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Michael Szafron

Bio: Michael Szafron is an academic researcher from University of Saskatchewan. The author has contributed to research in topics: Cannabis & Medicine. The author has an hindex of 9, co-authored 38 publications receiving 248 citations.

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TL;DR: It was found that higher income was significantly associated with better health status while chronic conditions and stress were associated with worse health status, providing further evidence of the importance of the social determinants of health.
Abstract: Perceived health status indicates people’s overall perception of their health, including both physical and psychological dimensions. The aim of this study was to examine the determinants of self-perceived health for Canadians aged 40 and older using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (2010). Multiple logistic regression models were employed to identify factors associated with self-perceived health in two age groups: Adults aged 65+ and Adults aged 40–64. We found that higher income was significantly associated with better health status while chronic conditions and stress were associated with worse health status. In the 40–64 and 65+ age groups, individuals in the highest income bracket were 4.65 and 1.94 times, respectively, more likely to report better health than individuals in the lowest income bracket. The difference in the level of income associated health inequities between the two age groups point to the need for understanding the reasons behind lower inequities among seniors and how much the social protections provided by the Canadian government to seniors contribute to lowering inequities. Though Canada has a national public health insurance system providing coverage to all Canadians, health inequities associated with income persist providing further evidence of the importance of the social determinants of health. Examining the extent of these inequities and what factors influence them helps direct policy attention. In addition to documenting inequities, this paper discusses policy options for reducing the identified inequities.

45 citations

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TL;DR: Efforts to improve access to cervical cancer screening should focus on disadvantaged women with limited education, low socioeconomic status, and no health insurance or subsidised insurance, especially those in rural/isolated areas.

32 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The analysis shows that being older, female, and living in urban settings were significantly associated with negative ratings of self-reported health status among the indigenous respondents, and volunteering in the community appears to be associated with self-perceived health status.

25 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A “Vegetarian-style” DP rich in dark green vegetables, eggs, non-refined grains, 100% fruit juice, legumes/nuts/seeds, added fats, fruits and low-fat milk during adolescence is positively associated with bone health.
Abstract: The amount of bone accrued during adolescence is an important determinant of later osteoporosis risk. Little is known about the influence of dietary patterns (DPs) on the bone during adolescence and their potential long-term implications into adulthood. We examined the role of adolescent DPs on adolescent and young adult bone and change in DPs from adolescence to young adulthood. We recruited participants from the Saskatchewan Pediatric Bone Mineral Accrual Study (1991–2011). Data from 125 participants (53 females) for adolescent analysis (age 12.7 ± 2 years) and 115 participants (51 females) for adult analysis (age 28.2 ± 3 years) were included. Bone mineral content (BMC) and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) of total body (TB), femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine (LS) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Adolescent dietary intake data from multiple 24-h recalls were summarized into 25 food group intakes and were used in the principal component analysis to derive DPs during adolescence. Associations between adolescent DPs and adolescent or adult BMC/BMD were analyzed using multiple linear regression and multivariate analysis of covariance while adjusting for sex, age, the age of peak height velocity, height, weight, physical activity and total energy intake. Generalized estimating equations were used for tracking DPs. We derived five DPs including “Vegetarian-style”, “Western-like”, “High-fat, high-protein”, “Mixed” and “Snack” DPs. The “Vegetarian-style” DP was a positive independent predictor of adolescent TBBMC, and adult TBBMC, TBaBMD (P < 0.05). Mean adolescent TBaBMD and young adult TBBMC, TBaBMD, FNBMC and FNaBMD were 5%, 8.5%, 6%, 10.6% and 9% higher, respectively, in third quartile of “Vegetarian-style” DP compared to first quartile (P < 0.05). We found a moderate tracking (0.47–0.63, P < 0.001) in DP scores at individual levels from adolescence to adulthood. There were an upward trend in adherence to “Vegetarian-style” DP and an downward trend in adherence to “High-fat, high-protein” DP from adolescence to young adulthood (P < 0.01). A “Vegetarian-style” DP rich in dark green vegetables, eggs, non-refined grains, 100% fruit juice, legumes/nuts/seeds, added fats, fruits and low-fat milk during adolescence is positively associated with bone health.

