohol use has decreased, but little is known about historical change in related behaviors such as simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM) use that may increase alcohol‐related risks and societal costs. The purpose of this paper was to examine historical change in SAM use prevalence among U.S. young adult alcohol users from 1977 to 2016, and consider the extent to which observed historical change in SAM use among alcohol users reflects co‐occurring change in marijuana use during these years. Methods: Data on past 12‐month alcohol, marijuana, and SAM use at up to 6 modal ages (19/20, 21/22, 23/24, 25/26, 27/28, and 29/30) were collected from 11,789 individuals (45.0% men) participating in the Monitoring the Future panel study. Annual prevalence estimates within modal age group were obtained; historical SAM use trends among alcohol and marijuana users were estimated. Results: From 2014 to 2016, SAM use was reported by approximately 30% of alcohol users aged 19/20 and 21/22, and 20 to 25% of alcohol users aged 23/24 through 29/30. Since the mid‐1990s, age‐specific historical trends in SAM use prevalence among alcohol users followed 1 of 4 patterns: significant increase followed by oscillating increases/decreases (at modal age 19/20), consistent and significant increases (at modal ages 21/22, 23/24, and 25/26), stability followed by increase (at modal ages 27/28), or stability (at modal ages 29/30). In contrast, SAM use trends among marijuana users primarily reflected stability, with some evidence of a decrease across time at modal ages 19/20 and 23/24. Historical change in SAM prevalence among alcohol users was strongly and positively correlated with changes in overall marijuana use prevalence. Conclusions: A growing proportion of early and mid‐young adult alcohol users reported SAM use, with the highest risk among those in the early years of young adulthood. Young adult SAM use may continue to increase in proportion to the degree that young adult marijuana use continues to increase. This paper examined historical change in simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM) use prevalence among U.S. young adult alcohol users from 1977‐2016. While the overall prevalence of U.S. young adult alcohol use has decreased, a growing proportion of early and mid‐young adult alcohol users reported SAM use, with the highest risk among those in the early years of young adulthood. Young adult SAM use may continue to increase in proportion to the degree that young adult marijuana use continues to increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Several independent studies report an alarming increase in patients younger than 40 being diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. There is currently a lack of available data clearly tracking changes in the age distribution of head and neck cancer (HNC) within the United States. This study attempts to elucidate any trends in oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx and hypopharynx cancer age distribution in the United States population from 1975 to 2016. Unlike previous studies, this paper does not track incidence but rather reports proportional changes of prevalence within age cohorts over time. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review centred on data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Each decade interval from 1975 to 2016 displays the proportion of HNC patients, classified by primary tumour subsite, within each age cohort. Results: Mean age at diagnosis increased for all subsites except oropharynx. Oropharyngeal cancer was the only subsite to show a decrease in the mean age at diagnosis. In addition, oropharyngeal cancer was the only subsite to demonstrate an overall increase in proportional prevalence, largely due to increased incidence in middle‐age (40–59 years) patients. Cancers of the oral cavity were the only subset to show a true increase in the proportion of young (0–39 years) patients, but its mean age at diagnosis still increased. When stratifying by gender, the proportion of young patients in female HNC cases is higher than the young male proportion. Conclusion: Overall, this study demonstrates an increased proportion of older HNC patients that is consistent with the ageing population. Oral cavity cancer demonstrated a true increase in the proportion of young patients, likely due to the increased incidence of young women diagnosed with this cancer. Oropharyngeal cancer was the only subsite to show a decrease in the mean age at diagnosis. The increased proportion of middle‐age patients with oropharyngeal cancer likely reflects the increase in HPV‐related cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A majority of married couples in the USA take advantage of the fact that employers often provide health insurance coverage to spouses. When older spouses become eligible for Medicare, however, many of them can no longer provide their younger spouses with coverage. In this paper, we study how spousal eligibility for Medicare affects the health insurance and health care access of younger spouses. We find that spousal eligibility for Medicare results in younger spouses no longer having employers pay for their insurance and being less likely to have employer-sponsored coverage. Instead, younger spouses switch to privately purchased coverage, which tends to be worse than what they had before their spouses became eligible for Medicare. We also find suggestive evidence that younger spouses are less likely to use health care services after their older spouses become eligible for Medicare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much of the debate surrounding reform of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) revolves around its insurance market regulation. This paper studies