Showing papers by "Robert F. Anda published in 1988"
Journal Article•
TL;DR: This State-based surveillance system, which yields data needed in planning, initiating, and supporting health promotion and disease prevention programs, is described in this paper and has proved to be flexible, timely, and affordable.
Abstract: Since 1981, the Centers for Disease Control has collaborated with State health departments and the District of Columbia to conduct random digit-dialed telephone surveys of adults concerning their health practices and behaviors. This State-based surveillance system, which yields data needed in planning, initiating, and supporting health promotion and disease prevention programs, is described in this paper. Standard methods and questionnaires were used to assess the prevalence of personal health practices and behaviors related to the leading causes of death, including seatbelt use, high blood pressure control, physical activity, weight control, cigarette smoking, alcohol use, drinking and driving, and preventive health practices. Between 1981 and 1983, 29 States (includes the District of Columbia) conducted one-time telephone surveys. Beginning in 1984, most States began collecting data continuously throughout the year, completing approximately 100 interviews per month (range 50-250), with an average of 1,200 completed interviews per year (range 600-3,000). The raw data were weighted to the age, race, and sex distribution for each State from the 1980 census data. This weighting accounts for the underrepresentation of men, whites, and younger persons (18-24 years) in the telephone surveys and, for many health practices, provides prevalence estimates comparable with estimates obtained from household surveys. Nearly all (86 percent) of the States distributed selected survey results to other State agencies, local health departments, voluntary organizations, hospitals, universities, State legislators, and the press. The majority (60 percent) of States used information from the surveys to set State health objectives, prepare State health planning documents, and plan a variety of programs concerning antismoking, the prevention of chronic diseases, and health promotion. Further, nearly two-thirds (65 percent) used results to support legislation, primarily related to the use of tobacco and seatbelts. Most of the States (84 percent) reported that alternative sources for such data (prevalence of behavioral risk factors) were unavailable. Currently in 1988, over 40 State health departments are conducting telephone surveys as part of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. This system has proved to be (a) flexible--it provides data on emerging public health problems, such as smokeless tobacco use and AIDS, (b) timely--it provides results within a few months after the data are collected, and (c) affordable--it operates at a fraction of the cost of comparable statewide in-person surveys. The system enables State public health agencies to continue to plan,initiate, and guide statewide health promotion and disease prevention programs and monitor their progress over time.
431 citations
TL;DR: The impact of alcohol use on mortality from injuries in the United States and suggest that self-reported alcohol consumption is an important indicator of risk for fatal injury are demonstrated.
Abstract: Use of alcohol is an important risk factor for fatal injuries. However, little information on the relationship between self-reported alcohol use and subsequent risk of fatal injury is available. Therefore, we examined the relationship between the usual number of drinks consumed per occasion and the incidence of fatal injuries in a cohort of US adults. Using data on self-reported alcohol use obtained from 13 251 adults who were included in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study (mean length of follow-up, 9.3 years), we calculated the incidence of fatal injury according to the usual number of drinks consumed per occasion. After we adjusted for the effects of age, sex, race, and education, persons who consumed five or more drinks per occasion were nearly twice as likely to die from injuries (relative risk, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 3.5) than persons who drank fewer than five drinks per occasion. A dose-response relationship was observed between the usual number of drinks consumed per occasion and risk of fatal injury, with persons who reported drinking nine or more drinks per occasion being 3.3 times more likely to die from injuries (95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 8.3). These data demonstrate the impact of alcohol use on mortality from injuries in the United States and suggest that self-reported alcohol consumption is an important indicator of risk for fatal injury. ( JAMA 1988;260:2529-2532)
114 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that unwarranted fears about the vaccine's safety need to be dispelled, that high-risk physicians should be included in vaccination programs, and that rural and psychiatric hospital policies reflect their perceived risk of occupational HBV infection.
8 citations
TL;DR: Although Dr Blum mentions tobacco and alcohol abuse, other significant threats to the future cardiovascular health of adolescents, such as obesity, physical inactivity, elevated blood cholesterol level, and high blood pressure, are not discussed.
Abstract: To the Editor. —We are writing to respond to the article by Blum1entitled "Contemporary Threats to Adolescent Health in the United States" that appeared in the June 26 issue ofJAMA. Dr Blum's article provides a comprehensive perspective on the health problems that today's teenagers face in our society. Problems such as injuries, violence, and teenage pregnancies are immediate and compelling concerns for physicians who care for adolescents. Although Dr Blum mentions tobacco and alcohol abuse, other significant threats to the future cardiovascular health of adolescents, such as obesity, physical inactivity, elevated blood cholesterol level, and high blood pressure, are not discussed. The life-styles and health habits that influence the major modifiable risk factors for adult cardiovascular disease are adopted during early childhood and adolescence.2Unfortunately, efforts to prevent cardiovascular disease usually are delayed until these behaviors are firmly established in adult life. The resulting emphasis on