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Biomedical subjects

D R Jacobs

Publications and source records attributed to D R Jacobs.

276 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
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Beliefs among black and white adults about causes and prevention of cardiovascular disease: the Minnesota Heart Survey.

We assessed beliefs about the symptoms, causes, and prevention of cardiovascular disease in population-based surveys of black and white Twin Cities adults in 1985-86. Whites had a generally higher awareness of heart attack symptoms than did blacks; 72% of blacks and 85% of whites mentioned chest pain as a likely symptom. Sixty-five percent of blacks and 76% of whites correctly offered at least one of the three major, modifiable risk factors (smoking, hypertension, and high cholesterol in blood or diet) as likely causes of cardiovascular disease. However, less than 5% of respondents mentioned all three major risk factors. The most frequent response offered as a cause was stress/worry (54% of blacks, 51% of whites). Individuals with higher educational levels generally responded more correctly than those with less education. After accounting for differences in educational level, blacks demonstrated a higher awareness of hypertension as a risk factor, whereas whites were more knowledgeable about smoking and cholesterol. In light of the high percentage of adults still lacking awareness about cardiovascular risk, public education about prevention should continue. Such efforts are broadly desirable but may be most effectively targeted toward minorities and groups with less education, in whom awareness is low and risk of disease is high.

Adult↗
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Characteristics of participants and nonparticipants in a community cardiovascular disease risk factor screening: the Minnesota Heart Health Program.

This research attempts to characterize participants and nonparticipants in a cardiovascular risk screening and education program in terms of their beliefs about personal susceptibility to heart disease, integration into the community, and general pattern of health-promoting behaviors. Telephone surveys were conducted with 76 participants and 76 nonparticipants in the risk factor screening. Participation was strongly related to several health-promoting behaviors (dental checkups and seat belt use) and several measures of integration into the community. Health beliefs (in personal threat, susceptibility to disease, and the efficacy of preventive action) were not related to participation. Future research in the area of program participation may need to move beyond the model of disease-specific health beliefs to the realms of social pressures to participate and general health values.

Age Factors↗
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A descriptive epidemiology of leisure-time physical activity.

Eight national surveys conducted in the United States and Canada between 1972 and 1983 are reviewed for evidence of leisure-time physical activity patterns in the population. The authors' major conclusion is that it is difficult to make reliable generalizations when definitions of exercise used in the surveys vary so widely. Nevertheless, the young and persons of relatively high socioeconomic status are definitely more active than average in their leisure time; this is probably also true of westerners and suburbanites. Males and females are about equally likely to be involved in conditioning activities, but males are more likely to participate in vigorous exercise and sport. It appears likely that exercise prevalence has increased in recent years, and a maximum of 20 percent of the population exercises at a level frequently recommended for cardiovascular benefit. Major areas of uncertainty and ignorance remain, and the authors identify 15 such areas. Secondary analysis is recommended to help resolve several questions currently impeding a complete description of the exercise patterns of the population. For future surveys, five recommendations are offered on definitions and essential data items. Existing time series studies are generally inadequate. The authors recommend that detailed surveys of exercise patterns be conducted every 5 years to supplement the continual monitoring that is also essential to detect shifts in this important health behavior.

Adolescent↗
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Relationships between exercise or physical activity and other health behaviors.

Physical activity may indirectly influence health behaviors such as overeating, smoking, substance abuse, stress management, risk taking, and others. Substantial evidence indicates that physical activity is positively associated with weight control and caloric intake. The data weakly support the hypothesis that physical activity and smoking are negatively associated. Few data are available to evaluate the association between activity and alcohol consumption, alcoholism, substance abuse, stress management, preventive health behaviors, and risk-taking behavior.

Alcohol Drinking↗