Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “ALASKA”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 685 records · Page 38Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

An assessment of potential injury surveillance data sources in Alaska using an emerging problem: all-terrain vehicle-associated injuries.

Using injuries associated with three-wheeled all-terrain vehicles in Alaska as an example, the existing injury data bases were assessed for usefulness, cost, simplicity, acceptability, flexibility, sensitivity, specificity, representativeness, and timeliness. In this study strengths and weaknesses of existing data for all-terrain vehicles were identified and ways to improve data collection and linkages across data systems are suggested. Based on this evaluation, linked death certificates and medical examiner data provide an excellent mechanism for monitoring vehicle-related fatalities. Information sources for nonfatal and nonvehicle-related injuries require further development. Police records provide supplemental information, but they are limited to the events reported to police. Although other sources were explored, they added no advantage to the primary sources. Data processing, analysis, and dissemination--traditional responsibilities for public health and other governmental agencies--can transform these data sources into meaningful mechanisms to define injury trends and monitor injury-specific intervention strategies.

Alaska↗
PubMed1989

A brief history of graduate medical education in Washington, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho.

Internships and hospital-based medical education preceded by more than 40 years the beginnings of a medical school in Washington State. Just after the turn of the 20th century, a few internships were begun by hospitals in Seattle and Spokane to help with the care of their sicker patients in the tradition of Eastern teaching hospitals. In the 1920s and 1930s, the number of hospitals with internship programs grew steadily as part of a nationwide effort at hospital standardization. Experiences in developing these programs and problems with intern recruitment contributed to the beginning of the University of Washington School of Medicine after World War II. Since the 1960s, intern and resident training has progressively become a cooperative effort of the school with many hospitals and clinics in Washington, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho contributing to the development of graduate medical education in this region.

Alaska↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pedestrian fatalities in Alaska, 1980-1984.

During 1980-1984, 94 pedestrians (15.6% of 601 total traffic-related fatalities) were killed and 1,293 were injured in Alaska. The pedestrian fatality rate for Alaskan Natives (10.95 per 100,000 population per year) was four times the rate for non-Natives (2.84 per 100,000 population per year), and in Anchorage was 13 times higher (37.98 per 100,000 per year compared to 2.89 per 100,000 per year, respectively). Alcohol use by adult pedestrians and drivers was strongly associated with pedestrian fatal events and was especially associated with Alaskan Native pedestrian fatalities (O.R. 8, 95% CI 1.95-32.78). This previously unrecognized epidemic needs to be controlled by attacking associated risk-factors and by modifying the environment to separate pedestrians from motor vehicles.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1989

Invasive pneumococcal disease in an Alaska native population, 1980 through 1986.

From 1980 through 1986, one hundred fourteen Alaska Native patients from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta had community-acquired invasive pneumococcal disease confirmed by isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae from normally sterile body sites. The annual bacteremia rates per 100,000 persons were 105 cases for all ages, 1195 cases for infants under 2 years of age, and 130 cases for adults over 59 years of age. These were six to 34 times higher than rates reported for other US populations. The most common underlying conditions in infants diagnosed before 24 months of age were previously diagnosed anemia and pneumonia, while alcoholism and anemia were most common in adults. The case-fatality rate for infants under 2 years of age was 3.2%, and the case-fatality rate for adults over 59 years of age was 30%. Serotyping of more than half the isolates identified 96% of these isolates to be present in the currently available pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. The pneumococcal disease rates reported herein are likely to be underestimates since most diseases that occur in this region are treated at the village level without laboratory confirmation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Outbreak of hepatitis A on an offshore petroleum platform, Alaska.

An outbreak of 8 cases of hepatitis A among the 36-member crew of an offshore Alaska petroleum production platform was linked to a previous outbreak in an urban day-care center. Transmission of hepatitis A on the platform related most plausibly to refrigerated food items contaminated by a cook with mild disease. Control efforts included identifying and treating contacts of case patients who had traveled far from the platform before becoming ill. Early serologic confirmation of diagnosed cases and rapid reporting to public health authorities are essential to prevent disease transmission. Timely investigation can limit the administration of immune globulin to persons at high risk of contracting the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Injuries associated with three-wheeled, all-terrain vehicles, Alaska, 1983 and 1984.

