Survey response inducements for registered nurses.

The past 20 years have seen an overall decline in survey response rates and an even more pronounced decline in samples of health care professionals. The authors tested the use of a "thank you" or "reminder" postcard as a method by which to stem the tide of declining response rates. The authors conducted a mail and telephone survey of 49,605 registered nurses for the 2000 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses and sent an extra mailing to a random subsample (n = 4,968).

Regional differences in alcohol use among U. S. military personnel.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in heavy alcohol use and alcohol-related negative effects among U.S. military personnel stationed in different world regions and to examine factors that may account for regional differences.

Smoking and functional status among Medicare managed care enrollees.

Background: Smoking is a major determinant of health status and outcomes. Current smoking has been associated with lower scores on the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). Whether this occurs among the elderly and disabled Medicare populations is not known.