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Biomedical subjects

G C Myers

Publications and source records attributed to G C Myers.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Geographic morbidity differentials in the late nineteenth-century United States.

We use a national cross-sectional database, the 1880 Integrated Public Use Microdata Sample, to examine aggregate patterns and individual-level estimates of chronic-disease morbidity and long-term disability in the United States in the late nineteenth century. Despite higher levels of urban mortality in 1880, morbidity prevalence rates were highest in the rural areas of the country, especially in the western and the southern regions. Equations using microdata show that the estimated risk of chronic disease and impairment was highest for males and females who were older, of lower socioeconomic status, or from rural areas. This era was marked by geographically uneven but significant levels of endemic chronic disease, likely the outcomes of prior episodes of infectious disease and exposure to conditions generated by human action, such as the Civil War and migration.

Adult↗

Innovative strategies for comparative aging research.

"After introductory comments on the theme of ¿ageing east and west', this paper looks at trends in ageing and responses to ageing over time, with particular reference to European experience. The evidence is reviewed in historical, cultural, religious, political and ¿social political' perspective. Attention is drawn to the different patterns of experience and of policy responses characteristic of the different countries and regions within Europe both past and present. The paper concludes with a review of [the] latest trends and prospects in ¿community care', which could signal a seeming point of convergence between east and west."

Age Distribution↗

Migration and household/family structure: Puerto Ricans in the United States.

"The analyses in this research were intended to demonstrate the advantages of utilizing microdata from [U.S.] census sources for examining migration status and related household and family structures. By asking for the self-identification of ethnic origin, in this case Spanish/Hispanic origin, a census is able to trace not only first generation migrants by different durations of residence, but also later generations. The flexibility afforded by microdata tape files enables [the authors] to further examine multilevel effects of migration and family patterns. In this present example, the widespread nature of family instability among persons of Puerto Rican origin in the New York/New Jersey area has been noted." (summary in FRE, SPA)

Americas↗

Effects of accidental chlorine inhalation on pulmonary function.

In an industrial accident, 19 previously healthy workers were briefly exposed to high concentrations of chlorine gas. Pulmonary function tests were done at intervals for about two years but complete follow-up data were available in only 11 subjects. Immediately following the exposure, airway obstruction was detected in 10 of 19 patients; 700 days later this was found in only 3 of 11 patients. Two of these three patients had a history of smoking, however. The mean residual volume was 141% +/- 97 (mean +/- standard error of the mean) on day 1. In subsequent follow-up studies, the residual volume progressively fell in all patients, and 700 days later the mean residual volume was 90% +/- 5. In 5 of the 19 subjects, all pulmonary function test results were within normal limits on day 1. Apparently in some subjects acute exposure to chlorine gas may cause immediate changes in the lung functions, but these changes gradually resolve. Because of the small number of patients in our series, however, the long-term effects of chlorine are less apparent.

Accidents, Occupational↗

Demographic consequences of migration trends in Puerto Rico: 1950-1980.

"This paper examines the evolution and changes in migration patterns [in Puerto Rico] through the 1970's based on data from the 1980 census. The focus is on demographic consequences of migration, particularly with regard to population growth, redistribution and changing age structure." A final section is concerned with the socioeconomic implications of migration. (summary in FRE, SPA)

Age Distribution↗

Aging and the family.

Characteristics of family and household structure are examined in this paper to shed light on an important aspect of the life conditions of older persons in countries at different levels of development. Using various measures, both direct and indirect, the analysis showed the existence of a nuclear household as a predominant family form. Extended household families are more common in Asian countries, especially India, than in other regions for which data are available. While available cross-national data do not enable us to assess the extent to which older persons reside in households with their children, headship rates indicate that the majority of male older persons continue to maintain their position as heads of households in later life and that female headship increases with age. This is confirmed by analysis of data on marital status, which show higher proportions of males currently married than for females and sharply higher widowhood levels for females. Marriage at older ages seems to be relatively low. A general trend within most developed countries is toward increasing independent living, especially for females, and a sharp decline in both males and females living in a household with relatives.

Adult↗

The structure of urban mortality. A methodological study of Hannover, Germany. Part I.

An analysis is made of the association between density factors and the profile of cause specific death rates in small areas (Bezirke) of Hannover, Germany, in 1968-69. Evaluation of urban ecological methods and logic is done to determine the plausibility of making meaningful statements about cause specific death risks due to areal attributes. Efforts are made to develop an appropriate multiple indicator structural equation model to determine if underlying patterns of mortality can be discerned. Evidence is found that measures of crowding, apart from classical density, predict a general mortality component.

Germany, West↗

The structure of urban mortality. A methodological study of Hannover, Germany. Part II.

An extension is made of a prior analysis of the relation of density to cause-specific mortality in small areas of Hannover, Germany. The analysis was designed to impose statistical controls for certain socio-demographic characteristics of these small areas under a model where all of the effects of density were assumed to operate on mortality only indrectly by affecting the residential decisions of select socio-demographic groups. It was found that, despite the sizeable effects of socio-demographic factors on cause-specific mortality, density retained a direct effect on five of 14 cause-specific rates. Implications of these results for modelling density-mortality relations are discussed.

Demography↗