Browsing by Subject "Health Behavior"

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    A community-based intervention increases physical activity and reduces obesity in school-age children in North Carolina.
    (Child Obes, 2015-06) Benjamin Neelon, Sara E; Namenek Brouwer, Rebecca J; Østbye, Truls; Evenson, Kelly R; Neelon, Brian; Martinie, Annie; Bennett, Gary
    BACKGROUND: Community-based interventions are promising approaches to obesity prevention, but few studies have prospectively evaluated them. The aim of this study was to evaluate a natural experiment—a community intervention designed to promote active living and decrease obesity within a small southern town. METHODS: In 2011, community leaders implemented the Mebane on the Move intervention—a community-wide effort to promote physical activity (PA) and decrease obesity among residents of Mebane, North Carolina. We measured child PA and BMI before and after the intervention, using a nearby town not implementing an intervention as the comparison. In total, we assessed 64 children from Mebane and 40 from the comparison community 6 months before, as well as 34 and 18 children 6 months after the intervention. We assessed PA with accelerometers worn for 7 days and calculated BMI z-scores using children's height and weight. We conducted multivariable linear regressions examining pre- to postintervention change in minutes of PA and BMI z-score, adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: At follow-up, children in Mebane modestly increased their moderate-to-vigorous PA (1.3 minutes per hour; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.2, 2.3; p=0.03) and vigorous activity (0.8 minutes per hour; 95% CI: 0.1, 1.5; p=0.04) more than comparison children. In intervention children, BMI z-scores decreased 0.5 units (kg/m(2); 95% CI: -0.9, -0.02; p=0.045), compared to children in the comparison community. CONCLUSIONS: We observed positive effects on PA level and weight status of children in Mebane, despite high rates of attrition, suggesting that the community-based intervention may have been successful.
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    Adherence to Pharmacological Smoking Cessation Interventions: A Literature Review and Synthesis of Correlates and Barriers.
    (Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, 2018-09) Pacek, Lauren R; McClernon, F Joseph; Bosworth, Hayden B

    Introduction

    Efficacious pharmacological interventions for smoking cessation are available, but poor adherence to these treatments may limit these interventions overall impact. To improve adherence to smoking cessation interventions, it is first necessary to identify and understand smoker-level characteristics that drive nonadherence (ie, nonconformance with a provider's recommendation of timing, dosage, or frequency of medication-taking during the prescribed length of time).

    Methods

    We present a literature review of studies examining correlates of, or self-reported reasons for, nonadherence to smoking cessation pharmacotherapies. Studies were identified through PubMed-using MeSH terms, Embase-using Emtree terms, and ISI Web of Science.

    Results and conclusions

    This literature review included 50 studies that examined nonpreventable (eg, sociodemographics) and preventable (eg, forgetfulness) factors associated with adherence to smoking cessation medication and suggestions for overcoming some of the identified barriers. Systematic study of this topic would be facilitated by consistent reporting of adherence and correlates thereof in the literature, development of consistent definitions of medication adherence across studies, utilization of more objective measures of adherence (eg, blood plasma levels vs. self-report) in addition to reliance on self-reported adherence.

    Implications

    This article provides the most comprehensive review to date on correlates of adherence to pharmacological smoking cessation interventions. Challenges and specific gaps in the literature that should be a priority for future research are discussed. Future priorities include additional research, particularly among vulnerable populations of smokers, developing standardized definitions of adherence and methods for measuring adherence, regular assessment of cessation pharmacotherapy adherence in the context of research and clinical practice, and development of novel treatments aimed at preventable barriers to medication adherence.
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    Adolescent Friendship Stability
    (2023) Tucker, Liann

    Adolescence is a key point in the life course, and friendships during this time are strong predictors of health and behavioral outcomes. This dissertation seeks to understand the causes and consequences of friendship stability, answering the question: Friendships during adolescence are important, but does it matter how long they last? Chapter Two introduces a new measure of friendship stability and tests possible pathways by which it affects extreme outcomes, threatening oneself or others. The findings indicate that some of these mechanisms partially explain this relationship, but low network instability remains strongly associated with the outcomes.Chapter Three examines the possible causes of friendship dissolution, as adolescents are more likely to dissolve the more unstable their networks. This chapter simultaneously tests individual, dyadic, and structural predictors of dissolution. The findings suggest that ego’s perception of intimacy, as well as the structural and dyadic features of the relationship, are the most prominent predictors of dissolution. Additionally, the results suggest differing relationships between several structural and dyadic features when considering whether friendship is reciprocated. Chapter four examines the relationship between racial peer mixing and mental health. I tested the effect of having cross-race ties on mental health, conditional on individuals being a racial minority in their school population. I also test whether two contextual factors of egos friendships, intimacy, and stability–mediate this relationship. I found that when adolescents are minorities in their schools, cross-race friendships somewhat protect them from emotional distress, and that this relationship is minimally mediated by friendship intimacy.