the impact on health insurance coverage of those provisions. Using data from the American Community Survey, years 2008-2015, I focus on individuals, ages 26 to 64, who are ineligible for the subsidies or Medicaid expansions included in the ACA to isolate the effect of its market regulation. To account for time trends, I utilize a differences-in-differences approach with a control group of residents of Massachusetts who were already subject to a similarly regulated health insurance market. I find that the ACA's regulations caused an increase of 0.95 percentage points in health insurance coverage for my sample in 2014. This increase was concentrated among younger individuals, suggesting that the law's regulations ameliorated adverse selection in the individual health insurance market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying Andersen's health care utilization model, this paper shows the prevalence of immigrants' medical and dental tourism and associated factors. An analysis of the 2003 New Immigrant Survey data shows that about 17% of immigrants received medical care in a foreign country, whereas about one-third obtained dental care outside the United States. Latino immigrants have a higher prevalence of both types of tourism than their Asian counterparts. Race, level of education, and health insured status are commonly associated with medical and dental tourism. The findings contribute to the scarce literature on immigrants' health care utilization and medical and dental tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether encouraging successful ageing or labelling one as a stereotypical senior citizen, messages surrounding ageing pervade the daily lives of older adults. However, as a social status, age remains primarily in the background of older adults' conversations, only being drawn into the focus when one is identified as older. This paper draws on interviews with members and staff of an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) in the southeastern United States of America in order to examine the ways that they discuss age and ageing. These older adults' ageing talk often focused on navigating away from negative ideas about age and avoiding labels deemed pejorative. Humour was occasionally used in identifying age, which carried potential for reinforcing as well as subverting ageism. Yet, members highlighted positive value in being older, particularly as demonstrated through participation in age-segregated education. Overall, these findings reflect the conflicting influences of deeply embedded ageist beliefs and personal desires to age successfully among this group of white, upper-middle-class, educated older adults. Ultimately, OLLI served as a protective environment for these privileged individuals, shielding the self from stereotypes otherwise present in ageing talk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known on the subject?: There is very limited literature on the health of Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States, and the available studies were mostly conducted on small convenient samples in local communities.There is also a need to understand changes in the rates of serious psychological distress (SPD) during the 15 years after 2001, as there were negative effects on Arabs' health since the September 2001 aftermath. What does this paper add to existing knowledge?: The study examined the rates of SPD, the risk of SPD and its associated factors in a national sample of Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States from 2001 to 2015.The study found that serious psychological distress rate was high among Middle Eastern immigrants. Being a female and having obesity were associated with a higher risk of reporting serious psychological distress among this population. What are the implications for practice?: These outcomes necessitate mental health nursing interventions that provide culturally sensitive mental health care to immigrantsFor example, developing community‐based prevention programmes is required to address risk factors of psychological distress and to increase awareness about psychological distress among Middle Eastern immigrants. Introduction: While Middle Eastern immigrants are a fast‐growing population in the United States, there is very limited literature on their mental health. Most of the available studies were conducted on small convenient samples in local communities. Aims: To examine rates of serious psychological distress (SPD) and its associated factors among Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States, compared with US‐born, non‐Hispanic Whites. Methods: Data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) from 2001 to 2015 were analysed. The survey included 1,246 Middle Eastern immigrants and 232,392 US‐born, non‐Hispanic Whites. SPD was measured by the Kessler‐6 psychological distress scale. Survey analysis procedures, sampling weights and variance estimates were conducted. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were employed to examine differences and factors associated with SPD. Results: SPD rate was the highest among Middle Eastern immigrants (5.99%) between 2006 and 2010. Among Middle Eastern immigrants, being female and obese were significantly associated with a higher risk of SPD. Discussion: Middle Eastern immigrants in the United States suffered high rates of SPD. Gender and obesity were factors associated with SPD risk. Implications: These outcomes indicate the need for mental health nursing interventions that provide culturally sensitive mental health care to immigrants, such as developing community‐based prevention programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is limited research on the living arrangements of older adults with disabilities, especially research that combines household composition and housing characteristics. This paper addresses that gap with two complementary sets of logistic regression models: first, estimating the odds of disability by household composition and housing type and, second, estimating the odds of disability by living arrangement within gender and age sub-groups. Data come from the 2012 American Community Survey (N = 504,371 respondents aged 65 and older), which includes six measures of disability: cognitive, ambulatory, independent living, self-care, vision and hearing. Living alone, with children or with others was associated with higher odds of any disability, compared with living with a spouse only. Compared to those living in a single-family home, living in a mobile home or other temporary structure, or large apartment building was associated with higher odds of disability. Having a disability was associated with lower rates of living with a spouse only, alone, in a single-family home or in a small or mid-sized apartment building and higher rates of all other living arrangements. Sub-group analyses revealed differences in the relationship between living arrangements and disability by gender and age group. This information provides a baseline from which to observe trends in living arrangements and disability for older adults in the United States of America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Over the past few decades, numerous forecasting methods have been proposed in the field of epidemic forecasting. Such methods can be classified into different categories such as deterministic vs. probabilistic, comparative methods vs. generative methods, and so on. In some of the more popular comparative methods, researchers compare observed epidemiological data from the early stages of an outbreak with the output of proposed models to forecast the future trend and prevalence of the pandemic. A significant problem in this area is the lack of standard well-defined evaluation measures to select the best algorithm among different ones, as well as for selecting the best possible configuration for a particular algorithm.Results: In this paper we present an evaluation framework which allows for combining different features, error measures, and ranking schema to evaluate forecasts. We describe the various epidemic features (Epi-features) included to characterize the output of forecasting methods and provide suitable error measures that could be used to evaluate the accuracy of the methods with respect to these Epi-features. We focus on long-term predictions rather than short-term forecasting and demonstrate the utility of the framework by evaluating six forecasting methods for predicting influenza in the United States. Our results demonstrate that different error measures lead to different rankings even for a single Epi-feature. Further, our experimental analyses show that no single method dominates the rest in predicting all Epi-features when evaluated across error measures. As an alternative, we provide various Consensus Ranking schema that summarize individual rankings, thus accounting for different error measures. Since each Epi-feature presents a different aspect of the epidemic, multiple methods need to be combined to provide a comprehensive forecast. Thus we call for a more nuanced approach while evaluating epidemic forecasts and we believe that a comprehensive evaluation framework, as presented in this paper, will add value to the computational epidemiology community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Comparing body fat and the effect of body fat on metabolic abnormalities in Chinese and USA teenagers may provide clues for the early prevention and control of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to compare the prevalence of glucose and lipid metabolism abnormalities, body fat amount and distribution, and the effect of body fat on glucose and lipid metabolism in Chinese and US teenagers. Methods We included 5424 Chinese teenagers (48.5% male) from the China Child and Adolescent Cardiovascular Health (CCACH) study and 8704 USA teenagers (55.6% male) from the USA National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Blood lipid, blood glucose, and body fat indicators were obtained using the same standardised measurements. Results The prevalence of dyslipidaemia in Chinese teenagers was of those in the USA (hypercholesterolaemia = 3.5% vs 7.4%; high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) = 3.6% vs 5.0%; low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)=9.9% vs 14.3%; hypertriglyceridaemia=3.7% vs 10.1%) (P<0.05). However, with the increase in body mass index (BMI), the prevalence of high LDL-C increased more in Chinese than in US teenagers, even exceeding them in the obese group (2.7% in non-overweight to 9.7% in overweight group in China, P<0.05; 3.5% in non-overweight to 6.5% in the obese group in the USA, P<0.05). The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose was higher in China than in the USA (28.0% vs 17.5%, P<0.05). Besides, Chinese adolescents are more likely to accumulate fat in the abdomen, and the per-unit fat increase would bring a higher risk of dyslipidaemia in Chinese boys than in USA boys. Conclusions Dyslipidaemia was more prevalent in US teenagers than in Chinese teenagers, but with the increase in BMI, the prevalence of high LDL-C increased more in Chinese than in US teenagers. Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was significantly more prevalent in China than in the USA. The unfavoured body fat and higher risk of body fat on metabolic disorders in Chinese teenagers suggest that Chinese teenagers should pay more attention to the adverse effect of body fat on metabolic abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Although the burden of stroke in terms of mortality and disability has been well documented in previous years, data after 2000 are limited. