The effect of a Veterans Affairs rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention program on long-term housing instability.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of enrolling in Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) on short- and long-term housing outcomes among Veterans experiencing housing instability.

Study Setting And Design: We analyzed data from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) electronic health record (EHR) between October 2015 and December 2018 using the target trial emulation framework. Veterans were included in one or more trials if they were 18 years or older, had recent evidence of housing instability, had received care in VA for at least 1 year, and had never before enrolled in SSVF.

Cost-Effectiveness of Temporary Financial Assistance for Veterans Experiencing Housing Instability.

Importance: The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) partners with community organizations (grantees) across the US to provide temporary financial assistance (TFA) to vulnerable veterans through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. The goal of TFA for housing-related expenses is to prevent homelessness or to quickly house those who have become homeless.

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of the SSVF program with TFA vs without TFA as an intervention for veterans who are experiencing housing insecurity.

The Respiratory Effects of Chronic Exposure to Gas Faring Among Residents of Some Communities in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.

Background: This study presents the pattern of respiratory effects seen among residents chronically exposed to gas flaring in some communities in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria. The other health challenges associated with this chronic exposure to gas were also evaluated in the study.

Methods: A total of three hundred and eighty-six 386 adult residents in Ibeno, Niger Delta Region who have been residents for at least two years.

Shallow Subsidies for Veterans Facing Housing Barriers in the VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program.

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides a shallow subsidy (i.e., subsidizing 50% of an individual's rent for two years) to Veterans experiencing housing instability.

Temporary Financial Assistance Reduced The Probability Of Unstable Housing Among Veterans For More Than 1 Year.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) aims to reduce homelessness among veterans through programs such as Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF). An important component of SSVF is temporary financial assistance. Previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of temporary financial assistance in reducing short-term housing instability, but studies have not examined its long-term effect on housing outcomes.

Using natural language processing to study homelessness longitudinally with electronic health record data subject to irregular observations.

The Electronic Health Record (EHR) contains information about social determinants of health (SDoH) such as homelessness. Much of this information is contained in clinical notes and can be extracted using natural language processing (NLP). This data can provide valuable information for researchers and policymakers studying long-term housing outcomes for individuals with a history of homelessness.

Knowledge, psychological impacts, and protective behaviours during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among Chinese residents in Canada with dependent school-age children: a cross-sectional online study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to describe the knowledge, protective behaviours, and psychological impact of COVID-19 on Chinese residents in Canada, as the emotional and behavioural impacts of the pandemic have not been intensively studied amongst these populations. It was important to determine whether having dependent school-age children (DSAC) aged 16 or under was associated with adverse psychological impacts amongst the Chinese residents living in the country.

Methods: In April 2020, 757 eligible participants were recruited through a snowball sampling to complete an online survey related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Postacute Sequelae of COVID-19 and Adverse Psychiatric Outcomes: Protocol for an Etiology and Risk Systematic Review.

Background: The postacute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) is a syndrome characterized by persistent COVID-19 symptoms or the onset of new symptoms following recovery from the initial or acute phase of the illness. Such symptoms often occur 4 or more weeks after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Although a lot of work has gone into understanding the long-term mental health effects of PASC, many questions related to the etiology and risk of this condition remain.

Effect of Phone-Based Enhanced Adherence Counseling (EAC) Among Virally Unsuppressed Key Population (KP).

Background:  Despite the reduced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease burden in Nigeria and globally, the key populations (KPs) can be disproportionately burdened with HIV infection and lower treatment coverage and outcome. A viral load (VL) test is needed to monitor the treatment outcome of KP with VL suppression of < 1000 copies/mL, demonstrating a positive treatment outcome. For unsuppressed VL, enhanced adherence counseling (EAC) may improve viral suppression in people living with HIV/KPs living with HIV (PLHIV/KPLHIV).

Predictors of homeless service utilization and stable housing status among Veterans receiving services from a nationwide homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing program.

Homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing (RRH) programs are increasingly important components of the homeless assistance system in the United States. Yet, there are key gaps in knowledge about the dynamics of the utilization of these programs, with scant attention paid to examining the duration of homelessness prevention and RRH service episodes or to patterns of repeated use of these programs over time. To address these gaps, we use data from the U.

