scholarly journals Deadly Gun Violence, Neighborhood Collective Efficacy, and Adolescent Neurobehavioral Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arianna M Gard ◽  
Jeanne Brooks-Gunn ◽  
Sara McLanahan ◽  
Colter Mitchell ◽  
Christopher S. Monk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gun Violence ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Community Factors ◽  
Neighborhood Collective Efficacy

Gun violence is a major public health problem and costs the United States $280 billion annually (1). Although adolescents are disproportionately impacted (e.g., via premature death), we know little about how close adolescents live to deadly gun violence incidents and whether such proximity impacts their socioemotional development (2–4). Moreover, gun violence is likely to shape youth developmental outcomes through biological processes – including functional connectivity within regions of the brain that support emotion processing, salience detection, and physiological stress responses – though little work has examined this hypothesis. Lastly, it is unclear if strong neighborhood social ties can buffer youth from the neurobehavioral effects of gun violence. Within a nationwide birth cohort of 3,444 youth (56% Black, 24% Hispanic) born in large U.S. cities, every additional exposure to a deadly gun violence incident within 500 meters of home in the prior year increased behavioral problems by 7.7%, even after accounting for area-level crime and socioeconomic resources. Incidents that occurred closer to a child’s home exerted larger effects, and stronger neighborhood social ties offset these associations. In a neuroimaging subsample (N = 164) of the larger cohort, exposure to more incidents of gun violence and weaker social ties were associated with weaker amygdala-prefrontal functional connectivity during socioemotional processing, a pattern previously linked to less effective emotion regulation. Results provide spatially-sensitive evidence for gun violence effects on adolescent behavior, a potential mechanism through which risk is biologically-embedded, and ways in which positive community factors offset ecological risk.

Approaches Used by Employee Assistance Programs to Address Perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Hardison Walters ◽  
Keshia M. Pollack ◽  
Monique Clinton-Sherrod ◽  
Christine H. Lindquist ◽  
Tasseli McKay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The United States ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Employee Assistance Programs ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Employee Assistance ◽  
Assistance Programs

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are workplace resources available to employees with problems impacting work performance. EAPs are well-positioned to address intimate partner violence (IPV), a major public health problem with workplace impacts. A purposeful sample of 28 EAPs across the United States was surveyed to identify policies and programs to address IPV, including perpetration. Most EAPs did not report having standardized approaches for addressing IPV perpetration. EAPs also described significant barriers to identifying IPV perpetrators, with the majority relying on self-disclosure on the part of the perpetrator when contacting the EAP. These results suggest that many EAPs—even when interacting with employees who present with issues known to correlate with IPV—are missing a potential opportunity to assess and intervene with IPV perpetrators.

Technologies to Detect Concealed Weapons: Fourth Amendment Limits on a New Public Health and Law Enforcement Tool

2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 567-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon S. Vernick ◽  
Matthew W. Pierce ◽  
Daniel W. Webster ◽  
Sara B. Johnson ◽  
Shannon Frattaroli
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The United States ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Public Places ◽  
New Public Health ◽  
Gun Carrying ◽  
New Public ◽  
The Social

Firearm violence is a major public health problem in the United States. In 2000, firearms were used in 10,801 homicides – two-thirds of all homicides in the U.S. – and 533,470 non-fatal criminal victimizations including rapes, robberies, and assaults. The social costs of gun violence in the United States are also staggering, and have been estimated to be on the order of $100 billion per year.Illegal gun carrying, usually concealed, in public places is an important risk factor for firearm-related crime. In the 1980s and 1990s, police departments across the country began to develop and implement strategies to address illegal weapons carrying. Often these strategies have involved aggressive efforts to identify and physically search individuals suspected of illegally carrying a firearm.

scholarly journals An Overview of Pain Management

2005 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 20-30
Author(s):  
June L. Dahl
Keyword(s):  
Pain Management ◽  
Pain Assessment ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The United States ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Rational Approach ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Pharmacologic Treatments ◽  
Control Pain

ABSTRACT In spite of major advances in pain management practices, the undertreatment of pain remains a major public health problem in the United States. A basic knowledge of pain assessment and management is critical to removing the barriers that are responsible for poor pain control. Pain assessment is the essential first step in the management of any type of pain as it guides the development of a rational approach to treatment. Pharmacologic therapies are often essential to successful pain management. Three major classes of pain medications are available: non-opioids, opioids, and adjuvant analgesics for special pain problems. This paper provides an overview of the various drugs in each of these classes as well as recommendations to guide their use. The goal of therapy is to reduce pain and improve function. A comprehensive approach to pain management should be based on the use of multimodal therapy, rational combinations of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments.

