Frequent mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic and acne: an infodemiology study from Google research trends (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir Salah ◽  
Ann'Laure Demessant-Flavigny ◽  
Delphine Kerob
Keyword(s):  
Census Bureau ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Maximum Value ◽  
The Us ◽  
Exposure Variable ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Us Census ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Calibration Control

BACKGROUND Researchers have been increasingly using the internet as a major source of health-related information and infodemiological methods have provided new approaches for studying the impact of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). OBJECTIVE To verify whether frequent mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increase in acne search popularity. METHODS Data for mask-wearing were obtained from a NYT survey, with 250,000 responses between July 2 and 14, 2020, and from Google COVID-19 symptoms dataset for weekly acne and anxiety search popularity. All data in the study were presented in relation to US county levels. Each county was classified in the frequent mask-wearing group if the proportion of frequent users was above the third quartile. To make search trends comparable from one week to another and from one county to another, search trends were normalized on a relative 100-point scale, with the maximum value corresponding to the highest search popularity for a particular term in a specific week and a specific county. Other sources of data included the US census bureau datasets. Acne search popularity outcome was analyzed using a logistic regression, with COVID-19 incidence, metropolitan status of the county and anxiety search popularity as covariates, and mask-wearing status as the exposure variable. 2019 data, no mask-wearing, was used as a calibration control for acne search weight. RESULTS The final dataset consisted of 2893 counties with complete cases. Frequent mask-wearing was associated with an important increase in acne search popularity (OR=1.69; 95% CI (1.30-2.21); P<.001). A high relative incidence of COVID-19 was associated with an even greater acne search popularity (OR=8.42; 95% CI (6.48-10.96); P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Despite various biases, the use of infodemiology will keep increasing. Observational statistical methods need to be adapted to manage the large amounts of bias concerning web-based information more efficiently.

scholarly journals Cigarettes smoked among daily and non-daily smokers following CVS Health’s tobacco-free pharmacy policy

2020 ◽  
pp. tobaccocontrol-2020-055976
Author(s):  
Aryn Z Phillips ◽  
Jennifer A Ahern ◽  
William C Kerr ◽  
Hector P Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Market Share ◽  
Rate Ratio ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Census Bureau ◽  
Tobacco Sales ◽  
Smoking Cues ◽  
The Us ◽  
Linear Effects ◽  
Us Census ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionIn September 2014, CVS Health ceased tobacco sales in all of its 7700 pharmacies nationwide. We investigate the impact of the CVS policy on the number of cigarettes smoked per day among metropolitan daily and non-daily smokers, who may respond to the availability of smoking cues in different manners.MethodsData are from the US Census Bureau Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey 2014–2015 and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Institute Community Health Management Hub. Adjusted difference-in-difference (DID) regressions assess changes in the number of cigarettes smoked per day among daily smokers (n=10 759) and non-daily smokers (n=3055), modelling core-based statistical area (CBSA) level CVS pharmacy market share continuously. To assess whether the policy had non-linear effects across the distribution of CVS market share, we also examine market share using tertiles.ResultsCVS’s tobacco-free pharmacy policy was associated with a significant reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked by non-daily smokers in the continuous DID (rate ratio=0.985, p=0.022), with a larger reduction observed among non-daily smokers in CBSAs in the highest third of CVS market share compared with those living in CBSAs with no CVS presence (rate ratio=0.706, p=0.027). The policy, however, was not significantly associated with differential changes in the number of cigarettes by daily smokers.ConclusionThe removal of tobacco products from CVS pharmacies was associated with a reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked per day among non-daily smokers in metropolitan CBSAs, particularly those in which CVS had a large pharmacy market share.

