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Biomedical subjects

M Pertschuk

Publications and source records attributed to M Pertschuk.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Preemption or prevention?: lessons from efforts to control firearms, alcohol, and tobacco.

The judicial doctrine of preemption allows federal or state governments to restrict the ability of state or local governments, respectively, to regulate in a given area. Industries whose products create substantial public health risks have begun to promote preemptive legislation which prevents the lower levels of government from adopting strong public health protections. This article discusses the implications of preemptive legislation concerning three of the most harmful products available in America: tobacco, firearms and alcohol. These examples illustrate the potential danger that preemptive legislation poses to efforts to prevent illness, injury and death caused by these products.

Alcoholic Beverages↗
PubMed1991

Psychosocial considerations in interface surgery.

Interface surgery, as a set of procedures, involves hard rather than soft tissue. This distinction does not alter the broad psychosocial issues of appearance change, although the complexity and novelty of the surgery may influence specific findings. In this article, interface surgery is considered from a psychosocial perspective, drawing from cosmetic surgery research and direct experience with interface surgery patients.

Body Image↗
PubMed1986

Promotion of tobacco products: issues and policy options.

During the past year, several prominent voluntary health organizations and professional medical associations have called for a ban on all forms of promotion of tobacco products. The proposal raises complex issues, ranging from determination of the effects of tobacco promotion to assessment of the constitutionality of banning advertising of a legal product. We identify the issues that underlie the concern of health professionals, review evidence addressing these issues, and describe and discuss frequently mentioned policy options, especially the ban proposal.

Advertising↗
PubMed1986

Osteoporosis and hip fracture in a young woman with anorexia nervosa.

A 35-year-old woman with a 17-year history of anorexia nervosa (AN) sustained a pathologic fracture of the hip. Osteoporosis was confirmed by quantitative computed tomography of the lumbar spine and transiliac bone biopsy. Severe bone disease may exist in the anorexia nervosa syndrome and may to some extent be reversible on treatment of the underlying condition. AN could have profound effects on the peak bone mass achieved in the lifetime of the individual. Asymptomatic and symptomatic osteoporosis in young women may be based upon AN. Patients should be informed that osteoporosis can cause pathologic fractures as a sequela of self-imposed chronic malnutrition.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Public policy on smoking and health: toward a smoke-free generation by the year 2000. A statement of a working group to the Subcommittee on Smoking of the American Heart Association.

On May 20, 1984, the Surgeon General challenged the health community to work toward attainment of a smoke-free society by the year 2000. The leadership of the nation's three major voluntary organizations joined numerous associations of health professionals in accepting the challenge. The Subcommittee on Smoking of the American Heart Association (AHA) has concluded that attaining this objective requires the development and implementation of public policies designed to facilitate the transition from a smoking to a nonsmoking society. To study the relevant issues and recommend appropriate policies, the subcommittee commissioned a working group of distinguished experts in the field of smoking and health to prepare a policy statement. The statement, published here, has received the enthusiastic endorsement of the Subcommittee on Smoking and the leadership of the AHA. The working group discusses and recommends four policies: Increase the federal cigarette excise tax. Eliminate or restrict tobacco advertising and other forms of promotion. Assure the rights of nonsmokers to clean air through legislative means. Identify mechanisms to ease and assist the transition of tobacco farmers to other crops or careers.

Humans↗
PubMed1984

Energy expenditure in primary malnutrition during standardized exercise.

When eight malnourished females without organic disease, were subjected to a controlled treadmill exercise test, they expended less total energy than females of normal body weight. The malnourished subjects consumed less oxygen than the control subjects, but oxygen consumption increased with increasing work load. The resting energy expenditure of the malnourished subjects was less than predicted values, but body composition as determined by muscle mass, total body water and thyroxine levels were within normal limits. Although decreased energy expenditure associated with malnutrition, has been attributed to decreased oxygen transport and altered hemoglobin, the malnourished subjects in this study did not have reduced hemoglobin levels. Metabolic adaptation may have occurred in order to improve the efficiency of aerobic metabolism. In order to confirm this theory, energy expenditure should be assessed under conditions of maximal oxygen intake.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

A comparison of behavioral and traditional treatment for middle-income problem drinkers.

Groups of middle-income outpatient problem drinkiers were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: a multicomponent positive reinforcement procedure emphasizing moderation, or "traditional" denial-confrontation therapy emphasizing abstinence. There were no significant differences between participants assigned to the two procedures with respect to pretreatment characteristics. Participants reduced their alcohol consumption significantly in both treatments. Behavioral participants reduced alcohol consumption significantly during therapy, whereas traditional participants reduced significantly prior to therapy. Significantly more traditional participants dropped out of therapy than did behavioral. The data suggested that the effects of traditional therapy were mixed, helping those participants who were receptive, driving out those who were not; moreover, reduced consumption seemed to be more the result of compliance with initial therapist demands (made during the screening period) than the effect of denial-confrontation in subsequent therapy. Behavioral treatment was more successful in several indicators of outcome; the improvement observed seemed to be attributable to the active therapeutic techniques employed.

Adult↗