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    Behavioral Engagement and Activation Model Study (BEAMS): A latent class analysis of adopters and non-adopters of digital health technologies among people with Type 2 diabetes.
    (Translational behavioral medicine, 2024-07) Piette, John D; Lee, Keni CS; Bosworth, Hayden B; Isaacs, Diana; Cerrada, Christian J; Kainkaryam, Raghu; Liska, Jan; Lee, Felix; Kennedy, Adee; Kerr, David
    Many people with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) who could benefit from digital health technologies (DHTs) are either not using DHTs or do use them, but not for long enough to reach their behavioral or metabolic goals. We aimed to identify subgroups within DHT adopters and non-adopters and describe their unique profiles to better understand the type of tailored support needed to promote effective and sustained DHT use across a diverse T2D population. We conducted latent class analysis of a sample of adults with T2D who responded to an internet survey between December 2021 and March 2022. We describe the clinical and psychological characteristics of DHT adopters and non-adopters, and their attitudes toward DHTs. A total of 633 individuals were characterized as either DHT "Adopters" (n = 376 reporting any use of DHT) or "Non-Adopters" (n = 257 reporting never using any DHT). Within Adopters, three subgroups were identified: 21% (79/376) were "Self-managing Adopters," who reported high health activation and self-efficacy for diabetes management, 42% (158/376) were "Activated Adopters with dropout risk," and 37% (139/376) were "Non-Activated Adopters with dropout risk." The latter two subgroups reported barriers to using DHTs and lower rates of intended future use. Within Non-Adopters, two subgroups were identified: 31% (79/257) were "Activated Non-Adopters," and 69% (178/257) were "Non-Adopters with barriers," and were similarly distinguished by health activation and barriers to using DHTs. Beyond demographic characteristics, psychological, and clinical factors may help identify different subgroups of Adopters and Non-Adopters.
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    Behavioral interventions to improve hypertension control in the Veterans Affairs healthcare system.
    (Journal of clinical hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.), 2014-11) Zullig, Leah L; Bosworth, Hayden B
    Hypertension is a common and costly disease among US veterans. The Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system is the largest integrated healthcare provider in the United States and reviewing hypertension interventions developed in the VA may inform interventions delivered in other integrated healthcare systems. This review describes behavioral interventions to improve hypertension control that have been conducted in the VA since 1970. The authors identified 27 articles representing 15 behavioral interventional trials. Studies were heterogeneous across patients, providers, interventionist, and intervention components. The VA bridges services related to diagnosis, treatment, medication management, and behavioral counseling in a unified approach that supports collaboration and provides infrastructure for hypertension management.
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    Behavioral sciences in clinical practice.
    (Einstein (Sao Paulo, Brazil), 2016-01) Katz, Marcelo; Bosworth, Hayden Barry
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    Cardiovascular disease, risk factors, and health behaviors among cancer survivors and spouses: A MEPS Study.
    (Cancer medicine, 2020-09) Song, Lixin; Guan, Ting; Guo, Peiran; Song, Fengyu; Van Houtven, Courtney; Tan, Xianming; Keyserling, Thomas C

    Purpose

    The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalences of CVD, CVD risk factors. and health behaviors among cancer survivor-spouse dyads, assess how these prevalences differ by role (survivor vs spouse) and gender, and report congruences in health behaviors between survivors and their spouses.

    Methods

    We identified 1026 survivor-spouse dyads from the 2010-2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. We used weighted multivariable logistic and linear regressions to analyze the data related to CVD, CVD risk factors, and health behaviors.

    Results

    Survivors and spouses reported high prevalences of CVD and CVD risk factors but low engagement in healthy behaviors, including non-smoking, physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight (proxy for healthy diet). Gender and role differences were significantly related to the prevalence of CVD, CVD risk factors, and health behaviors among survivors and spouses. From 39% to 88% of survivors and spouses were congruent in their current smoking status, physical activity engagement/disengagement, and BMI.