Using Popular Mobile Devices in Voice Therapy

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 82-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva van Leer
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Behavior ◽  
Voice Therapy ◽  
Pure Oxygen ◽  
Mobile Platforms ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Motivational Messages ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Tailored Approach

Mobile tools are increasingly available to help individuals monitor their progress toward health behavior goals. Commonly known commercial products for health and fitness self-monitoring include wearable devices such as the Fitbit© and Nike + Pedometer© that work independently or in conjunction with mobile platforms (e.g., smartphones, media players) as well as web-based interfaces. These tools track and graph exercise behavior, provide motivational messages, offer health-related information, and allow users to share their accomplishments via social media. Approximately 2 million software programs or “apps” have been designed for mobile platforms (Pure Oxygen Mobile, 2013), many of which are health-related. The development of mobile health devices and applications is advancing so quickly that the Food and Drug Administration issued a Guidance statement with the purpose of defining mobile medical applications and describing a tailored approach to their regulation.

scholarly journals Evaluating Satellite Imagery‐Based Land Use Data for Describing Forestland Development in Western Washington

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 214-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey D. Kline ◽  
Alissa Moses ◽  
David Azuma ◽  
Andrew Gray
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Satellite Imagery ◽  
Econometric Model ◽  
Landsat Imagery ◽  
Forest Inventory And Analysis ◽  
The Us ◽  
Western Washington ◽  
Us Census ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Density Development

Abstract Forestry professionals are concerned about how forestlands are affected by residential and other development. To address those concerns, researchers must find appropriate data with which to describe and evaluate rates and patterns of forestland development and the impact of development on the management of remaining forestlands. We examine land use data gathered from Landsat imagery for western Washington and evaluate its usefulness for characterizing low-density development of forestland. We evaluate the accuracy of the satellite imagery‐based land use classifications by comparing them with other data from US Forest Service's Forest Inventory and Analysis inventories and the US census. We then use the data to estimate an econometric model describing development as a function of socioeconomic and topographic factors and project future rates of development and forestland loss to 2020. We conclude by discussing how best to meet the land use data needs of researchers, forestry policymakers, and managers.

scholarly journals Development of an Instrument to Assess Parents’ Excessive Web-Based Searches for Information Pertaining to Their Children’s Health: The “Children’s Health Internet Research, Parental Inventory” (CHIRPI)

10.2196/16148 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. e16148
Author(s):  
Antonia Barke ◽  
Bettina K Doering
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
Children's Health ◽  
Internet Research ◽  
Children’S Health ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Main Effects

Background People often search the internet to obtain health-related information not only for themselves but also for family members and, in particular, their children. However, for a minority of parents, such searches may become excessive and distressing. Little is known about excessive web-based searching by parents for information regarding their children’s health. Objective This study aimed to develop and validate an instrument designed to assess parents' web-based health information searching behavior, the Children’s Health Internet Research, Parental Inventory (CHIRPI). Methods A pilot survey was used to establish the instrument (21 items). CHIRPI was validated online in a second sample (372/384, 96.9% mothers; mean age 32.7 years, SD 5.8). Item analyses, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and correlations with parents’ perception of their children’s health-related vulnerability (Child Vulnerability Scale, CVS), parental health anxiety (modified short Health Anxiety Inventory, mSHAI), and parental cyberchondria (Cyberchondria Severity Scale, CSS-15) were calculated. A subset of participants (n=73) provided retest data after 4 weeks. CHIRPI scores (total scores and subscale scores) of parents with a chronically ill child and parents who perceived their child to be vulnerable (CVS+; CVS>10) were compared with 2×2 analyses of variances (ANOVAs) with the factors Child’s Health Status (chronically ill vs healthy) and perceived vulnerability (CVS+ vs CVS−). Results CHIRPI’s internal consistency was standardized alpha=.89. The EFA identified three subscales: Symptom Focus (standardized alpha=.87), Implementing Advice (standardized alpha=.74) and Distress (standardized alpha=.89). The retest reliability of CHIRPI was measured as rtt=0.78. CHIRPI correlated strongly with CSS-15 (r=0.66) and mSHAI (r=0.39). The ANOVAs comparing the CHIRPI total score and the subscale scores for parents having a chronically ill child and parents perceiving their child as vulnerable revealed the main effects for perceiving one’s child as vulnerable but not for having a chronically ill child. No interactions were found. This pattern was observed for the CHIRPI total score (η2=0.053) and each subscale (Symptom Focus η2=0.012; Distress η2=0.113; and Implementing Advice η2=0.018). Conclusions The psychometric properties of CHIRPI are excellent. Correlations with mSHAI and CSS-15 indicate its validity. CHIRPI appears to be differentially sensitive to excessive searches owing to parents perceiving their child’s health to be vulnerable rather than to higher informational needs of parents with chronically ill children. Therefore, it may help to identify parents who search excessively for web-based health information. CHIRPI (and, in particular, the Distress subscale) seems to capture a pattern of factors related to anxious health-related cognitions, emotions, and behaviors of parents, which is also applied to their children.

