Adult Physical Inactivity Prevalence Maps By Race/Ethnicity
According to new state maps of adult physical inactivity made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020, all states and territories had more than 15% of adults who were physically inactive and the estimate ranged from 17.3 to 47.7%. Inactivity levels vary among adults by race/ethnicity and location. The data come from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), an ongoing state-based, telephone interview survey conducted by CDC and state health departments. Maps use combined data from 2015 through 2018 and show noticeable differences in the prevalence of physical inactivity by race/ethnicity. Hispanics (31.7%) had the highest prevalence of physical inactivity, followed by non-Hispanic blacks (30.3%) and non-Hispanic whites (23.4%). Non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics had a significantly higher prevalence of inactivity than non-Hispanic whites in the majority of states.
Driving Under The Influence Of Marijuana And Illicit Drugs Among Persons Aged ≥16 Years—U.S.
Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) indicate that in the United States during 2014, 12.4% of all persons aged 16–25 years reported driving under the influence of alcohol, and 3.2% reported driving under the influence of marijuana. This report provides the most recent national estimates of self-reported driving under the influence of marijuana and illicit drugs among persons aged ≥16 years, using 2018 public-use data from NSDUH. Prevalences of driving under the influence of marijuana and illicit drugs other than marijuana were assessed for persons aged ≥16 years by age group, sex, and race/ethnicity. During 2018, 12 million (4.7%) U.S. residents reported driving under the influence of marijuana in the past 12 months; and 2.3 million (0.9%) reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs other than marijuana. Driving under the influence was more prevalent among males and among individuals aged 16–34 years.
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY CORNER
Benefit To Patients Using Wearable Devices Such As Fitbit Or Health Apps On Mobiles
According to a study reported in the December 2019 issue of the American Journal of Medicine, wearable devices have become a standard health care intervention with emerging health care technologies. These devices are designed to promote healthy behaviors and decrease risk for chronic ailments, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. A systematic search of 550 articles revealed little indication that wearable devices provide a benefit for health outcomes. Only one study showed a significant reduction for weight loss among participants. No significant reduction was discovered in cholesterol or blood pressure. A conclusion reached is that current literature evaluating wearable devices indicates little benefit of these items on chronic disease health outcomes. Although wearable devices play a role as a facilitator in motivating and accelerating physical activity, current data do not suggest other consistent health benefits.
Light-Degradable Hydrogels As Dynamic Triggers For Gastrointestinal Applications
Different kinds of medical devices can be inserted into the gastrointestinal tract to treat, diagnose, or monitor GI disorders. Many of these items need to be removed by endoscopic surgery after their function has been performed. According to an article published on January 17, 2020 in the journal Science Advances, engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a way to trigger such devices to break down inside the body when they are exposed to light from an ingestible light-emitting diode (LED). A potential advantage is that light can act at a distance and doesn't need to come into direct contact with the material being broken down. Also, light normally does not penetrate the GI tract, so there is no chance of accidental triggering. Light-triggerable hydrogels have the potential to be applied broadly throughout the GI tract and other anatomic areas. By demonstrating the first use of light-degradable hydrogels in vivo, biomedical engineers and clinicians are provided with a previously unavailable, safe, dynamically deliverable, and precise tool to design dynamically actuated implantable devices.
More Articles from Dec 2019 - Jan 2020 TRENDS
RESOLVING NETTLESOME HEALTH POLICY DISPUTES
Indicates the importance of deciding which groups should be involved in making decisions about controversial initiatives, such as gene editing. Read more
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
ASAHP President Phyllis King discusses Read more
LABOR-HHS FUNDS ALLOCATED FOR FY 2020
Lists funding for certain activities for the Departments of Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. Read more
HEALTH REFORM DEVELOPMENTS
Discusses court rulings involving the individual mandate and also repeal of some taxes that help to finance provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Read more
DEVELOPMENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Describes undergraduate pricing at higher education institutions and Department of Education policy regarding cancellation of debt of federal student loan borrowers based on a college's misconduct. Read more
QUICK STAT (SHORT, TIMELY, AND TOPICAL)
Adult Physical Inactivity Prevalence Maps By Race/Ethnicity
Driving Under The Influence Of Marijuana And Illicit Drugs Among Persons Aged ≥16 Years—U.S.
Benefit To Patients Using Wearable Devices Such As Fitbit Or Health Apps On Mobiles
Light-Degradable Hydrogels As Dynamic Triggers For Gastrointestinal Applications Read more
AVAILABLE RESOURCES ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONICALLY
U.S. Investments In Medical And Health Research And Development 2013 – 2018
More Americans Delaying Medical Treatment Due To Cost
Do Advanced Driver Assistance And Semi-Automated Vehicle Systems Lead To Improper Driving Behavior? Read more
A CONCEPTUAL ANALYSIS OF DECISION FATIGUE
Mentions an impaired ability to make decisions and control behavior as a consequence of repeated acts of decision-making that often lead to choices that seem impulsive or irrational. Read more
GEOGRAPHY DETERMINES WHEN A DEATH CAN BE DECLARED
Refers to how incomplete adoption of the Uniform Determination of Death Act (UDDA) into definitions of death in states around the nation can result in an individual being pronounced dead in one state, but not dead in a neighboring state. Read more