scholarly journals The COVID States Project #44: Trajectory of health-related behaviors in Massachusetts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Lazer ◽  
Jennifer Lin ◽  
Matthew Baum ◽  
Roy H. Perlis ◽  
Mauricio Santillana ◽  
...  

In this report, we analyze the trajectory of the pandemic in Massachusetts, from late April 2020 to March 1, 2021, examining public health behaviors and approval of Governor Charlie Baker’s handling of the crisis. For information on other states, please consult our interactive dashboard.

2019 ◽  
Vol 109 (9) ◽  
pp. 3162-3191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Itzik Fadlon ◽  
Torben Heien Nielsen

We study how health behaviors are shaped through family spillovers. We leverage administrative data to identify the effects of health shocks on family members’ consumption of preventive care and health-related behaviors, constructing counterfactuals for affected households using households that experience the same shock but a few years in the future. Spouses and adult children immediately improve their health behaviors and their responses are both significant and persistent. These spillovers are far-reaching as they cascade even to coworkers. While some responses are consistent with learning information about one’s own health, the evidence points to salience as a major operative explanation. (JEL D15, D83, I12, J12)


Author(s):  
Vishwali Mhasawade ◽  
Anas Elghafari ◽  
Dustin T. Duncan ◽  
Rumi Chunara

Online social communities are becoming windows for learning more about the health of populations, through information about our health-related behaviors and outcomes from daily life. At the same time, just as public health data and theory has shown that aspects of the built environment can affect our health-related behaviors and outcomes, it is also possible that online social environments (e.g., posts and other attributes of our online social networks) can also shape facets of our life. Given the important role of the online environment in public health research and implications, factors which contribute to the generation of such data must be well understood. Here we study the role of the built and online social environments in the expression of dining on Instagram in Abu Dhabi; a ubiquitous social media platform, city with a vibrant dining culture, and a topic (food posts) which has been studied in relation to public health outcomes. Our study uses available data on user Instagram profiles and their Instagram networks, as well as the local food environment measured through the dining types (e.g., casual dining restaurants, food court restaurants, lounges etc.) by neighborhood. We find evidence that factors of the online social environment (profiles that post about dining versus profiles that do not post about dining) have different influences on the relationship between a user’s built environment and the social dining expression, with effects also varying by dining types in the environment and time of day. We examine the mechanism of the relationships via moderation and mediation analyses. Overall, this study provides evidence that the interplay of online and built environments depend on attributes of said environments and can also vary by time of day. We discuss implications of this synergy for precisely-targeting public health interventions, as well as on using online data for public health research.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S692-S693
Author(s):  
Dongmei Zuo ◽  
Merril D Silverstein

Abstract This study investigates the patterns and consequences of a wide range of health-related behaviors and resources that include health-compromising behaviors, health-promoting behaviors, preventive health behaviors, and health risks coping resources. We aim to identify the empirically-derived subgroups of individuals with unique profiles of health behaviors and resources to determine how subgroup membership predicts health outcomes and medical care utilization four years later. Data derived from 5,067 respondents in the 2010 and 2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Latent class analysis was used to define classes based on 13 indicators in the 2010 wave, which also provided sociodemographic and health-related covariates. Outcomes were measured over 4 years. Six latent subgroups were identified: “Best Behavior/Resources”, “Low Social Support “, “Low Physical Activity”, “High Substance Abuse”, “Low Preventive Tests”, and “Low Governmental Health Insurance”. Compared with the “Best” group, older adults identified as “Low Physical Activity” and “High Substance Abuse” were found to have higher mortality risks and a lower likelihood of seeing doctors and less nursing home nights; older adults with the lowest level of receiving flu shots, cholesterol and cancer screen test (“Low Preventive Tests”) reported a less likelihood of seeing doctors; respondents in “Low Governmental Health Insurance” subgroup were associated with a lower likelihood of hospital stay and more nursing home nights. Results suggest that distinct groups of older individuals characterized by their health behaviors and resources provide a basis for identifying the high-risk segment of the older population for intervention.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sierra Smucker ◽  
Sarah O Meadows ◽  
Robin Beckman

