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Biomedical subjects

R R Sell

Publications and source records attributed to R R Sell.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Metropolitan governance, residential segregation, and mortality among African Americans.

OBJECTIVES: This study tested the hypothesis that the degree to which local government is metropolitanized is associated with mortality rates for African Americans and with residential segregation, which has itself previously been shown to be positively associated with mortality among African Americans. METHODS: One hundred fourteen US standard metropolitan statistical areas were examined. The primary dependent variable was the age-adjusted, race- and sex-specific all-cause mortality rate, averaged for 1990 and 1991. The 2 primary independent variables were residential segregation, as measured by the index of dissimilarity, and metropolitanization of government, as measured by the central city's elasticity score. RESULTS: Mortality rates for male and female African Americans were lower in metropolitan statistical areas with more metropolitanized local governments and lower levels of residential segregation. Mortality for male and female Whites was not associated in either direction with residential segregation. White male mortality showed no association with level of metropolitanization, but lower White female mortality rates were associated with less metropolitanization. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests the need for further research into whether policy changes in areas not traditionally thought of as "health policy" areas can improve the health of urban minorities.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1988

Age structure, the life course and "aged heterogeneity": prospects for research and theory.

A widespread generalization in the study of aging is that old people are the most heterogeneous of any age group on a wide variety of characteristics. This phenomenon has several implications for thinking about aging. First, if cohorts or age strata vary systematically in their distributions on a given characteristic, then the dominant practice of comparing them primarily on measures of central tendency may obscure significant aspects of aging. Second, attention to systematic differences in variability points to the need to distinguish life-course, cohort and period dynamics in the production of patterns of variability. From a life-course perspective the construction of intracohort trajectories of variability for successive cohorts can disentangle these potentially confounded processes. Examining intracohort variability as outcome, we consider several hypothetical trajectories of variability, describe the kinds of processes likely to underlie each, and suggest hypothetical examples of characteristics to which each may apply. Finally, we consider the possible influence of age strata differences in intrastratum variability upon other aspects of social structure and upon individual aging.

Aging↗
PubMed1983

The selective utilization of prenatal genetic diagnosis. Experiences of a regional program in upstate New York during the 1970s.

The regional prenatal diagnosis program of the Finger Lakes Health Systems Area in upstate New York has been monitored since its start in 1971. By the end of 1980, more than 1,250 diagnostic procedures had been successfully completed. Based on analyses of regional vital statistics, genetic services data, repeated surveys of obstetricians, and an ongoing survey of recent mothers older than 34 years of age, the authors concluded that: 1) in the study region, most women with an indication for prenatal diagnosis because of age are aware of the possibility of prenatal diagnosis; 2) the majority of obstetricians discuss amniocentesis with their patients; 3) after a period of rapid growth the utilization rate in the study region reached about 40% in 1981; 4) nonuse of prenatal diagnosis is based mostly on a patient's decision rather than system deficiencies; and 5) a community approach to increase utilization will have to focus on how to provide a supportive social climate for these services rather than on increasing awareness among potential patients or more referrals by providers.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1983

Analyzing migration decisions: the first step--whose decisions?

Many theories of geographic mobility assume that the change-of-residence process includes a substantial degree of choice. This paper classifies stated reasons for moving from the 1973 through 1977 Annual Housing Survey into forced, imposed, and preference-dominated categories. About 25 percent of residential mobility and 40 percent of migration occurred under conditions of substantial constraint. Mobility was most often constrained by family dynamics; for migration, occupational relocations frequently imposed the decision-to-move process and determined destinations. The volume of constrained movement indicates that its impact upon individuals, population dynamics, and voluntaristic theories of mobility deserves greater consideration.

Adolescent↗