Multilevel Drivers of Congenital Syphilis, Oregon, 2013 to 2021.

Background: Despite the availability of curative penicillin treatment for syphilis during pregnancy, congenital syphilis (CS) cases have surged in the United States, including in Oregon.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of individual- and county-level predictors of CS among pregnant people with syphilis in Oregon from 2013 to 2021. Data were collated from surveillance reports, County Health Rankings, and other sources with upstream county-level data.

The Ongoing Impact of COVID-19 on Testing for and Diagnoses of HIV and Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections in Oregon.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing accessibility. We sought to assess the longer-term impacts of COVID-19 on HIV and STI testing and diagnosis in Oregon.

Methods: First, we examined HIV, Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), and syphilis tests conducted at the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory (public sector) and a large commercial laboratory (private sector) and HIV, N.

COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among People Living with HIV.

People living with HIV (PLWH) are at greater risk for severe COVID-19 and are a priority population for COVID-19 vaccination. As of June 15, 2021, 61.6% of PLWH in Oregon received ≥ 1 COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Impact of COVID-19 Among Immigrant and Communities of Color Living with HIV in Oregon, 2020: Two Pandemics Rooted in Racism.

Over 8100 people living with HIV (PLWH) in Oregon are at risk of acquiring COVID-19, and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by both COVID-19 and HIV. This study identifies factors associated with a positive COVID-19 test among PLWH in Oregon, with the goal of promoting health equity. We probabilistically linked COVID-19 laboratory results with laboratory-confirmed HIV cases.

The Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing and Diagnosis in Oregon.

Human immunodeficiency virus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae/Chlamydia trachomatis, and syphilis testing decreased with the implementation of mitigation measures for SARS-CoV-2 and did not return to 2019 levels by September 2020. However, primary and secondary syphilis diagnoses increased during mitigation measures. Sexual health services are essential during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Three Zoo Elephants and a Human Contact - Oregon, 2013.

In 2013, public health officials in Multnomah County, Oregon, started an investigation of a tuberculosis (TB) outbreak among elephants and humans at a local zoo. The investigation ultimately identified three bull elephants with active TB and 118 human contacts of the elephants. Ninety-six (81%) contacts were evaluated, and seven close contacts were found to have latent TB infection.

Norovirus outbreak associated with a natural lake used for recreation - Oregon, 2014.

In July 2014, Multnomah County public health officials investigated a norovirus outbreak among persons visiting Blue Lake Regional Park in Oregon. During the weekend of the reported illnesses (Friday, July 11-Sunday, July 13) approximately 15,400 persons visited the park. The investigation identified 65 probable and five laboratory-confirmed cases of norovirus infection (70 total cases).

Strategies, actions, and outcomes of pilot state programs in public health genomics, 2003-2008.

State health departments in Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, and Utah explored the use of genomic information, including family health history, in chronic disease prevention programs. To support these explorations, the Office of Public Health Genomics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided cooperative agreement funds from 2003 through 2008. The 4 states' chronic disease programs identified advocates, formed partnerships, and assessed public data; they integrated genomics into existing state plans for genetics and chronic disease prevention; they developed projects focused on prevention of asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions; and they created educational curricula and materials for health workers, policymakers, and the public.

Patterns of cancer genetic testing: a randomized survey of Oregon clinicians.

Introduction. Appropriate use of genetic tests for population-based cancer screening, diagnosis of inherited cancers, and guidance of cancer treatment can improve health outcomes. We investigated clinicians' use and knowledge of eight breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer genetic tests.

Public awareness and use of direct-to-consumer personal genomic tests from four state population-based surveys, and implications for clinical and public health practice.

Purpose: Direct-to-consumer personal genomic tests are widely available, but population-based data are limited on awareness and use of these tests among the general public in the United States.

Methods: We assessed awareness and use of direct-to-consumer personal genomic tests in Connecticut, Michigan, Oregon, and Utah using the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and compared the state results to the 2008 national HealthStyles survey results.

Results: Awareness was the highest in Oregon (29.

Family history of colorectal cancer: clinicians' preventive recommendations and patient behavior.

Few population-based studies have addressed the role that family history of colorectal cancer (CRC) plays in clinician decision making or patient health choices. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of family history of CRC on clinician practice, patient CRC screening, and patient preventive behavior. We analyzed 2008 Oregon Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to examine associations between family history of CRC and 1) patient-reported clinician recommendations, 2) perceived risk of developing CRC, 3) adoption of preventive and screening behaviors, and 4) CRC risk factors among 1,795 respondents without CRC.