Trends in Suicidal Behaviors Among US Adults 2015–2018

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
R. Andrew Yockey ◽  
Keith King ◽  
Rebecca Vidourek
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Suicidal Behaviors ◽  
Suicide Planning

Abstract. Background: Suicide remains a major public health problem in the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine trends in suicide ideation, planning, and attempts among a national sample of US adults. Method: We used aggregated 2015–2018 data from the National Survey Drug Use and Health Survey. We utilized demographic and substance use questions with each suicide behavior. We assessed weighted absolute and relative changes in a national sample of 7,654 adults. Results: Results revealed that from 2015 to 2018, there was a 16.0% increase in suicide ideation, 18.6% increase in suicide planning, and 11.6% increase in suicide attempts. Significant increases in each behavior were found in African Americans, younger adults, sexual minorities, and individuals who reported past-year drug use. Limitations: Limitations include self-report of suicidal behaviors and desirability of answers. Conclusion: We believe our findings can inform harm reduction efforts and health messages surrounding suicide prevention.

RESEARCH SUPPORT FOR STUDIES RELATED TO DIABETES MELLITUS AND ITS COMPLICATIONS

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-123
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Metabolic Regulation ◽  
Microvascular Complications ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Commission ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Diabetes Research ◽  
Hormone Synthesis ◽  
Grant Applications

Recognizing that diabetes mellitus and its complications represent a major public health problem in the United States today, the National Commission on Diabetes recommended an expansion of basic and clinical research into the cause, cure, and prevention of this disease and related endocrinologic and metabolic disorders. Anticipating that additional funds will be appropriated for the support of these activities, the following Institutes of the National Institutes of Health invite research grant applications related to diabetes mellitus and its complications: National Eye Institute; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases; National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; National Institute of Dental Research; National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke; and National Institute on Aging. In this regard, investigators working in other areas of research are particularly encouraged to develop diabetes-related grant applications either independently or, where appropriate, in collaboration with individuals currently engaged in diabetes research. The emphasis in this solicitation is on both basic and/or clinical studies related to the etiology, natural history, epidemiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis, treatment, cure and prevention of diabetes mellitus and its sequelae. Within this context, some particular areas of research interests include studies related to aging; animal models; dental complications; genetic factors; immunology and viruses; macrovascular and microvascular complications; mechanism of hormone synthesis, secretion, action and degradation; metabolic regulation of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism; neonatology; neurologic complications; nutrition; obesity; ocular complications; pediatrics; pregnancy; psychosocial factors; renal complications; transplantation; and the development of devices that both monitor plasma glucose and administer insulin appropriately.

Progressive Hearing Loss in Infants With Asymptomatic Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 90 (6) ◽  
pp. 862-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Daniel Williamson ◽  
Gail J. Demmler ◽  
Alan K. Percy ◽  
Francis I. Catlin
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The United States ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Cmv Infection ◽  
Congenital Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Computed Tomographic ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Congenital Cmv Infection ◽  
Congenital Cmv

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a major public health problem because 30 000 to 40 000 neonates with the infection are born each year in the United States. Although 90% of the congenitally infected infants are asymptomatic at birth, evidence is accumulating that these infants are at risk for audiologic, neurologic, and developmental sequelae. The current study describes the audiologic outcome of 59 infants with asymptomatic congenital CMV infection compared with 26 control infants. Eight of 59 infected infants had congenital sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) but none of the control subjects did. Longitudinal audiologic assessments revealed that 5 of the 8 infants had further deterioration of their SNHL; a ninth infant with initially normal hearing experienced a unilateral SNHL during the first year of life, with further deterioration subseguently. The frequency of SNHL was similar for infected infants born to mothers with recurrent CMV infections during pregnancy (2 of 9) and for those born to mothers who experienced primary CMV infections (5 of 26). There was a significant difference between the occurrence of hearing loss in infected infants with normal computed tomographic scans (2 of 40) compared with those with either periventricular radiolucencies (4 of 13) or calcifications (1 of 3). Children with SNHL often have no identified cause of the loss; thus, it is likely that many of these children had asymptomatic congenital CMV infection. Given the progressive nature of SNHL associated with asymptomatic congenital CMV infection, longitudinal audiologic assessments are mandatory.

International Student Perceptions of American Gun Culture and School Shootings: A Public Health Examination

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 972-991
Author(s):  
Justin Adam Gelzhiser
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
International Students ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
International Student ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gun Violence ◽  
Health Examination ◽  
Gun Culture

A shooting in an American education institution quickly creates a global ripple effect, due to the large number of international students enrolled in American secondary schools and higher education institutions. International students studying in the United States may offer unique insight into local and global perceptions of American gun culture, highlight the transnational physical, emotional, and psychological impact of gun violence, and offer fresh understandings about the American gun violence public health problem. A qualitative research study was conducted at The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) that included focus groups and in-depth interviews of students from China and India. These nations represent the largest American international student populations. The study included a random sampling methodology. Findings show that gun violence in American schools is a major concern for prospective international students and their families. While concerns about targeted-shootings diminish, students develop behaviors that indicate a pervasive fear of indiscriminate attacks (e.g., mass shootings and petty crime), such as avoidance of large public gatherings and traveling in groups for safety. They also question university campuses' unfettered visitor access and remain perplexed by the ease of gun access in America, which they directly attribute to causing America's gun violence problem. Social and mass media play large roles in perception-building processes by supplying accurate and real-time as well as fake or misleading information. However, divergent viewpoints emerge among family members concerned for their overseas relatives' safety while international students develop more refined perspectives.

