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Biomedical subjects

R C Brownson

Publications and source records attributed to R C Brownson.

138 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Occupation, smoking, and alcohol in the epidemiology of bladder cancer.

We conducted a case-control study to evaluate the effects of occupation, smoking, and alcohol consumption on bladder cancer risk. A total of 823 male cases and 2,469 age-matched controls were identified through the Missouri Cancer Registry. Relative risk estimates of 2.0 or greater were observed for janitors and cleaners, mechanics, miners, and printers. Current cigarette smoking was associated with a two-fold excess risk of bladder cancer, whereas alcohol consumption showed no association with bladder cancer risk.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A case-control study of renal cell carcinoma in relation to occupation, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

A case-control study based on data from a cancer registry was conducted to evaluate the effects of smoking, alcohol use, and occupation on renal cell cancer risk. Information was obtained for 326 male and female cases and 978 age- and sex-matched controls. Elevated risks were identified for cigarette smokers and for men employed as truck drivers. No relationship between alcohol consumption and renal cancer was observed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Correlates of overweight and weight-loss practices in Missouri.

OBJECTIVE: To examine potential correlates of overweight and weight-loss practices in Missouri. METHODS: Two probability surveys (n=3,010) were used to investigate the associations of sociodemographic and health-related factors with overweight and attempting, exercising, dieting, and desiring to lose weight. RESULTS: Race, gender, and receiving professional advice were strongly associated with being overweight. Gender, receiving professional advice, and leisure-time physical activity were positively associated with attempting and desiring to lose weight. CONCLUSIONS: Public health programs can utilize this knowledge to reduce the prevalence of overweight by encouraging professional advice and promoting regular exercise.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A community research partnership to improve the diet of African Americans.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a community research partnership in which a national parent education organization collaborated with academic institutions to develop a dietary change program for underserved African American parents. METHODS: Qualitative methods were used to characterize issues that impacted partnership operations. RESULTS: Data are reported on partnership activities including program development and implementation with African American parents. Lessons learned and strategies for improving the partnership are presented. CONCLUSIONS: Ongoing assessment and evaluation of how a partnership operates, especially in the context of multiple sites, are important to sustaining successful functioning.

Black or African American↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The role of data-driven planning and coalition development in preventing cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Effective programs for the prevention and control of CVD need to include data-based planning and evaluation at the State and local levels. The authors describe the development of data-driven planning and intervention strategies in Missouri. Statewide planning activities have resulted in the formation of an advisory committee and development of a State plan, a resource directory, and training courses. Analysis of mortality data revealed an unusual concentration of CVD deaths in the southeast portion of the State. Local coalitions are being developed in each of six counties in this region to reduce the prevalence of CVD risk factors. A regional behavioral risk factor survey of 1,006 adults identified key risk factors that will be addressed by the coalitions. These data suggested that physical inactivity, obesity, and hypertension are especially acute problems in the area. Key components of the local coalition development included providing localized data and obtaining the strong commitment of the local health departments. Expanded use of chronic disease surveillance data for planning and evaluation will increase the probability that localities, States, and the nation will achieve Year 2000 Health Objectives. The data-based planning process is described as a possible model for use by other States and localities.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Uterine cervical cancer risk in cigarette smokers: a meta-analytic study.

We conducted a meta-analytic study to measure the risk of uterine cervical cancer in former and current smokers. A literature search from 1966 to 1988 identified 139 MEDLINE citations. Of these, five studies reported appropriate and complete data for meta-analysis. A recent study conducted by the authors was also included. The graphical and variance-based methods of meta-analysis consistently demonstrated a significantly excessive risk of cervical cancer in current smokers, but not in former smokers. The powers of the analyses involving former smokers were between 0.72 and 0.99, depending on the degree of confounding attributed to unmeasured variables. Thus, it was unlikely that sample size accounted for the null association observed in former smokers. These findings have important medical implications for women in light of the prevalence of cigarette smoking. During regular gynecologic screening examinations, health care professionals may have considerable impact by counseling women about the risk of cervical cancer in smokers. Antismoking messages should be strongly directed toward women in the lower educational and socioeconomic levels to have the greatest impact on the incidence of cervical cancer.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Exposure to alcohol and tobacco and the risk of laryngeal cancer.

