Biomedical subjects

C J Maxwell

Publications and source records attributed to C J Maxwell.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Smoking cessation and quality of life outcomes among older adults in the Campbell's Survey on Well-Being.

Most research regarding the health effects of smoking has focussed on mortality and on relatively young populations. Less is known about the consequences of smoking and the benefits of cessation among older adults. Improvements in quality of life are likely to represent more salient reasons to motivate older adults to stop smoking. Multivariate results from the Campbell's Survey on Well-Being indicate that long-term cessation among older adults yielded odds ratios comparable to never smokers in eight of 13 quality of life outcomes. Conversely, current smokers had elevated risks in 11 of 13 areas. Short-term benefits of smoking cessation were less clear in this subsample, and a number of possible explanations for this finding are explored.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The prevalence of smoking and implications for quality of life among the community-based elderly.

Although the adverse health consequences associated with smoking among middle-aged adults are well known, the significance of smoking among the elderly is less clear. We used data from three national surveys with representative samples of the noninstitutionalized Canadian population 15 years of age and older to investigate the prevalence and consequences of smoking among the elderly. The results showed a lower prevalence of smoking among older age groups, a higher prevalence and higher consumption rates among elderly men than among elderly women, a greater likelihood among elderly nonsmokers for men to be former smokers and for women never to have smoked, and lower consumption rates among elderly men and women than among younger individuals. Results from multivariate logistic regression models suggested an increased risk among elderly male and female smokers for poorer health ratings, respiratory problems, and selected medication use. These models also showed an increased risk for impairment in mobility and high life stress among elderly male smokers and for low happiness and dissatisfaction with social relationships among elderly female smokers, compared with persons who had never smoked. These preliminary findings suggest that smoking among elderly persons may be associated with several negative quality-of-life outcomes, but the direction of this relationship is not clear. Nonetheless, these results provide support for the initiation of smoking cessation programs for elderly individuals.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Factors important in promoting mammography screening among Canadian women.

Among women aged 50 to 69 years, regular screening by mammography in combination with clinical examination, can substantially decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with breast cancer by facilitating early detection. Unfortunately, many Canadian women are not screened in accordance with current guidelines. Research to date is based primarily on large surveys conducted in the United States and less is known about the relevance of specific barriers to mammography screening among Canadian women. Multivariate results from the 1994-95 National Population Health Survey (NPHS) indicate that younger (40-49) and older (70+) women, those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, and minority women are least likely to report having had a mammogram. Conversely, women with positive health behaviours, high social support, and positive mental health attributes are more likely to participate in mammography screening. These findings are discussed in terms of the implications for developing successful intervention programs for Canadian women and for setting priorities for further research.

Adult↗