    Conclusion

    Cancer survivors and spouses have high rates of CVD and CVD risk factors and poor engagement in healthful lifestyle behaviors. A high proportion of survivors and spouses were congruent in their current smoking status, physical activity engagement/disengagement, and BMI. Effective lifestyle interventions are needed for this high-risk population. Couple-focused interventions may be well-suited for these dyads and warrant further study.

    Implications for cancer survivors

    Both cancer survivors and their spouses need to be non-moking, more physically active, and maintain normal BMI in order to reduce their high risk of CVD and CVD risk factors.
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    Correlates of sedentary time and physical activity among preschool-aged children.
    (Prev Chronic Dis, 2011-11) Dolinsky, Diana H; Brouwer, Rebecca J Namenek; Evenson, Kelly R; Siega-Riz, Anna Maria; Østbye, Truls
    INTRODUCTION: Few studies have examined the correlates of objectively measured amounts of sedentary time and physical activity in young children. We evaluated the demographic, biological, behavioral, social, and environmental correlates of the amount of sedentary time and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) as measured by accelerometry in preschool-aged children. METHODS: We obtained baseline measurements of physical activity by using an Actical accelerometer among 337 preschool-aged children (aged 2-5) of overweight or obese mothers. For children, we defined sedentary time as less than 12 counts per 15 seconds and MVPA as 715 or more counts per 15 seconds. Body mass index of the mother and child (calculated from measured height and weight) and maternal physical activity as measured by accelerometer were included as potential correlates. Mothers self-reported all other potential correlates. We used multivariable linear regression analyses to examine correlates of the amount of sedentary time and MVPA. RESULTS: Children had an average of 6.1 hours per day of sedentary time and 14.9 minutes per day of MVPA. In multivariable analysis, boys (P <.001) had fewer minutes per day of sedentary time, whereas older children (P <.001), boys (P <.001), children in high-income households (>$60,000/y [P = .005]), and children who spent more time outdoors (P = .001) had more MVPA. CONCLUSION: Both modifiable and nonmodifiable factors were correlated with preschool children's amount of MVPA, which can be helpful when designing interventions for this age group. The lack of correlates for sedentary time indicates the need for further investigation into this behavior.
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    Development and Preliminary Feasibility of iByte4Health: A Mobile Health (mHealth) Pediatric Obesity Prevention Intervention to Engage Parents with Low-Income of Children 2-9 Years.
    (Nutrients, 2021-11-25) Tripicchio, Gina L; Kay, Melissa; Herring, Sharon; Cos, Travis; Bresnahan, Carolyn; Gartner, Danielle; Sosinsky, Laura Stout; Bass, Sarah B
    This research describes the development and preliminary feasibility of iByte4Health, a mobile health (mHealth) obesity prevention intervention designed for parents with a low-income of children 2-9 years of age. Study 1 (n = 36) presents findings from formative work used to develop the program. Study 2 (n = 23) presents a 2-week proof-of-concept feasibility testing of iByte4Health, including participant acceptability, utilization, and engagement. Based on Study 1, iByte4Health was designed as a text-messaging program, targeting barriers and challenges identified by parents of young children for six key obesity prevention behaviors: (1) snacking; (2) physical activity; (3) sleep; (4) sugary drinks; (5) fruit and vegetable intake; and (6) healthy cooking at home. In Study 2, participants demonstrated high program retention (95.7% at follow-up) and acceptability (90.9% reported liking or loving the program). Users were engaged with the program; 87.0% responded to at least one self-monitoring text message; 90.9% found the videos and linked content to be helpful or extremely helpful; 86.4% found text messages helpful or extremely helpful. iByte4Health is a community-informed, evidenced-based program that holds promise for obesity prevention efforts, especially for those families at the increased risk of obesity and related disparities. Future work is warranted to test the efficacy of the program.
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    Effect of genetic testing for risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus on health behaviors and outcomes: study rationale, development and design.
    (BMC Health Serv Res, 2012-01-18) Cho, Alex H; Killeya-Jones, Ley A; O'Daniel, Julianne M; Kawamoto, Kensaku; Gallagher, Patrick; Haga, Susanne; Lucas, Joseph E; Trujillo, Gloria M; Joy, Scott V; Ginsburg, Geoffrey S
    BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes is a prevalent chronic condition globally that results in extensive morbidity, decreased quality of life, and increased health services utilization. Lifestyle changes can prevent the development of diabetes, but require patient engagement. Genetic risk testing might represent a new tool to increase patients' motivation for lifestyle changes. Here we describe the rationale, development, and design of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessing the clinical and personal utility of incorporating type 2 diabetes genetic risk testing into comprehensive diabetes risk assessments performed in a primary care setting. METHODS/DESIGN: Patients are recruited in the laboratory waiting areas of two primary care clinics and enrolled into one of three study arms. Those interested in genetic risk testing are randomized to receive either a standard risk assessment (SRA) for type 2 diabetes incorporating conventional risk factors plus upfront disclosure of the results of genetic risk testing ("SRA+G" arm), or the SRA alone ("SRA" arm). Participants not interested in genetic risk testing will not receive the test, but will receive SRA (forming a third, "no-test" arm). Risk counseling is provided by clinic staff (not study staff external to the clinic). Fasting plasma glucose, insulin levels, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference are measured at baseline and 12 months, as are patients' self-reported behavioral and emotional responses to diabetes risk information. Primary outcomes are changes in insulin resistance and BMI after 12 months; secondary outcomes include changes in diet patterns, physical activity, waist circumference, and perceived risk of developing diabetes. DISCUSSION: The utility, feasibility, and efficacy of providing patients with genetic risk information for common chronic diseases in primary care remain unknown. The study described here will help to establish whether providing type 2 diabetes genetic risk information in a primary care setting can help improve patients' clinical outcomes, risk perceptions, and/or their engagement in healthy behavior change. In addition, study design features such as the use of existing clinic personnel for risk counseling could inform the future development and implementation of care models for the use of individual genetic risk information in primary care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00849563.
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    Experiences With Smoking Cessation Attempts and Prior Use of Cessation Aids in Smokers With HIV: Findings From a Focus Group Study Conducted in Durham, North Carolina.
    (AIDS education and prevention : official publication of the International Society for AIDS Education, 2021-04) Pacek, Lauren R; Holloway, Alicia D; Cropsey, Karen L; Meade, Christina S; Sweitzer, Maggie M; Davis, James M; Joseph McClernon, F
    Cigarette smoking remains disproportionately prevalent and is increasingly a cause of death and disability among people with HIV (PWH). Many PWH are interested in quitting, but interest in and uptake of first-line smoking cessation pharmacotherapies are varied in this population. To provide current data regarding experiences with and perceptions of smoking cessation and cessation aids among PWH living in Durham, North Carolina, the authors conducted five focus group interviews (total n = 24; 96% African American) using semistructured interviews. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed. Major themes included ambivalence and/or lack of interest in cessation; presence of cessation barriers; perceived perceptions of ineffectiveness of cessation aids; perceived medication side effects; and conflation of the harms resulting from use of tobacco products and nicotine replacement therapy. Innovative and effective interventions must account for the aforementioned multiple barriers to cessation as well as prior experiences with and misperceptions regarding cessation aids.
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    Explaining rural/non-rural disparities in physical health-related quality of life: a study of United Methodist clergy in North Carolina.
    (Qual Life Res, 2011-08) Miles, Andrew; Proescholdbell, Rae Jean; Puffer, Eve
    PURPOSE: Researchers have documented lower health-related quality of life (HRQL) in rural areas. This study seeks to identify factors that can explain this disparity. METHODS: United Methodist clergy in North Carolina (N = 1,513) completed the SF-12 measure of HRQL and items on chronic disease diagnoses, health behaviors, and health care access from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS). Differences in HRQL between rural (N = 571) and non-rural clergy (N = 942) were examined using multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: Physical HRQL was significantly lower for rural clergy (-2.0; 95% CI: -2.9 to -1.1; P < 0.001). Income, body mass index, and joint disease partially accounted for the rural/non-rural difference, though a sizable disparity remained after controlling for these mediators (-1.02; 95% CI: -1.89 to -.15; P = 0.022). Mental HRQL did not differ significantly between rural and non-rural respondents (1.0, 95% CI: -0.1 to 2.1; P = 0.067). CONCLUSIONS: Rural/non-rural disparities in physical HRQL are partially explained by differences in income, obesity, and joint disease in rural areas. More research into the causes and prevention of these factors is needed. Researchers also should seek to identify variables that can explain the difference that remains after accounting for these variables.
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    Factors associated with non-adherence to three hypertension self-management behaviors: preliminary data for a new instrument.
    (Journal of general internal medicine, 2013-01) Crowley, Matthew J; Grubber, Janet M; Olsen, Maren K; Bosworth, Hayden B

    Background

    Clinicians have difficulty in identifying patients that are unlikely to adhere to hypertension self-management. Identifying non-adherence is essential to addressing suboptimal blood pressure control and high costs.

