Publications by authors named "Irina Melnic"

Article Synopsis
  • E-cigarettes (ECs) could be a potential harm reduction method for individuals with chronic conditions like COPD, asthma, and heart diseases who currently smoke combustible cigarettes (CCs).
  • In a pilot study, patients were randomized to use either ECs or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) combined with counseling, and outcomes such as cigarette use and symptom improvement were measured over six months.
  • Results showed both groups reduced their cigarette use significantly, with the EC group showing notable satisfaction and improvement in respiratory symptoms, indicating ECs may be a safer alternative to CCs for these patients.
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Background: In recent years the US health-care system has witnessed a substantial increase in telehealth use. Telehealth enhances health-care access and quality and may reduce costs. However, there is a concern that the shift from in-person to telehealth care delivery may differentially improve cancer care access and quality in certain clinical settings and for specific patient populations while potentially exacerbating disparities in care for others.

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Purpose: Food insecurity is prevalent among low-income immigrant and minority patients with cancer. To our knowledge, this randomized controlled trial is the first to prospectively examine the impact on cancer outcomes of food insecurity interventions, with the goal of informing evidence-based interventions to address food insecurity in patients with cancer.

Methods: A three-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted among food-insecure (18-item US Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Survey Module score ≥ 3) patients with cancer (N = 117) at four New York City safety net cancer clinics.

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Purpose: To assess the prevalence of socioeconomic needs and associations between housing characteristics and food insecurity among low-income cancer patients, among whom housing and food insecurity are particularly prevalent.

Methods: Low-income cancer patients in active treatment (N = 1618) were enrolled in a comprehensive patient navigation program. Food insecurity was assessed using the 18-item US Department of Agriculture US Household Food Security Survey Module.

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Objective: Many breast cancer patients are vulnerable to poor nutritional status and may benefit from nutrition education, but existing materials are not generally tailored to the needs of low-literacy immigrant and minority patients.

Methods: With nutritionist guidance, we developed a nutrition presentation for breast cancer patients. English- (n = 29) and Spanish-speaking (n = 19) patients were recruited from 5 safety-net hospitals, an academic cancer center, and a Latina cancer support organization.

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Article Synopsis
  • Food insecurity significantly impacts the health of cancer patients, especially those who are medically underserved.
  • A study analyzing data from the Integrated Cancer Care Access Network (ICCAN) found that 69% of cancer patients assessed lived in food insecure households.
  • Even with SNAP assistance, a majority of recipients (68%) still faced food insecurity, highlighting the need for supplemental programs to support low-income patients dealing with chronic illnesses.
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Purpose: Food insecure cancer patients experience worse health outcomes and poorer quality of life than food secure patients. There has been little research in programs to alleviate food insecurity in cancer patients. The objective of this paper is to report on the food purchasing behaviors of cancer patients enrolled in a supplemental food voucher program.

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Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine how lifestyle behaviors in the context of physical activity levels and screen time are associated with school absenteeism.

Methods: We analyzed 2005-2008 NHANES data of proxy interviews for 1048 children aged 6-11 years and in-person self-reports of 1117 adolescents aged 12-18 years. Missing 10% of school days during the past school year was defined as severe school absenteeism (SSA).

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