Geographic variability in gestational weight gain: a multilevel population-based study of women having term births in Florida (2005-2012).

Purpose: We examined the extent of geographic variability in gestational weight gain (GWG), identified areas where women have suboptimal GWG, and evaluated whether individual- and area-level factors account for such variability.

Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study including 1,385,574 women delivering term, singleton, and live births in Florida. We used a Bayesian, structured additive regression with a spatial function to analyze data from Florida's birth certificates (2005-2012) and ZIP code tabulation areas (ZCTAs; 2010 Census).

Implementing and Evaluating Environmental and Policy Interventions for Promoting Physical Activity in Rural Schools.

Background: Schools are an important setting for improving behaviors associated with obesity, including physical activity. However, within schools there is often a tension between spending time on activities promoting academic achievement and those promoting physical activity.

Methods: A community-based intervention provided administrators and teachers with a training on evidence-based public health and then collaborated with them to identify and implement environmental (walking track) and local school policy interventions (brain breaks).

Gestational Weight Gain in the First Two Pregnancies and Perinatal Outcomes in the Second Pregnancy.

Background: Gestational Weight Gain (GWG) below or above the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, it remains unknown whether the risk of adverse outcomes is affected by GWG in a previous pregnancy. We examined associations between GWG in the index (second) pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, including preterm delivery and small for gestational age (SGA), while taking into consideration GWG in the first pregnancy.

Ambient PM and Stroke: Effect Modifiers and Population Attributable Risk in Six Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Background And Purpose: Short-term exposure to ambient fine particulate pollution (PM) has been linked to increased stroke. Few studies, however, have examined the effects of long-term exposure.

Methods: A total of 45 625 participants were interviewed and included in this study, the participants came from the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health, a prospective cohort in 6 low- and middle-income countries.

Facilitators and barriers to the adoption of ergonomic solutions in construction.

Background: Rates of musculoskeletal disorders in construction remain high. Few studies have described barriers and facilitators to the use of available ergonomic solutions. This paper describes these barriers and facilitators and their relationship to the level of adoption.

Accelerated partial breast irradiation compared with whole breast radiation therapy: a breast cancer cohort study measuring change in radiation side-effects severity and quality of life.

Purpose: Radiotherapy (RT) after breast-conserving surgery for early-stage breast cancer patients has similar survival benefits with whole breast RT (WBRT) or accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI). However, the impact of RT type and side-effects severity on change in quality of life (QOL) is unknown. We examined changes in RT side-effects severity and QOL by RT type.

Development of a New Growth Standard for Breastfed Chinese Infants: What Is the Difference from the WHO Growth Standards?

The objectives of this longitudinal study were to examine the trajectory of breastfed infants' growth in China to update growth standards for early childhood, and to compare these updated Chinese growth standards with the growth standards recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2006.This longitudinal cohort study enrolled 1,840 healthy breastfed infants living in an "optimal" environment favorable to growth and followed up until one year of age from 2007 to 2010. The study subjects were recruited from 60 communities in twelve cities in China.

A Longitudinal Analysis of the Association Between Living Arrangements and Health Among Older Adults in China.

This article used the nationally representative Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey to explore the associations between living arrangements and health among older adults. Living arrangements were stratified into six categories. Health was measured by self-rated health, activities of daily living (ADL) disability, and cognitive impairment.

Comparing State Legislative Aides' Perspectives on Tobacco Policymaking in States With Strong and Weak Policies: A Qualitative Study.

Purpose: The study compared perceptions of state legislative aides about tobacco policymaking in states with strong and weak tobacco control policies.

Approach: Qualitative in-depth interviews carried out in 2009.

Setting: The US states were ranked on a combination of tobacco prevention funding, taxes, and presence of smoke-free policies.

Adaptation of a Modified DASH Diet to a Rural African American Community Setting.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among African Americans in the U.S., with high blood pressure and obesity being two of the main determinants.

Gestational weight gain and preterm birth: disparities in adolescent pregnancies.

Objective: To examine racial differences in the association between gestational weight gain and preterm birth subtypes among adolescents.

Study Design: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 211 403 adolescents using 2012 United States natality data. The outcome was preterm birth and the primary exposure was gestational weight gain.

Screening for Food Insecurity in Pediatric Clinical Settings: Opportunities and Barriers.

Food insecurity is a serious health concern among children in the United States with 15.3 million children living in food insecure households. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pediatricians screen for food insecurity at health maintenance visits as identifying children at risk is a crucial step in the amelioration of food insecurity.