    Objectives

    1) To identify risk factors associated with non-adherence to three key self-management behaviors in patients with hypertension: proper medication use, diet, and exercise; 2) To evaluate the extent to which an instrument designed to identify the number of risk factors present for non-adherence to each of the three hypertension self-management behaviors would be associated with self-management non-adherence and blood pressure.

    Design

    Cross-sectional analysis of randomized trial data.

    Patients

    Six hundred and thirty-six primary care patients with hypertension.

    Measurements

    1) Demographic, socioeconomic, psychosocial, and health belief-related factors; 2) measures of self-reported adherence to recommended medication use, diet recommendations, and exercise recommendations, all collected at baseline assessment; 3) systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP).

    Results

    We identified patient factors associated with measures of non-adherence to medications, diet, and exercise in hypertension. We then combined risk factors associated with ≥1 adherence measure into an instrument that generated three composite variables (medication, diet, and exercise composites), reflecting the number of risk factors present for non-adherence to the corresponding self-management behavior. These composite variables identified subgroups with higher likelihood of medication non-adherence, difficulty following diet recommendations, and difficulty following exercise recommendations. Composite variable levels representing the highest number of self-management non-adherence risk factors were associated with higher SBP and DBP.

    Conclusions

    We identified factors associated with measures of non-adherence to recommended medication use, diet, and exercise in hypertension. We then developed an instrument that was associated with non-adherence to these self-management behaviors, as well as with blood pressure. With further study, this instrument has potential to improve identification of non-adherent patients with hypertension.
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    Food, class, and health: the role of the perceived body in the social reproduction of health.
    (Health communication, 2013-05) Chapman, Shawna L Carroll; Wu, Li-Tzy
    The association between social class and cardiovascular health is complex, involving a constant interplay of factors as individuals integrate external information from the media, health care providers, and people they know with personal experience to produce health behaviors. This ethnographic study took place from February 2008 to February 2009 to assess how cardiovascular health information circulating in Kansas City influenced a sample of 55 women in the area. Participants were primarily Caucasian (n = 41) but diverse in terms of age, income, and education. Themes identified in transcripts showed women shared the same idea of an ideal body, young and thin, and associated this perception with ideas about good health, intelligence, and morality. Transcript themes corresponded to those found at health events and in the media that emphasized individual control over determinants of disease. Women's physical appearance and health behaviors corresponded to class indicators. Four categories were identified to represent women's shared beliefs and practices in relation to class, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Findings were placed within an existing body of social theory to better understand how cardiovascular health information and women's associated beliefs relate to health inequality.
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    Gaps in receipt of regular eye examinations among medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with diabetes or chronic eye diseases.
    (Ophthalmology, 2014-12) Sloan, Frank A; Yashkin, Arseniy P; Chen, Yiqun
    OBJECTIVE: To examine a wide range of factors associated with regular eye examination receipt among elderly individuals diagnosed with glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, or diabetes mellitus (DM). DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of Medicare claims linked to survey data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). PARTICIPANTS: The sample consisted of 2151 Medicare beneficiaries who responded to the HRS. METHODS: Medicare beneficiaries with ≥ 1 of the 3 study diagnoses were identified by diagnosis codes and merged with survey information. The same individuals were followed for 5 years divided into four 15-month periods. Predictors of the number of periods with an eye examination evaluated were beneficiary demographic characteristics, income, health, cognitive and physical function, health behaviors, subjective beliefs about longevity, the length of the individual's financial planning horizon, supplemental health insurance coverage, eye disease diagnoses, and low vision/blindness at baseline. We performed logit analysis of the number of 15-month periods in which beneficiaries received an eye examination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the number of 15-month periods with an eye examination. RESULTS: One third of beneficiaries with the study's chronic diseases saw an eye care provider in all 4 follow-up periods despite having Medicare. One quarter only obtained an eye examination at most during 1 of the four 15-month follow-up periods. Among the 3 groups of patients studied, utilization was particularly low for persons with diagnosed DM and no eye complications. Age, marriage, education, and a higher score on the Charlson index were associated with more periods with an eye examination. Male gender, being limited in instrumental activities of daily living at baseline, distance to the nearest ophthalmologist, and low cognitive function were associated with a reduction in frequency of eye examinations. CONCLUSIONS: Rates of eye examinations for elderly persons with DM or frequently occurring eye diseases, especially for DM, remain far below recommended levels in a nationally representative sample of persons with health insurance coverage. Several factors, including limited physical and cognitive function and greater distance to an ophthalmologist, but not health insurance coverage, account for variation in regular use.
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    Health events and the smoking cessation of middle aged Americans.
    (J Behav Med, 2005-02) Falba, Tracy
    This study investigates the effect of serious health events including new diagnoses of heart attacks, strokes, cancers, chronic lung disease, chronic heart failure, diabetes, and heart disease on future smoking status up to 6 years postevent. Data come from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative longitudinal survey of Americans aged 51-61 in 1991, followed every 2 years from 1992 to 1998. Smoking status is evaluated at each of three follow-ups, (1994, 1996, and 1998) as a function of health events between each of the four waves. Acute and chronic health events are associated with much lower likelihood of smoking both in the wave immediately following the event and up to 6 years later. However, future events do not retrospectively predict past cessation. In sum, serious health events have substantial impacts on cessation rates of older smokers. Notably, these effects persist for as much as 6 years after a health event.
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    Home blood pressure management and improved blood pressure control: results from a randomized controlled trial.
    (Archives of internal medicine, 2011-07) Bosworth, Hayden B; Powers, Benjamin J; Olsen, Maren K; McCant, Felicia; Grubber, Janet; Smith, Valerie; Gentry, Pamela W; Rose, Cynthia; Van Houtven, Courtney; Wang, Virginia; Goldstein, Mary K; Oddone, Eugene Z

