Hospitalizations attributable to arthritis, smoking, and hypertension: a comparison based on NHEFS and NHANES III.

Objective: To compare the impact of arthritis, smoking, and residual hypertension on the annual rate of hospital admissions in adults ages 45-74, because arthritis imposes a heavy health burden on individuals and higher medical costs on the nation.

Methods: A simulation model was used to estimate annual hospital admissions attributable to each risk factor for all adults ages 45-74, and for overweight adults in that age bracket, from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III).

Results: Arthritis accounted for 6.

Racial differences in breast cancer screening, knowledge and compliance.

Background: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. Although the incidence of breast cancer is 13% higher in white women, mortality in black women is 28% higher, due to histological and socioeconomic factors. Existing research regarding racial differences in compliance with breast cancer screening recommendations has found conflicting results.