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At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Initial effects of graduated driver licensing on 16-year-old driver crashes in North Carolina.

CONTEXT: Since 1997, 32 states have enacted graduated driver licensing (GDL) systems to reduce crash rates among young novice drivers. OBJECTIVE: To determine the initial effect of the North Carolina GDL system on crashes among 16-year-old drivers. DESIGN, SETTING, AND SUBJECTS: Comparison of population-based North Carolina motor vehicle crash rates before (1996-1997) and after (1999) 16-year-old drivers were licensed under the GDL system. To control for other factors that might have influenced crashes, changes for 16-year-old drivers were compared with those of drivers 25 to 54 years of age. Crashes per licensed driver were also examined. INTERVENTION: The North Carolina GDL system, enacted December 1, 1997, requires beginning drivers 15 to 17 years of age to hold level 1 licenses, allowing driving only while supervised by a designated adult for a full year; followed by level 2 licensure, allowing unsupervised driving from 5 AM to 9 PM and supervised driving at any time for at least 6 months; and, finally, level 3-a full, unrestricted license. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rates of motor vehicle crashes among 16-year-old drivers in 1996-1997 vs 1999, overall and by crash severity (fatal, injury, and noninjury), time (night vs day), type (single vs multiple vehicle), driver alcohol use, and driving environment (more vs less rural counties). RESULTS: Crash rates declined sharply for all levels of severity among 16-year-old drivers after the GDL program was implemented. Following GDL, 16-year-old driver crashes were substantially less likely. Comparing 1996 with 1999, fatal crashes declined 57%, from 5 to 2 per 10 000 population (rate ratio [RR], 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27-0.70); crashes with no or minor injuries decreased 23%, from 1068 to 826 per 10 000 (RR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.75-0.80). Nighttime crashes were 43% less likely (156 vs 88 per 10 000; RR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.52-0.61) and daytime crashes decreased by 20% (951 vs 764 per 10 000; RR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.78-0.83). Single-vehicle crashes (245 vs 175; RR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.67-0.76) declined somewhat more than multiple-vehicle crashes (866 vs 681; RR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.76-0.81). CONCLUSION: In its initial years, the North Carolina GDL system produced substantial declines in 16-year-old driver crashes.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1987

Antibody activity to Babesia canis in dogs in North Carolina.

Sera from 600 dogs from 6 geographic regions of North Carolina were analyzed for antibody activity to Babesia canis, using an indirect fluorescent antibody test. Overall, 3.8% of the dogs had an antibody titer greater than or equal to 1:80, which was considered to be indicative of infection. Dogs were more likely to be seropositive if they were housed at humane facilities and were located within areas of the state with a milder climate than were pet animals living within colder regions of North Carolina.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Survey for heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, and Dipetalonema reconditum (Nematoda:Filarioidea) in dogs from Virginia and North Carolina.

Random-source dogs (n = 100) in Virginia and North Carolina were surveyed for the microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis. Microscopic examination of fresh thin-films and modified Knott preparations were made. Dirofilaria immitis and Dipetalonema reconditum were found in 19% and 6% of the animals, respectively. There was no animal that harbored both species. Prevalence was significantly higher in North Carolina (28.6%) than in Virginia (13.6%) (P less than 0.025). Mean PCV was significantly lower (P less than 0.005) in infected vs noninfected animals.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Access to dental care for young children in North Carolina: history and current status of workforce issues.

The 2000 North Carolina IOM report contained 23 recommendations. To date 16 have been fully or partially implemented. This represents progress, but accomplishing full compliance remains a goal. Absent new training programs in our state, as current federal training grants phase-out, identifying financial support to continue training an adequate number of pediatric dentists for North Carolina will be a challenge.

Child↗
PubMed2003

Evaluation of North Carolina child care safety regulations.

INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study was to track any changes in injuries and injury hazards during the first 3.5 years of implementation of the North Carolina Child Care Commission's 1996 playground safety regulations. METHODS: All reports (n=5402) of medically attended injuries in regulated child care settings in North Carolina during the period 1 January 1997 through 30 June 2000 were reviewed and analyzed. A total of 294 playground safety inspections were conducted in November and December 1998 in randomly selected North Carolina child care centers, and the playground safety inspections were repeated in 76 child care centers in August 2000. Finally, in 1999 a 1992 child care center director self assessment of safety features in classrooms was sent to the directors of 291 of the 294 centers. RESULTS: The annual rate of reported, medically attended injuries occurring in regulated child care facilities in North Carolina declined by 22% from 1997 to 1999. The playground safety inspections in the year 2000 revealed that, for nine of 10 playground concerns and 12 of 18 playground safety hazards, average ratings were equal to or better than those of 1998. Finally, the director surveys revealed no dramatic changes in classroom safety hazards since 1992. DISCUSSION: This study represents the first time that the authors are aware of that a significant decline in state-wide child care injury rates has been associated with improved regulation of playground safety in the US.

