Evaluating Natural Course Performance in Parametric G-formula: Review of Current Practice and Illustration Based on the United Autoworkers-General Motors Cohort.

The parametric g-formula is a causal inference method that appropriately adjusts for time-varying confounding affected by prior exposure. Like all parametric methods, it assumes correct model specification, usually assessed by comparing the observed outcome with the simulated outcome under no intervention (natural course). However, it is unclear how to evaluate natural course performance and whether other variables should also be considered.

Impact of increasing workforce racial diversity on black-white disparities in cardiovascular disease mortality.

Background: Structural racism's influence on workforce policies and practices presents possible upstream targets for assessing and reducing racial health disparities. This study is the first to examine workforce racial diversity in association with racial disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study of 39 693 hourly autoworkers from three Michigan automobile plants, includes 75 years of follow-up (1941-2015).

Correction: Colbeth et al. Mortality among Fire Department of the City of New York Rescue and Recovery Workers Exposed to the World Trade Center Disaster, 2001-2017. 2020, , 6266.

The original publication [...

Exposure to Metalworking Fluids and Cancer Incidence in the United Auto Workers-General Motors Cohort.

In previous studies, investigators have reported increased risks of specific cancers associated with exposure to metalworking fluids (MWFs). In this report we broadly examine the incidence of 14 types of cancer, with a focus on digestive, respiratory, and hormonal cancers, in the United Auto Workers-General Motors (UAW-GM) cohort, a cohort of workers exposed to MWFs (1973-2015). The cohort included 39,132 workers followed for cancer incidence.

Impact of healthcare services on thyroid cancer incidence among World Trade Center-exposed rescue and recovery workers.

Background: A recent study of World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed firefighters and emergency medical service workers demonstrated that elevated thyroid cancer incidence may be attributable to frequent medical testing, resulting in the identification of asymptomatic tumors. We expand on that study by comparing the incidence of thyroid cancer among three groups: WTC-exposed rescue/recovery workers enrolled in a New York State (NYS) WTC-medical monitoring and treatment program (MMTP); WTC-exposed rescue/recovery workers not enrolled in an MMTP (non-MMTP); and the NYS population.

Methods: Person-time began on 9/12/2001 or at enrollment in a WTC cohort and ended at death or on 12/31/2015.

Dietary phenotype and advanced glycation end-products predict WTC-obstructive airways disease: a longitudinal observational study.

Background: Diet is a modifier of metabolic syndrome which in turn is associated with World Trade Center obstructive airways disease (WTC-OAD). We have designed this study to (1) assess the dietary phenotype (food types, physical activity, and dietary habits) of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) WTC-Health Program (WTC-HP) cohort and (2) quantify the association of dietary quality and its advanced glycation end product (AGE) content with the development of WTC-OAD.

Methods: WTC-OAD, defined as developing WTC-Lung Injury (WTC-LI; FEV < LLN) and/or airway hyperreactivity (AHR; positive methacholine and/or positive bronchodilator response).

Performance of Risk Factor-Based Guidelines and Model-Based Chest CT Lung Cancer Screening in World Trade Center-Exposed Fire Department Rescue/Recovery Workers.

Background: Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer incidence and death in the United States. Risk factor-based guidelines and risk model-based strategies are used to identify patients who could benefit from low-dose chest CT (LDCT) screening. Few studies compare guidelines or models within the same cohort.

Food Intake REstriction for Health OUtcome Support and Education (FIREHOUSE) Protocol: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Fire Department of New York (FDNY) rescue and recovery workers exposed to World Trade Center (WTC) particulates suffered loss of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV). Metabolic Syndrome increased the risk of developing WTC-lung injury (WTC-LI) We aim to attenuate the deleterious effects of WTC exposure through a dietary intervention targeting these clinically relevant disease modifiers. We hypothesize that a calorie-restricted Mediterranean dietary intervention will improve metabolic risk, subclinical indicators of cardiopulmonary disease, quality of life, and lung function in firefighters with WTC-LI.

Mortality among Fire Department of the City of New York Rescue and Recovery Workers Exposed to the World Trade Center Disaster, 2001-2017.

The World Trade Center (WTC) attacks on 9/11/2001 have consistently been associated with elevated rates of physical and mental health morbidities, while evidence about mortality has been limited. We examined mortality between 9/12/2001 and 12/31/2017 among 15,431 WTC-exposed Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) firefighters and emergency medical service providers (EMS), specifically assessing associations between intensity of WTC-exposure and mortality risk. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) compared FDNY cohort mortality with the US general population using life table analysis.

Evaluation of Medical Surveillance and Incidence of Post-September 11, 2001, Thyroid Cancer in World Trade Center-Exposed Firefighters and Emergency Medical Service Workers.

Importance: Elevated incidence rates of thyroid cancer among World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed individuals may be associated with the identification of asymptomatic cancers during medical surveillance.

Objective: To examine the association between WTC exposure and thyroid cancer among Fire Department of the City of New York (hereafter, Fire Department) rescue/recovery workers as well as the association with medical surveillance.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This closed-cohort study classified the method of detection (asymptomatic and symptomatic) of thyroid cancers in 14 987 men monitored through the Fire Department-WTC Health Program diagnosed from September 12, 2001, to December 31, 2018.

Understanding Factors Associated with Uptake of BRCA1/2 Genetic Testing among Orthodox Jewish Women in the USA Using a Mixed-Methods Approach.

Background/aims: Ashkenazi Jews have a 1:40 prevalence of BRCA1/2 mutations. Orthodox Jews are an understudied population with unique cultural and religious factors that may influence BRCA1/2 genetic testing uptake.

Methods: Using a mixed-methods approach, we conducted a cross-sectional survey and focus groups among Orthodox Jewish women in New York/New Jersey to explore factors affecting decision-making about BRCA1/2 genetic testing.

Genetic Variants Associated with FDNY WTC-Related Sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. It may develop in response to an exposure or inflammatory trigger in the background of a genetically primed abnormal immune response. Thus, genetic studies are potentially important to our understanding of the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis.

Persistent self-reported ear and hearing problems among World Trade Center-exposed firefighters and emergency medical service workers, 2001-2017-A longitudinal cohort analysis.

Background: The goal of this study was to estimate the impact of exposure to the World Trade Center (WTC) site on annual and persistent rates of otalgia and hearing impairment among Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Firefighters and Emergency Medical Service Workers (EMS).

Methods: Responders completed routine physical health questionnaires at monitoring visits. We used logistic and marginal logistic regression models to explore the association between otalgia and hearing impairment and WTC arrival time.

Incidence and prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus in FDNY first responders before and after work at the World Trade Center disaster site.

Background: The goals of this study were to assess the impact of work at the World Trade Center (WTC) site in relation to new, post-9/11/2001 (9/11) antibody to hepatitis C Virus (anti-HCV); and, evaluate secular trends in WTC-exposed male Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) Firefighters and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responders.

Methods: FDNY monitors responder health through physical exams and routine blood work. We used descriptive statistics to compare trans-9/11 and post-9/11 incidence and to assess trends in prevalence from 2000 to 2012.