25 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Ibuprofen supplementation provided some benefits to bone when taken independent of exercise training in postmenopausal women, providing evidence towards a novel, easily accessible stimulus for enhancing bone health.
Abstract: Purpose To compare the effects of nine months of exercise training and ibuprofen supplementation (given immeditately after exercise sessions) on bone and muscle in postmenopausal women. Methods In a double-blind randomized trial, participants (females: n = 90, mean age 64.8, SD 4.3 years) were assigned (computer generated, double blind) to receive supervised resistance training or stretching 3 days/week, and ibuprofen (400 mg, post-exercise) or placebo (i.e. 4 groups) for 9 months. In this proof-of-concept study the sample size was halved from required 200 identified via 90% power calculation. Baseline and post-intervention testing included: Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total body areal bone mineral density (aBMD); geometry of proximal femur; total body lean tissue and fat mass; predicted 1-repetition maximum muscle strength testing (1RM; biceps curl, hack squat). Results Exercise training or ibuprofen supplementation had no effects on aBMD of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total body. There was a significant exercise × supplement × time interaction for aBMD of Ward's region of the femoral neck (p = 0.015) with post hoc comparison showing a 6% decrease for stretching with placebo vs. a 3% increase for stretching with ibuprofen (p = 0.017). Resistance training increased biceps curl and hack squat strength vs. stretching (22% vs. 4% and 114% vs. 12%, respectively) (p Conclusions Ibuprofen supplementation provided some benefits to bone when taken independent of exercise training in postmenopausal women. This study provides evidence towards a novel, easily accessible stimulus for enhancing bone health [i.e. ibuprofen].

22 citations


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TL;DR: It is suggested that the true effect of exercise on BMD is diluted by a considerable amount of studies with inadequate exercise protocols, which can be largely attributed to differences among the exercise protocols of the studies.
Abstract: Osteoporosis is a major health problem in postmenopausal women (PMW) Exercise training is considered a cost-effective strategy to prevent osteoporosis in middle aged-older people The purpose of this study is to summarize the effect of exercise on BMD among PMW A comprehensive search of electronic databases was conducted through PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, Science Direct, Eric, ProQuest and Primo BMD changes (standardized mean differences: SMD) of the lumbar spine (LS) femoral neck (FN) and/or total hip were considered as outcome measures After categorization, statistical methods used to combine data and compare subgroups 75 studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis The pooled number of participants was 5300 (intervention group: 2901, control group: 2399) The majority of studies employed weight bearing aerobic exercise, dynamic resistance exercise or a combination of both The pooled estimate of random effect analysis was SMD=037, 95%-CI: 025-050, SMD=033, 95%-CI: 023-043, and SMD=040, 95%-CI: 028-051 for LS, FN, and total Hip-BMD respectively In the present meta-analysis, there was a significant (p<0001), but rather low effect (SMD= 033-040) of exercise on BMD at LS and proximal femur We further observed a large variation among the single study findings, with highly effective studies but also studies that trigger significant negative results This finding can be largely attributed to differences among the exercise protocols of the studies We conclude that the true effect of exercise on bone is diluted by a considerable amount of studies with inadequate exercise protocols

171 citations

Journal Article

116 citations

01 Apr 2019
TL;DR: A new Scientific Publication from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), examines the global problem of social inequalities in cancer.
Abstract: This volume summarizes the current scientific evidence and identifies research priorities needed to decrease social inequalities in cancer. The publication, based on the expert knowledge of more than 70 international scientists from multiple disciplines, undertakes a populations-within-populations approach, highlighting the large variations in cancer incidence, survival, and mortality that exist between countries and, within countries, between social groups. Several factors may lead individuals with low social status to adopt unhealthy behaviors, to be exposed to a wider range and a higher intensity of cancer risk factors, and to have reduced access to health-care services, compared with their fellow citizens. A special focus is given to how the phenomenon of inequalities in cancer evolves and is reshaped over time, driven by economic, social, political, legislative, and technological forces; it affects everyone, but the most disadvantaged individuals are particularly hard hit. This IARC Scientific Publication was developed to serve as a reference for policy-makers and public health officials, linking to specific examples of interventions that may reduce future inequalities in cancer.

81 citations