    Background

    To determine which of 3 interventions was most effective in improving blood pressure (BP) control, we performed a 4-arm randomized trial with 18-month follow-up at the primary care clinics at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

    Methods

    Eligible patients were randomized to either usual care or 1 of 3 telephone-based intervention groups: (1) nurse-administered behavioral management, (2) nurse- and physician-administered medication management, or (3) a combination of both. Of the 1551 eligible patients, 593 individuals were randomized; 48% were African American. The intervention telephone calls were triggered based on home BP values transmitted via telemonitoring devices. Behavioral management involved promotion of health behaviors. Medication management involved adjustment of medications by a study physician and nurse based on hypertension treatment guidelines.

    Results

    The primary outcome was change in BP control measured at 6-month intervals over 18 months. Both the behavioral management and medication management alone showed significant improvements at 12 months-12.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6%-24.1%) and 12.5% (95% CI, 1.3%-23.6%), respectively-but not at 18 months. In subgroup analyses, among those with poor baseline BP control, systolic BP decreased in the combined intervention group by 14.8 mm Hg (95% CI, -21.8 to -7.8 mm Hg) at 12 months and 8.0 mm Hg (95% CI, -15.5 to -0.5 mm Hg) at 18 months, relative to usual care.

    Conclusions

    Overall intervention effects were moderate, but among individuals with poor BP control at baseline, the effects were larger. This study indicates the importance of identifying individuals most likely to benefit from potentially resource intensive programs.

