Biomedical subjects

Hsiang-Ching Kung

Publications and source records attributed to Hsiang-Ching Kung.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Deaths: final data for 2003.

OBJECTIVES: This report presents final 2003 data on U.S. deaths; death rates; life expectancy; infant and maternal mortality; and trends by selected characteristics such as age, sex, Hispanic origin, race, marital status, educational attainment, injury at work, State of residence, and cause of death. A previous report presented preliminary mortality data for 2003 and summarized key findings in the final data for 2003. METHODS: This report presents descriptive tabulations of information reported on death certificates, which are completed by funeral directors, attending physicians, medical examiners, and coroners. The original records are filed in the State registration offices. Statistical information is compiled into a national database through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's, National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Causes of death are processed in accordance with the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). RESULTS: In 2003, a total of 2,448,288 deaths were reported in the United States. The age-adjusted death rate was 832.7 deaths per 100,000 standard population, representing a decrease of 1.5 percent from the 2002 rate and a record low historical figure. Life expectancy at birth rose by 0.2 years to a record high of 77.5 years. Considering all deaths, age-specific death rates rose only for those 45-54 years and declined for the age groups 55-64 years, 65-74 years, 75-84 years, and 85 years and over. For the most part, the 15 leading causes of death in 2003 remained the same as in 2002. Heart disease and cancer continued to be the leading and second leading causes of death, together accounting for over half of all deaths. Homicide became the 15th leading cause in 2003, dropping from the 14th leading cause in 2002. Pneumonitis dropped out of the top 15 altogether, and Parkinson's disease entered the list as the 14th leading cause of death. The infant mortality rate in 2003 was 6.85 per 1,000 births. CONCLUSIONS: Generally, mortality patterns in 2003 were consistent with long-term trends. Life expectancy in 2003 increased again to a new record level. The age-adjusted death rate declined to a record low historical figure. The infant mortality rate decreased significantly in 2003; except for 2002, it either decreased or remained level each successive year from 1958 to 2003.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Deaths: preliminary data for 2003.

OBJECTIVES: This report presents preliminary U.S. data on deaths, death rates, life expectancy, leading causes of death, and infant mortality for the year 2003 by selected characteristics such as age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin. METHODS: Data in this report are based on a large number of deaths comprising approximately 93 percent of the demographic file and 91 percent of the medical file for all deaths in the United States in 2003. The records are weighted to independent control counts for 2003. For certain causes of death such as unintentional injuries, homicides, suicides, and respiratory diseases, preliminary, and final data differ because of the truncated nature of the preliminary file. Comparisons are made with 2002 final data. RESULTS: The age-adjusted death rate for the United States decreased from 845.3 deaths per 100,000 population in 2002 to 831.2 deaths per 100,000 population in 2003. Age-adjusted death rates decreased between 2002 and 2003 for the following causes: Diseases of heart, Malignant neoplasms, Cerebrovascular diseases, Accidents (unintentional injuries), Influenza and pneumonia, Intentional self-harm (suicide), Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, and Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids. They increased between 2002 and 2003 for the following: Alzheimer's disease, Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis, Essential (primary) hypertension and hypertensive renal disease, and Parkinson's disease. Life expectancy at birth rose by 0.3 years to a record high of 77.6 years.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Substance use, firearm availability, depressive symptoms, and mental health service utilization among white and African American suicide decedents aged 15 to 64 years.

PURPOSE: We investigated whether the substance use problems of excessive alcohol consumption and marijuana use, firearm availability, depressive symptoms, and mental health service utilization, differed among white and African American suicide decedents compared with natural cause-of-death decedents. METHODS: The subjects were a representative sample of 22,957 deceased individuals aged 15 years or older from the 1993 US National Mortality Followback Survey (NMFS). A matched case-control study was constructed for suicide decedents aged 15 to 64 years, with natural death controls frequency matched to cases by age and gender. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations of risk factors with suicide by race. RESULTS: When compared with natural causes of death, suicide deaths among white decedents were associated with use of mental health services, heavy drinking, marijuana use, depression symptoms, and firearm availability. Suicides by African American decedents were associated only with use of mental health services, marijuana, and firearm availability. The interaction of mental health service use and marijuana use was significant only for white suicide decedents. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to the limited understanding of how risk factors unique to suicide differ, and possibly interact, among African American and white decedents. Similarities and differences in risk factors should be considered in suicide prevention planning efforts.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Deaths: final data for 2001.