The association between various risk factors and laryngeal cancer was evaluated using a case-control design. Subjects were chosen from the Missouri Cancer Registry from 1984 and 1985. The analysis was limited to white males and included 63 cases and 200 controls. The odds ratios (ORs) associated with previous tobacco use, adjusted for age and alcohol use, followed an increasing linear trend (p less than .01). Similarly, a dose-response relationship between alcohol use and laryngeal cancer (p less than .05) was identified. The risk for laryngeal cancer was increased synergistically by alcohol and tobacco. After controlling for alcohol and tobacco, the only occupational category with an elevated risk was nonconstruction laborers (OR = 3.82; 95% confidence interval = 1.87-5.77). Further studies of the interaction between alcohol and tobacco, occupational factors, and laryngeal cancer etiology are suggested.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Physician advice to reduce chronic disease risk factors.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that physicians advise their patients regarding smoking cessation, weight loss, and physical inactivity. Few studies, however, have assessed the extent to which persons with these risk factors receive advice from their physicians. Using data from the 1990-1991 Missouri Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a random digit-dialed telephone survey of adults, we identified Missouri residents with one or more of these modifiable risk factors. We examined whether these persons reported being advised by their physicians to modify their behavior(s) within the past year. Of the 2,791 respondents, 764 (26%) smoked, 1,720 (59%) were sedentary, and 686 (23%) were overweight. Five hundred and thirty-five smokers reported having a routine checkup within the past year, but only 224 (42%) reported being advised by their physicians to stop smoking. Of the 1,246 sedentary persons who had a routine checkup within the past year, 192 (15%) reported being told by their physicians to exercise more. Of the 521 overweight respondents who had a routine checkup within the past year, 225 (43%) reported being advised to lose weight. Physician advice for these risk factors was less frequently reported among men, blacks, younger persons, and persons from rural areas. Although most Missouri residents with these modifiable risk factors reported seeing their physicians within the past year, less than half reported that they received advice from their physicians to alter their risk behavior(s). Further efforts are necessary to increase the effectiveness of physician advice for at-risk patients about quitting smoking, losing weight, and increasing physical activity.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Factors affecting use of CR-39 surface monitor technology to estimate past exposure to indoor radon.

In an epidemiologic study investigating influences of life-style and environment on lung cancer risk, CR-39 alpha-particle detectors, identified here as surface monitors, were affixed to subjects' selected household glass, ceramic, or enameled objects to measure residual radioactivity form embedded radon (Rn) decay products. The purpose was to estimate past cumulative indoor Rn concentrations to which the object was exposed to infer past exposures of the subjects. This approach was used to supplement exposure information obtained by methods traditionally used in Rn epidemiologic studies. In addition, surface monitors were affixed to objects of selected study subjects with complete exposure information to evaluate whether surface monitors provided estimates of cumulative past residual Rn exposure comparable to estimates obtained from year-long, ambient alpha track-etch measurements in each present and previous residence. These ambient measurements were time-weighted to estimate integrated exposure of objects and were adjusted for decay and ingrowth so as to be comparable to surface monitor measurements. A regression relationship was estimated between the two estimates of cumulative RN exposure. Surface monitor measurements had a satisfactory correlation (0.63) with adjusted ambient Rn measurements for new, nonceramic objects. Although not included in the study design, factors that might affect use of the technology were also investigated. Regression relationships were compared in graduated smoking environment (as judged by the subjects) to investigate possible differential plate out of radon progeny. In addition, regression relationships for windows were compared with those for other objects to investigate whether there was a significant difference between windows and other objects. It has been suggested that windows may have a higher plate out rate because of locally increased air flow. Results suggested that surface monitor information was useful to fill time gaps in estimates of historical radon exposure data obtained by ambient measurements. Glass samples provided the best correlation. Ceramic materials sometimes provided excessively high radon estimates, probably due to glazes that contained significant uranium or thorium. Due to small sample sizes, investigations of other factors were inconclusive.

Air Pollutants, Radioactive↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Selected chronic disease risk factors in Missouri: 10-year trends and predictions for the year 2000.

INTRODUCTION: A study was undertaken to determine the prevalence rates of three chronic disease risk factors among adult Missourians from 1986 to 1995, to predict rates, and to compare them with national and Missouri's goals for the year 2000. METHODS: Using data from Missouri Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Surveys (BRFSS) 1986-1995, prevalence rates of smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity were calculated across age, gender, race, and educational levels. Linear regression was used to predict rates for year 2000, for the adults of Missouri as a whole and for particular subgroups. RESULTS: There was a 0.9% annual decrease in smoking prevalence and a 4.6% annual increase in obesity over the 10 years, controlling for age and gender. The trend in rates of physical inactivity was nonsignificant. Continuation of these rates will give smoking rates of 23.6%, obesity rates of 35.5%, and sedentary rates of 36.3% by the year 2000. Those with less than a high school education had higher rates for each of the risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: This rate of decrease in rates of cigarette smoking is not sufficient to enable the year 2000 goal to be reached until year 2040, and the rates of obesity and sedentary lifestyle are increasing. The BRFSS, which has now been implemented in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, is a useful tool for monitoring progress towards health behavior targets.

Adult↗