Child↗
PubMed1993

North Carolina macular dystrophy (MCDR1). A review and refined mapping to 6q14-q16.2.

The macular degenerations comprise a heterogeneous group of diseases, generally reported in small families. Single, large family studies of North Carolina macular dystrophy have aided in defining the spectrum of the phenotype of this disorder and its relationship to other macular degenerations. North Carolina macular dystrophy has many phenotypic similarities to age-related macular degeneration with the glaring exception of the early age of onset of North Carolina macular dystrophy. The authors initially reported mapping this disease by linkage to the long arm of chromosome 6. They now report additional data on a total of 247 individuals in the original North Carolina macular dystrophy family whom we ascertained for clinical and molecular genetic studies. Standard clinical ophthalmic examination revealed that 96 of these individuals were affected. Molecular genetic studies increased the LOD score to 23 and refined the genomic localization of the disease-causing gene to 6q14-q16.2.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The North Carolina Healthcare Safety Net, 2005: fragments of a lifeline serving the uninsured.

North Carolina is in the midst of a quiet, but growing healthcare crisis. The number of uninsured residents is rising at an alarming rate--and a faster rate than in most other states. Almost one of every five (20%) non-elderly North Carolinians have no health insurance, which means a sizeable portion of our population has unmet healthcare needs. As healthcare costs continue to increase, North Carolina is likely to continue seeing increased numbers of uninsured. Until we can dramatically reduce the volume of the uninsured, there will be a continuing and growing need for governmental, private sector, and voluntary healthcare providers to serve this population. In this issue of the Journal, we have attempted to draw attention to the volume and variety of services, programs, and organizations involved in meeting this important healthcare need among our state's most vulnerable populations. The organizations involved in rendering these services, and the private physicians and other healthcare professionals who give of their time and talents to meet these needs, are stretched to their limits in most communities. The Task Force has recommended several concrete steps that would shore up safety net organizations' and individual providers' capacity/ability to meet these needs. Some of these steps will require rather straightforward changes in regulations and laws governing the provision of healthcare services. Others will require appropriation of funds to augment the public, private, and voluntary support now given through these safety net provider organizations in support of their efforts to serve the uninsured. While some effort needs to be made to bring these issues to the attention of the state's Congressional delegation in Washington, DC, many of these problems should not have to wait for federal action. The needs are great, and the demands for service are increasing among those organizations and professionals who have assumed these responsibilities in counties and communities across our state. For those with healthcare insurance, these problems and their administrative complexities may seem of remote interest and concern. But, for the people who depend on the safety net services, these problems can mean the difference between health, work, and opportunity, or between disease, disability, or death. There is a genuine collective benefit to meeting the healthcare needs of the uninsured, for the health and wellbeing of a fifth of our state's population affects the health of all of us. Depending on a stop-gap, safety net to maintain the health of such a large segment of our population is a societal risk we all must confront. Failure of any part of the healthcare safety net could be detrimental to the stability of the larger healthcare system on which we all depend.

Community Health Services↗
PubMed1998

Estimating the market for nursing personnel in North Carolina.

PURPOSE: To facilitate nurse workforce planning in the United States at the state level, the North Carolina Center for Nursing conducted a statewide survey of nurse employers to describe the current market for nurses; identify the types of nursing personnel in short supply; estimate the effect of organizational changes on nursing demand; examine preferences for RNs with varying levels of education; and identify the specific skills or competencies desired by employers. DESIGN: Descriptive. METHODS: A geographically stratified random sample of 909 nurse-employing organizations in North Carolina was surveyed in 1996 by telephone. A total of 667 interviews were completed for a response rate of 78%. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses are reported. RESULTS: A nursing labor market was found characterized by uncertainty in hospitals, particularly those undergoing reorganization, but of definite growth outside of hospitals. Demand is increasing for unlicensed assistive personnel, RNs with baccalaureate degrees, some advanced practice RNs, and in hospitals, for RNs with master's degrees in management. Recruitment continues to be a major challenge to hospitals in specialty areas, particularly critical care and surgery. In the community sector, demand is strong for all types of nursing personnel. Tests for substitution of specific types of nursing personnel revealed no systematic substitution by employers. Critical thinking and management skills were competencies most valued by hospital employers while specific clinical competencies, including assessment skills and technical skills, received priority emphasis by community-based employers. CONCLUSIONS: Although change is occurring in the health system of North Carolina, there remains a strong demand for nursing personnel. The findings pose a challenge to produce a nursing workforce sufficient in numbers and education.

