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L B Potter

Publications and source records attributed to L B Potter.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Socioeconomic determinants of white and black males' life expectancy differentials, 1980.

Epidemiological transition theory suggests that two population existing under disparate socioeconomic conditions would have different life expectancies as the result of cause-of-death differences. The effect of racial socioeconomic differentials on the total racial life expectancy differential are examined as they act through specific cause-of-death differentials. Results suggest that residential isolation of blacks has a strong effect on the total life expectancy differential as it acts through the racial homicide differential. The racial unemployment difference also has a strong effect on the total differential as it acts through the racial heart disease differential. Implications of the findings for reducing life expectancy differentials are discussed.

Black or African American↗

Assigning time-linked exposure status to controls in unmatched case-control studies: alcohol use and nearly lethal suicide attempts.

In case-control studies, determination of alcohol consumption by cases immediately prior to the injury event is often conceptually straightforward. However, determination of consumption status by controls is difficult because they lack a reference point, especially when cases and controls are not individually matched. We describe a method of assigning alcohol consumption status to controls using a 24-hour drinking history, the distribution in time of case events, and the random assignment of a specific time period to each control subject. This methodology offers a practical approach for determining alcohol consumption status among control subjects immediately prior to a case event, when controls lack a reference point and have not been individually matched to cases. Published in 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Adolescent↗

Nonfatal physical violence, United States, 1994.

OBJECTIVES: Most surveillance and research efforts focus on severe violence, especially on homicides. Because less extreme forms of violence may be precursors to more extreme forms, the authors analyzed data from a national survey to describe the extent of nonfatal physical violence in the US. METHODS: The authors generated weighted national estimates from responses to a random-digit-dialed telephone survey. Respondents were asked if they had been "hit, slapped, pushed, or kicked by another person or hit with an object or weapon" in the preceding 12 months. Respondents were also asked how many times such incidents had occurred and, for the last such episode, their relationship with the perpetrator, whether they had been injured, and, if so, whether they had sought medical treatment. RESULTS: The authors estimate that approximately 15 million people, or 8% of the US adult population, experienced nonfatal physical violence, as defined for this study, during a 12-month period. Male gender, the 18-24-year-old age group, never having been married, being out of work or a student, and heavy drinking were associated with a higher likelihood of being assaulted. An estimated 75% of assaults were by a known person and 26% by a stranger. Women were more likely than men to be assaulted by current or former intimate partners; men were more likely than women to be assaulted by strangers. An estimated 18% of incidents resulted in injuries, and an estimated 7% required medical attention. CONCLUSIONS: Nonfatal physical violence is fairly common in the US and may lead to more than one million medical encounters each year.

Adolescent↗

Patterns of condom use and sexual behavior among never-married women.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Use of condoms is one of the main methods sexually active persons may choose to prevent infection with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Little is known about patterns of condom use among women in the United States. We provide a conceptualization of patterns of condom use and factors associated with these patterns. GOAL OF THIS STUDY: To examine patterns of condom use and associated characteristics among sexually active, never-married women in the United States. STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of data from the 1988 National Survey of Family Growth, which is a nationally representative sample of women in their childbearing years. RESULTS: Only a minority of sexually active, never-married women report using condoms, and even fewer report using them consistently. Women with characteristics traditionally associated with increased risk of infection with STD and HIV appear to be less likely to report using condoms and to report using them consistently. Women who report use of condoms to prevent STDs are more likely to report consistent condom use; less likely to cease using condoms; and more likely to initiate consistent condom use. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest the need for innovative programming targeted for specific sexually active populations to promote both initiation and maintenance of use of condoms.

Adolescent↗