Biomedical subjects

V Faye Jones

Publications and source records attributed to V Faye Jones.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Cultural influences on the bedtime behaviors of young children.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess potential relationships of race and socioeconomic status (SES) to bedtime behavior from a community sample of 2- to 7-year-old children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A previously validated sleep questionnaire was administered to parents of children enrolled in the Jefferson County, Kentucky school system. The sleep behavior of African-American (n=973) and Caucasian (n=2398) children was analyzed. Median annual income of residential zip codes was used as a proxy for SES. RESULTS: Mean age was 4.8+/-1.1 years. Two composite 'sleep behavior scores' were generated related to excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep-related behavior. Children in the lower SES group had significantly more impaired 'sleep behavior scores' than those in the higher SES group, regardless of race or age. African-American children had later bedtimes than Caucasian children with similar rise times, resulting in significantly shorter sleep duration and more excessive daytime sleepiness, independent of SES and age. CONCLUSIONS: Cultural variables impact sleep-related behavior in children. Race and SES have independent relationships with sleep behavior. Independent of SES, African-American children sleep less due to later bedtimes. SES does play a role, however, in parentally reported sleep-related behavior problems. Thus, cultural variables such as race and SES are important modifiers of sleep behaviors in children and should be addressed in sleep education programs.

Child↗

PubMed2004

Which life?

"Saving a life" is a credible definition of heroism in the United States. However, the pervasive societal impression of immediate gratification has led to a widespread recognition of "life saving" only in circumstances of immediate danger. The lengthening national life expectancy is not accorded respect as an accomplishment in and of itself. Families of dying, elderly persons still mistake the "loss" by failing to appreciate the many times this life has been saved and esteeming the accomplishment that death at a later age poses. Public health and preventive medicine both suffer general disregard for this shortsighted perspective, from the public and those who determine federal funding priorities. This narrative expounds on this frustration and describes its implication for the future of public health as it is currently practiced in this nation.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Snoring in preschoolers: associations with sleepiness, ethnicity, and learning.

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children is associated with poor school performance, with minority children being at increased risk for both conditions. The latter have been attributable to low socio-economic status (SES). To further study these relationships, the contribution of SES to SDB and learning was examined in 1,010 validated questionnaires collected from parents of both white and African-American low-SES preschoolers. Twenty-two percent of disadvantaged preschoolers were reported to be at risk for SDB. These children were more likely to be African American, and had a higher incidence of daytime sleepiness, lower academic performance, and hyperactivity. Maternal education level did not account for these differences.

Black People↗