scholarly journals RECRUITMENT INTO THE ALZHEIMER PREVENTION TRIALS (APT) WEBSTUDY FOR A TRIAL-READY COHORT FOR PRECLINICAL AND PRODROMAL ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE (TRCPAD)

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
S. Walter ◽  
T.B. Clanton ◽  
O.G. Langford ◽  
M.S. Rafii ◽  
E.J. Shaffer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Web Based ◽  
The Us ◽  
Study Team ◽  
Prodromal Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Prevention Trials ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND: The Alzheimer Prevention Trials (APT) Webstudy is the first stage in establishing a Trial-ready Cohort for Preclinical and Prodromal Alzheimer’s disease (TRC-PAD). This paper describes recruitment approaches for the APT Webstudy. Objectives: To remotely enroll a cohort of individuals into a web-based longitudinal observational study. Participants are followed quarterly with brief cognitive and functional assessments, and referred to Sites for in-clinic testing and biomarker confirmation prior to enrolling in the Trial-ready Cohort (TRC). Design: Participants are referred to the APT Webstudy from existing registries of individuals interested in brain health and Alzheimer’s disease research, as well as through central and site recruitment efforts. The study team utilizes Urchin Tracking Modules (UTM) codes to better understand the impact of electronic recruitment methods. Setting: A remotely enrolled online study. Participants: Volunteers who are at least 50 years old and interested in Alzheimer’s research. Measurements: Demographics and recruitment source of participant where measured by UTM. Results: 30,650 participants consented to the APT Webstudy as of April 2020, with 69.7% resulting from referrals from online registries. Emails sent by the registry to participants were the most effective means of recruitment. Participants are distributed across the US, and the demographics of the APT Webstudy reflect the referral registries, with 73.1% female, 85.0% highly educated, and 92.5% Caucasian. Conclusions: We have demonstrated the feasibility of enrolling a remote web-based study utilizing existing registries as a primary referral source. The next priority of the study team is to engage in recruitment initiatives that will improve the diversity of the cohort, towards the goal of clinical trials that better represent the US population.

scholarly journals Why the Economics Profession Must Actively Participate in the Privacy Protection Debate

2019 ◽  
Vol 109 ◽  
pp. 397-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Abowd ◽  
Ian M. Schmutte ◽  
William N. Sexton ◽  
Lars Vilhuber
Keyword(s):  
Privacy Protection ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Census Bureau ◽  
Economic Research ◽  
Technical Problems ◽  
Public Data ◽  
The Us ◽  
Economics Profession ◽  
Computer Scientists ◽  
Us Census

When Google or the US Census Bureau publishes detailed statistics on browsing habits or neighborhood characteristics, some privacy is lost for everybody while supplying public information. To date, economists have not focused on the privacy loss inherent in data publication. In their stead, these issues have been advanced almost exclusively by computer scientists who are primarily interested in technical problems associated with protecting privacy. Economists should join the discussion, first to determine where to balance privacy protection against data quality--a social choice problem. Furthermore, economists must ensure new privacy models preserve the validity of public data for economic research.

