The results of a population based study carried out in a low income area of Mexico City are presented in this paper. The study was designed to investigate tobacco consumption as a cardiovascular risk factor in the population ages range of 35-64 years. A home interview was accomplished for 2,155 individuals. Monthly family income, employment status, years of schooling and tobacco consumption were investigated. The majority of the participants reported a monthly family income of 500 to one hundred new pesos and the average of school years was 5.8 +/- 3.2 years. In most cases (93.8%), participants reported to have a paid job and only 2.09 per cent were unemployed. A total of 74.2 of men and 24.5 per cent of women reported that they had smoked at least 50 cigarettes in their lifespan and 52.5 per cent of men and 17.9 of women were current smokers. Most smokers (62.9% men, 74.5% women) consume 10 or less cigarettes per day, but 33.2 per cent of men and 24.2 of women were heavy smokers, that is 10-29 cigarettes per day. Only eleven men and seven women smoked cigars or pipe. This results show a high rate of tobacco consumption in this population, therefore it is imperative to strengthen education programs aimed at promoting healthier habits and to stop tobacco consumption.

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[Blood lipid levels and atherogenic risk in an open urban population].

We present the results of a population based survey in a low income area of Mexico City. The equivalent of three census tracts were identified and enumerated. The age eligible population (35-64 yrs) in the zone comprised 2253 subjects. A household interview was obtained in 94.8% and a physical exam with laboratory determinations was performed in 62.6% of the total population. The total number of cases studied was 1411 of which 565 were males and 846 were females. Age group distribution was as follows: group 1 (35-44 y) 235 men, 367 women; group 2 (45-54 y) 203 men, 289 women; and group 3 (55-64 y) 127 men, 190 women. The physical exam included the following measurements: height, weight, blood pressure measured with a random zero sphygmomanometer, subscapular and triceps skinfold measurements, and waist and hip circumferences. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated according to a standard formula; the subscapular/triceps ratio was used as centrality index and the waist/hip ratio was used to indicate upper/lower body fat distribution. In addition, the following blood lipids were measured following a 12 hr fast: total and HDL, LDL, VLDL-cholesterol as well as triglycerides. The mean BMI for women was 28.9 kg/m2, for men it was 27 kg/m2. The subscapular/triceps skinfold ratio revealed a predominantly central fat distribution pattern in both sexes. The waist/hip circumference ratio showed a predominantly lower fat distribution pattern also in both sexes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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The costs of a pediatric hospice program.

The recent literature on economic issues of hospice care leaves several questions unanswered. The most important issue concerns how this type of care can be made financially attractive to patients and families for whom it is a medical option. A major study of a home-based pediatric hospice program permitted a more careful analysis than was previously feasible of the charges for hospice care and how those charges are paid. Data on provider utilization and duration in the program were obtained retrospectively on 177 patients. Costs of incidental expenditures and indirect costs were obtained prospectively from the families of 27 patients. A cost model was developed which is general enough to be used by other hospitals that might contemplate establishing a similar hospice program. Our findings are that insurance coverage, especially for publicly funded patients, is likely to be a major impediment for families deciding whether or not to use a hospice program at home.

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The emergency department as a violence prevention center.

No longer confined to the criminal justice system alone, violence is now regarded as a major health care issue in America. Changes are apparent not only in health care delivery, but also in medical school curricula, residency training board examinations, and accreditation. Although tertiary prevention demands the most acute attention, opportunities for secondary prevention are important and often neglected, especially when the immediate health care issue is not related to violence. This article describes the development of the Emergency Department as a Violence Prevention Center program, established at The George Washington University Medical Center. The program moves beyond responding to acute cases of violence only and considers the hospital emergency department as an active player in a community-wide effort to end violence. It does this through universal screening, assessment, treatment and other interventions, documentation, and patient and professional education.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Multiple sclerosis. A case of mind over matter?

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Employment↗