ABSTRACT Introduction e-cigarettes have been touted as a safer alternative to classic cigarettes and other combustible tobacco products. However, a growing body of evidence finds that any risk reduction associated with e-cigarette use is eliminated when individuals use “both” e-cigarettes and other tobacco products. Recent analyses from the Health Related Behaviors Survey suggest that rates of e-cigarette use are higher among active component service members than in the general population. However, little is known about the frequency and health behaviors associated with the dual use of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products among service members. Data and Method Using data from the 2018 Health Related Behaviors Survey, this paper investigates whether active component service members who use both e-cigarettes and other tobacco products are more likely to engage in other types of substance use or negative health behaviors. Results We find that the dual use of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products is associated with poorer physical and mental health, higher rates of alcohol misuse, and higher rates of insufficient sleep. Conclusion The association between the dual use of e-cigarettes and tobacco products suggests that these individuals represent an important target group for health-related resources and attention in DoD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 366-375
Author(s):  
J. Alvey ◽  
K. Divaris ◽  
L. Lytle ◽  
W.F. Vann ◽  
J.Y. Lee

Introduction: First-time pregnant women are considered to be receptive to health information, rendering the prenatal period an opportune time to provide helpful information on the importance of child-related oral health. However, little is known about pregnant women’s knowledge of child oral health–related behaviors (COHBs) during pregnancy and their implementation after birth. We sought to address this knowledge gap by a prospective investigation of intended and actualized oral health behaviors among first-time pregnant women. Methods: We examined relationships between intended and actualized COHBs and their correlations with changes in oral health knowledge, health literacy, general self-efficacy, and dental neglect in a cohort of first-time pregnant clients at Women, Infants, and Children sites in North Carolina—participants of a large community-based study. The COHBs were related to diet (i.e., frequency of fruit juice and sweet snacks consumption and nighttime bottle-feeding) and oral hygiene practices (e.g., performance of daily oral hygiene and use of fluoridated toothpaste). Analyses relied on descriptive statistics and bivariate tests (Student’s t and McNemar’s). Data were collected from 48 participants (White, 44%; African American, 40%; Native American, 17%) at baseline and again at least 12 months after the birth of their first child. Results: On average, most mothers actualized 3 of 5 COHBs (range, 1 to 4). Significant differences between before and after birth were noted for frequency of sweet snacks consumption and putting the baby in bed with a bottle. No correlation was found between knowledge, literacy, self-efficacy, neglect, and sociodemographic characteristics and COHB actualization. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that first-time mothers in the studied population are likely to implement some but not all positive intended COHBs during pregnancy. Interventions are needed to assist women in implementing these practices. We support that, for prenatal interventional efforts to reap positive benefits, messaging should be personalized and include specific guidance on how to implement these recommendations. Knowledge Transfer Statement: A knowledge gap exists in our understanding of the relationship between first-time mothers’ intended and actualized child oral health behaviors, with implications in the optimal timing of infant and early childhood oral health messaging. Our findings suggest that first-time mothers are likely to implement some but not all positive behaviors that they intended to adopt during pregnancy. Interventions are needed to assist women in implementing these practices.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
Reda Mhmoud Mohamed Hables

Background and aim: Osteoporosis is a global and preventable public health problem considered as a potentially life threatening condition and having negative effects on both health and economics. The aim of this study was the assessment of Hafr Albatin University female workers' knowledge and health related behaviors regarding osteoporosis.Methods: A descriptive exploratory research design was implemented. Setting: The study was conducted in a college. The sample was of convenience. There were 352 women working at the college at the time of data collection. Tools: self-administrative questionnaire consisted of three parts: Part I: sociodemographic data, Part II: women's osteoporosis health related behaviors. Part III: knowledge related to osteoporosis.Results: About 50.9% of the participants had moderate level of overall knowledge about osteoporosis. Only 13.7% of the participants reported the source of their knowledge was a physician. Regarding osteoporosis related health behaviors, less than one third (29.7%) of the participants were consuming foods rich in calcium, but the majority of them consumed this food only 1-2 time per week and 30.3% of them were exposed to sunlight daily. 58.2% of the participants were drinking soda drinks daily and 83.4% were having coffee frequently.Conclusions: Women had moderate level of overall knowledge about osteoporosis and there was a gap between knowledge and applying the related health behaviors. Where the women had information about the health and risk related behaviors but not follow this information in correct and accurate way. Recommendation: Prevention programmes should be designed to increase awareness of working women about osteoporosis. screening, prevention and treatment.


