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Suzanne M Smith

Publications and source records attributed to Suzanne M Smith.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

A randomized controlled trial of a cognitive-behavioral family intervention for pediatric recurrent abdominal pain.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the combination of standard medical care (SMC) and short-term cognitive-behavioral family treatment (CBT) in the treatment of recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) was more effective than SMC alone. METHODS: Children recently diagnosed with RAP via physician examination were randomized into SMC (n = 29) and SMC plus CBT (n = 40) groups. Outcome measures included multiple dimensions of child and parent reported child pain, somatization, and functional disability, and school absences and physician contacts. RESULTS: Children and parents participating in the combined SMC + CBT intervention reported significantly less child and parent reported child abdominal pain than children in the SMC intervention immediately following the intervention and up to 1 year following study entry, as well as significantly fewer school absences. Significant differences in functional disability and somatization were not revealed. CONCLUSIONS: These results, in combination with previous studies, add support to the effectiveness of CBT intervention in reducing the sensory aspects of RAP. Results are discussed with respect to the cost-benefit of integrated medical and short-term psychological services.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2005

The effects of a National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program on social disparities in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in Massachusetts.

OBJECTIVE: To assess social disparities in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment by comparing the stage at diagnosis and treatment of women diagnosed with breast cancer through a National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) for low income and uninsured women in Massachusetts, the Women's Health Network (WHN), to other breast cancer patients in the state. METHODS: We linked data from the WHN and the Massachusetts Cancer Registry (MCR). We compared 331 WHN women and 13,372 other breast cancer patients in Massachusetts diagnosed from 1995 to 1999. We used logistic regression, controlling for age, race/ethnicity, marital status, region of residence, and stage, where appropriate. RESULTS: Compared to other breast cancer patients reported to the MCR, WHN women were just as likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage (III or IV), treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy, and treated with complete mastectomy versus partial mastectomy. WHN women were less likely to receive radiation therapy (odds ratio = 0.7; 95% confidence interval = 0.6-0.9), particularly after partial mastectomy, and had a slightly longer time from diagnosis to treatment than other breast cancer patients (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Women diagnosed with breast cancer through a NBCCEDP in Massachusetts had similar stage and treatment patterns as other breast cancer patients in the state, except for the use of radiation therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Snack facts.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

State trends in uninsurance among individuals aged 18 to 64 years: United States, 1992-2001.

OBJECTIVES: We analyzed state-specific uninsurance trends among US adults aged 18 to 64 years. METHODS: We used logistic regression models to examine Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for uninsurance from 1992 to 2001 in 47 states. RESULTS: Overall, uninsurance rates increased in 35 states and remained unchanged in 12 states. Increases were observed among people aged 30 to 49 years (in 34 states) and 50 to 64 years (in 24 states), and increases were also observed among individuals at middle and low income levels (in 39 states and 19 states, respectively), individuals employed for wages (in 33 states), and the self-employed (in 18 states). CONCLUSIONS: Among adults aged 18-64, rates of uninsurance increased in most states from 1992 through 2001. Decreased availability of employer-sponsored health insurance, rising health care costs, and state fiscal crises are likely to worsen the growing uninsurance problem.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Population aging and implications for epidemic cardiovascular disease in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Within the clinical and public health communities, it is often unnoticed that the developing world is experiencing an aging population with its attendant increase in the burden of chronic, noncommunicable diseases. From July 1999 to July 2000, 77% of the world's net gain in elderly persons occurred in developing countries. In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, the number of persons aged 65 years and older is expected to increase by 50% in 2015, from 19.3 million to 28.9 million. This demographic change has profound implications for developing countries that already shoulder a huge burden of communicable diseases, especially the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and continue to be challenged by basic infrastructure needs and economic development. In the 30-year period from 2000 to 2030, the population of elderly persons is projected to double in many Sub-Saharan African countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Cameroon, and Ghana. The scale and magnitude of these demographic changes are unprecedented. Since advancing age is the most powerful independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, the impact of these demographic changes on heart disease and stroke will be substantial. Aggressive efforts in promoting healthy aging and the prevention of cardiovascular risk factors will be crucial in preventing an impending cardiovascular epidemic in these countries.

Africa South of the Sahara↗
PubMed2002

End of life is a public health issue.

Public health activities to prevent and control disease have produced an extraordinary decline in mortality rates during the last century. This phenomenon has widespread implications, not the least of which is that death often occurs at a later age and frequently after a protracted illness. With a prolonged death due to technological advances now common in developed countries, quality of life at the end of life has become a societal concern. It is logical that public health should embrace the end of life as an area worthy of study and intervention. After all, the end of life has three characteristics of other public health priorities: high burden, major impact, and a potential for preventing the suffering associated with illness. In this paper, we propose three initial roles for the public health profession and a process for developing a public health agenda for the end of life.

Attitude to Death↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Changes in health behaviors among older Americans, 1990 to 2000.

OBJECTIVES: The authors used a large population-based survey to examine changes from 1990 to 2000 in age distribution by sex and race or ethnicity, to estimate both state-specific and national trends in the proportion of older Americans, and to examine changes in risk factors and quality-of-life indicators among those Americans. METHODS: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a cross-sectional telephone survey of adults aged > or =18 years. BRFSS data were analyzed for the District of Columbia and all states that participated from 1990 to 2000. SAS and SUDAAN were used in the analyses to account for the complex sampling design. RESULTS: The percentage of Americans aged > or =75 years increased 23.0% from 1990 to 2000, with the magnitude of the increase varying by state. In 2000, Florida had the highest percentage of persons aged > or =75 (10.27%) and Alaska the lowest (3.49%). Compared with 1990, older Americans in 2000 were more likely to be obese (16.3% vs. 13.5%) or diabetic (14.3% vs. 11.0%). Older Americans in 2000 were also more likely to exercise, consume more fruits and vegetables daily, and to have recently obtained a routine medical checkup. In addition, they were less likely to smoke tobacco or drink any alcohol. CONCLUSIONS: Increases in the population of older people will have a tremendous impact on health care in the states and will affect their future plans for serving the elderly. Although older Americans are living more healthfully than previously, there is an enormous need for targeted health promotion programs to prevent chronic diseases in this age group.

Aged↗