From January 1983 through December 1984, twenty deaths and at least 534 injuries in Alaska were associated with three-wheeled, all-terrain vehicles. Age at death ranged from 12 to 53 years; 15 deaths (75%) were in the 15- to 34-year age group. Of the 20 fatalities, 12 (60%) might have been prevented had the riders been wearing a helmet. Alcohol use was detected or highly suspected as the major contributing cause of the fatal crash for 12 of 15 drivers and three of five female passengers. Potential risk factors for injuries associated with all-terrain vehicles include alcohol use, failure to use helmets, rider inexperience and inattention, and excessive speed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1971

Complications of smallpox vaccination, 1968. Results of a statewide survey in Alaska.

A survey was made to determine the incidence in Alaska of complications of smallpox vaccination during 1968. Of the 206 medical personnel responding to the questionnaire, 20 (or 9.7 percent) observed a complication. Twenty-six complications were reported, 20 of which occurred in primary vaccinees. Accidental implantation was the most common complication, but two cases of eczema vaccinatum and two of generalized vaccinia were observed. There were no deaths or cases of postvaccinial encephalitis or vaccinia necrosum. Of the 26 complications, 19 were theoretically preventable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1966

Acute purulent meningitis in Alaska natives: epidemiology, diagnosis and prognosis.

During the period 1957-1964, 69 cases of purulent meningitis were treated at the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital in Bethel, Alaska, a 65-bed facility serving about 10,000 Eskimos and Indians in the remote Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta area. Nearly two-thirds of the patients were infants, among whom the case fatality rate was 37.2%, compared with the overall fatality rate of 30.4%. In 52% of the cases no causative organism could be demonstrated on smear or culture. Of the bacteriologically positive cases, one-third were due to pneumococci and one-third to meningococci. Prognosis was not affected by previous treatment or recovery of the organism. Since 1957, an annual average of one out of 74 infants in the area has had purulent meningitis; one out of 200 has died of the disease. Chronic otitis media, poor nutrition, a high incidence of respiratory disease and the relative inaccessibility of medical care are significant factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

High utilizers of ambulatory care services: 6-year followup at Alaska Native Medical Center.

In a retrospective study, 100 randomly selected, high utilizers of ambulatory care services in 1972 were followed for a 6-year period, 1973-78. The 22 men and 78 women had visited the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage 15 or more time in 1972. Each patient was matched by age and sex with a control patient who had made three or fewer visits. There were predominately more women than men in all age groups in the high-utilizer group and in all but one age group in the general clinic population. High-utilizer men as a group were older than high-utilizer women. In the followup period, the men in the high-utilizer group had three times the number of hospitalizations as the controls, and women had two times the number. At the end of the followup period, 1 of every 4 men in the high-utilizer group had died, and 1 of every 10 women had died. One-half of these deaths were associated with alcohol. Several approaches to high-utilizer patients are useful. A well-organized medical record, with a complete problem list and index, is imperative. Just as helpful is only having one or several health care providers consistently see the patient at each encounter. Until there is more study of these complex issues, high utilizers must be recognized as a subgroup of patients at high risk for hospitalization and early death.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Native healing in Alaska. Report from Serpentine Hot Springs.

Traditional Alaskan Native healing practices, specifically sweat bathing and hot springs bathing, have medical connotations in that they involve sociocultural factors important to practicing medicine among Alaskan Native people. At Serpentine Hot Springs in northwest Alaska, relief for arthritis, back pain, hip pain, headaches, skin rashes and other disorders was sought. The "treatment setting" was an informal bathhouse and bunkhouse and Eskimo tribal doctors and patients were assigned tasks related to healing. Continuity with traditional cultural patterns was achieved in several ways: meals tended to be traditional Eskimo fare, the predominant language spoken was Inupiaq and styles of interaction were Inupiat in character. All patients showed improvement. The experience reported herein is instructive for those seeking innovative approaches treating Native American groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

A survey of allergenic airborne pollen and spores in the Fairbanks area, Alaska.

