Articles related toPublic Health and Primary Care

Firearm-related injury and suicide represent a critical public health challenge in the United States, with older adults experiencing the highest rates of firearm suicide. Despite high household firearm access and unsecured storage, standardized screening and counseling in primary care remain underutilized. Primary care physicians are uniquely positioned to identify clinically vulnerable patients and evaluate lethal means safety through longitudinal relationships during routine encounters. This Clinical Practice report presents an evidence-based framework for firearm suicide risk assessment, clinical communication, and safe storage counseling tailored to older adults.

Rates of treatment-resistant hypertension in the United States are increasing despite our better understanding of underlying mechanisms, lifestyle and pharmacologic approaches, and with refinement of treatment goals. This article reviews current definitions of treatment resistance, pseudo-resistance, and refractory hypertension, and discusses patient- and provider-related factors that influence resistance, facilitating a more holistic approach to care.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. Screening mammograms reduce mortality overall, but they present unique challenges in patients with cognitive impairments. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether rates of screening mammography differ between women with and without subjective cognitive decline (SCD). The authors also examined whether sociodemographic factors (including urbanicity, income, and insurance status) are associated with differential screening rates among those with and without SCD.

Early detection of colon cancer through screening is critical for improving long-term survival outcomes; however, only 54% of the US population that is eligible to have a colon cancer screening receive one. Previous research found that people who participate in physical activity are less likely to get screened due perception of having low risk. This study aimed to examine the association between colon cancer screening and self-reported health status for individuals meeting aerobic physical activity guidelines among individuals aged 45–54.

Shortages in medical subspecialty care, particularly endocrinology, present a growing challenge in the United States. In Ohio, structural inequities in the rural and Appalachian regions, including fewer healthcare providers, limited facilities, and barriers to transportation and broadband connectivity, contribute to delayed diabetes diagnoses, increased complications, and a higher mortality rate. This study aimed to examine the distribution of endocrinology subspecialists in Ohio and the corresponding prevalence of diabetes.

Since healthcare workers and medical students are at higher exposure risk to the hepatitis B virus (HBV), immunity status is important to assess and maintain. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether various factors, including the interval between vaccination and antibody titer measurement and the timing of first vaccination, contribute to a reduction in HBV immunity among medical students with a history of HBV vaccination.

People experiencing homelessness are at a disproportionately greater risk for developing traumatic brain injury (TBI) than the general population. There has been minimal research to evaluate the prevalence of TBI or the long-term cognitive impacts of TBI among the population experiencing homelessness within the US. This study aimed to assess primarily whether those experiencing unsheltered homelessness had a higher prevalence of TBI than those in shelter.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of social determinants of health on the prevalence and treatment of asthma in Appalachian vs. non-Appalachian regions of Ohio, and how those factors affect the rate at which sinus surgery is performed in different populations.

Previous research has linked the manifestation of multiple chronic diseases that are frequently due to health behaviors to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Despite this, the link between ACEs and the age of type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosis is scarce. As such, our primary objective was to evaluate and describe the impact of ACEs on the age at diagnosis utilizing the data from the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Previous studies indicate an inverse relationship between physical activity (PA) and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This review aimed to evaluate existing literature to determine the effects of PA with an emphasis on late-life PA and the minimum levels of PA for older adults.