Impact of geo-imputation on epidemiologic associations in a study of outdoor air pollution and respiratory hospitalization.

Imputation of missing spatial attributes in health records may facilitate linkages to geo-referenced environmental exposures, but few studies have assessed geo-imputation impacts on epidemiologic inference. We imputed patient Census tracts in a case-crossover analysis of fine particulate matter (PM) and respiratory hospitalizations in New York State (2000-2005). We observed non-significantly higher PM exposures, high accuracy of binary exposure assignment (89 to 99%), and marginally different hazard ratios (HRs) (-0.

Biologically flavored perspectives on Garmezian resilience.

Norman Garmezy devoted the better part of four decades developing and promoting the construct of resilience for developmental psychopathology. He proposed resilience as a paradigm to guide the understanding of how people can transcend adversity and go on to live healthy, productive lives. This tribute to Norman starts with a look at the early context for his work during his distinguished tenure in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota.

Evidence of the adoption and implementation of a statewide childhood obesity prevention initiative in the New York State WIC Program: the NY Fit WIC process evaluation.

Process evaluations are critical in determining whether outcome evaluations are warranted. This study assessed the extent to which a childhood obesity prevention initiative, NY Fit WIC, was adopted and implemented by the New York State Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Process data came from qualitative telephone interviews of 101 WIC local agency directors, following NY Fit WIC trainings.

Effects of upgraded child restraint law designed to increase booster seat use in New York.

Objective: The goal was to examine the association between the New York State (NYS) upgraded child restraint law (UCRL) implemented in 2005 and the traffic injury rate among 4- to 6-year-old children in New York State.

Methods: A before/after comparison study of population-based, traffic injury rates for 4- to 6-year-old children, using 0- to 3-year-old children as a comparison group, was performed. The effects of UCRL on injury rates among 0- to 3-year-old and 4- to 6-year-old motor vehicle passengers were estimated by using monthly injury count data from the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles Accident Information System.

Expanding access to sterile syringes through pharmacies: assessment of New York's Expanded Syringe Access Program.

Objectives: To investigate the evolution of pharmacist practices, attitudes, and experiences with the Expanded Syringe Access Program (ESAP), which permits over-the-counter sale of syringes by registered pharmacies in New York State.

Design: Longitudinal study.

Setting: New York State in 2002 and 2006.

The effect of name-based reporting and partner notification on HIV testing in New York State.

Objectives: We examined the effect of New York's HIV Reporting and Partner Notification law on HIV testing levels and on the HIV testing decisions of high-risk individuals.

Methods: In-person interviews were administered to 761 high-risk individuals to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding HIV testing and reporting. Trends in HIV testing were also assessed in publicly funded HIV counseling and testing programs, Medicaid, and New York's Maternal Pediatric Newborn Prevention and Care Program.