Public awareness and use of direct-to-consumer genetic tests: results from 3 state population-based surveys, 2006.

We conducted population-based surveys on direct-to-consumer nutrigenomic testing in Michigan, Oregon, and Utah as part of the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Awareness of the tests was highest in Oregon (24.4%) and lowest in Michigan (7.

Influence of family history of diabetes on health care provider practice and patient behavior among nondiabetic Oregonians.

Introduction: People with a family history of diabetes are at increased risk of developing diabetes; however, the effect of family history of diabetes on health care provider practice and patient behavior has not been well defined.

Methods: We analyzed data from the 2005 Oregon Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a state-based, random-digit-dialed telephone survey, to evaluate, among people with diabetes, associations between family history of diabetes and 1) patients' reports of health care provider practices, 2) patients' perceived risk of developing diabetes, and 3) patients' behaviors associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes.

Results: Compared with respondents at average risk, respondents with a positive family history (strong or moderate familial risk for diabetes) were more likely to report that their health care provider collects family history information about diabetes, discusses the risk of developing diabetes or other chronic conditions, and makes recommendations to change their diet or exercise behaviors to reduce the chance of developing diabetes.

Addressing the obesity epidemic: a genomics perspective.

Genomics is the study of the entire human genome and involves not only studying the actions of single genes but also the interactions of multiple genes with each other and with the environment. This article emphasizes the multifactorial nature of common obesity, which is caused by the interaction of genes, environment, and lifestyle. Individual variation in genes that influence behavior, satiety, and taste suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach to reducing or preventing obesity may be ineffective.

Health-related information on the Web: results from the HealthStyles Survey, 2002-2003.

Introduction: The World Wide Web is being used increasingly as a resource for accessing health-related information. In our study, we identified types of health-related Web sites visited most often, determined how often patients shared Web-accessed health information with their doctors, and examined factors that encouraged Internet use for locating health-related information. We also compared health-related Internet use among people who did not have any type of chronic disease with people who reported having one or more chronic diseases.

Perceived likelihood of developing diabetes among high-risk Oregonians.

Introduction: Prevention of diabetes in people at highest risk for developing the disease is an important public health opportunity, considering the disease's increasing prevalence, its devastating impact on health and its high economic cost, the availability of efficacious and cost-effective treatments to reduce complications, and recent evidence that it can be delayed or prevented with lifestyle interventions.

Methods: The Oregon Diabetes Prevention and Control Program collected and analyzed responses from a statewide telephone survey conducted in 2003 to determine whether Oregon adults at highest risk for diabetes 1) believed that they were at risk for developing diabetes in the future, 2) had talked with a health care professional about diabetes, and 3) had been tested for the disease. Pearson chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent associations of select characteristics with the study factors of interest.

Association of acculturation with cesarean section among Latinas.

Objectives: Examine the association of acculturation and cesarean section after adjusting for clinical and non-clinical factors that could influence clinical discretion in performing the surgery.

Methods: A sample of 2102 low-risk, low-income primarily Mexican Latinas in San Diego County was divided into two groups: primiparas and multiparas. For each parity group, logistic regression was used to assess the association of acculturation and cesarean section.

Relationships among community characteristics and walking and bicycling for transportation or recreation.

Purpose: Compare walking and bicycling for transportation and recreation with the percentage of the community devoted to parklands.

Methods: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (N = 206,992), Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey (N = 409,025), and Trust for Public Land (N = 55) data were used to estimate recreational walking and bicycling, utilitarian walking and bicycling, and parkland as a percentage of city acreage. Data were linked at the metropolitan statistical area or city level (N = 34).

Ranking of cities according to public health criteria: pitfalls and opportunities.

Popular magazines often rank cities in terms of various aspects of quality of life. Such ranking studies can motivate people to visit or relocate to a particular city or increase the frequency with which they engage in healthy behaviors. With careful consideration of study design and data limitations, these efforts also can assist policymakers in identifying local public health issues.

Relationship between urban sprawl and physical activity, obesity, and morbidity.

Purpose: To determine the relationship between urban sprawl, health, and health-related behaviors.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis using hierarchical modeling to relate characteristics of individuals and places to levels of physical activity, obesity, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease.

Setting: U.