    Trial registration

    clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00237692.
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    Illicit and nonmedical drug use among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, and mixed-race individuals.
    (Drug and alcohol dependence, 2013-12) Wu, Li-Tzy; Blazer, Dan G; Swartz, Marvin S; Burchett, Bruce; Brady, Kathleen T; NIDA AAPI Workgroup
    The racial/ethnic composition of the United States is shifting rapidly, with non-Hispanic Asian-Americans, Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (NHs/PIs), and mixed-race individuals the fastest growing segments of the population. We determined new drug use estimates for these rising groups. Prevalences among Whites were included as a comparison.Data were from the 2005-2011 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. Substance use among respondents aged ≥ 12 years was assessed by computer-assisted self-interviewing methods. Respondents' self-reported race/ethnicity, age, gender, household income, government assistance, county type, residential stability, major depressive episode, history of being arrested, tobacco use, and alcohol use were examined as correlates. We stratified the analysis by race/ethnicity and used logistic regression to estimate odds of drug use.Prevalence of past-year marijuana use among Whites increased from 10.7% in 2005 to 11.6-11.8% in 2009-2011 (P<0.05). There were no significant yearly changes in drug use prevalences among Asian-Americans, NHs/PIs, and mixed-race people; but use of any drug, especially marijuana, was prevalent among NHs/PIs and mixed-race people (21.2% and 23.3%, respectively, in 2011). Compared with Asian-Americans, NHs/PIs had higher odds of marijuana use, and mixed-race individuals had higher odds of using marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens, stimulants, sedatives, and tranquilizers. Compared with Whites, mixed-race individuals had greater odds of any drug use, mainly marijuana, and NHs/PIs resembled Whites in odds of any drug use.Findings reveal alarmingly prevalent drug use among NHs/PIs and mixed-race people. Research on drug use is needed in these rising populations to inform prevention and treatment efforts.
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    Illicit and nonmedical drug use among older adults: a review.
    (Journal of aging and health, 2011-04) Wu, Li-Tzy; Blazer, Dan G
    Substance abuse among older adults is a looming public health concern. The number of Americans aged 50+ years with a substance use disorder is projected to double from 2.8 million in 2002-2006 to 5.7 million in 2020. The authors provide a review of epidemiological findings for this understudied area of research by focusing on illicit drug use disorders and nonmedical use of prescription drugs among adults aged 50+ years.MEDLINE and PsychInfo were searched using keywords drug use, drug abuse, drug misuse, substance use disorder, and prescription drug abuse. Using the related-articles link, additional articles were screened for inclusion. This review included articles published between 1990 and 2010.Rates of treatment admissions involving primary use of illicit and misuse of prescription drugs have increased, while rates involving primary use of alcohol only have decreased. Alcohol, opioids/heroin, and cocaine were more likely than other substances to be associated with treatment use. Limited research data suggested the effectiveness of treatments, especially for women. Furthermore, older adults appeared to be less likely than younger adults to perceive substance use as problematic or to use treatment services.There is robust evidence showing that an increased number of older adults will need substance abuse care in the coming decades. Increasing demands on the substance abuse treatment system will require expansion of treatment facilities and development of effective service programs to address emerging needs of the aging drug-using population.
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    Impact of Gender on Satisfaction and Confidence in Cholesterol Control Among Veterans at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease.
    (Journal of women's health (2002), 2017-07) Goldstein, Karen M; Stechuchak, Karen M; Zullig, Leah L; Oddone, Eugene Z; Olsen, Maren K; McCant, Felicia A; Bastian, Lori A; Batch, Bryan C; Bosworth, Hayden B

    Background

    Compared with men, women have poorer lipid control. Although potential causes of this disparity have been explored, it is unknown whether patient-centered factors such as satisfaction and confidence contribute. We evaluated (1) whether satisfaction with lipid control and confidence in ability to improve it vary by gender and (2) whether sociodemographic characteristics modify the association.

    Materials and methods

    We evaluated baseline survey responses from the Cardiovascular Intervention Improvement Telemedicine Study, including self-rated satisfaction with cholesterol levels and confidence in controlling cholesterol. Participants had poorly controlled hypertension and/or hypercholesterolemia.

    Results

    A total of 428 veterans (15% women) participated. Compared with men, women had higher low-density lipoprotein values at 141.2 versus 121.7 mg/dL, respectively (p < 0.05), higher health literacy, and were less likely to have someone to help track their medications (all p < 0.05). In an adjusted model, women were less satisfied with their cholesterol levels than men with estimated mean scores of 4.3 versus 5.6 on a 1-10 Likert scale (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in confidence by gender. Participants with support for tracking medications reported higher confidence levels than those without, estimated mean 7.8 versus 7.2 (p < 0.05).

    Conclusions

    Women veterans at high risk for cardiovascular disease were less satisfied with their lipid control than men; however, confidence in ability to improve lipid levels was similar. Veterans without someone to help to track medications were less confident, and women were less likely to have this type of social support. Lack of social support for medication tracking may be a factor in lingering gender-based disparities in hyperlipidemia.