Biomedical subjects

Clark H Denny

Publications and source records attributed to Clark H Denny.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Using behavioral risk factor surveillance data for heart disease and stroke prevention programs.

An effective state heart disease and stroke prevention program must be able to monitor changes in heart disease and stroke risk factors of the state population. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a state-based telephone survey, has been an important source for monitoring health-related factors and evaluating the success of programs. The BRFSS currently includes modules on hypertension and cholesterol screening and awareness, cardiovascular disease preventive practices, and recognition of the signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke as well as relevant modules on fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, tobacco use, and diabetes. Publication topics included monitoring risk factors and clinical services, assessing progress toward national goals, assessing health disparities, and health status and health-related quality of life issues. States have used the BRFSS data for monitoring health risks in the state, assessing state and national health objectives, determining and providing data for public health campaigns, providing information for legislative proposals, and providing information that helps to initiate collaboration. Major methodologic issues involve validating self-reported data against direct measurement and assessing the effects of changes in telecommunications. As Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) national heart disease and stroke prevention program and each state health department program develop, state and even local level data will become more important to measure the burden of disease and program impact. State heart disease and stroke prevention programs are encouraged to work closely with state BRFSS coordinators to obtain vital information to measure the burden of heart disease and stroke in their state and to be able to measure program impact on addressing the first and third leading causes of death in the U.S.

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System↗

PubMed2005

Disparities in chronic disease risk factors and health status between American Indian/Alaska Native and White elders: findings from a telephone survey, 2001 and 2002.

We compared prevalence estimates of chronic disease risk factors and health status between American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) and White elders. We used 2001 and 2002 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to estimate the prevalence of smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, diagnosed diabetes, and general health status. For all health behavior and status measures, American Indians/Alaska Natives reported greater risk than did Whites. Risk factors among AIAN elders need to be addressed to eliminate disparities in chronic diseases.

Alaska↗

PubMed2004

Trends in alcohol use and binge drinking, 1985-1999: results of a multi-state survey.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol abuse is a major public health problem in the United States. Binge drinking and drinking among youth are of special concern. The purpose of this study is to examine trends in alcohol use and binge drinking and correlates of the behaviors with a focus on drinking among persons 18 to 20 years of age. METHODS: Data are from telephone interviews of 449,110 adults aged > or =18 years residing in the 19 states that participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from 1985 to 1999. The percentages reporting current alcohol use and binge use (> or =5 drinks per occasion) were calculated by year, age, gender, race, and level of education. Data were analyzed in 2003. RESULTS: From 1985 to 1999, the prevalence of current alcohol use dropped 7.3%, and binge drinking dropped 3.3%. Among all age groups, most of the decline occurred before 1990. The greatest decline in both current (12.6%) and binge use (7.3%) occurred in the 18- to 20-year-old group. Between 1997 and 1999, however, respondents in this age group reported increases in these behaviors. Throughout the survey period, the proportion of current users who binge changed very little and remained highest among persons aged 18-20 years (52.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol use leveled off in the 1990s, but may be increasing, especially among persons 18-20 years of age. Those who drink are about as likely to report binge drinking as were drinkers 15 years ago.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Surveillance for health behaviors of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1997-2000.