scholarly journals 469. The Mental Health Implications of Job Loss for Never-married Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S337-S337
Author(s):  
Katherine Kricorian
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Job Loss ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Never Married ◽  
The Us ◽  
Mental Health Programs ◽  
Us Census ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an array of social and economic events, influencing how the pandemic affected people of all genders. In particular, job losses surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among women. We analyzed how the pandemic and rising job losses affected the mental health of unmarried women with and without children in order to identify possible health disparities, potential causal factors and opportunities for interventions. Methods Data were collected from Wave 3 (January 6-February 15, 2021) of the US Census COVID-19 Household Pulse online survey designed to measure the impact of COVID-19. Microdata files were downloaded from the Census website and included N=13,940 never-married female respondents aged 25-54 years old. Data were analyzed using χ2 tests, with z-tests for more granular between-group comparisons. Results When asked if they had felt anxiety in the past week, 31% of respondents without children in the household and 28% of those with children reported feeling anxiety nearly every day (p&lt; .05). Among those who did not lose work during the pandemic, 24% of those without children felt anxiety nearly every day vs. 20% of those with children (p&lt; .05). Among those who did experience pandemic-related job loss, 33% of those with children and 42% of those without children reported daily anxiety (p&lt; .05). Conclusion Overall, COVID-19 job loss was associated with higher levels of anxiety for never-married adult women. Notably, respondents without children expressed significantly higher levels of anxiety than respondents with children, and this difference was even greater when comparing those who had lost jobs during the pandemic. Reasons are being further researched but may be related to mothers’ greater opportunities for social and community support, particularly when encountering difficult circumstances. These results have implications for the development of mental health programs serving women experiencing environmental stressors such as job loss, especially women without children who may not have the same mental health and community support. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Choice and Conflict about Census Data Adjusting the American Census Count

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 357-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael L. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Census Data ◽  
Political Representation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Political Conflict ◽  
Census Bureau ◽  
Census Count ◽  
Social Fact ◽  
The Us ◽  
Census Adjustment ◽  
Us Census

ABSTRACTThe census is a social fact, the outcome of a process that involves the interaction of public laws and institutions and citizens' responses to an official inquiry. However, it is not a ‘hard’ fact. Reasons for inevitable defects in the census count are listed in the first section; the second section reports efforts by the US Census Bureau to identify sources of error in census coverage, and make estimates of the size of the errors. The use of census data for policy purposes, such as political representation and allocating funds, makes these defects controversial. Errors may be removed by making adjustments to the initial census count. However, because adjustment reallocates resources between groups, it has become the subject of political conflict. The paper describes the conflict between statistical practices, laws and public policy about census adjustment in the United States, and concludes by considering the extent to which causes in America are likely to be found in other countries.

An Empirical Note on Comparative Perceptions of Indian Patients and Physicians in Direct-to-Consumer Promotion of Pharmaceutical Products

2019 ◽  
pp. 128-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaya Rani Pandey ◽  
Ajeya Jha ◽  
Samrat Kumar Mukherjee ◽  
Saibal Kumar Saha
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Latent Factors ◽  
Direct To Consumer ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Empirical Note ◽  
Physician Relationship ◽  
The Impact

Direct promotion of pharmaceutical products to patients is not legal in India. Internet healthcare websites, however, have rendered this law moot. Patients today increasingly flock to websites to find health-related information. With the help of a survey involving 400 patients and 200 physicians, this chapter attempts to identify the differences in the perception of physicians and patients. The results indicate that major differences exist in the beliefs held by physicians and patients vis-à-vis merits and demerits of DTC-promotion through health-related websites. As patients and physicians operate as a team while health-solutions are made available to the patients, such major differences in their beliefs regarding the merits and demerits of DTC-promotion may result in emergence of fault lines in their relationship. An exploratory factor analysis has been conducted to confirm if the underlying variables measure the latent factors or not. Regression model has been developed to measure the impact of information perception on patient-physician relationship.

From Statistics by Country of Birth to the System of National Origins

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Schor
Keyword(s):  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Census Bureau ◽  
National Origin ◽  
Immigration Restriction ◽  
Birth Mother ◽  
Immigrant Populations ◽  
The Us ◽  
History Of ◽  
Us Census ◽  
Immigration And Ethnicity

This chapter discusses changes in the categories of ethnicity and immigration in the US census. From the beginning of the twentieth century to the 1930s, statistics on immigration and ethnicity took first place in schedules, published reports, and public policy. Not only did census figures establish immigration quotas, but census statisticians, with their methods and their culture, constructed the mechanism for exclusion by national origin. However, after 1928 there was a retreat from measuring ethnicity, which became evident in the 1930 and 1940 censuses by a marked lack of interest in questions of place of birth, mother tongue, and degree of assimilation. The history of the categories that made it possible to measure ethnicity is a complex one, involving three main groups of actors: advocates of immigration restriction, representatives of immigrant populations, and Census Bureau statisticians, with each group attempting to respond to contradictory demands and to defend their own interests.

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