Racial Disparities in Asthma Hospitalizations Following Implementation of the Smoke-Free Air Law, Michigan, 2002-2012.

Introduction: Exposure to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse respiratory and cardiovascular effects. A growing body of literature examining health trends following the implementation of public smoking bans has demonstrated reductions in the rates of myocardial infarction and stroke, but there has been no extensive work examining asthma hospitalizations. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the Michigan Smoke-Free Air Law (SFA law) on the rate of asthma hospitalizations among adults in Michigan and to determine any differential effects by race or sex.

Neonatal withdrawal syndrome, Michigan, 2000-2009.

Background: Neonatal withdrawal syndrome, which is associated most frequently with opioid use in pregnancy, is an emerging public health concern, with recent studies documenting an increase in the rate of U.S. infants diagnosed.

Fentanyl-associated fatalities among illicit drug users in Wayne County, Michigan (July 2005-May 2006).

Background: During the summer of 2005, multiple cities in the United States began to report outbreaks of fentanyl-associated fatalities among illicit drug users. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine if an outbreak of fentanyl-associated fatalities occurred in mid-2005 to mid-2006 and (2) to examine trends and compare features of fentanyl-contaminated heroin-associated fatalities (FHFs) with non-fentanyl, heroin-associated fatalities (NFHFs) among illicit drug users.

Methods: Baseline prevalence of fentanyl- and heroin-associated deaths was estimated from January to May 2005 based on recorded cause of death (determined by the medical examiner (ME)) using the Wayne County, MI, USA toxicology database.

Botulism toxemia following laparoscopic appendectomy.

We describe a case of botulism infection in a patient who had undergone laparoscopic appendectomy, an occurrence not previously described in the literature. This case exemplifies the need for coordination between clinical and public health personnel to ensure the immediate recognition and treatment of suspected botulism cases.

The impact of dog walking on leisure-time physical activity: results from a population-based survey of Michigan adults.

Background: The extent to which dog walking promotes leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) remains unresolved. We describe the characteristics of people who walk their dog, and assess the impact on LTPA.

Methods: Information on dog ownership, dog walking patterns, total walking activity and LTPA were assessed in the 2005 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey.

Proportion of trips made by walking: estimating a state-level baseline for Healthy People 2010 Objective 22-14.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the proportion of short trips made by walking among Michigan adults and barriers to walking for transportation.

Methods: Four questions on walking for transportation were asked of 3808 respondents to the Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) between January and December 2001.

Results: Three quarters (74.

A healthy diet indicator: quantifying compliance with the dietary guidelines using the BRFSS.

Background: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) monitors population prevalence of risk factors related to chronic disease through annual telephone surveys. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using the BRFSS to estimate an indicator of overall diet quality among adults.

Methods: The authors developed a brief set of dietary questions that were included in the 1997 Michigan BRFSS.