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to identify the epidemiology of stroke in the US and EU5 nations from data published in 2000 and later. Methods. Data from literature databases and online sources were collated to identify information relating to the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of stroke from the year 2000 onwards. Results and Conclusions. Twenty-three data sources were identified. The incidence of andmortality due to stroke both increase with age and are greater in males compared to females. Stroke is a common problem and likely to worsen in the US and EU5 as their populations age. However, pre-2000 trends of decreasing stroke mortality over time have continued after 2000, reflecting a consistent improvement in the treatment and care of patients with stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There exists enormous variation in estimates of the lifetime cost of adolescent obesity by race. To justify policy measures to reduce obesity rates nationally in this demographic, the costs of obesity in late adolescence must first be discerned. Although several researchers have sought to quantify obesity's true cost, none has accounted for race-specific age-related weight gain, a vital component in producing an accurate estimate.Methods: This paper employs a Markov model of BMI category state changes separately for black and white males and females from age 18 to 75 applied to updated estimates of obesity's costs and effect on mortality to quantify the median lifetime cost of obesity at age 18.Results: This study found lower lifetime costs than previously, largely because of the dramatic gain in weight among normal-weight individuals, particularly black males, that occurs in early adulthood.Conclusions: A substantial portion of obesity's prevalence, and therefore cost, for black males and females comes from age-related weight gain in early adulthood. This speaks to the persistent threat of obesity beyond adolescence for this demographic, and further research should focus on whether policy can modify the behaviors and environment through which and in which this sharp increase in weight occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In developed nations, public health agencies typically use data from randomized controlled trials to evaluate new drugs. However, these trials routinely exclude populations to which clinicians prescribe approved drugs, meaning some patients are treated with drugs, which were approved on the basis of another group's treatment response. Despite having opportunities to change, some health agencies have not mandated greater inclusion in drug trials and appear to prefer remaining ignorant of some populations' treatment effects when approving a drug. To explore this decision, I introduce a novel mechanism by which a health agency would choose to be intentionally agnostic regarding a population's treatment response. The main contribution of this paper is in showing how ambiguity about on-label and off-label prescription rates could possibly encourage population exclusion in drug approval trials even in the absence of concerns about trial necessity or cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fractures associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) are devastating injuries that can have lifelong physical and emotional implications. With exception to the facial region, there are very limited epidemiological reports describing the types and location of IPV-related fractures. The objective of this study is to review a national database and describe trends that are associated with IPV-related fractures. An analysis of all adult (18 years and older) was performed using the National Trauma Data Bank from 2007 through 2014. There were 1352 records identified where the patient was diagnosed with an IPVrelated fracture. Women accounted for 83% of the population and the mean age was 37.5 years. Nearly half of the population sustained fractures to the face. Variances among fracture location were observed across age groups. Facial fractures were recorded more in the younger population (18–39 years) when compared to the other age groups (40–59 years and 60+ years), p < 0.001. Alternatively, rib and femur fractures were more commonly seen among survivors aged 60 years and older when compared to the younger age groups, p < 0.001. The ability to identify and respond to survivors of IPV in the healthcare setting is critically important. While facial fractures are particularly common in the presence of IPV, they are not the only type of fractures that may be seen. In many cases healthcare professionals are the first line of defense in identifying suspected IPV cases. The findings of this paper build upon existing literature while also describing IPV-related fractures across the age spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today China has the world’s largest older population, defined as aged 65 and over. The size of the older population in the United States is also large, ranking third in the world in 2000. The combined older populations of China and the United States represented 29 percent of the world’s population 65 and older in 2000. The large older populations in these two countries are projected to more than double in size over the next three decades. Although currently China is younger than the United States and many other countries, its aging process will accelerate in the next few decades, with a speed surpassing the experience of many Western European countries and the United States. This paper examines the current and future situation of the older population in China and compares China’s aging with that