PROBLEM/CONDITION: In the United States, disparities in risks for chronic disease (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are evident among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) and other groups. This report summarizes findings from the 1997-2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for health-status indicators, health-risk behaviors, and HIV testing and perceived risk for HIV infection among AI/ANs, compared with other racial/ethnic groups in five regions of the United States. REPORTING PERIOD COVERED: 1997-2000. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: BRFSS is a state-based telephone survey of the civilian, noninstitutionalized, adult (i.e., persons aged > or =18 years) population. For this report, responses from the 36 states covered by the Indian Health Service administrative areas were analyzed. RESULTS: Region and sex-specific variations occurred in the prevalence of high-risk behaviors and health-status indicators. For example, the prevalence of current cigarette smoking ranged from 21.2% in the Southwest to 44.1% in the Northern Plains, and the awareness of diabetes was lower in Alaska than in other regions. Men were more likely than women to report binge drinking and drinking and driving. For the majority of health behaviors and status measures, AI/ANs were more likely than respondents of other racial/ethnic groups to be at increased risk. For example, AI/ANs were more likely than respondents of other racial/ethnic groups to report obesity (23.9% versus 18.7%) and no leisure-time physical activity (32.5% versus 27.5%). INTERPRETATION: The 1997-2000 BRFSS data demonstrate that health behaviors vary regionally among AI/ANs and by sex. The data also reveal disparities in health behaviors between AI/ANs and other racial/ethnic groups. The reasons for these differences by region and sex, and for the racial/ethnic disparities, are subjects for further study. However, such patterns should be monitored through continued surveillance, and the data should be used to guide prevention and research activities. For example, states with substantial AI/AN populations, and certain tribes, have successfully used BRFSS data to develop and monitor diabetes and tobacco prevention and control programs. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS: Federal and state agencies, tribes, Indian health boards, and urban Indian health centers will continue to use BRFSS data to develop and guide public health programs and policies. The BRFSS data will also be used to monitor progress in eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities. Regional Indian health boards, tribal epidemiology centers, and Indian Health Service Area Offices can use the findings of this report to prioritize interventions to prevent specific health problems in their geographic areas. Moreover, tribes and other institutions that promote AI/AN health care can use the report to document health needs when applying for resources.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

PubMed2003

Physician advice about smoking and drinking: are U.S. adults being informed?

BACKGROUND: Population-based estimates for the prevalence of smokers receiving advice from a health professional to quit smoking and the prevalence of binge drinkers being talked to about alcohol use are lacking for U.S. adults. This information is useful for clinicians and public health professionals. METHODS: Data are from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a continuous random-digit-dial telephone survey of U.S. adults. In 1997, 10 states collected data on these health interventions for tobacco and alcohol use. The prevalence of professional advice to quit smoking and about alcohol use was calculated and examined by demographic characteristics. The number of at-risk adults who had a routine checkup in the last year and had not received these interventions was also estimated. RESULTS: By self-report, 70% of smokers were advised to quit, and 23% of binge drinkers were talked to about their alcohol use. Using multivariate logistic regression analyses, we found among smokers that women and older persons were more likely to receive advice; among binge drinkers, health intervention was more likely to occur for men and non-Hispanic blacks. Across the 10 states, approximately 2 million smokers and 2 million binge drinkers with a routine checkup in the past 12 months were not advised to quit smoking or talked to about their alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS: Many opportunities to intervene with smokers and binge drinkers are lost. Efforts to increase physician education and to identify and reduce other barriers may help.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Risk factors for heart disease and stroke among diabetic persons, by disability status.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether disabled diabetic persons have a higher prevalence of risk factors for heart disease and stroke than do diabetic persons without disability. RESEARCH, DESIGN, AND METHODS: Data were analyzed for noninstitutionalized adults in 27 states and the District of Columbia that participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 2001 and/or 2003. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the adjusted prevalence and odds ratios of disabled diabetic persons, by sociodemographic characteristics. The logit form of each model was used to estimate conditional marginal probabilities of risk factors for heart disease and stroke among diabetic persons, by disability status. RESULTS: Diabetic persons with disability were more likely than those without disability to have more risk factors for heart disease and stroke, including insufficient leisure-time physical activity or inactivity (adjusted prevalence: 75.2% vs. 63.3%; P<.001), obesity (58.9% vs. 43.3%; P<.001), hypercholesterolemia (52.6% vs. 48.4%; P=.038), and hypertension (63.9% vs. 56.6%; P<.001). They were also more likely to have one or more, two or more, three or more, and four or more risk factors (97.2% vs. 95.6%, 83.5% vs. 74.0%, 56.5% vs. 41.1%, and 22.2% vs. 13.6%, respectively; P< or =.005). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic persons with disability are more likely than those without disability to have clusters of risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Health care guidelines specifically targeting diabetic patients with disability may be needed to aid health care providers in addressing these risk factors.

Adult↗