Educational Status↗
PubMed1997

Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) uncommonly found biting humans in North Carolina.

Collection records are presented that document human-biting by Otobius megnini, Amblyomma maculatum, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, Ixodes cookei, Ixodes dentatus, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus in North Carolina. These species are either extremely rare in North Carolina or they are normally considered non-human feeders. The record of Otobius megnini represents the first collection of this species in North Carolina in over 50 years. It is proposed that immature Rhipicephalus sanguineus feed on humans much more than previously suspected and that they represent a threat for the transmission of pathogens to humans.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

A common DLX3 gene mutation is responsible for tricho-dento-osseous syndrome in Virginia and North Carolina families.

Tricho-dento-osseous syndrome (TDO) is characterised by a variable clinical phenotype primarily affecting the hair, teeth, and bone. Different clinical features are observed between and within TDO families. It is not known whether the variable clinical features are the result of genetic heterogeneity or clinical variability. A gene for TDO was localised recently to chromosome 17q21 in four North Carolina families, and a 4 bp deletion in the human distal-less 3 gene (DLX3) was identified in all affected members. A previous genetic linkage study in a large Virginia kindred with TDO indicated possible linkage to the ABO, Gc, and Kell blood group loci. To examine whether TDO exhibits genetic heterogeneity, we have performed molecular genetic analysis to determine whether affected members of this Virginia kindred have the DLX3 gene deletion identified in North Carolina families. Results show that affected subjects (n=3) from the Virginia family have the same four nucleotide deletion previously identified in the North Carolina families. A common haplotype for three genetic markers surrounding the DLX3 gene was identified in all affected subjects in the North Carolina and Virginia families. These findings suggest that all people with TDO who have been evaluated have inherited the same DLX3 gene deletion mutation from a common ancestor. The variable clinical phenotype observed in these North Carolina and Virginia families, which share a common gene mutation, suggests that clinical variability is not the result of genetic heterogeneity at the major locus, but may reflect genetic heterogeneity at other epigenetic loci or contributing environmental factors or both.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1995

The decline of mink in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina: the role of contaminants.

Since the 1960s, mink (Mustela vision) populations in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina have declined, especially in the coastal plain. A prior study suggested that the decline may stem from environmental contaminants. Based on water quality data from each state, we identified 17 substances potentially related to the decline: aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, DDD, DDE, DDT, PCBs, chlordane, alpha-BHC, toxaphene, dibenzofuran, copper, chromium, cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury. Mink livers were analyzed for PCB and organochlorine pesticides, and kidneys and femurs were analyzed for metals. Reference sample concentrations from piedmont, mountain, and foothill locations were compared to state coastal plain totals and counties. PCBs for Georgia, dieldrin for South Carolina, and endrin and aldrin for North Carolina were significantly higher than the piedmont reference group. Liver PCB concentrations were higher than those known to cause mink reproductive dysfunction. Mercury concentrations were significantly higher in coastal plain mink from all three states and were in the range of those known to cause impacts to reproduction, growth, and behavior to wild mink. It is unknown what concentrations of cyclodienes cause reduced reproduction or other physiological effects in mink, but the levels reported here probably indicate background concentrations that do not contribute to the decline.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1990

A population-based descriptive study of housefire deaths in North Carolina.

We report a population-based study of housefire deaths in North Carolina in 1985 using data obtained from fire investigators and the North Carolina medical examiner system. The crude death rate was 3.2 per 100,000 population; age-specific death rates were highest for ages 75-84 years. Death rates for Whites were one-third as high as death rates for other races. Of those decedents tested for alcohol, 56 percent had blood alcohol levels greater than or equal to 22 mmol/L. Most fatal fires were caused by heating units or cigarettes.

Adolescent↗