of the United States, using 2000 and earlier censuses from both countries as well as the population projections data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Growth of the older population, changes in the age distribution in China with comparisons to the United States, and the projections of the older population’s future growth are analyzed and presented. The paper also discusses sources of financial support and living arrangements in China and the United States. Finally, the paper assesses trends in the older population support ratio and the implications for the economic well-being of an aging population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the demographic consequences of the ending of U. S. academic expansion in the 1970s virtually guaranteed a large decline in the total disciplinary effort available to read any given unit of sociological publication. These effects are partly composition effects related to shift from a pyramidal to a columnar age distribution and partly substitution effects related to the switch from a seller's to a buyer's market for academic talent. As buyers raised standards, publication expanded rapidly, which both increased the material to be read and decreased the time available to read it. The crisis in scholarly reading is less a result of changes in individual scholarly propensities to read than in the numbers and ages of scholars and of the newly central role of publication in scholarly careers. Since publication is now a system of excess, the paper closes with an analysis of the various strategies available to handle that excess. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Death from tuberculosis or HIV among people from racial and ethnic minority groups who are aged <65 years is a public health concern. We describe age-adjusted, absolute, and relative death rates from HIV or tuberculosis from 2011 through 2020 by sex, race, and ethnicity among US residents. Methods: We used mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention online data system on deaths from multiple causes from 2011 through 2020 to calculate age-adjusted death rates and absolute and relative disparities in rates of death by sex, race, and ethnicity. We calculated corresponding 95% CIs for all rates and determined significance at P <.05 by using z tests. Results: For tuberculosis, when compared with non-Hispanic White residents, non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native residents had the highest level of disparity in rate of death (666.7%). Similarly, as compared with non-Hispanic White female residents, American Indian or Alaska Native female residents had a high relative disparity in death from tuberculosis (620.0%). For HIV, the age-adjusted death rate was more than 8 times higher among non-Hispanic Black residents than among non-Hispanic White residents, and the relative disparity was 735.1%. When compared with non-Hispanic White female residents, Black female residents had a high relative disparity in death from HIV (1529.2%). Conclusion: Large disparities in rates of death from tuberculosis or HIV among US residents aged <65 years based on sex, race, and ethnicity indicate an ongoing unmet need for effective interventions. Intervention strategies are needed to address disparities in rates of death and infection among racial and ethnic minority populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breastfeeding is widely recognized for its potential to reduce childhood obesity. However, research investigating these benefits in children breastfed for a short duration (up to 6 months) remains limited despite this being a common practice globally. Methods: This study focused on a population breastfed for 6 months or less to determine the potential benefits of short-term breastfeeding for preventing childhood obesity. Data were collected from five survey cycles of an US-based population study (the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)), spanning 2009–2020. A sample of 3,211 children aged 2–6 years was selected, including 1,373 never breastfed and 1,838 ever breastfed. Logistic regression analysis examined the direct association between short-term breastfeeding and childhood obesity. Subsequent subgroup analyses were conducted. Additionally, stratified logistic regression explored the relationship between childhood obesity and the introduction of other early nutrition in both ever-breastfed and never-breastfed children. Results: Overall, breastfeeding for 6 months or less did not directly prevent childhood obesity. However, among participants with older mothers (aged 35 or above), short-term breastfeeding was associated with a lower risk of childhood obesity compared to never being breastfed (OR 0.31, 95% CI: 0.17, 0.59). Similarly, children aged 3–4 years who were breastfed for > 3 ~ 6 months exhibited a lower obesity risk (OR 0.56, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.89). In ever-breastfed children, delayed infant formula introduction was linked to a lower risk of obesity (P-trend < 0.05: introduction at age ≤ 1 vs. >1 ~ 3 vs. >3 months). Conversely, for non-breastfed children, introducing milk (other than breast milk or formula) later (≥ 12 versus < 12 months) and introducing alternatives to whole cow's milk were associated with lower obesity risks (OR 0.54, 95% CI: 0.37, 0.78; OR 0.21, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.60, respectively). Notably, these trends were not observed in ever-breastfed children. Conclusions: Short-term breastfeeding may offer some benefits in preventing childhood obesity for specific populations. Additionally, it could potentially mitigate risks associated with the introduction of formula and cow's milk at inappropriate times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]