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Biomedical subjects

W F Forbes

Publications and source records attributed to W F Forbes.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Concerning the role of aluminum in causing dementia.

Topics outlined in an earlier paper by Eichhorn are expanded, with particular emphasis on the implications of the associations between aluminum (Al) concentrations and various indications of mental impairment. These associations represent the main thrust of the evidence that Al is a contributory cause for some forms of dementia. Of particular interest are the more recently observed associations between Al concentrations in drinking (finished) water and various indications of mental impairment, and the relevance of other water quality variables such as silica, fluoride, and pH. Various unresolved questions are also identified.

Aluminum↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dementia and age at death.

The objective of this paper is to investigate changes in dementia mortality, as recorded on death certificates in Canada. Use is made of data available at Statistics Canada for the period 1990-1991. During this period there have been appreciable changes over time in the ages at death and in the percentage of death certificates that mention dementia. This increase in mortality associated with dementia can be explained, in large part, by an increased tendency for dementia to be listed as an underlying cause of death on the death certificate. Also, the median ages at death of persons in Canada for the period 1990-1991, for whom dementia is recorded as the underlying cause of death, are similar to or greater than the ages at death reported for all other causes of death but excluding dementia. Because those who have dementia are living longer, there is an increase in the number of people with dementia (prevalence of dementia); this has important implications concerning public policy on health and aging. We discuss the significance of these changes with respect to the future prevalence of dementia.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Risk factors, causality, and policy initiatives: the case of aluminum and mental impairment.

The question addressed is when can the evidence concerning a health issue be regarded as adequate to implement policy initiatives. The approach is illustrated by comparing evidence about the effects of cigarette smoking with evidence for the aluminum (Al) hypothesis (that Al contributes to mental impairment and especially to Alzheimer's Disease). The criteria for evaluating the evidence are based on the consistency and strength of the association between a putative risk factor and the relevant outcome variable, the likelihood that the relative risk represents a causal relationship, whether possible mechanisms are available, the number of persons affected, and the costs of modifying the risk factor.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Smoking and its effect on mortality of the elderly.

The effects of smoking on the mortality experience of elderly populations are considered by comparing the mortality rates for elderly smokers, ex-smokers and nonsmokers. This question arose since a recent study, using similar data, suggested that there was no health benefit for elderly cigarette smokers who discontinue cigarette smoking. Although ultimately in the latter part of the life-span, the benefit which might be gained by giving up smoking would not increase life-span significantly, the present study shows that for all of the older age groups investigated, a lower mortality from all causes of death is observed for nonsmokers and ex-smokers compared with elderly smokers. Consequently, even though no direct evidence is available, from this or other studies, as to whether it is desirable for elderly smokers to discontinue smoking, because of the general consistency of the data for the younger and older age groups, it seems probable that giving up smoking represents a health benefit for most older smokers.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Aspects of preventive health care for older persons.

Preventive health care for older persons is considered in terms of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention and examples of relevant services are provided both from Canada and from other countries. Three areas of concern are identified, namely communication, quality assurance and funding. It is suggested that various approaches used in other countries, such as Home Visitor Programs, be examined and more generally that comparisons with health care services in other countries be carried out, particularly with respect to evaluations and possible economic steering effects.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Aluminum, fluoride and the prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

The evidence regarding the link between aluminum and Alzheimer's disease is summarized. This evidence suggests strongly that aluminum is one of the etiologic or contributing factors in the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease. One reported study suggests that relatively high fluoride in drinking water plays a preventive role in Alzheimer's disease. The rationale for this is the evidence that aluminum and fluoride compete for absorption in the gut. However, this study had methodologic limitations, and no firm conclusion can be drawn. Further investigation of relatively high fluoride in drinking water as a preventive measure for Alzheimer's disease should receive high priority.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Concerning the prevalence of dementia.

A recent paper asserted that despite difficulties of measurement, the evidence suggests that the prevalence of dementia may be lower than is generally realized. However, this paper neglected the information provided by other recent studies which show relatively high values for the prevalence of dementia. On the basis of these latter studies and considering non-response, it is here suggested that, in fact, there is no good reason to suspect that the prevalence of dementia is lower than is generally believed.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Factors associated with the prevalence of various self-reported impairments among older people residing in the community.

Self-reported data from the Health and Activity Limitation Survey (HALS) and the General Social Survey (GSS) are used to estimate the prevalence of psychological or mental, mobility, agility, seeing and hearing impairments in the elderly population. Multiple impairments are common in the elderly population and the prevalence of the various impairments increases with age in a log-linear manner. Relative risks are estimated for the various impairments on the basis of income, marital status, housing tenure and living arrangements. Among these four variables, low income appears to have the greatest effect.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The quantitative evaluation of risks: unresolved problems.

Various generators of risk which are believed to be important, namely unhealthy diet, hazardous occupations, smoking, poverty, radiation and chance of war are considered. The considerations which are relevant for policy in risk evaluation are taken to be the magnitude of the risk, the strength of the evidence that the risk is real, the size of the population at risk and the ease of modification of a behaviour involving risk. Various measures for judging risk are outlined, including mortality rates, relative mortality rates, morbidity measures, and more extensively the analysis of "costs and benefits". The importance of longitudinal studies is stressed. A theoretical framework is presented to describe formally how risk can be quantified. This is followed by a discussion of risks associated with specific hazardous activities. It is suggested that among those considered, poverty and nuclear war represent the greatest risks, followed by smoking and, in decreasing order of priority, industrial risks and poor diet.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