The clinical profile of end-stage AIDS.

The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical profile of end-stage AIDS in patients 12 months before death. A cross-sectional examination of HIV-infected patients who attended a public HIV outpatient clinic between 1990 and 1996 and who died was conducted. The prevalence and first-time acquisition of AIDS-defining conditions 12 months before death were evaluated.

A smoking cessation helpline for Louisiana smokers--and a new resource for medical professionals.

The Louisiana Office of Public Health Tobacco Control and Prevention Program received funding from the Louisiana State Legislature to expand smoking cessation activities in the state. The Tobacco Control Program conducted a review of other states' current smoking cessation programs, cessation programs in Louisiana, and epidemiological evidence in planning the expansion of the Louisiana tobacco smoking cessation program. As a result, a smoking cessation helpline has been developed.

Louisiana Parish Health Profiles 1999: using information to drive local action.

The Parish Health Profiles 1999, published by the Department of Health and Hospitals Office of Public Health (OPH), are intended to be a source of parish-level health information to be used for community-level planning. The third edition of the Profiles uses a broader definition of health to understand the quality of life of communities. The included information represents not only health status, but also other aspects of quality of life, such as the status of local education, economy, environment, and crime and safety.