Stability and Falls Evaluations in AMPutees (SAFE-AMP 2): Reduced functional mobility is associated with a history of injurious falls in lower limb prosthesis users.

Background: Injurious falls have a high cost and economic impact on an individual and the health system. Several studies have assessed performance-based functional mobility in lower limb prosthesis (LLP) users and fall risk including fall history. However, limited data exist regarding the relationship between functional mobility and a history of injurious falls in individuals who use a LLP.

Factors that influence time to prosthesis receipt after lower limb amputation: A Cox proportional hazard model regression.

Background: Early mobility, functional independence, and ambulation are associated benefits after lower limb amputation (LLA), whereas an increased risk of clinical complications is associated with no prosthesis.

Objective: To describe time to prosthesis receipt after amputation and to assess the impact of patient demographic and health factors on the rate of prosthesis receipt within 12 months post LLA.

Design: A retrospective cohort analysis using commercial administrative claims data.

The Value of Health Economics and Outcomes Research in Prosthetics and Orthotics.

The demand has increased for evidence regarding the effectiveness and value of prosthetic and orthotic rehabilitation interventions. Clinicians and managers are under pressure to provide treatment recommendations and demonstrate effectiveness through outcomes. It is often assumed that rehabilitation interventions, including the provision of custom-made and custom-fit orthotic and prosthetic devices, are beneficial to patients.

Impact of Time to Receipt of Prosthesis on Total Healthcare Costs 12 Months Postamputation.

Objective: The objective was to assess the impact of a prosthesis and the timing of prosthesis receipt on total direct healthcare costs in the 12-mo postamputation period.

Design: Data on patients with lower limb amputation (n = 510) were obtained from a commercial claims database for retrospective cohort analysis. Generalized linear multivariate modeling was used to determine differences in cost between groups according to timing of prosthesis receipt compared with a control group with no prosthesis.

The Role of Earlier Receipt of a Lower Limb Prosthesis on Emergency Department Utilization.

Introduction: Adverse events after a lower limb amputation (LLA) can negatively affect the rehabilitation process and may lead to emergency department (ED) visits. Earlier receipt of a prosthesis, as compared to delayed or not receiving a prosthesis, may decrease or moderate the risk of increased ED utilization. In addition, adverse events (ie, fall-related injury [FRI]) may be associated with increased health care utilization as measured by ED use.

Black-white disparities in alcohol consumption trends among women in the United States, 1990-2015.

Alcohol consumption has more adverse consequences among African American women than among white women. Yet little is known about trends in alcohol consumption among African American women. Using the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, we examined trends in alcohol consumption among African American ( = 4,079) and white ( = 17,512) women, 1990-2015.

Alcohol consumption among older women in the United States.

Few studies have examined alcohol consumption among older women. Using the nationally representative National Survey on Drug Use and Health, we examined binge, moderate, and no alcohol consumption among women ages 50+ (n = 21,178). We calculated population prevalence by age and used multivariate logistic regression, controlling for seven sociodemographic factors.

Epigenome-wide association study of asthma and wheeze characterizes loci within .

Background: To identify novel epigenetic markers of adolescent asthma and replicate findings in an independent cohort, then explore whether such markers are detectable at birth, predictive of early-life wheeze, and associated with gene expression in cord blood.

Methods: We performed epigenome-wide screening with recursive random forest feature selection and internal validation in the IOW birth cohort. We then tested whether we could replicate these findings in the independent cohort ALSPAC and followed-up our top finding with children of the IOW cohort.

The Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) Dissemination and Implementation Study, Phase 1: Implementation Monitoring Methods and Results.

Faith-based settings offer opportunities for reaching populations at risk for chronic conditions and are optimal settings for dissemination and implementation (D&I) research. Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) is an evidence-based program designed to promote physical activity (PA) and healthy eating (HE) through church policy, systems, and environmental change. We report implementation fidelity for Phase 1 of the FAN D&I project, a countywide effort.

Sumter County on the Move! Evaluation of a Walking Group Intervention to Promote Physical Activity Within Existing Social Networks.

Background: Social network-driven approaches have promise for promoting physical activity in community settings. Yet, there have been few direct investigations of such interventions. This study tested the effectiveness of a social network-driven, group-based walking intervention in a medically underserved community.

Smoking-Related Stigma: A Public Health Tool or a Damaging Force?

Background: Tobacco control policies and other denormalization strategies may reduce tobacco use by stigmatizing smoking. This raises an important question: Does perceived smoking-related stigma contribute to a smoker's decision to quit? The aim of this study was to evaluate if perceived smoking-related stigma was associated with smoking cessation outcomes among smokers in Mexico and Uruguay.

Methods: We analyzed prospective data from a panel of adult smokers who participated in the 2008-2012 administrations of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Surveys in Mexico and Uruguay.

Measuring the intensity of community programs and policies for preventing childhood obesity in a diverse sample of US communities: the Healthy Communities Study.

Introduction: Efforts to address the critical public health problem of childhood obesity are occurring across the USA; however, little is known about how to characterize the intensity of these efforts.

Objectives: The purposes of this study are to describe the intensity of community programs and policies (CPPs) to address childhood obesity in 130 US communities and to examine the extent to which observed CPPs targeted multiple behaviours and employed a comprehensive array of strategies.