OBJECTIVES: This report presents final 2001 data on U.S. deaths and death rates according to demographic and medical characteristics such as age, sex, Hispanic origin, race, marital status, educational attainment, injury at work, State of residence, and cause of death. Trends and patterns in general mortality, life expectancy, and infant and maternal mortality are also described. A previous report presented preliminary mortality data for 2001. METHODS: In 2001 a total of 2,416,425 deaths were reported in the United States. This report presents descriptive tabulations of information reported on the death certificates. Funeral directors, attending physicians, medical examiners, and coroners complete death certificates. Original records are filed in the State registration offices. Statistical information is compiled into a national database through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Causes of death are processed in accordance with the International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision (ICD-10). RESULTS: The age-adjusted death rate for the United States in 2001 was 854.5 deaths per 100,000 standard population, representing a decrease of 1.7 percent from the 2000 rate and a record low historical figure. Life expectancy at birth rose by 0.2 years to a record high of 77.2 years. Considering all deaths, age-specific death rates rose only for those 25-44 years, and declined for a number of age groups including those under 1 year, 5-14 years, 55-64 years, 65-74 years, 75-84 years, and 85 years and over. The 15 leading causes of death in 2001 remained the same as in 2000. Heart disease and cancer continued to be the leading and second leading causes of death, together accounting for over half of all deaths. Homicide became the 13th leading cause in 2001, rising from the 14th leading cause in 2000 as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The infant mortality rate remained at a record low level, declining slightly but insignificantly from 6.9 in 2000 to 6.8 in 2001. CONCLUSIONS: Generally, mortality patterns in 2001 were consistent with long-term trends. Life expectancy in 2001 increased again to a new record level. The age-adjusted death rate declined to a record low historical figure. Although statistically unchanged from 2000, the trend in infant mortality has shown a steady, although slowing, decline. The declining trend in the homicide death rate was reversed primarily as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Risk factors for male and female suicide decedents ages 15-64 in the United States. Results from the 1993 National Mortality Followback Survey.

BACKGROUND: Few controlled studies have examined possible gender differences in risk factors for suicide. This paper examined the associations of certain risk factors with suicide among males and females aged 15-64, and the variation in the associations by gender. METHODS: A case-control study was constructed from the 1993 National Mortality Followback Survey in the United States. Information concerning age, race, education, living arrangement, marijuana use, excessive alcohol consumption, access to a firearm, depressive symptoms, and mental health service utilization was collected via death certificate and proxy respondent. Decedents between the ages of 15 and 64 who died by suicide were compared with those who died of natural causes. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations between risk factors and suicide in males and females. RESULTS: In comparison to those who died of natural causes, we found that marijuana use, excessive alcohol consumption, and access to a firearm increased the odds of suicide for both genders. For male decedents, the presence of depressive symptoms was more frequently reported for the suicide decedents in the 45-64 age group, and the proportion of mental health service use was higher among suicide decedents who did not complete high school. For female decedents, depressive symptoms were related to suicide in all age groups, and the use of mental health services was more frequent in the suicides of the 15-29 and 45-64 age groups. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors of marijuana use, excessive alcohol use, and firearm accessibility in the last year of life increased the odds of suicide in both genders. When compared to natural deaths, depressive symptomatology was common in female suicide decedents, whereas it was only associated with older age among male suicide decedents. The interactions of mental health service use with demographic factors suggested possible gender differences in suicide risk associated with severity of mental disorders, as well as the likelihood of treatment seeking.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Emerging issues in gender and ethnic differences in substance abuse and treatment.

The emerging understanding of gender differences among ethnic minorities in the rates, etiology, course, and treatment of substance abuse and common comorbid mental health disorders has significant scientific and practical implications. Growing recognition of these differences and their implications for treatment and policy decisions has highlighted research gaps and the need for more thoughtful application of the knowledge gained from existing research findings. In this brief review, we outline some of the unique aspects of substance abuse and comorbid mental health problems for women, as well as for women of various ethnic/cultural groups, including specific barriers to obtaining and remaining in treatment. Research challenges to improving limited knowledge about the rates, course, and treatment of substance abuse disorders among ethnic minority women are highlighted.

Acculturation↗