scholarly journals Host-Microbe Interactions and Defense Mechanisms in the Development of Amoebic Liver Abscesses

2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Santi-Rocca ◽  
Marie-Christine Rigothier ◽  
Nancy Guillén
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Host Responses ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Public Health Burden ◽  
Liver Abscesses ◽  
Host Microbe Interactions ◽  
Parasite Factors

SUMMARY Amoebiasis by Entamoeba histolytica is a major public health problem in developing countries and leads to several thousand deaths per year. The parasite invades the intestine (provoking diarrhea and dysentery) and the liver, where it forms abscesses (amoebic liver abscesses [ALAs]). The liver is the organ responsible for filtering blood coming from the intestinal tract, a task that implies a particular structure and immune features. Amoebae use the portal route and break through the sinusoidal endothelial barrier to reach the hepatic parenchyma. When faced with systemic and cell-mediated defenses, trophozoites adapt to their new environment and modulate host responses, leading to parasite survival and the formation of inflammatory foci. Cytopathogenic effects and the onset of inflammation may be caused by diffusible products originating from parasites and/or immune cells either by their secretion or by their release after cell death. Liver infection thus results from the interplay between E. histolytica and hepatic cells. Despite its importance in terms of public health burden, the lack of integrated data on ALA genesis means that we have only an incomplete description of the initiation and development of hepatic amoebiasis. Here, we review the main steps of ALA development as well as the responses triggered in both the host and the parasite. Transcriptome studies highlighted parasite factors involved in adherence to human cells, cytopathogenic effects, and adaptative and stress responses. An understanding of their role in ALA development will help to unravel the host-pathogen interactions and their evolution throughout the infection.

scholarly journals Role of Vitamin D Status in Diabetic Patients with Renal Disease

Medicina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido Gembillo ◽  
Valeria Cernaro ◽  
Antonino Salvo ◽  
Rossella Siligato ◽  
Alfredo Laudani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Western World ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Major Public Health Problem

Diabetes mellitus (DM) poses a major public health problem worldwide, with ever-increasing incidence and prevalence in recent years. The Institute for Alternative Futures (IAF) expects that the total number of people with type 1 and type 2 DM in the United States will increase by 54%, from 19,629,000 to 54,913,000 people, between 2015 and 2030. Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) affects about one-third of patients with DM and currently ranks as the first cause of end-stage kidney disease in the Western world. The complexity of interactions of Vitamin D is directly related with progressive long-term changes implicated in the worsening of renal function. These changes result in a dysregulation of the vitamin D-dependent pathways. Various studies demonstrated a pivotal role of Vitamin D supplementation in regression of albuminuria and glomerulosclerosis, contrasting the increase of glomerular basement membrane thickening and podocyte effacement, with better renal and cardiovascular outcomes. The homeostasis and regulation of the nephron’s function are absolutely dependent from the cross-talk between endothelium and podocytes. Even if growing evidence proves that vitamin D may have antiproteinuric, anti-inflammatory and renoprotective effects in patients with DN, it is still worth investigating these aspects with both more in vitro studies and randomized controlled trials in larger patient series and with adequate follow-up to confirm the effects of long-term vitamin D analogue supplementation in DN and to evaluate the effectiveness of this therapy and the appropriate dosage.

scholarly journals Alterations to the Gastrointestinal Microbiome Associated with Methamphetamine Use among Young Men who have Sex with Men

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan R. Cook ◽  
Jennifer A. Fulcher ◽  
Nicole H. Tobin ◽  
Fan Li ◽  
David J. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health Problem ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
The United States ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Microbiome Composition ◽  
Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Living With Hiv

Abstract Methamphetamine (MA) use is a major public health problem in the United States, especially among people living with HIV (PLWH). Many MA-induced neurotoxic effects are mediated by inflammation and gut microbiota may play a role in this process, yet the effects of MA on the microbiome have not been adequately explored. Therefore, we performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing on rectal swab samples from 381 men who have sex with men, 48% of whom were PLWH and 41% of whom used MA. We compared microbiome composition between MA users and non-users while testing for potential interactions with HIV and controlling for numerous confounders using inverse probability of treatment weighting. We found that MA use explained significant variation in overall composition (R2 = 0.005, p = 0.008) and was associated with elevated Finegoldia, Parvimonas, Peptoniphilus, and Porphyromonas and reduced Butyricicoccus and Faecalibacterium, among others. Genera including Actinomyces and Streptobacillus interacted with HIV status, such that they were increased in HIV+ MA users. Finegoldia and Peptoniphilus increased with increasing frequency of MA use, among others. In summary, MA use was associated with a microbial imbalance favoring pro-inflammatory bacteria, including some with neuroactive potential and others that have previously been associated with poor HIV outcomes.

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