Examining the clinical impact of rapid multiplex polymerase chain reaction-based diagnostic testing for bloodstream infections in a national cohort of the Veterans Health Administration.

Study Objective: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a significant cause of mortality. Use of a rapid multiplex polymerase chain reaction-based blood culture identification panel (BCID) may improve antimicrobial utilization and clinical outcomes by shortening the time to appropriate therapy and de-escalating antibiotics among patients on overly broad-spectrum empiric therapy. The effect of BCID on clinical outcomes across varying institutional antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) practices is unclear.

Metabolic Syndrome in Commercial Truck Drivers: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Comparison With the General Population.

Introduction: Commercial motor vehicle drivers, such as truck drivers, experience unique health, lifestyle, and occupational challenges directly associated with their profession.

Methods: All participants in this multistate cross-sectional study completed questionnaire measurements. Participants were categorized with metabolic syndrome (MetS) if they had at least three of the five modified criteria used in the joint scientific statement on metabolic syndrome.

Mapping 123 million neonatal, infant and child deaths between 2000 and 2017.

Since 2000, many countries have achieved considerable success in improving child survival, but localized progress remains unclear. To inform efforts towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.2-to end preventable child deaths by 2030-we need consistently estimated data at the subnational level regarding child mortality rates and trends.

Pharmacotherapies for fatigue in chronic liver disease (CLD): a systematic review and meta-analysis (protocol).

Background: This is the protocol for a systematic review (and meta-analysis) of an intervention. The primary objective of this systematic review will be to assess the benefits and harms of pharmacological therapies (pharmacotherapies) for the management of fatigue in adults with CLD of any etiology. The effects of pharmacological therapies on fatigue in CLD will be compared against those of placebo, no intervention, or non-pharmacological interventions.

The Association Between Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Motor Vehicle Crashes Among Professional Truck Drivers.

Objective: This study assesses relationships between the Framingham cardiovascular disease risk (CVD risk) score and prevalence of US Department of Transportation (DOT)-reportable crashes in commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, after controlling for potential confounders.

Methods: Data were analyzed from CMV drivers (N = 797) in a large cross-sectional study. CVD risk was calculated for each driver.

Factors Associated With Truck Crashes in a Large Cross Section of Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers.

Objective: This large, cross-sectional study calculated prevalence of disorders and assessed factors associated with self-reported lifetime crashes.

Methods: Truck drivers (n = 797) completed computerized questionnaires reporting crashes, demographics, psychosocial factors, and other elements, as well as had taken measurements (eg, height, weight, serum, and blood pressure).

Results: Most drivers were male (n = 685, 85.

A Clinical Trial on Weight Loss among Truck Drivers.

Background: The high prevalence of obesity among commercial truck drivers may be related to sedentary nature of the job, lack of healthy eating choices, and lack of exercise. There may be a link between obesity and crash risk, therefore an intervention to reduce obesity in this population is needed.

Objective: To assess feasibility of a 12-week weight loss intervention for truck drivers with a weight loss goal of 10% of initial body weight.

Patients who lack capacity and lack surrogates: can they enroll in hospice?

Patients who lack capacity and lack surrogates are among the most vulnerable patients we care for in palliative care. In the case we present here, we have considered how to make end-of-life decisions for a patient who lacks both capacity and surrogates, who has a terminal illness, and who is not a candidate for disease-modifying treatments. We first define and characterize this population of patients through a review of the literature and then explore some decision-making quandaries that are encountered at the end of life.

ACOEM practice guidelines: elbow disorders.

Objective: The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine has updated the treatment guidelines in its Elbow Disorders chapter through revision processes begun in 2006. This abbreviated version of that chapter highlights some of the evidence and recommendations developed.

Methods: Comprehensive systematic literature reviews were accomplished with article abstraction, critiquing, grading, evidence table compilation, and guideline finalization by a multidisciplinary expert panel and extensive peer-review to develop evidence-based guidance.

Palliative care for the management of chronic illness: a systematic review study protocol.

Introduction: Chronic illnesses are marked by fluctuations and variations over time. Individuals with chronic illness experience pain and other symptoms that are not always adequately managed. Their caregivers often have to deal with enormous burden as the illness progresses.