Methods: To document CPPs occurring over a 10-year period, key informants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview protocol.

Development and Testing of the Church Environment Audit Tool.

Objectives: In this paper, we describe development and reliability testing of a novel tool to evaluate the physical environment of faith-based settings pertaining to opportunities for physical activity (PA) and healthy eating (HE).

Methods: Tool development was a multistage process including a review of similar tools, stakeholder review, expert feedback, and pilot testing. Final tool sections included indoor opportunities for PA, outdoor opportunities for PA, food preparation equipment, kitchen type, food for purchase, beverages for purchase, and media.

Faith, Activity, and Nutrition Randomized Dissemination and Implementation Study: Countywide Adoption, Reach, and Effectiveness.

Introduction: Faith-based organizations can contribute to improving population health, but few dissemination and implementation studies exist. This paper reports countywide adoption, reach, and effectiveness from the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition dissemination and implementation study.

Design: This was a group-randomized trial.

Effect of Child Gender and Psychosocial Factors on Physical Activity From Fifth to Sixth Grade.

Background: Gender differences in physical activity (PA) trajectories during adolescence are well documented, yet little research has examined whether the determinants of these trajectories vary by child's gender. This study is one of few prospective examinations of gender differences in the influences of psychosocial and socioenvironmental factors on changes in objectively measured PA.

Methods: Students and parents from elementary and middle schools located in 2 school districts in South Carolina were enrolled in a prospective cohort study of changes in children's PA from elementary to middle school.

Neighborhood Attributes Associated With the Social Environment.

Purpose: To examine the association between specific attributes of neighborhood environments and four social environment measures.

Design: Data were collected as part of a baseline survey among participants enrolling in a walking intervention.

Setting: Participants were recruited from a metropolitan area in a Southeastern state.

Use of formative research and social network theory to develop a group walking intervention: Sumter County on the Move!

Although social support is a frequently cited enabler of physical activity, few studies have examined how to harness social support in interventions. This paper describes community-based formative research to design a walking program for mobilizing naturally occurring social networks to support increases in walking behavior. Focus group methods were used to engage community members in discussions about desired walking program features.

Perceived influence and college students' diet and physical activity behaviors: an examination of ego-centric social networks.

Background: Obesity is partially a social phenomenon, with college students particularly vulnerable to changes in social networks and obesity-related behaviors. Currently, little is known about the structure of social networks among college students and their potential influence on diet and physical activity behaviors. The purpose of the study was to examine social influences impacting college students' diet and physical activity behaviors, including sources of influence, comparisons between sources' and students' behaviors, and associations with meeting diet and physical activity recommendations.

Associations Between Maternal Support and Physical Activity Among 5th Grade Students.

Background: A large body of research has established an association between parental support for children's physical activity (PA) and children's PA. However, there has been little attention to the relative influences of parent and child perceptions of that parental support.

Purpose: To examine agreement among parent and child perceptions of parent support for PA and whether these perceptions are associated with objectively-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among those children.

Longitudinal associations with changes in outdoor recreation area use for physical activity during a community-based intervention.

Outdoor recreation areas (ORA) are important resources for physical activity (PA) and health promotion. While past research has identified correlates of ORA use, few studies have examined predictors of longitudinal changes in park- and trail-based PA in community settings. Using data from a 6-month community-based walking intervention study, we examined cross-sectional and longitudinal predictors of PA in ORAs.

Characteristics of Walking Group Leaders as Compared With Walking Group Members in a Community-Based Study.

Background: Walking interventions delivered by lay leaders have been shown to be effective. Knowing the characteristics of individuals who volunteer to be group leaders in walking programs could facilitate more efficient and effective recruitment and training.

Methods: Walking group leaders were recruited into a community-based program and formed walking groups from existing social networks.

Building capacity in disadvantaged communities: development of the community advocacy and leadership program.

Background: Successful community groups have the capacity to mobilize community assets to address needs. Capacity-building education is integral to building competent communities.

Objectives: A community-university team developed and pilot tested an education program for community advocates from disadvantaged neighborhoods with high chronic disease burden.

Associations Between Home Environment and After-School Physical Activity and Sedentary Time Among 6th Grade Children.

This study examined associations of various elements of the home environment with after-school physical activity and sedentary time in 671 6th-grade children (Mage = 11.49 ± 0.5 years).

The Results of the "Positive Action for Today's Health" (PATH) Trial for Increasing Walking and Physical Activity in Underserved African-American Communities.

Background: The "Positive Action for Today's Health" (PATH) trial tested an environmental intervention to increase walking in underserved communities.

Methods: Three matched communities were randomized to a police-patrolled walking plus social marketing, a police-patrolled walking-only, or a no-walking intervention. The 24-month intervention addressed safety and access for physical activity (PA) and utilized social marketing to enhance environmental supports for PA.

Persistence of Parent-Reported ADHD Symptoms From Childhood Through Adolescence in a Community Sample.

Objective: To examine ADHD symptom persistence and factors associated with elevated symptom counts in a diverse, longitudinal community-based sample.

Method: Parents reported demographics and completed a diagnostic interview repeatedly over a 6-year period. At Time 1, 481 interviews were completed about children (5-13 years); all participants were invited to four annual follow-up interviews, and 379 (79%) completed at least one.