Explaining large mortality differences between adjacent counties: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Extensive geographic variation in adverse health outcomes exists, but global measures ignore differences between adjacent geographic areas, which often have very different mortality rates. We describe a novel application of advanced spatial analysis to 1) examine the extent of differences in mortality rates between adjacent counties, 2) describe differences in risk factors between adjacent counties, and 3) determine if differences in risk factors account for the differences in mortality rates between adjacent counties.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in Missouri, USA with 2005-2009 age-adjusted all-cause mortality rate as the outcome and county-level explanatory variables from a 2007 population-based survey.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Correlates of Mental Health Services Use among Pregnant Women with Depressive Symptoms.

Objectives To examine correlates of lifetime mental health services (MHS) use among pregnant women reporting prenatal depressive symptoms by race/ethnicity. Methods This cross-sectional population-based study included 81,910 pregnant women with prenatal depressive symptoms using data from the Florida Healthy Start prenatal screening program (2008-2012). Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to ascertain adjusted odds ratios and corresponding 95 % confidence intervals for racial/ethnic differences in the correlates of lifetime MHS use.

Evaluation of a participatory ergonomics intervention in small commercial construction firms.

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) among construction workers remain high. Participatory ergonomics (PE) interventions that engage workers and employers in reducing work injury risks have shown mixed results.

Methods: Eight-six workers from seven contractors participated in a PE program.

Changes in Body Mass Index and the Trajectory of Depressive Symptoms Among Rural Men and Women.

Purpose: This study examined the association between body mass index (BMI) changes over time and the risk of elevated depressive symptoms in a cohort of Midwestern rural adults.

Methods: The longitudinal study used data from a telephone survey in 2005 including 1,475 men and women enrolled in the Walk the Ozarks to Wellness Project from 12 rural communities in Missouri, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Multilevel random intercept mixed models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between BMI calculated from self-reported height and body weight and elevated depressive symptoms, adjusting for sociodemographic, behavioral, and medical variables.

Toolbox Talks: Insights for Improvement.

Unlabelled: Tool box talks (TBTs) have the potential to improve communication, empower workers, reduce injuries and improve safety; however, they can also be "missed opportunities" for providing important safety messages in construction. The goal of this paper is to share the results from two research projects designed to improve the frequency, delivery, participation, and outcomes of TBTs. The results of these projects provide suggestions for planning and delivering TBTs in construction.

A Participatory Regional Partnership Approach to Promote Nutrition and Physical Activity Through Environmental and Policy Change in Rural Missouri.

Background: Rural residents are less likely than urban and suburban residents to meet recommendations for nutrition and physical activity. Interventions at the environmental and policy level create environments that support healthy eating and physical activity.

Community Context: Healthier Missouri Communities (Healthier MO) is a community-based research project conducted by the Prevention Research Center in St.

The utility of Google Trends data to examine interest in cancer screening.

Objectives: We examined the utility of January 2004 to April 2014 Google Trends data from information searches for cancer screenings and preparations as a complement to population screening data, which are traditionally estimated through costly population-level surveys.

Setting: State-level data across the USA.

Participants: Persons who searched for terms related to cancer screening using Google, and persons who participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Feeding methods, sleep arrangement, and infant sleep patterns: a Chinese population-based study.

Background: Findings from prior research into the effect of feeding methods on infant sleep are inconsistent. The objectives of this study were to examine infants' sleep patterns by feeding methods and sleep arrangement from birth to eight months old.

Methods: This longitudinal cohort study enrolled 524 pregnant women at 34-41 weeks of gestation and their infants after delivery in 2006 and followed up until eight months postpartum.

Collaboration among Missouri nonprofit hospitals and local health departments: content analysis of community health needs assessments.

Objectives: We identified the levels of joint action that led to collaboration between hospitals and local health departments (LHDs) using the hospital's community health needs assessments (CHNAs).

Methods: In 2014, we conducted a content analysis of Missouri nonprofit hospitals (n = 34) CHNAs, and identified hospitals based on previously reported collaboration with LHDs. We coded the content according to the level of joint action.

Inactivation of Mold Spores from Moist Carpet Using Steam Vapor: Contact Time and Temperature.

Steam vapor has been shown to reduce viable mold spores in carpet, but the minimal effective temperature and contact time has not been established. This study evaluated the effectiveness of steam vapor in reducing the number of viable mold spores in carpet as a function of temperature and contact time. Seventy carpet samples were inoculated with a liquid suspension of Cladosporium sphaerospermum and incubated over a water-saturated foam carpet pad for 24 hr.