How robust are the estimated effects of air pollution on health? Accounting for model uncertainty using Bayesian model averaging.

The long-term impact of air pollution on human health can be estimated from small-area ecological studies in which the health outcome is regressed against air pollution concentrations and other covariates, such as socio-economic deprivation. Socio-economic deprivation is multi-factorial and difficult to measure, and includes aspects of income, education, and housing as well as others. However, these variables are potentially highly correlated, meaning one can either create an overall deprivation index, or use the individual characteristics, which can result in a variety of pollution-health effects.

Improving spatial nitrogen dioxide prediction using diffusion tubes: A case study in West Central Scotland.

It has been well documented that air pollution adversely affects health, and epidemiological pollution-health studies utilise pollution data from automatic monitors. However, these automatic monitors are small in number and hence spatially sparse, which does not allow an accurate representation of the spatial variation in pollution concentrations required for these epidemiological health studies. Nitrogen dioxide (NO) diffusion tubes are also used to measure concentrations, and due to their lower cost compared to automatic monitors are much more prevalent.

The effect on fall rate of blood glucose testing at the time of falls in elderly diabetics.

Objective: To determine the pattern of blood sugar and HbA1c testing among supportive living residents with diabetes and whether, in those with diabetes, blood glucose measurement was done at the time of a fall.

Research Design And Methods: The management of diabetes in relation to falls in the supportive living sector is unknown. A cross-sectional questionnaire study in Edmonton Alberta, Canada of Designated Supportive Living (DSL) homes have places funded by Alberta Health Services and other homes (SL) that have no funded places.

Influenza immunisation: attitudes and beliefs of UK healthcare workers.

Aim: To explore attitudes to influenza immunisation and rates of uptake among staff working in acute hospitals in the UK.

Method: A cross-sectional survey of 11,670 healthcare workers in six UK hospitals was carried out using a postal questionnaire.

Results: Among 6302 responders (54% of those mailed), 19% had taken up influenza immunisation during winter 2002/3.

Upper limb disorders among coopers in the Scotch whisky industry.

Background: Coopering is a physically demanding trade which has existed for >500 years. Anecdotal clinical evidence suggested increased prevalence of upper limb disorders in the population of coopers in one organization.

Aims: To investigate the prevalence of upper limb disorders in coopers and non-coopers.

Evaluation of potential reduction in blood and body fluid exposures by use of alternative instruments.

Background: Injuries from needlestick, sharps injuries and splashes lead to exposure to blood and body fluids with the potential for transmission of blood-borne viruses.

Aims: To identify alternative instruments, which if used would improve worker safety.

Methods: Retrospective review of 161 injuries with identification of safer alternative products for instruments that caused injury.