Author(s):  
Kyriakos Souliotis ◽  
Theodoros V. Giannouchos ◽  
Lily E. Peppou ◽  
Myrto T. Samara ◽  
John Nimatoudis ◽  
...  

The objective of this cross-sectional survey was to estimate the association between multiple socioeconomic, and health-related characteristics, COVID-19 related attitudes and adoption of public health preventive behaviors. A national cross-sectional survey among 1205 adults was conducted in April 2020 in Greece. Multivariable ordered logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between COVID-19 related attitudes and knowledge and adoption of preventive behaviors, controlling for socioeconomic and health-related characteristics. A total of 923 individuals fully completed the survey. Individuals who believed that the virus is out of control, is transmitted through the air, and is not similar to the common flu were more likely to adopt public health preventive behaviors more frequently, particularly wearing masks in public spaces, washing their hands, and spending fewer hours out of their homes. Uncertainty about the virus symptomatology was associated with less frequent mask-wearing and handwashing. Increased social support, frequent media use for COVID-19 updates, trust to authorities, older age, worse health status, female gender and being a healthcare professional were also associated with uptake of some preventive health behaviors. Attitudinal and socioeconomic determinants critically affect public engagement in preventive behaviors. Health policy initiatives should focus on community outreach approaches to raise awareness and to strengthen social support mechanisms by integrating multiple stakeholders.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Saadeh ◽  
Aline Hajj ◽  
Diana Malaeb ◽  
Hala Sacre ◽  
Chadia Haddad ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has quickly become a worldwide threat to human health and has significantly impacted peoples’ lives and changed their lifestyle and health behaviors (LHB). This study aims to assess changes in lifestyle and health-related behaviors such as daily habits, dietary habits, physical activity, sleep patterns, psychological problems, and sexual behaviors among the general population in Lebanon during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional web-based survey conducted between January 9 and January 28, 2021, enrolled 403 Lebanese adults. The study questionnaire was developed on Google forms in English and Arabic. It included questions about sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19, and behavior changes (smoking, alcohol consumption, sexual and hygiene behaviors, and intake of nutritional supplements and immunity-boosting foods), in addition to three scales, i.e., the Lifestyle and Health Behaviors Changes (LHBC-17), WHO-5 Well-being Index, and Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S). Data analysis was done on SPSS software version 21. Results The mean age of participants was 29.74 ± 10.81 years, with 51.2% of females. Most participants reported that COVID-19 has profoundly affected their LHBs, whether positively or negatively. Female gender (Beta=-2.336), living in Lebanon (Beta=-7.502), smoking nargileh (Beta=-3.433), having a high BMI (Beta=-0.263), and spending more hours per day using electronic devices during the COVID-19 lockdown (Beta=-0.853) were significantly associated with lower LHBC-17 scores (negative LHB changes). Whereas, living in an urban region (Beta = 2.464), having a job (Beta = 1.920), good overall health (Beta = 3.543), a higher quality of life (Beta = 0.204), and having physical (Beta = 2.101) and mental (Beta = 1.586) health unaffected by the COVID-19 lockdown were all significantly associated with higher LHBC-17 scores (positive LHB changes). Conclusions Lebanese adults reported several unfavorable lifestyle changes and psychological problems during the lockdown due to COVID-19. Health-promotion strategies are needed to assess negative changes both on physical or mental health and maintain as much as possible positive health-related behaviors among the Lebanese population.


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