Oral Inflammation and Human Papilloma Virus Association among Hispanics.

Background: Identifying factors related to persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is essential to reduce the incidence of HPV-related cancers.

Objective: To evaluate whether gingival/periodontal inflammation is associated with oral HPV infection.

Methods: This cross-sectional study ( = 740) uses data from the follow-up visit of the San Juan Overweight Adults Longitudinal Study, which recruited overweight/obese adults aged 40-65 from Puerto Rico.

Comparison of oral human papilloma virus detection methods among Hispanic adults.

Objectives: Oral human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is associated with nearly three-quarters of all oropharyngeal cancers in the United States. Research also suggests its association with periodontal disease. There are limited studies evaluating differences in HPV detection methods; however, oral rinse is considered the most sensitive detection method.

Sex Differences in Risk Factors for Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer among Puerto Rican Adults.

Background: Oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC) is a frequent type of cancer in Puerto Rico, with the risk being higher in men relative to women. We assessed differences in OPC risk factors implicated in these sex disparities.

Methods: We analyzed data of 740 adult participants (40-65 years) from the San Juan Overweight Adults Longitudinal Study (SOALS).

Public Health Academic Alliance for COVID-19 Response: The Role of a National Medical Task Force in Puerto Rico.

Alliances between the government and academic communities can be a key component of the public health response to an emergency such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The Governor of Puerto Rico designated the Puerto Rico Medical Task Force (MTF) COVID-19 to provide direct guidance and evaluation of the government response to the epidemic in Puerto Rico. Several work groups were formed within the MTF to create protocols and provide evidence-based recommendations on different public health aspects.

Communication about sex and HPV among Puerto Rican mothers and daughters.

Objective: Although opportunities to vaccinate against human papillomavirus (HPV) are available, vaccination rates in Puerto Rico remain low. Communication between parents and adolescents about sexual topics may influence decisions about HPV vaccination uptake, particularly among young women; yet, few studies have addressed this issue. This qualitative study explored Puerto Rican mothers' and daughters' communication on sex-related topics, and HPV, including the HPV vaccine.

Combined treatment for at-risk drinking and smoking cessation among Puerto Ricans: A randomized clinical trial.

Tobacco and alcohol use are linked behaviors that individually and synergistically increase the risk for negative health consequences. This study was a two-group, randomized clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of a behavioral intervention, "Motivation And Problem Solving Plus" (MAPS+), designed to concurrently address smoking cessation and the reduction of at-risk drinking. Targeted interventions may promote coaction, the likelihood that changing one behavior (smoking) increases the probability of changing another behavior (alcohol use).

Association between Health Care Utilization with Asthma Control Levels among a Sample of Adult Patients in Puerto Rico.

Objective: Asthma is an important and serious public health problem in Puerto Rico; however, very few studies measuring the association between health care utilization and asthma control levels in adult asthma patients in Puerto Rico have been done.

Methods: This study is secondary analysis of an observational and cross-sectional database generated by the Latin American Asthma Insights and Management (LA AIM) survey. Our sub-sample consisted of adults 18 years or older living with asthma, representing a total of 343 individuals.

Promoting tobacco cessation and smoke-free workplaces through community outreach partnerships in Puerto Rico.

Background: Puerto Rico (PR) has a lower smoking prevalence than the United States (14.8% vs. 21.

Disproportionate Tobacco Use in the Puerto Rico Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community of 18 Years and Over-A Descriptive Profile.

Purpose: Tobacco use is currently one of the most critical public health issues affecting sexual and gender minority individuals. The primary objective of this research was to provide the first population-based epidemiological profile of tobacco use in the LGBT community in Puerto Rico. The secondary objective was to identify differences between LGBT smokers (LGBT-S) versus LGBT nonsmokers (LGBT-NS).

Incidence of oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers by anatomical sites in population-based registries in Puerto Rico and the United States of America.

Objective: Puerto Rico's (PR) epidemiological data on each oral cavity and pharynx cancer (OCPC) site is yet largely unexplored. Our aim was to compare OCPC incidence in PR, by anatomical site, with that of non-Hispanic whites (NHW), non-Hispanic blacks (NHB), and Hispanic (USH) individuals in the USA.

Methods: Data from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results program and the PR Central Cancer Registry were collected and analyzed.

Reduced exposure to secondhand smoke at casinos in Puerto Rico after the implementation of a workplace smoking ban in 2007: a pre-post design.

Objective: Tobacco use and the involuntary exposition to secondhand smoke (SHS) is one of the leading causes of cancer. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of the smoke free workplace ban implemented in March of 2007 in Puerto Rico on the exposure of casino workers to secondhand smoke measured in terms of fine particulate matter and cotinine level.

Methods: This study used a pre-post comparison design to measure exposure to secondhand smoke before (February, 2007) and after (December, 2007 to February, 2008) the workplace smoking ban was implemented.

Characteristics of smokers accessing the Puerto Rico Quitline.

Background: In 2004, the Puerto Rico Department of Health implemented the Puerto Rico Quitline (PRQ), a proactive, telephone-based smoking cessation counseling program. This study examines the demographic and smoking-related characteristics of the individuals served by the PRQ.

Methods: Analyses included PRQ participants registered from December 2004-December 2005.