Gravimetric sampling over a three year period indicates that birch, alder and poplar pollen and fungus spores are the major aeroallergens from early May to September in the Fairbanks area, Alaska. Of less importance are willows, the grasses, lamb's-quarters, plantain, goldenrod, and wormwood pollen. A standard pollen calendar is presented.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Alaska's children's code.

Enactment of alaska's new Children's Code was achieved only after years of struggle involving many professional and public forces. The code is considered a breakthrough in legislation for children.

Alaska↗
PubMed1981

Alaska native fertility trends, 1950-1978.

Fertility rates for Alaska Natives based on officially registered births have shown considerable change since 1950, reflecting the increasing incorporation of this group into the dominant American culture. Their fertility experience has in many regards been similar to that of developing countries during the process of modernization. A gradual rise in fertility prior to 1962 was most likely the result of increased fecundity due to declining breast feeding. The rapid decline after that time is seen as a response to increasing incentives for fertility control. The decline was facilitated by the beginning of family planning programs in 1965.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Noise assessment among Alaska pipeline workers.

Hearing levels were studied in 948 Alaska pipeline workers. The subjects studied here consist of various kinds of industrial workers and office employees. Hearing threshold of office employees are in general agreement with those of non-industrial populations reported in a few surveys from the literature. Consequently, these data of the office employees are used for controls. Industrial workers over 25 years old are significantly affected with hearing loss, particularly those who work as pipefitters, carpenters, and mechanics. With advancing age, deterioration of hearing occurs in all employees studied here.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Alcohol-related knowledge, attitude, belief and behavior (KABB) surveys of Alaskan health professionals. The Alaska Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention Steering Committee.

Surveys were conducted to identify alcohol-related and fetal alcohol syndrome training and resource needs of health care providers in the state of Alaska. Surveys were mailed to all obstetrician/gynecologists, pediatricians, family practitioners, and public health nurses in 1992 and 1993. The majority of respondents (95-100%) agreed it was their role to address alcohol abuse problems among their patients and their patient's families. The health care providers feeling very or somewhat prepared to deal with alcohol issues were more likely to report that they always refer alcohol-abusing patients to alcohol treatment programs (52% of 158) than those feeling unprepared (24% of 68) (Prevalence ratio 2.2, 95% CI [1.4, 3.5]). The survey results identify a need to facilitate referrals from health care providers. Training to improve provider's level of preparation in dealing with patients in the area of alcohol abuse is indicated and may enhance referrals to treatment services.

Alaska↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Correctness of racial coding of American Indians and Alaska Natives on the Washington State death certificate.

Underestimation of death rates for specific races can obscure health problems and impair the ability of public programs to prevent premature death and disability. For accurate race-specific death rates, the racial classification of both the population at risk and the decreased population must be accurately ascertained. However, studies suggest that the American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) races may be not be accurately recorded on the death certificate. We performed a computerized linkage between the Indian Health Service (IHS) patient registry and the 1985-1990 computerized Washington State death certificate data. The deceased was correctly identified as AI or AN on the death certificate for 1,088 (87.2%) of 1,248 matched deaths. The majority (93%) of deceased persons identified on the death certificate as not AI or AN were listed as white. The percentage of American Indian ancestry was strongly associated with correct racial classification on the death certificate (P < .001). Birth in Washington State, membership in a large Washington State tribe, and death from an alcohol condition independently added to the likelihood of correct AI or AN racial classification. Persons who died from cancer were significantly less likely to be correctly coded as AI or AN on the death certificate.

Alaska↗
PubMed1994

Occupational homicide--Alaska, 1993.

During 1980-1992, approximately two homicides occurred at work each year in Alaska; however, in 1993, homicide was the third most frequent cause of occupational fatality (n = 11), following aircraft crash (n = 23) and drowning (n = 20). This report summarizes the 10 incidents resulting in these 11 occupational deaths in 1993.

Adult↗